WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.099 We're going to begin our worship by singing to God's praise in Psalm 55. 00:00:05.280 --> 00:00:11.160 This is in the Sing Psalms version, Psalm 55, page 71 of the psalm book. 00:00:11.279 --> 00:00:17.539 We're going to sing from verse 1 to verse 8 on the tune of St. Columba. 00:00:18.059 --> 00:00:23.500 O God, please listen to my prayer. Do not ignore my plea, my anxious thoughts. 00:00:23.640 --> 00:00:26.719 Make me distraught, O hear, and answer me. 00:00:26.719 --> 00:00:29.879 We'll sing from verse 1 to 8 to God's praise. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:59.980 St. Columba. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:02.000 O God, please listen to my prayer. 00:01:02.000 --> 00:01:07.000 O hear, and answer me. 00:01:07.000 --> 00:01:25.000 I am troubled by the voice of foes, by their malicious stare. 00:01:25.000 --> 00:01:43.000 For they bring suffering to me, their hatred I must fear. 00:01:43.000 --> 00:01:53.420 Within me anguish grips my heart. 00:01:54.000 --> 00:02:01.340 Death's terror's heart come near. 00:02:01.340 --> 00:02:10.340 I tremble and am terrified. 00:02:10.340 --> 00:02:19.340 I am overwhelmed by fear. 00:02:19.340 --> 00:02:29.340 Oh, that I lie, a dove had wings. 00:02:29.340 --> 00:02:37.340 Then I would fly away. 00:02:37.340 --> 00:02:39.340 And be at rest. 00:02:39.340 --> 00:02:44.340 I sleep from here. 00:02:44.340 --> 00:02:53.340 And then the desert stay. 00:02:53.340 --> 00:03:00.340 And would I do my hiking place. 00:03:00.340 --> 00:03:05.340 And would I do my hiking place. 00:03:05.340 --> 00:03:12.340 For refuge take my flight. 00:03:12.340 --> 00:03:24.340 Far from the raging of the storm. 00:03:24.340 --> 00:03:31.340 And from the helpless mind. 00:03:31.340 --> 00:03:32.360 Amen. 00:03:36.340 --> 00:03:38.340 Let us come to God in prayer. 00:03:38.340 --> 00:03:39.039 Let us pray. 00:03:39.039 --> 00:03:47.939 Lord our God our Father in heaven we do thank you that you're the one who hears our prayer 00:03:47.939 --> 00:03:55.519 and we've come even anew today offering a prayer of praise and worship to you we thank you that 00:03:55.519 --> 00:04:00.639 you're the one who is able to help in all our different needs that you're the one who gives 00:04:00.639 --> 00:04:05.759 us all that we need from day to day even as we look back over the past week we think of 00:04:05.759 --> 00:04:13.599 the many blessings we've had with food on the table clothes to wear homes to sleep and to 00:04:13.599 --> 00:04:19.879 abide in we thank you for all the different things we have and so much we take for granted and we just 00:04:19.879 --> 00:04:26.480 pray that you will help us and encourage us Lord to always look and trust in you we thank you for 00:04:26.480 --> 00:04:32.920 the way the psalm described that you are a hiding place a place of refuge for us but we thank you 00:04:32.920 --> 00:04:38.400 that you have not hidden yourself from us we thank you that you are showing yourself to us in your 00:04:38.400 --> 00:04:45.180 word and in all that you do for us and may you bless us as a people bless oh Lord we pray our young folk 00:04:45.180 --> 00:04:50.560 in particular just now as we pray for the sunday school and the creche and the tweenies we thank 00:04:50.560 --> 00:04:56.800 you to see families gathered together here today and for so many young people and we pray Lord that 00:04:56.800 --> 00:05:03.079 in their young years you will look after them that you will bless them and keep them we think two of 00:05:03.079 --> 00:05:08.780 those who have gone on to university or are going away to university soon we pray Lord that you will 00:05:08.780 --> 00:05:16.400 watch over them as well and be with them we thank you for the joy of children who have been part of 00:05:16.400 --> 00:05:21.960 this congregation and indeed your church far and wide you know as we think of baptism and the blessing 00:05:21.959 --> 00:05:28.199 in that too Lord we pray for families who prepare for that remember them and all who have been 00:05:28.199 --> 00:05:35.299 baptized in our church all we have seen oh Lord maybe over many years maybe have moved on to different 00:05:35.299 --> 00:05:40.560 parts of the country or even the world but we thank you that you are the God who watches over all 00:05:40.560 --> 00:05:46.199 and we pray Lord that you will bless us that you will look down upon us that your word will speak to 00:05:46.199 --> 00:05:53.159 us today and you that you will pardon all our sin as we ask all these things in Jesus name amen 00:05:53.159 --> 00:06:00.719 it's good to see you here today hope you've had a good week hope you haven't been eaten by the midges 00:06:00.719 --> 00:06:05.579 as you were coming into church today they're bad this morning I was going to show you something 00:06:05.579 --> 00:06:13.680 I've got here can you see that it's it's not the one I wanted to bring it's it's a bucket of blocks 00:06:13.680 --> 00:06:18.959 I've got one that's much bigger than this with bigger blocks but there's a retired minister who 00:06:18.959 --> 00:06:25.060 stays next door and he borrowed them and he hasn't given them back he's got all so much spare time 00:06:25.060 --> 00:06:30.300 just now he's just playing out in the garden with his blocks but I was looking at this and there's 00:06:30.300 --> 00:06:35.280 things that we've often played with maybe not just the young folks here the older folks there are 00:06:35.280 --> 00:06:41.100 things that haven't changed over the years just playing with building blocks and one of the things we 00:06:41.100 --> 00:06:46.040 can often do is we can build little houses but one other thing we used to do is always try and see 00:06:46.040 --> 00:06:53.220 how high up we could build the building blocks and there was something that was mentioned to me the other 00:06:53.220 --> 00:07:01.260 day was if we try and build up the building blocks in this way and thinking to ourselves if we put up a 00:07:01.260 --> 00:07:07.920 block for every good thing that we've done do you think that will get us as high as God do you think 00:07:07.920 --> 00:07:14.400 that will help us to reach God and many people sort of try and play this game they try and build up 00:07:14.400 --> 00:07:21.259 all these blocks on top of each other and what happens is the high you get the wobblier the tower 00:07:21.259 --> 00:07:27.800 gets and eventually it's going to fall don't think I'll go too high in case it falls down on Ali's head 00:07:27.800 --> 00:07:36.180 but we play these games with building blocks and we'd see and try and build up this tower high high 00:07:36.180 --> 00:07:41.520 high as we can and you think of all the good things that you've done maybe say to yourself well I tied in 00:07:41.520 --> 00:07:47.840 my room this week I'll put one block up I did my homework that's another block I ate my food well 00:07:47.840 --> 00:07:51.980 that's another block and the tower is getting higher and higher you're thinking to yourself 00:07:51.980 --> 00:07:59.900 I can get so high I can reach God but that's not how it works because the more we start looking to 00:07:59.900 --> 00:08:04.900 ourselves and the good that we've done as we build this tower it's just becoming wobblier and wobblier 00:08:04.900 --> 00:08:11.700 and eventually it's just going to collapse it's going to fall down and that's what we're looking at 00:08:11.700 --> 00:08:18.660 in our Bibles today we're going to look at an account of Jesus telling a parable telling a story 00:08:18.660 --> 00:08:27.160 about two men who went to pray one's called a Pharisee the other's a tax collector and the 00:08:27.160 --> 00:08:32.080 Pharisee he thought he was a good man and he was looking to God in this way of building his tower 00:08:32.080 --> 00:08:37.820 and saying Lord I've done this I've done that I've done the next thing but he was focused on himself 00:08:37.820 --> 00:08:45.120 and what happens his tower comes tumbling down but the tax collector he saw himself as a sinner 00:08:45.120 --> 00:08:53.299 there was nothing good he had to offer God all he did was bow before him and pray to him have mercy 00:08:53.299 --> 00:09:00.980 on me as sinner and that's what God did for him he showed mercy to him he didn't have anything to 00:09:00.980 --> 00:09:08.139 bring to God but himself