INTRO: Three weeks ago I started a series. Our message was entitled, "Erase The Mark From The 'John Mark' In Your Lives." Basically I dealt with the theme of "Reclaiming The Confidence In Each Other So We Can Regaining The Proper Direction God Wants Us To Have." Then I dealt with the theme, "Receiving the Chastening of the Lord with Joy, that We Might Gladly Remove the Carnality that Clings to our Life." My message was entitled, "Carnality or Holiness, Which will it be?" I continued on with the series, using next as a theme: Realigning our Ideas or Attitudes that are Contrary to the Spirit, That We Might Receive the Message of Reconciliation." Last weeks message was entitled, "So, Which Self Shows Up Today?"

Today I want to continue on with the series, using a theme: "Removing the Righteousness That We Own From Our Lives, That We Might Replace it With God's." I will use as a title this morning: Pharisee or Publican; Saint or Sinner?"

1. The Lord Sees all the way to our essence vs. 9
1. More than just our words
2. More than our actions
3. More than our meeting a few guidelines
4. More than our public profession

 
2. The Lord addresses what He sees in our hearts vs. 9
1. He sends His Word to us
2. His Spirit will deal with us and help guide us
3. He will encourage us and bless us

 
3. Two men were examined by others and THE LORD
1. Pharisee = meaning of this word in Greek was: a separatist, i.e. exclusively religious

• Met all the requirements he had for himself

1. Did not injure others
2. Kept all the external "rules" of his group...i.e. "I fast twice in the week, tithe all I possess, etc"

• Met all the requirements others had for him (we would want him on several boards )
• Was known by the Lord

2. Publican = Tax collector

• Was lacking by his own standards
• Was lacking by others standards
• Was known by the Lord

4. The Pharisee was blinded to his own guiltiness Lu. 6:39-42

1. We need to take care of self if we want to have Spiritual renewal

• We need a clean heart, without malice, despising, pride, etc.
• Live a love filled life not just a rule following one
• Live a seeking life for the good things God want s us to have
• Longing life for SPIRITUAL RENEWAL

2. We need to forget checking out the things in others eyes!

• We have enough stuff in our eyes to take care of
• We need to forego self righteousness in our lives and lean on the Lord. - we are as filthy rags
• Let them take care of their own life
• Pray for them instead of bad mouthing them
• Pray for them some more

Gary Marcum - East 38th Street FWB - 110198am