The parable Jesus talks about in Luke 18:9-14 shows us that there are two approaches to God but only one of those ways is acceptable. This parable is about the Pharisee and the publican (tax collector). Each approach God in a particular way. Now, the prayer is not the key to unlocking this story, the attitude toward approaching God is.
Approach #1 - There are at least four methods that the Pharisee uses in his approach to God - each of them are equally detestable in God's eyes.
1. Pride (Luke 18:11) - The Pharisee was addressing his prayer to God, but he was actually talking to himself. His main focus was on what he perceived to be his own greatness. He was assuming he could walk into the presence of the Creator of the universe and share all the good things he had done and God would be impressed (Proverbs 8:13).
2. Self-Righteousness (Luke 18:11) - We cannot come into God's presence assuming we are without sin. Scripture teaches us that we were sinners but are saved by God's grace. This man had a legalistic mindset. He believes he is saved by his good works and when they are piled up they can be laid before God as proof that he should be able to approach Him (1 John 1:8).
3. Looking Down On Others (Luke 18:11) - The Pharisee thinks that putting this man down somehow lifts himself up. Sometimes we find ourselves in the midst of people that who wanting to know more about God and they present themselves before Him just the way they are. They don't know all the proper forms, procedures and protocol, but they want to know more about God and see if He is the One they've been searching for. But sometimes Christians look at them like this Pharisee looked at this tax collector and instead of saying "I praise you God for this person who is seeking," we say "Father, I thank you that I am not like that person." Rather than embracing them with the love of God we place them below us as if we had something more to offer to God than they do.
4. Religious Activity (Luke 18:12) - Being religious and doing all the right religious things will not bring us one step closer to God. While we are to be active for Christ, it does not bring us closer to Him.
Approach #2 - Indeed, this tax collector was about as low as you could get. He turned on his own people to work for Rome. Rome required that taxes be collected and the "collector" could collect some for himself as well. This did not set well with the people.
But he had come to a point in his life that he knew he had to change. He goes to the one place where he knows he is supposed to find God - the Temple (Luke 18:13). He approaches God with ...
1. Reverence. This man will not even lift his eyes toward heaven - he has recognition of Who it is that he is talking to as he opens his mouth in prayer. He knew he was approaching a Holy God (Ephesians 3:12).
2. Humility. The tax collector is not bragging about what he has, or does, or has accomplished. He brings only himself and the great debt of his rebellion against a Holy God.
3. Repentance. He knew that he had wronged God and he wanted to change that. The literal meaning that he prayed was "O God, be merciful to me - the sinner." Unlike the Pharisee who looked upon everyone else's sin but ignored his own, this man paid no attention to anyone's transgressions but his own.
When approacing God, the issue is not status, religion, or sinfulness. God accepts those who recognize Him for Who He is! And that's what this parable is all about - approaching God on the basis of Who He is, not on who we are. It is being able to come to the point in our lives where we can say, "God, this isn't about me, it's about You, and I'm ready to give myself over to You wholly and completely."
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
A Firm Foundation
A Firm Foundation
Luke 6:46-49
Has anyone ever asked you this question..."What is your life based upon? Who or what is your hope in? If this where your last day on earth, where would you spend eternity?"
Two Different Types of People...
In this parable, Jesus speaks of two different kinds of people - those that listened to what He said and changed their lives and those that listened and went on with life as if they hadn't heart anything at all. The first group built their lives upon the solid foundation (Him); the second had no solid substance to build their lives on at all.
1. Those who have no foundation...
A. My free choice is not challenged. Each of us is given the ability to choose for or against Jesus. To choose for Jesus is to make Him Lord and Savior of our life. To not choose for Jesus isn't really making much of a choice at all for since we are born into sin we are already destined for hell.
B. My focus is on the present. Tom Friends of the New york Times asked Coach Jimmy Johnson what he told his players before leading the Dallas cowboys onto the field for the 1993 Super Bowl. "I told them that if I laid a 2 x 4 across the floor, everybody there would walk across it and not fall because our focus would be on walking the length of that board. But if I put that same board 10 stories high between two buildings, only a few would make it, because the focus would be on falling."
As long as circumstances are well, we don't have to worry about falling. But when the storms come and our 2 x 4 becomes airborne, our focus changes. We become more concerned about falling than anything else. But, if our focus is on Jesus, no matter what comes, our 2 x 4 is solidly anchored to Him.
C. My future is unsure. The manager and one of his salesmen stood before a map on which colored pins indicated the sales rep in each area. "I'm not going to fire you, Cartwright," the manager said, "but just to emphasize the insecurity of your position, I'm loosening your pin a little."
That's similiar to what the person faces each day that does not build their life upon Christ. The problem is that there is no promise of tomorrow - we don't know what the future holds, so why risk putting such an important decision off until an unpredictable future?
D. My fate is decided. Not choosing is making a choice. All of us are going to face judgment some day. We will receive the "wages" (Romans 6:23) for the choices we make in this life (Luke 6:49 and 1 Corinthians 3:11).