and a heart that was crying out to him and so it's a reminder to us we 00:09:08.139 --> 00:09:13.519 don't build our lives and say Lord look at all the good things I've done and try and build this tower 00:09:13.519 --> 00:09:21.460 ourselves to reach up to God because we'll only make a mess of it but we see that God has come down 00:09:21.460 --> 00:09:30.600 to us in Jesus and he says just come and pray to me and I will hear you and I'm able to forgive 00:09:30.600 --> 00:09:39.159 so let's build our lives not with pride building ourselves up but humbly just looking to God and 00:09:39.159 --> 00:09:45.240 trusting in him we're going to say the Lord's prayer together so we'll say the Lord's prayer 00:09:45.240 --> 00:09:54.279 our father which art in heaven hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth 00:09:54.279 --> 00:10:02.759 as it is in heaven give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors 00:10:02.759 --> 00:10:10.679 and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for thine is the kingdom the power and the glory 00:10:10.679 --> 00:10:12.480 forever amen 00:10:12.480 --> 00:10:19.159 we're going to sing to God's praise in psalm 65 00:10:19.159 --> 00:10:30.539 this is in the scottish psalter version psalm 65 page 297 of the psalm books 00:10:30.539 --> 00:10:37.819 i'm going to sing from verse one to the end of double verse four 00:10:37.819 --> 00:10:48.000 praise waits for thee in sion lord to thee those page shall be o thou that hear art of prayer 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:55.740 all flesh shall come to thee we'll sing from verse one to four and the tune is saint andrew we stand to sing 00:10:55.740 --> 00:11:23.740 praise waits for thee in sion lord to thee those page shall be o thou that hear an art of prayer 00:11:23.740 --> 00:11:51.740 praise all flesh shall come to thee iniquities i must confess prevail against me do but as for us 00:11:51.740 --> 00:11:53.740 praise all of our transgressions then parched away shall thou 00:11:53.740 --> 00:12:06.740 praise all of our transgressions then parched away shall thou 00:12:06.740 --> 00:12:08.740 bless you 00:12:08.740 --> 00:12:09.740 bless 00:12:09.740 --> 00:12:11.740 bless 00:12:11.740 --> 00:12:12.740 bless 00:12:12.740 --> 00:12:16.740 bless 00:12:16.740 --> 00:12:21.740 bless 00:12:21.740 --> 00:12:26.740 bless 00:12:26.740 --> 00:12:51.740 We surely shall be satisfied 00:12:51.740 --> 00:12:58.740 With thy abundant grace 00:12:58.740 --> 00:13:08.740 And with the goodness of thy house 00:13:08.740 --> 00:13:16.740 Even of thy holy place 00:13:21.740 --> 00:13:28.740 We'll turn to read together in God's Word in the Gospel of Luke in chapter 18. 00:13:28.740 --> 00:13:36.740 Luke chapter 18, reading from the beginning down to verse 14. 00:13:36.740 --> 00:13:42.740 Where we see here two parables that Jesus tells. 00:13:42.740 --> 00:13:50.740 And the parables come immediately after Jesus having spoken about the coming of the kingdom of God. 00:13:50.740 --> 00:13:56.740 And how before that he himself would have to suffer many things. 00:13:56.740 --> 00:14:00.740 So we read in Luke 18 at verse 1. 00:14:00.740 --> 00:14:07.740 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not to lose heart. 00:14:07.740 --> 00:14:09.740 He said, 00:14:09.740 --> 00:14:15.740 In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:20.740 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:23.740 Give me justice against my adversary. 00:14:23.740 --> 00:14:25.740 For a while he refused. 00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:27.740 But afterwards he said to himself, 00:14:27.740 --> 00:14:31.740 Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 00:14:31.740 --> 00:14:34.740 Yet because this widow keeps bothering me, 00:14:34.740 --> 00:14:36.740 I will give her justice, 00:14:36.740 --> 00:14:40.740 So that she will not beat me down by her continual coming. 00:14:40.740 --> 00:14:42.740 And the Lord said, 00:14:42.740 --> 00:14:46.740 Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 00:14:46.740 --> 00:14:53.740 And will not God give justice to his elect who cry to him day and night? 00:14:53.740 --> 00:14:55.740 Will he delay long over them? 00:14:55.740 --> 00:14:57.740 I tell you, 00:14:57.740 --> 00:15:00.740 He will give justice to them speedily. 00:15:00.740 --> 00:15:01.740 Nevertheless, 00:15:01.740 --> 00:15:03.740 When the Son of Man comes, 00:15:03.740 --> 00:15:06.740 Will he find faith on earth? 00:15:06.740 --> 00:15:12.740 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous 00:15:12.740 --> 00:15:15.740 And treated others with contempt. 00:15:15.740 --> 00:15:18.740 Two men went up into the temple to pray. 00:15:18.740 --> 00:15:21.740 One a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:25.740 The Pharisee standing by himself prayed thus, 00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:29.740 God, I thank you that I am not like other men, 00:15:29.740 --> 00:15:32.740 Extortioners, unjust, adulterers, 00:15:32.740 --> 00:15:34.740 Or even like this tax collector. 00:15:34.740 --> 00:15:36.740 I fast twice a week. 00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:39.740 I give tithes of all that I get. 00:15:39.740 --> 00:15:42.740 But the tax collector standing far off, 00:15:42.740 --> 00:15:45.740 Would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, 00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:47.740 But beat his breast saying, 00:15:47.740 --> 00:15:51.740 God, be merciful to me a sinner. 00:15:51.740 --> 00:15:53.740 I tell you, 00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:56.740 This man went down to his house justified, 00:15:56.740 --> 00:15:58.740 Rather than the other. 00:15:58.740 --> 00:16:02.740 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, 00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:07.740 But the one who humbles himself will be exalted. 00:16:07.740 --> 00:16:08.740 Amen. 00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:10.740 And may God bless. 00:16:10.740 --> 00:16:12.740 That reading from his word. 00:16:12.740 --> 00:16:14.740 We'll join together in prayer once again. 00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:15.740 Let us pray. 00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:21.740 Lord our God, our Father in heaven, 00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:23.740 As we hear your word, 00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:27.740 It may be a passage that we've so often heard over the years. 00:16:27.740 --> 00:16:30.740 We can be so familiar with many of the parables 00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:32.740 That we see Jesus teaching. 00:16:32.740 --> 00:16:35.740 We can be familiar with them as stories 00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:37.740 Perhaps we've learned from childhood. 00:16:37.740 --> 00:16:42.740 Stories that we perhaps miss the real meaning behind them. 00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:45.740 And we just pray today that as we open up your word, 00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:46.740 And as we hear it, 00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:49.740 As we seek to study it together, 00:16:49.740 --> 00:16:52.740 That by your spirit you will minister to us. 00:16:52.740 --> 00:16:54.740 That you will indeed humble us, 00:16:54.740 --> 00:16:56.740 As we have read in your word, 00:16:56.740 --> 00:16:58.740 That you might exalt us. 00:16:58.740 --> 00:17:00.740 That you might lift us up. 00:17:00.740 --> 00:17:03.740 That by looking to you we will realize 00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:06.740 How unworthy we are in all our sin. 00:17:06.740 --> 00:17:10.740 But yet, O Lord, may you help us to see 00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:14.740 That that is the very reason you sent your son into this world. 00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:18.740 That though we could not exalt ourselves, 00:17:18.740 --> 00:17:20.740 He was exalted. 00:17:20.740 --> 00:17:22.740 He was taken up. 00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:23.740 He was beaten. 00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:26.740 He was cursed in so many different ways. 00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:28.740 He was put to death. 