"On Our Way To Spiritual Renewal At New Beginnings"
Part 4INTRO: 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?"
Luke 18:9-14 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
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Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.11
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.12
I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.13
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.14
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
The Lord sees all the way to our essence vs. 9
More than just our words
More than our actions
More than our meeting a few guidelines
More than our public profession
The Lord shepherds us because of what He sees in our hearts vs. 9
He sends His Word to us
His Spirit will deal with us and help guide us
He will encourage us and bless us
Two men were scrutinized by others and THE LORD
Pharisee = meaning of this word in Greek was: a separatist, i.e. exclusively religious
Met all the requirements he had for himself
Had two needs of himself (and group)
Did not injure others
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
Publican = Tax collector
Was lacking by his own standards
Was lacking by others standards
Was known by the Lord
The Pharisee was sightless to his own guilt - Lu. 6:39-42
Luke 6:39-42 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?
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The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.41
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?42
Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.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
We need to stop 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 (not talking about isolationism)
Pray for them instead of bad mouthing them
Pray for them some more
The Publican's submissiveness brought him a change - vs. 13
Recognized his fallen state
Realized his incapability to save himself
Requested Gods help
Use ILL. 161 - We need to let the tares be separated by God himself!!!!!
Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 022904- first used - 110198am