1. A LOOK BACK At a question of authenticity. 2. A LOOK UP To God’s supremacy: A God who reigns A God who rules A God who is glorious A God who is everlasting A God who can be known. 3. A LOOK FORWARD To growth in spiritual maturity.
1. TWO MEN a) THE PHARISEE Spiritual Elite, RESPECTED b) THE TAX COLLECTOR Lowest of the low, DESPISED 2. TWO PRAYERS a) SELF-CENTERED PHARISEE Asked for Nothing from God. Trusted in himself, ‘I’ b) GOD-CENTERED TAX COLLECTOR Asked for Mercy from God. “Be Merciful to me THE Sinner” Trusted in ‘The Substitute’ 3. TWO RESULTS…
1) LORD DELIVER US! (1 Pet 5:8-9, Mark 7:20-23) From the evil one From our evil hearts 2) LORD DEFEND US! (Psalm 25:1, 16-18; Psalm 27:1,5) From our enemies 3) LORD DISPLAY US! (Eph 3:10, Col 1:21, Jude 25) Before the angels
1) A BANQUET! (v16-17) A great provision A great invitation 2) A BOYCOTT! (v18-21 & 24) Excuses made, Privilege denied 3) A BLESSING! (v21-23) Go out, Bring in, Fill up
1) ITS REALITY! Everyone is tempted (1 Cor 10-13) Jesus was tempted (Matt 4:1-2) Christians are tempted (1 Pet 5:8-9) 2) ITS ROOT! “Satan” the tempter (Matt 4:3) 3) ITS RESISTANCE! a) Pray (Matt 6:13) b) Believe (1 Cor 10:13) c) Dress (Eph 6:13-18) d) Run (2 Tim 2:22
1) A PRECEPT! (v15) You shall not covet Take care and guard against all covetousness 2) A PICTURE! (v16-20) a) Of a man who was rich but very poor b) He remembers himself but not God c) He remembers his assets not his neighbours d) He remembers time but not eternity 3) A POINT!…
1) ITS PRIORITY! Jesus taught it, prayed it & lived it 2) ITS PROCESS! a) Decisional not emotional b) Spiritual not natural c) Essential not optional d) Gradual not instantaneous e) Judicial not sentimental 3) ITS POWER Forgiving others: a) Moves you b) Beautifies you c) Empowers your prayer life d) Sets you free…
1) A TRAP! (v25-29) An expert in the Law tries to trap Jesus Jesus answers a question with a question 2) A TRAUMA! (v30-35) a) Of brutality b) Of helplessness c) Of religion d) Of fear 3) A TRUTH! (v36-37) The Law says, “Do” (v25, 28, 37) The Gospel says, “Done”
1. THE PROBLEM – ‘DEBTS’ It’s all of our biggest problem 2. THE OWNERSHIP – ‘US OUR’ a) It reminds us there is none that is righteous b) It reminds us that our sin has consequences (remember Achan) 3. THE PLEA – ‘FORGIVE’ a) Why ask for forgiveness when we know Jesus has…
1) MORAL! These many years I served you, I never disobeyed your command. 2) MEAN! He was angry, bitter and resentful. Your son not my brother. 3) MISERABLE! He refused to go in. 4) MISTAKEN! Son, you are always with me; all that is mine is yours.