00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:31.740 But yet, O Lord, we are reminded in your word 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:34.740 Even death itself had no power over him. 00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:36.740 For we are reminded today on the first day of the week 00:17:36.740 --> 00:17:38.740 That he is risen. 00:17:38.740 --> 00:17:42.740 That we come worshiping our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:43.740 Who is risen. 00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:45.740 Who is ascended. 00:17:45.740 --> 00:17:47.740 Who is at the right hand of God. 00:17:47.740 --> 00:17:50.740 Who is even now making intercession for us. 00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:52.740 So that as we come offering up our prayers, 00:17:52.740 --> 00:17:55.740 It is in and through his name. 00:17:55.740 --> 00:18:00.740 And we thank you, Lord, that despite our sin, 00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:03.740 Despite all that we are before you as unholy people, 00:18:03.740 --> 00:18:05.740 Unworthy of the least of your mercies. 00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:09.740 That you are the one who raises up your people. 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:11.740 That you are the one who helps us to see 00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:14.740 That you are God and there is no other. 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:17.740 You are the one who puts our feet on solid ground. 00:18:17.740 --> 00:18:21.740 You are the one who helps us to go on in your strength 00:18:21.740 --> 00:18:22.740 As we look to you. 00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:25.740 And so we thank you for all that you do for us. 00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:29.740 And we pray, Lord, that you will continue to build us up as your people. 00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:32.740 To bring us to know you more and more. 00:18:32.740 --> 00:18:35.740 To bring us to trust in you with all our hearts. 00:18:35.740 --> 00:18:37.740 To acknowledge you in all our ways. 00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:40.740 So that you would direct our paths. 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:43.740 Lord, we ask your blessing on our time together today. 00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:48.740 We thank you for the privilege that is ours to worship and to praise your name. 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:53.740 We thank you for the light that you have given to us through your gospel. 00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:56.740 And we pray that you will still us before you. 00:18:56.740 --> 00:19:00.740 That you will help us, even in this time together, 00:19:00.740 --> 00:19:03.740 To be still and to know that you are God. 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:06.740 And so hear all our prayers as we offer them up to you. 00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:10.740 Prayers for so many things going on around us. 00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:13.740 For so many people in different circumstances. 00:19:13.740 --> 00:19:17.740 For so many events going on around the world at this time. 00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:21.740 We thank you, Lord, that there is nothing unknown to you. 00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:22.740 Nothing hidden to you. 00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:24.740 That you see and know all things. 00:19:24.740 --> 00:19:29.740 But we come and commit ourselves and others to you in prayer. 00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:32.740 That in all our different needs and circumstances, 00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:34.740 You will turn us towards you. 00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:37.740 That you will help us to call upon your name. 00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:42.740 We think of those who are mourning and grieving in our midst, O Lord. 00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:47.740 We thank you that your word reminds us that you are a God of all comfort. 00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:51.740 And we pray that you will comfort us only you can. 00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:53.740 That you will heal the broken hearts. 00:19:53.740 --> 00:19:59.740 That you will be close to those who feel the way tough just now. 00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:04.740 Whether it be a recent bereavement or a bereavement maybe a long time ago. 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:08.740 We thank you that you know and remember us in all our different needs. 00:20:08.740 --> 00:20:12.740 So, Lord, surround people in these situations. 00:20:12.740 --> 00:20:14.740 Remember those who are unwell. 00:20:14.740 --> 00:20:16.740 We pray, Lord, for healing. 00:20:16.740 --> 00:20:20.740 For your goodness to be upon different people who are unwell. 00:20:20.740 --> 00:20:24.740 We pray for your grace in situations that maybe will not or cannot change. 00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:27.740 Because that is not your will. 00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:31.740 But we thank you that your grace is sufficient for every circumstance. 00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:36.740 That you provide for us even when there is nothing humanly possible for us. 00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:41.740 We thank you that you have prepared us, Lord, even for the pains of death. 00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:45.740 And we thank you, Lord, that with you that there is mercy. 00:20:45.740 --> 00:20:47.740 With you that there is hope. 00:20:47.740 --> 00:20:49.740 For it is not just about this world and this life. 00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:55.740 But Jesus came that we might have life to the full and life eternal. 00:20:55.740 --> 00:21:01.740 And so, we pray, Lord, that you will surround us and give us that hope of the gospel. 00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:05.740 The hope that is light into all the darkness of this world. 00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:11.740 We thank you, too, of our nation, O Lord, and how far away we are from you. 00:21:11.740 --> 00:21:15.740 We pray, Lord, for those who are ruling over us in different ways. 00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:20.740 In monarchy, in parliament, in governments of various kinds throughout our land. 00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:25.740 We see the consequences, O Lord, so clearly described in your word. 00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:27.740 That when we turn away from you. 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:29.740 When we look to our own ways. 00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:31.740 That we only stumble and fall. 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:33.740 And that is where we are, Lord. 00:21:33.740 --> 00:21:35.740 We have stumbled from you. 00:21:35.740 --> 00:21:41.740 But we thank you, too, Lord, that there is a reminder in your word that righteousness exalts a nation. 00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:45.740 And so, we pray, Lord, not for our own righteousness to be to the fore. 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:48.740 But that we would look to the righteousness of Christ. 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:51.740 That you would come in healing power into our midst. 00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:55.740 That you would restore our land and revive us once again. 00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:58.740 We pray, Lord, for other parts of the world, too. 00:21:58.740 --> 00:22:04.740 We've seen the earthquake in Morocco and the devastation and the loss of life there. 00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:09.740 We thank, O Lord, of all that's still being done to seek for those who are trapped. 