2. If I Have Christ As My Foundation...
A. My decision is to obey. When I confess that Jesus is Lord and Savior of my life, I am accepting the gift of eternal life that God gives me by His grace through faith - my sins are forgiven (Luke 6:47,48).
B. My direction is clear. The person who has Christ as Lord of their life has a clear direction. They know exactly where they are headed (Romans 8:28,29).
C. My destiny is secure. In various points of our lives, problems abound. Our temptation is to panic because we feel things are out of control. Yet, the truth is we've never been in control over the most important things of life. We've always been held up by the grace of God. Nothing happens without His say so.
In Jesus' parable, the storm came agains both houses. Neither was spared from the same exact storm (and it must have been a doozy). But only one was standing after the storm. The one with the solid foundation.
Where is your house (life) standing today? On shaky ground or on solid (Jesus)? It's not about your denomination, the church you go too, or even that you are a good person. It's all about who you know. And by that I mean Jesus. Please take the time to read Romans 10:9,10 for the answer to eternal life. It's time to trust Him!!!!!
Luke 6:46-49
Has anyone ever asked you this question..."What is your life based upon? Who or what is your hope in? If this where your last day on earth, where would you spend eternity?"
Two Different Types of People...
In this parable, Jesus speaks of two different kinds of people - those that listened to what He said and changed their lives and those that listened and went on with life as if they hadn't heart anything at all. The first group built their lives upon the solid foundation (Him); the second had no solid substance to build their lives on at all.
1. Those who have no foundation...
A. My free choice is not challenged. Each of us is given the ability to choose for or against Jesus. To choose for Jesus is to make Him Lord and Savior of our life. To not choose for Jesus isn't really making much of a choice at all for since we are born into sin we are already destined for hell.
B. My focus is on the present. Tom Friends of the New york Times asked Coach Jimmy Johnson what he told his players before leading the Dallas cowboys onto the field for the 1993 Super Bowl. "I told them that if I laid a 2 x 4 across the floor, everybody there would walk across it and not fall because our focus would be on walking the length of that board. But if I put that same board 10 stories high between two buildings, only a few would make it, because the focus would be on falling."
As long as circumstances are well, we don't have to worry about falling. But when the storms come and our 2 x 4 becomes airborne, our focus changes. We become more concerned about falling than anything else. But, if our focus is on Jesus, no matter what comes, our 2 x 4 is solidly anchored to Him.
C. My future is unsure. The manager and one of his salesmen stood before a map on which colored pins indicated the sales rep in each area. "I'm not going to fire you, Cartwright," the manager said, "but just to emphasize the insecurity of your position, I'm loosening your pin a little."
That's similiar to what the person faces each day that does not build their life upon Christ. The problem is that there is no promise of tomorrow - we don't know what the future holds, so why risk putting such an important decision off until an unpredictable future?
D. My fate is decided. Not choosing is making a choice. All of us are going to face judgment some day. We will receive the "wages" (Romans 6:23) for the choices we make in this life (Luke 6:49 and 1 Corinthians 3:11).
2. If I Have Christ As My Foundation...
A. My decision is to obey. When I confess that Jesus is Lord and Savior of my life, I am accepting the gift of eternal life that God gives me by His grace through faith - my sins are forgiven (Luke 6:47,48).
B. My direction is clear. The person who has Christ as Lord of their life has a clear direction. They know exactly where they are headed (Romans 8:28,29).
C. My destiny is secure. In various points of our lives, problems abound. Our temptation is to panic because we feel things are out of control. Yet, the truth is we've never been in control over the most important things of life. We've always been held up by the grace of God. Nothing happens without His say so.
In Jesus' parable, the storm came agains both houses. Neither was spared from the same exact storm (and it must have been a doozy). But only one was standing after the storm. The one with the solid foundation.
Where is your house (life) standing today? On shaky ground or on solid (Jesus)? It's not about your denomination, the church you go too, or even that you are a good person. It's all about who you know. And by that I mean Jesus. Please take the time to read Romans 10:9,10 for the answer to eternal life. It's time to trust Him!!!!!
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Four Things to Remember
In the book of Matthew, several life principles are given to us (from Charles Stanley's Life Principle's Bible)....
1. Prayer is life's greatest time saver. Matthew 6:5-9
2. God blesses us so that we might bless others. Matthew 10:8
3. Obedience always brings blessing. Matthew 14:17-21
4. An eager anticipation of the Lord's return keeps us living productively. Matthew 24:36-44
There are many more promises in this book but these four are key in that they emphasize essentials that we must cling too in our walk for Christ - pray, love and help others, obey Him, look forward to His return which will be at any time.
'Til the storm passes,
Pastor Gary
1. Prayer is life's greatest time saver. Matthew 6:5-9
2. God blesses us so that we might bless others. Matthew 10:8
3. Obedience always brings blessing. Matthew 14:17-21
4. An eager anticipation of the Lord's return keeps us living productively. Matthew 24:36-44
There are many more promises in this book but these four are key in that they emphasize essentials that we must cling too in our walk for Christ - pray, love and help others, obey Him, look forward to His return which will be at any time.
'Til the storm passes,
Pastor Gary
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