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:11.740 And helping those in great need. 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:13.740 We pray, Lord, for them. 00:22:13.740 --> 00:22:17.740 Especially those in remote places that are difficult to reach. 00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:21.740 We pray, Lord, that you will help those who are seeking to help others. 00:22:21.740 --> 00:22:27.740 And throughout the world, O Lord, we know that there is so much pain and hurt and anguish. 00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:31.740 And war and terror in so many different ways. 00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:35.740 And we just pray, Lord, that you will hear your people. 00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:41.740 We thank you that you have your people from every tribe and nation throughout the world. 00:22:41.740 --> 00:22:46.740 And we pray, Lord, that you will hear your praying church in these days. 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:48.740 That you will do us good. 00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:49.740 That you will build us up. 00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:51.740 Lord, be with us now, we pray. 00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:55.740 And continue to go before us throughout this day and in the week ahead. 00:22:55.740 --> 00:23:00.740 That all we would do, we would do for your glory and for your sake. 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:03.740 Hear our prayers, pardon our sins. 00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:05.740 And continue with us now. 00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:08.740 As we ask it all in Jesus' name and for his sake. 00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:09.740 Amen. 00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:22.740 We'll sing to God's praise in Psalm 26 in the Scottish, in the Sing Psalms version, page 31 of the psalm book. 00:23:22.740 --> 00:23:30.740 Psalm 26 on page 31. 00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:35.740 We're singing at verse 6 down to the end of the psalm. 00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:40.740 I wash my hands in innocence and blameless is my heart. 00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:44.740 I go about your altar, Lord, the place you set apart. 00:23:44.740 --> 00:23:49.740 We'll sing from verse 6 down to the end of the psalm and the tune is Balerma. 00:23:49.740 --> 00:24:10.740 I wash my hands in innocence and blameless is my heart. 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:28.740 I go about your altar, Lord, the place you set apart. 00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:38.740 I'll tell of all your awesome deeds. 00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:45.740 Proclaiming loud your place. 00:24:45.740 --> 00:24:55.740 Your glory fills your dwelling place. 00:24:55.740 --> 00:25:04.740 I love your heart always. 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:13.740 Sweep not away my soul, O Lord, 00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:21.740 With those who hate your way. 00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:31.740 Nor take away my life with those 00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:39.740 Who love to wound and slain. 00:25:39.740 --> 00:25:49.740 For fair right hands are full of pride. 00:25:49.740 --> 00:25:56.740 They've got inequity. 00:25:56.740 --> 00:26:06.740 But I will lead a blameless life. 00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:14.740 And mercy set me free. 00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:24.740 My feet will stand with God's protection. 00:26:24.740 --> 00:26:31.740 Upon a level place. 00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:41.740 And in the people's gathering. 00:26:41.740 --> 00:26:49.740 I'll praise the Lord of grace. 00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:59.740 Amen. 00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:05.740 We can turn back to our reading in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 18. 00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:12.740 And our focus is going to be on the second of the parables that we read in verse 9 to verse 14. 00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:14.740 The Pharisee and the tax collector. 00:27:14.740 --> 00:27:16.740 We read there in verse 9 where it says, 00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:25.740 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and treated others with contempt. 00:27:25.740 --> 00:27:35.740 We've read two parables here in this passage in Luke. 00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:39.740 And parables were what Jesus used to instruct people in this day. 00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:46.740 They're seen as maybe stories and illustrations of things that were going on around them in these times. 00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:51.740 But yet behind them all was a real serious meaning. 00:27:51.740 --> 00:27:54.740 Parables were always interesting. 00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:57.740 And we're familiar perhaps with many of them. 00:27:57.740 --> 00:28:01.740 Many of the parables we learned maybe in our youth. 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:04.740 For example, the parable of the sower and the seed. 00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:08.740 Where the farmer is described as going out and scattering the seed. 00:28:08.740 --> 00:28:18.740 And it's a reminder of how the word goes out and finds itself landing in different kinds of ground that gives different kinds of results. 00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:23.740 We've got the parable of the lost sheep and the lost coin. 00:28:23.740 --> 00:28:27.740 How when we've lost something we'll keep going until we find it. 00:28:27.740 --> 00:28:32.740 And how Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:35.740 The parable of the prodigal son. 00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:37.740 The parable of the good Samaritan. 00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:41.740 There's so many of them that we may be familiar with. 00:28:41.740 --> 00:28:45.740 And we just maybe see them as nice stories. 00:28:45.740 --> 00:28:46.740 Good stories. 00:28:46.740 --> 00:28:47.740 Interesting settings. 00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:50.740 And interesting situations. 00:28:50.740 --> 00:28:54.740 But there's always much more to them than that. 00:28:54.740 --> 00:29:02.740 Behind them all is always a serious challenge that Jesus gives to his people. 00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:05.740 And in the passage that we've read. 00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:07.740 In the two parables that we see. 00:29:07.740 --> 00:29:11.740 We see Jesus telling us the reason for the parables. 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:13.740 In the first one. 00:29:13.740 --> 00:29:14.740 In verse one. 00:29:14.740 --> 00:29:20.740 He told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:26.740 So it's a powerful reminder to us and a powerful challenge to us in our own prayer lives. 00:29:26.740 --> 00:29:30.740 Are there times when we give up in prayer? 00:29:30.740 --> 00:29:33.740 Are there times when you lose heart in prayer? 00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:35.740 Do you feel that way? 00:29:35.740 --> 00:29:41.740 Well, Jesus is saying to always pray and not lose heart. 00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:45.740 Reminder to us that he hears, he listens to our prayers. 00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:48.740 He may not always give us what we're asking for. 00:29:48.740 --> 00:29:51.740 But we know his will will be done. 00:29:51.740 --> 00:29:53.740 And that he will give us as we need. 00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:55.740 As we look to him. 00:29:55.740 --> 00:30:05.740 And then the second parable as we're going to look at together this morning is to be sure that we approach God in the right way. 00:30:05.740 --> 00:30:09.740 To approach God in the right way. 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:13.740 So how do we approach God? 00:30:13.740 --> 00:30:17.740 How are you approaching God even as you come here today to worship? 00:30:17.740 --> 00:30:21.740 Are you prepared yourself to come and draw near to God? 00:30:21.740 --> 00:30:25.740 Are you coming in and approaching God in the right way? 00:30:25.740 --> 00:30:33.740 What we see here is a real contrast between these two who come before God in prayer. 00:30:33.740 --> 00:30:39.740 One was proud and full of self-righteousness. 00:30:39.740 --> 00:30:45.740 The other was in anguish, full of doubt and fear. 00:30:45.740 --> 00:30:49.740 But who made a difference before God? 00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:53.740 Who came before God in the right way? 00:30:53.740 --> 00:30:59.740 There's a strong challenge to ourselves in this parable too. 00:30:59.740 --> 00:31:02.740 You see, change is often necessary. 00:31:02.740 --> 00:31:05.740 And that's what's behind this parable too. 00:31:05.740 --> 00:31:10.740 The man who came trusting in himself and his own righteousness. 00:31:10.740 --> 00:31:14.740 He needed to humble himself. 00:31:14.740 --> 00:31:22.740 Others realize the necessity of change and the power that God has to change. 00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:28.740 And that's what we see in the tax collector as he came to Jesus. 00:31:28.740 --> 00:31:31.740 So how do we approach God? 00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:35.740 And what do we say to God even in our own prayers before him? 00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:39.740 Are we proud or are we humble? 00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:44.740 You may have heard of the famous inventor Samuel Marsh. 00:31:44.740 --> 00:31:48.740 He was behind Marsh Code, the telegraph system. 00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:53.740 And he was once asked a question. 00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:54.740 Somebody asked him, 00:31:54.740 --> 00:32:00.740 Did you ever encounter a situation where you didn't know what to do? 00:32:00.740 --> 00:32:02.740 And Samuel Marsh replied, 00:32:02.740 --> 00:32:04.740 More than once. 00:32:04.740 --> 00:32:10.740 On many occasions I found myself in a situation where I wasn't sure what to do. 00:32:10.740 --> 00:32:13.740 I couldn't see the way ahead clearly. 00:32:13.740 --> 00:32:14.740 But he said, 00:32:14.740 --> 00:32:21.740 What I did was I knelt down and prayed to God for light and for understanding. 00:32:21.740 --> 00:32:30.740 And Samuel Marsh received many honors for his invention of the telegraph system known as Marsh Code. 00:32:30.740 --> 00:32:34.740 But he felt undeserving of any of these honors. 00:32:34.740 --> 00:32:35.740 And he once said, 00:32:35.740 --> 00:32:40.740 I have made a valuable contribution to society. 00:32:40.740 --> 00:32:45.740 Not because I was superior to any other. 00:32:45.740 --> 00:32:52.740 But solely because God, who meant it for mankind, must reveal it to someone. 00:32:52.740 --> 00:32:56.740 And he was pleased to reveal it to me. 00:32:56.740 --> 00:32:59.740 He gave all honor to God. 00:32:59.740 --> 00:33:04.740 And that God used him for his glory. 00:33:04.740 --> 00:33:10.740 Here was Jesus putting a challenge to the people in and to ourselves today. 00:33:10.740 --> 00:33:15.740 A very powerful challenge to everyone who hears this parable. 00:33:15.740 --> 00:33:18.740 To look at how we approach God. 00:33:18.740 --> 00:33:26.740 And do we give honor, a right to God for all that we are and all that we have. 00:33:26.740 --> 00:33:30.740 Are we proud or are we humble? 00:33:30.740 --> 00:33:33.740 So I want to look at this parable under four headings. 00:33:33.740 --> 00:33:36.740 First, the parable as a whole. 00:33:36.740 --> 00:33:40.740 Secondly, we look at the people in the parable. 00:33:40.740 --> 00:33:43.740 And the prayers that they have. 00:33:43.740 --> 00:33:47.740 And then finally, the profit that they receive. 00:33:47.740 --> 00:33:50.740 So first of all, we see the parable. 00:33:50.740 --> 00:33:57.740 And like I said, verse 9 makes it very clear to us why Jesus told this parable. 00:33:57.740 --> 00:34:08.739 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and treated others with contempt. 00:34:08.739 --> 00:34:12.739 There's two sides to that, isn't there? 00:34:12.739 --> 00:34:15.739 We could maybe think of the first one. 00:34:15.739 --> 00:34:19.739 To those who trusted in themselves that they were righteous. 00:34:19.739 --> 00:34:25.739 And it's such an easy sin for us to fall into. 00:34:25.739 --> 00:34:27.739 Self-righteousness. 00:34:27.739 --> 00:34:28.739 Pride. 00:34:28.739 --> 00:34:35.739 To think as we were looking at the building blocks that we can show our good works before God. 00:34:35.739 --> 00:34:38.739 And that we can somehow attain God's height. 00:34:38.739 --> 00:34:42.739 That we can reach up to him and say, look at what I've done. 00:34:42.739 --> 00:34:44.739 I am a good person. 00:34:44.739 --> 00:34:46.739 I am a righteous person. 00:34:46.739 --> 00:34:52.739 And we look at our own hearts and we so often perhaps see that coming in. 00:34:52.739 --> 00:34:53.739 Every one of us. 00:34:53.739 --> 00:34:54.739 Myself, yourself. 00:34:54.739 --> 00:34:58.739 There will be times when pride will take a hold in our hearts. 00:34:58.739 --> 00:35:00.739 And we start looking at ourselves. 00:35:00.739 --> 00:35:02.739 How good we are. 00:35:02.739 --> 00:35:05.739 And we take our eyes of God. 00:35:05.739 --> 00:35:09.739 And so the challenge is obvious there when we see it here. 00:35:09.739 --> 00:35:14.739 It's to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous. 00:35:14.739 --> 00:35:17.739 But you see there's another side to it there as well. 00:35:17.739 --> 00:35:21.739 And treated others with contempt. 00:35:21.739 --> 00:35:25.739 Because the more we fall into the sin of looking at our own righteousness. 00:35:25.739 --> 00:35:28.739 And how good we see ourselves. 00:35:28.739 --> 00:35:30.739 The more then we look at others. 00:35:30.739 --> 00:35:33.739 And look at them and see their faults. 00:35:33.739 --> 00:35:35.739 Find fault with them. 00:35:35.739 --> 00:35:41.739 And that's what clearly comes through in this passage for us too. 00:35:41.739 --> 00:35:46.739 There's these two sides. 00:35:46.739 --> 00:35:49.739 What this is getting at in this parable is. 00:35:49.739 --> 00:35:55.739 What are we relying on when it comes to our own lives? 00:35:55.739 --> 00:35:59.739 What are we relying on remembering that this has been spoken. 00:35:59.739 --> 00:36:03.739 These two parables come just after the end of chapter 17. 00:36:03.739 --> 00:36:08.739 Where he's speaking about the coming of the kingdom of God. 00:36:08.739 --> 00:36:14.739 And you see even towards the end of that passage. 00:36:14.739 --> 00:36:18.739 How it speaks about the seriousness in chapter 17. 00:36:18.739 --> 00:36:20.739 In verse 31. 00:36:20.739 --> 00:36:24.739 On that day let the one who is on the housetop with the goods in his house. 00:36:24.739 --> 00:36:26.739 Not come down to take them away. 00:36:26.739 --> 00:36:29.739 Likewise the one who is in the field not turn back. 00:36:29.739 --> 00:36:31.739 Remember Lot's wife. 00:36:31.739 --> 00:36:36.739 You know he puts this into the serious context of what's happening. 00:36:36.739 --> 00:36:39.739 And how the Lord is going to come. 00:36:39.739 --> 00:36:42.739 And what are we going to be showing before the Lord. 00:36:42.739 --> 00:36:46.739 Is it our righteousness or are we looking to his? 00:36:46.739 --> 00:36:56.739 Do you exalt yourself or do you humble yourself before God? 00:36:56.739 --> 00:36:58.739 These parables. 00:36:58.739 --> 00:36:59.739 These parables. 00:36:59.739 --> 00:37:02.739 They're more than just interesting stories. 00:37:02.739 --> 00:37:06.739 They get to the real heart of the matter. 00:37:06.739 --> 00:37:08.739 They get into our hearts. 00:37:08.739 --> 00:37:09.739 And they ask us. 00:37:09.739 --> 00:37:12.739 How are we before God? 00:37:12.739 --> 00:37:17.739 And you see here the contrast. 00:37:17.739 --> 00:37:20.739 Between the people in Jesus' day. 00:37:20.739 --> 00:37:22.739 The Pharisee and the tax collector. 00:37:22.739 --> 00:37:25.739 And the difference between them. 00:37:25.739 --> 00:37:30.739 And how easy it is for ourselves to look at ourselves above others. 00:37:32.739 --> 00:37:35.739 To see ourselves as good people. 00:37:35.739 --> 00:37:36.739 And then worse than that. 00:37:36.739 --> 00:37:38.739 To look on others with contempt. 00:37:39.739 --> 00:37:42.739 And contempt is a strong word. 00:37:43.739 --> 00:37:45.739 It's almost like hatred. 00:37:45.739 --> 00:37:47.739 Disdain for these people. 00:37:47.739 --> 00:37:49.739 We want nothing to do with them. 00:37:49.739 --> 00:37:51.739 Because we're too good for them. 00:37:51.739 --> 00:37:56.739 So there's a serious warning in this parable. 00:37:56.739 --> 00:37:58.739 A powerful warning. 00:37:58.739 --> 00:38:05.739 It was Dwight Moody who once put it very simply. 00:38:05.739 --> 00:38:10.739 He said, be humble or you'll stumble. 00:38:10.739 --> 00:38:14.739 Be humble or you'll stumble. 00:38:14.739 --> 00:38:18.739 If you're building your own works of righteousness before God. 00:38:18.739 --> 00:38:21.739 It's only going to fall apart. 00:38:21.739 --> 00:38:25.739 Be humble or you'll stumble. 00:38:25.739 --> 00:38:30.739 So we have this parable. 00:38:30.739 --> 00:38:34.739 It's a serious parable for us to consider. 00:38:34.739 --> 00:38:36.739 The second thing is this. 00:38:36.739 --> 00:38:39.739 So we see the people in the parable. 00:38:39.739 --> 00:38:45.739 And again, Jesus is so powerful in the way he speaks of his parable. 00:38:45.739 --> 00:38:46.739 In his parables. 00:38:46.739 --> 00:38:51.739 How often he uses real people in these situations. 00:38:51.739 --> 00:38:55.739 People who, those who are in his hearing, they can relate to. 00:38:55.739 --> 00:38:59.739 You think of the parable of the good Samaritan. 00:38:59.739 --> 00:39:03.739 Such a powerful illustration to us. 00:39:03.739 --> 00:39:06.739 Because the Samaritans, they would have nothing to do with Jews. 00:39:06.739 --> 00:39:11.739 And yet, the only one who stopped to help an injured Jew was a Samaritan. 00:39:11.739 --> 00:39:15.739 So he's using these illustrations very powerfully. 00:39:15.739 --> 00:39:17.739 And people very powerfully. 00:39:17.739 --> 00:39:20.739 And it's the same in this parable too. 00:39:20.739 --> 00:39:23.739 He speaks about one, a Pharisee. 00:39:23.739 --> 00:39:26.739 And the other, a tax collector. 00:39:26.739 --> 00:39:33.739 And when you look at them, Jesus is teaching through using the Pharisee and the tax collector. 00:39:33.739 --> 00:39:36.739 It just adds into the whole situation here. 00:39:36.739 --> 00:39:41.739 Because they were at opposite ends of the spectrum in the community at that time. 00:39:41.739 --> 00:39:48.739 The Pharisees, they were the godly people in that day. 00:39:48.739 --> 00:39:53.739 They were the ones who attended to so much of the things that were going on in the temple. 00:39:53.739 --> 00:39:55.739 They were leaders of the people. 00:39:55.739 --> 00:39:58.739 They were respected and looked up to. 00:39:58.739 --> 00:40:01.739 And yet, on the other hand, you have the tax collector. 00:40:01.739 --> 00:40:04.739 They were despised and hated. 00:40:04.739 --> 00:40:05.739 They were cheats. 00:40:05.739 --> 00:40:06.739 They bribed people. 00:40:06.739 --> 00:40:10.739 They took money from people at great cost to them. 00:40:10.739 --> 00:40:14.739 Remember when Jesus met with Zacchaeus. 00:40:14.739 --> 00:40:16.739 He was a tax collector. 00:40:16.739 --> 00:40:19.739 And Zacchaeus was a man of small stature. 00:40:19.739 --> 00:40:23.739 And the crowd, as he was trying to barge his way through, they wouldn't let him through. 00:40:23.739 --> 00:40:24.739 He was despised. 00:40:24.739 --> 00:40:31.739 And yet, Jesus said to him, Zacchaeus, come down from the tree that he'd climbed just to get a glimpse of Jesus. 00:40:31.739 --> 00:40:39.739 And how often you see the accusing Jesus of going to sit and eat with tax collectors and sinners. 00:40:39.739 --> 00:40:43.739 The two were on the same label. 00:40:43.739 --> 00:40:46.739 Tax collectors and sinners. 00:40:46.739 --> 00:40:49.739 And that's what you have here. 00:40:49.739 --> 00:40:53.739 The Pharisee and the tax collector. 00:40:53.739 --> 00:40:59.739 A very religious man considered to be holy by everyone who saw him. 00:40:59.739 --> 00:41:02.739 And a tax collector who was hated. 00:41:02.739 --> 00:41:06.739 But when you look at the Pharisee. 00:41:06.739 --> 00:41:11.739 And how Jesus deals with the Pharisees so often in Scripture. 00:41:11.739 --> 00:41:15.739 You see that what he is doing with them so often is getting to their heart. 00:41:15.739 --> 00:41:21.739 There was a problem with the Pharisees and many of the Pharisees in that time. 00:41:21.739 --> 00:41:23.739 Not all of them, but many of them. 00:41:23.739 --> 00:41:28.739 We're told of it in Matthew 23, verse 5 and 6. 00:41:28.739 --> 00:41:31.739 The problem was pride. 00:41:31.739 --> 00:41:36.739 There it says, they do all their deeds to be seen by others. 00:41:36.739 --> 00:41:38.739 Seen by others. 00:41:38.739 --> 00:41:44.739 They love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues. 00:41:44.739 --> 00:41:47.739 They were looking out for themselves. 00:41:47.739 --> 00:41:51.739 Pride was in their heart. 00:41:51.739 --> 00:41:58.739 They were doing it all to be seen by others. 00:41:58.739 --> 00:42:01.739 And yet, the tax collector, when you look at him. 00:42:01.739 --> 00:42:04.739 A spiritual outcast. 00:42:04.739 --> 00:42:09.739 He is the kind of person who would think, well, church is the last place I would go. 00:42:09.739 --> 00:42:11.739 They're going to hate me there. 00:42:11.739 --> 00:42:14.739 They won't want me there. 00:42:14.739 --> 00:42:17.739 There's a strong reminder to us here. 00:42:17.739 --> 00:42:19.739 A strong challenge to us here. 00:42:19.739 --> 00:42:23.739 In our own hearts, what is our attitude? 00:42:23.739 --> 00:42:26.739 Are we like the Pharisee? 00:42:26.739 --> 00:42:34.739 Do we perhaps end up in that situation where we can maybe go about our lives doing good things. 00:42:34.739 --> 00:42:38.739 But doing them with the wrong motives and for the wrong reasons. 00:42:38.739 --> 00:42:41.739 Doing it to be seen by others. 00:42:41.739 --> 00:42:44.739 Or doing it quietly for the Lord. 00:42:44.739 --> 00:42:54.739 The Pharisee here is one who pride has taken a hold in his heart. 00:42:54.739 --> 00:42:56.739 But the tax collector. 00:42:56.739 --> 00:42:59.739 How would he have been viewed in these days? 00:42:59.739 --> 00:43:02.739 Well, as I said, he was hated. 00:43:02.739 --> 00:43:03.739 He was hated. 00:43:03.739 --> 00:43:08.739 These are, if you were to look at it today. 00:43:08.739 --> 00:43:15.739 They're the kind of people that we so often perhaps, in our own hearts when they become proud, we look down on. 00:43:15.739 --> 00:43:22.739 We may be fearful of this kind of person coming into our church, what they'll bring with them. 00:43:22.739 --> 00:43:28.739 The problems that they might bring with them as they come in here, into our lives. 00:43:28.739 --> 00:43:40.739 And yet, what Jesus is challenging and teaching us here is what is our heart like before God. 00:43:40.739 --> 00:43:47.739 He's reminding everyone in this society to guard your heart. 00:43:47.739 --> 00:43:54.739 And to see how you approach God, not with pride and with your own righteousness. 00:43:54.739 --> 00:44:00.739 But using the tax collector as a way we are all to come before God. 00:44:00.739 --> 00:44:03.739 Humbly, beating our breast. 00:44:03.739 --> 00:44:08.739 Crying out, God be merciful to me a sinner. 00:44:08.739 --> 00:44:13.739 Jesus is speaking to all the people in this parable. 00:44:13.739 --> 00:44:15.739 He's speaking to ourselves today. 00:44:15.739 --> 00:44:17.739 It's not about who you are. 00:44:17.739 --> 00:44:19.739 It's not about what you've done. 00:44:19.739 --> 00:44:24.739 But that we come to Jesus in the right way. 00:44:24.739 --> 00:44:31.739 That we come knowing that only he is able to do anything for our righteousness. 00:44:31.739 --> 00:44:36.739 To do anything for our good because we are not good in and of ourselves. 00:44:36.739 --> 00:44:41.739 But he is able to change our hearts. 00:44:41.739 --> 00:44:49.739 So we have these two people reminding us of so much of what we see in our own lives and in our own society. 00:44:49.739 --> 00:44:52.739 To guard against pride in our own hearts. 00:44:52.739 --> 00:44:56.739 And not to look down on others with contempt. 00:44:56.739 --> 00:45:01.739 But to look to the Lord in all of this. 00:45:01.739 --> 00:45:06.739 The third thing we see here is the prayers. 00:45:06.739 --> 00:45:11.739 You see the Pharisees prayer here. 00:45:11.739 --> 00:45:12.739 In verse 10 it says, 00:45:12.739 --> 00:45:14.739 Two men went up into the temple to pray. 00:45:14.739 --> 00:45:16.739 One a Pharisee, the other a tax collector. 00:45:16.739 --> 00:45:19.739 The Pharisee standing by himself prayed. 00:45:19.739 --> 00:45:23.739 God, I thank you that I am not like other men. 00:45:23.739 --> 00:45:27.739 Extortioners, unjust, adulterers. 00:45:27.739 --> 00:45:32.739 Or see this, or even like this tax collector. 00:45:32.739 --> 00:45:37.739 And then he goes on to say, 00:45:37.739 --> 00:45:39.739 I fast twice a week. 00:45:39.739 --> 00:45:42.739 I give tithes of all that I get. 00:45:42.739 --> 00:45:46.739 Who is he praying to? 00:45:46.739 --> 00:45:51.739 It says there he's standing by himself. 00:45:51.739 --> 00:45:56.739 The Pharisee standing by himself prayed. 00:45:56.739 --> 00:45:59.739 There's another way that you can translate that. 00:45:59.739 --> 00:46:05.739 It could read, standing he prayed to himself. 00:46:06.739 --> 00:46:09.739 Because it's not the prayer that God is going to listen to. 00:46:09.739 --> 00:46:15.739 He's just praying to himself and those who may be in earshot round about him. 00:46:15.739 --> 00:46:19.739 Doing all to be seen and heard by others. 00:46:19.739 --> 00:46:24.739 He's full of pride. 00:46:24.739 --> 00:46:27.739 Is that the way you pray? 00:46:27.739 --> 00:46:33.739 I hope none of us would come to God with this kind of prayer. 00:46:33.739 --> 00:46:36.739 I thank you that I'm not like other men. 00:46:36.739 --> 00:46:41.739 Or I thank you that I'm not like this tax collector. 00:46:41.739 --> 00:46:46.739 I thank you that I'm not like so-and-so who lives down the road. 00:46:46.739 --> 00:46:50.739 That's not how we are to approach God. 00:46:50.739 --> 00:46:56.739 John Calvin, famous theologian. 00:46:56.739 --> 00:46:57.739 He says, 00:46:57.739 --> 00:47:04.739 Every man that is puffed up with self-confidence carries on open war with God. 00:47:04.739 --> 00:47:10.739 To whom we cannot be reconciled in any other way than by denial of ourselves. 00:47:10.739 --> 00:47:17.739 That is, by laying aside all confidence in our own virtue and righteousness. 00:47:17.739 --> 00:47:21.739 And relying on his mercy alone. 00:47:21.739 --> 00:47:25.739 That is not how the Pharisee has come. 00:47:25.739 --> 00:47:30.739 And that is not how we are to come to God in prayer either. 00:47:30.739 --> 00:47:40.739 We are to come to God laying aside all confidence in self. 00:47:40.739 --> 00:47:45.739 And that's the difference we see with the tax collector here. 00:47:45.739 --> 00:47:51.739 The tax collector who perhaps has even heard the Pharisee praying in this way. 00:47:51.739 --> 00:47:54.739 I thank you that I'm not like this tax collector. 00:47:54.739 --> 00:47:57.739 But the tax collector says, 00:47:57.739 --> 00:47:59.739 Standing far off. 00:47:59.739 --> 00:48:03.739 Would not even lift up his eyes to heaven. 00:48:03.739 --> 00:48:05.739 But beat his breast saying, 00:48:05.739 --> 00:48:09.739 God, be merciful to me, a sinner. 00:48:09.739 --> 00:48:13.739 He had nothing to offer God. 00:48:13.739 --> 00:48:16.739 He had nothing to bring before God to say, 00:48:16.739 --> 00:48:18.739 Look at what I've done for you. 00:48:18.739 --> 00:48:19.739 Nothing. 00:48:21.739 --> 00:48:24.739 And yet his prayer is so much more powerful. 00:48:25.739 --> 00:48:29.739 God, be merciful to me, a sinner. 00:48:29.739 --> 00:48:33.739 It's recognizing what we are before God. 00:48:33.739 --> 00:48:36.739 He can't even lift up his eyes. 00:48:36.739 --> 00:48:38.739 He beats his breast. 00:48:38.739 --> 00:48:42.739 He knows within himself he has done wrong before God. 00:48:42.739 --> 00:48:44.739 And all he can do is cry out, 00:48:44.739 --> 00:48:47.739 Have mercy on me, a sinner. 00:48:47.739 --> 00:48:53.739 That is how we should all come to God. 00:48:53.739 --> 00:48:56.739 Because that is what we all are before God. 00:48:56.739 --> 00:48:59.739 None of us are righteous of our own making. 00:48:59.739 --> 00:49:04.739 We can only be righteous in a right standing before God 00:49:04.739 --> 00:49:07.739 If we come in this way. 00:49:07.739 --> 00:49:11.739 Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner. 00:49:11.739 --> 00:49:17.739 The tax collector's prayer is short. 00:49:17.739 --> 00:49:21.739 I think that's a reminder to us as well. 00:49:21.739 --> 00:49:27.739 There's more in these few words than any thousands of words the Pharisee could offer up. 00:49:27.739 --> 00:49:31.739 We don't have to pray long prayers. 00:49:31.739 --> 00:49:36.739 We don't have to come to God in a certain way. 00:49:36.739 --> 00:49:38.739 We are to approach him humbly. 00:49:38.739 --> 00:49:41.739 Because he hears a humble prayer. 00:49:41.739 --> 00:49:43.739 He hears the humble cry. 00:49:43.739 --> 00:49:47.739 And there is the cry of this tax collector. 00:49:47.739 --> 00:49:53.739 Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner. 00:49:53.739 --> 00:49:56.739 Have you prayed that prayer? 00:49:56.739 --> 00:50:00.739 Do you need to pray that prayer? 00:50:00.739 --> 00:50:06.739 Even as a Christian, do we have to come and pray that prayer ourselves? 00:50:06.739 --> 00:50:09.739 Because pride is taking over our hearts again. 00:50:09.739 --> 00:50:14.739 When we become proud, we look at others in contempt. 00:50:14.739 --> 00:50:17.739 And perhaps we have to cry, 00:50:17.739 --> 00:50:21.739 Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner. 00:50:21.739 --> 00:50:24.739 To come in that way. 00:50:24.739 --> 00:50:29.739 Because the final thing we see here is the prophet. 00:50:29.739 --> 00:50:33.739 Both these men went into the house of prayer. 00:50:33.739 --> 00:50:37.739 Both these men were in the right place. 00:50:37.739 --> 00:50:41.739 But only one of them was there with the right motive. 00:50:41.739 --> 00:50:45.739 One was there full of pride. 00:50:45.739 --> 00:50:49.739 The other was there full of humility. 00:50:49.739 --> 00:50:53.739 And what you see is one man got everything. 00:50:53.739 --> 00:50:57.739 And one man got nothing. 00:50:57.739 --> 00:51:00.739 But as with Jesus' parables, 00:51:00.739 --> 00:51:03.739 it's not what you would expect. 00:51:03.739 --> 00:51:06.739 It's not what the people would have expected 00:51:06.739 --> 00:51:08.739 or even wanted to hear in his day. 00:51:08.739 --> 00:51:12.739 The Pharisee surely is deserving of everything. 00:51:12.739 --> 00:51:16.739 This tax collector who's robbed people, he deserves nothing. 00:51:16.739 --> 00:51:18.739 And yet Jesus shows, 00:51:18.739 --> 00:51:21.739 because of the way they come and approach God, 00:51:21.739 --> 00:51:25.739 it is the opposite that is true. 00:51:25.739 --> 00:51:28.739 One man was received by God. 00:51:28.739 --> 00:51:33.739 The Lord heard the prayer of the tax collector. 00:51:33.739 --> 00:51:36.739 The simple prayer offered up. 00:51:36.739 --> 00:51:40.739 And through sincerity, pleading with the Lord for mercy. 00:51:40.739 --> 00:51:43.739 The Lord heard it. 00:51:43.739 --> 00:51:45.739 Because you see in verse 14, it says, 00:51:45.739 --> 00:51:50.739 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, 00:51:50.739 --> 00:51:52.739 rather than the other. 00:51:52.739 --> 00:51:55.739 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled. 00:51:55.739 --> 00:52:01.739 But the one who humbles himself will be exalted. 00:52:01.739 --> 00:52:06.739 It's not for us to come before God, 00:52:06.739 --> 00:52:08.739 building our blocks before him, saying, 00:52:08.739 --> 00:52:10.739 Lord, look. 00:52:10.739 --> 00:52:13.739 Look at my righteousness. 00:52:13.739 --> 00:52:14.739 Do me good. 00:52:14.739 --> 00:52:16.739 I deserve it. 00:52:16.739 --> 00:52:18.739 That's not how we come. 00:52:18.739 --> 00:52:22.739 We come like the tax collector. 00:52:22.739 --> 00:52:26.739 Just prone before God, on our knees before God, 00:52:26.739 --> 00:52:29.739 pleading for mercy. 00:52:29.739 --> 00:52:35.739 And what you see is the one who stood proudly is humbled. 00:52:35.739 --> 00:52:37.739 He's brought low. 00:52:37.739 --> 00:52:39.739 But the one who was low, 00:52:39.739 --> 00:52:44.739 who humbled himself before God, is exalted. 00:52:44.739 --> 00:52:48.739 He's able to stand right before God, 00:52:48.739 --> 00:52:51.739 right in the day of judgment when he comes, 00:52:51.739 --> 00:52:56.739 because he humbled himself. 00:52:56.739 --> 00:53:00.739 Are we too stubborn to change? 00:53:00.739 --> 00:53:04.739 Are we trusting in ourselves too much? 00:53:04.739 --> 00:53:09.739 Do we need to repent of pride in our hearts 00:53:09.739 --> 00:53:13.739 and humble ourselves before God? 00:53:13.739 --> 00:53:16.739 In September of 1986, 00:53:16.739 --> 00:53:22.739 two ships collided in the Black Sea off the coast of Russia. 00:53:22.739 --> 00:53:25.739 One was a cargo ship. 00:53:25.739 --> 00:53:27.739 The other was a passenger ship. 00:53:27.739 --> 00:53:29.739 And both ships sank. 00:53:29.739 --> 00:53:32.739 And there was a great loss of life. 00:53:34.739 --> 00:53:38.739 There was much sadness in what took place there. 00:53:38.739 --> 00:53:41.739 But there was further sadness later on, 00:53:41.739 --> 00:53:48.739 when the investigation revealed the cause of this incident. 00:53:48.739 --> 00:53:51.739 There was no bad weather. 00:53:51.739 --> 00:53:53.739 There was no fog. 00:53:53.739 --> 00:53:55.739 There was good visibility. 00:53:55.739 --> 00:53:58.739 The waters were calm. 00:53:58.739 --> 00:54:01.739 So what went wrong? 00:54:01.739 --> 00:54:02.739 Pride. 00:54:02.739 --> 00:54:03.739 Pride. 00:54:03.739 --> 00:54:12.739 Both captains of the ships refused to alter course for the other. 00:54:14.739 --> 00:54:17.739 They were waiting for the other one to change direction. 00:54:17.739 --> 00:54:22.739 Because they saw themselves as the important person. 00:54:23.739 --> 00:54:25.739 Pride was the cause. 00:54:25.739 --> 00:54:32.739 It wasn't until it was too late that they tried to take any action. 00:54:32.739 --> 00:54:35.739 And disaster struck. 00:54:35.739 --> 00:54:40.739 They were both too proud to change direction. 00:54:40.739 --> 00:54:45.739 And it's a warning to ourselves. 00:54:46.739 --> 00:54:47.739 Not to be so proud. 00:54:48.739 --> 00:54:49.739 Not to change direction. 00:54:49.739 --> 00:54:52.739 Not to humble ourselves before God. 00:54:52.739 --> 00:54:54.739 Until it's too late. 00:54:54.739 --> 00:54:59.739 Until disaster strikes. 00:54:59.739 --> 00:55:03.739 But to humble ourselves before God. 00:55:03.739 --> 00:55:08.739 Pleading with Him that He will help us to change direction. 00:55:09.739 --> 00:55:12.739 And to have a humble heart before Him. 00:55:13.739 --> 00:55:17.739 A man called Andrew Murray, who's written many books. 00:55:17.739 --> 00:55:18.739 He spoke in this way. 00:55:18.739 --> 00:55:19.739 He says, 00:55:19.739 --> 00:55:22.739 To have a soft, humble heart as this. 00:55:23.739 --> 00:55:25.739 To have a blessed home in the Lord. 00:55:25.739 --> 00:55:28.739 Where I can go in and shut the door. 00:55:28.739 --> 00:55:31.739 And kneel to my Father in secret. 00:55:31.739 --> 00:55:36.739 And be at peace as in a deep sea of calmness. 00:55:37.739 --> 00:55:39.739 When all around is trouble. 00:55:39.739 --> 00:55:45.739 To find that refuge place. 00:55:45.739 --> 00:55:49.739 That place to be able to come to God. 00:55:49.739 --> 00:55:51.739 Not in confidence of ourselves. 00:55:52.739 --> 00:55:54.739 But confident in Christ. 00:55:54.739 --> 00:55:57.739 In His finished work. 00:55:58.739 --> 00:56:01.739 To humble ourselves before Him. 00:56:01.739 --> 00:56:05.739 And not to let pride lead to destruction. 00:56:05.739 --> 00:56:08.739 He told this parable that some. 00:56:08.739 --> 00:56:10.739 Who trusted in themselves. 00:56:10.739 --> 00:56:12.739 That they were righteous. 00:56:12.739 --> 00:56:13.739 And treated others. 00:56:13.739 --> 00:56:15.739 With contempt. 00:56:17.739 --> 00:56:20.739 Let's make sure that's not our hearts. 00:56:21.739 --> 00:56:23.739 Hearts that are proud. 00:56:23.739 --> 00:56:25.739 Trusting in our own righteousness. 00:56:26.739 --> 00:56:28.739 Treating others with contempt. 00:56:29.739 --> 00:56:31.739 Let us be like the tax collector. 00:56:32.739 --> 00:56:34.739 Humble ourselves before God. 00:56:34.739 --> 00:56:36.739 That He will exalt us. 00:56:36.739 --> 00:56:37.739 Let us pray. 00:56:37.739 --> 00:56:41.739 Our Father in heaven. 00:56:41.739 --> 00:56:43.739 We thank you for your word. 00:56:43.739 --> 00:56:45.739 For these wonderful parables. 00:56:45.739 --> 00:56:46.739 That you have given. 00:56:47.739 --> 00:56:48.739 We thank you for the great instruction. 00:56:49.739 --> 00:56:50.739 But also the great challenge. 00:56:50.739 --> 00:56:51.739 That is in them. 00:56:52.739 --> 00:56:53.739 For they remind us Lord. 00:56:53.739 --> 00:56:55.739 That we can so often become a people. 00:56:55.739 --> 00:56:56.739 Who are proud. 00:56:57.739 --> 00:56:59.739 And full of pride in our hearts. 00:57:00.739 --> 00:57:01.739 That reminds us too. 00:57:01.739 --> 00:57:04.739 That we are to humble ourselves before God. 00:57:04.739 --> 00:57:06.739 And so we ask oh Lord. 00:57:06.739 --> 00:57:07.739 That you will teach us. 00:57:07.739 --> 00:57:09.739 That you will rebuke us. 00:57:09.739 --> 00:57:10.739 That you will build us up. 00:57:10.739 --> 00:57:11.739 Through your word. 00:57:12.739 --> 00:57:14.739 That you will help us to look to Jesus. 00:57:15.739 --> 00:57:16.739 And his righteousness. 00:57:16.739 --> 00:57:17.739 His finished work. 00:57:18.739 --> 00:57:19.739 We ask it in his name. 00:57:20.739 --> 00:57:21.739 Amen. 00:57:21.739 --> 00:57:27.739 We are going to conclude by singing to God's praise. 00:57:27.739 --> 00:57:29.739 In Psalm 55. 00:57:29.739 --> 00:57:31.739 We sang it at the beginning. 00:57:33.739 --> 00:57:34.739 Psalm 55. 00:57:36.739 --> 00:57:39.739 We are going to sing from verse 19 to verse 22. 00:57:39.739 --> 00:57:40.739 Three stanzas. 00:57:41.739 --> 00:57:43.739 Page 72 of the psalm. 00:57:43.739 --> 00:57:45.739 My God enthroned forevermore. 00:57:45.739 --> 00:57:46.739 Will hear. 00:57:46.739 --> 00:57:48.739 And will repay. 00:57:48.739 --> 00:57:49.739 Those men. 00:57:49.739 --> 00:57:50.739 Who have no fear of God. 00:57:50.739 --> 00:57:51.739 And never change. 00:57:52.739 --> 00:57:53.739 Their way. 00:57:53.739 --> 00:57:54.739 Verse 22 says. 00:57:54.739 --> 00:57:55.739 Oh cast your burden. 00:57:56.739 --> 00:57:57.739 On the Lord. 00:57:57.739 --> 00:57:58.739 And he will care for you. 00:57:59.739 --> 00:58:01.739 He will never let the righteous fall. 00:58:02.739 --> 00:58:04.739 But bring him safely through. 00:58:04.739 --> 00:58:06.739 We sing from verse 19 to 22. 00:58:07.739 --> 00:58:08.739 To God's praise. 00:58:08.739 --> 00:58:09.739 The tune is martyrdom. 00:58:13.739 --> 00:58:14.739 My God enthroned forevermore. 00:58:14.739 --> 00:58:15.739 Will hear and will repay. 00:58:15.739 --> 00:58:16.739 Those men who have no fear of God. 00:58:16.739 --> 00:58:17.739 And never change. 00:58:17.739 --> 00:58:41.500 throne forevermore will hear and will repay those men who have no fear of God 00:58:41.500 --> 00:58:48.780 and never change their way. 00:58:48.780 --> 00:59:07.159 This man attacks his loyal friends and breaks his solemn word 00:59:07.159 --> 00:59:25.159 as truth has fought God is his speech that in his heart's a sword. 00:59:25.159 --> 00:59:43.159 O cast your pardon on the Lord and he will care for you. 00:59:43.159 --> 01:00:01.159 He'll never let a righteous fall but bring him safely through. 01:00:03.159 --> 01:00:05.599 After the benediction I'll go to the main door. 01:00:05.599 --> 01:00:16.920 Now may grace, mercy and peace from God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit rest upon and abide with you all now and forevermore. 01:00:17.460 --> 01:00:17.900 Amen. 01:00:35.599 --> 01:00:36.259 Amen. 01:00:36.559 --> 01:00:36.639 Amen. 01:00:36.639 --> 01:00:38.699 Amen. 01:00:38.699 --> 01:00:39.699 Amen. 01:00:39.699 --> 01:00:40.639 Amen. 01:00:40.639 --> 01:00:40.880 �동