WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.160 All right, let's go ahead and take your Bibles this morning to Luke chapter 18. 00:00:04.280 --> 00:00:08.919 Luke chapter 18 this morning is where we're going to kick off here. 00:00:09.019 --> 00:00:12.040 We're going to be looking at more than a name. 00:00:12.120 --> 00:00:20.260 And we've been looking at unnamed people in Scripture who left an impact in eternity 00:00:20.260 --> 00:00:21.879 and then left those things. 00:00:21.980 --> 00:00:24.420 This morning is going to be a little different because we're going to talk about two people 00:00:24.420 --> 00:00:29.359 that we don't have a name, but we're going to talk about some opposites with no name. 00:00:29.359 --> 00:00:33.299 But this is one of the few that is an actual parable. 00:00:33.460 --> 00:00:37.420 But I think oftentimes Jesus, when he spoke in parables, 00:00:37.519 --> 00:00:43.799 was looking at things that actually had happened or things that had actually taken place. 00:00:44.480 --> 00:00:47.600 And I think that as we're going to look here this morning at these two individuals 00:00:47.600 --> 00:00:54.100 with no name and the impact and the things we can learn from it here. 00:00:54.200 --> 00:00:57.420 So Luke chapter 18, let's look here in verse 9 here this morning. 00:00:57.420 --> 00:00:59.440 And it tells us this, it says, 00:00:59.579 --> 00:01:04.640 He spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves 00:01:04.640 --> 00:01:09.120 that they were righteous and despised others. 00:01:09.620 --> 00:01:13.159 You know, I think we can all agree that that happens sometimes. 00:01:14.020 --> 00:01:19.320 You know, sometimes there's people who think they're righteous and despise other people. 00:01:19.500 --> 00:01:21.480 And so let's look here, it says in verse 10, 00:01:21.480 --> 00:01:27.040 And two men went up into the temple to pray, and one a Pharisee and the other a publican. 00:01:27.460 --> 00:01:30.439 And the Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 00:01:30.859 --> 00:01:36.740 God, I thank thee that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, 00:01:36.780 --> 00:01:39.000 or even as this publican. 00:01:39.560 --> 00:01:41.500 I fast twice in a week. 00:01:41.500 --> 00:01:43.379 I give tithes of all I possess. 00:01:43.900 --> 00:01:51.920 And the publican standing far off would not lift up so much his eyes into heaven, 00:01:52.060 --> 00:01:56.579 but smote upon his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me, a sinner. 00:01:57.180 --> 00:02:01.579 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other. 00:02:01.579 --> 00:02:05.340 For everyone that exalted himself shall be abased, 00:02:05.439 --> 00:02:09.840 and he that humbles himself shall be exalted. 00:02:10.460 --> 00:02:11.159 Let's pray. 00:02:11.219 --> 00:02:15.560 Heavenly Fathers, we just take a few moments here as we look at the two people 00:02:15.560 --> 00:02:18.919 represented in this passage this morning, Lord, 00:02:19.039 --> 00:02:24.979 of just the impact that they even have for us today. 00:02:25.439 --> 00:02:31.319 Lord, to have the right understanding and the right mindset towards you. 00:02:31.319 --> 00:02:36.099 And Lord, we pray that you just would stir our hearts and minds towards you 00:02:36.099 --> 00:02:37.659 even here this morning. 00:02:37.919 --> 00:02:42.039 And so let's give you all the praise and thanks and glory in Jesus' name. 00:02:42.939 --> 00:02:43.280 Amen. 00:02:43.639 --> 00:02:45.959 You know, the interesting thing is there's only one of you. 00:02:46.719 --> 00:02:48.579 Now, some of you might think that's a good thing. 00:02:50.000 --> 00:02:51.900 But God has made each of us unique. 00:02:53.299 --> 00:02:54.699 He's created us different. 00:02:54.819 --> 00:02:55.579 We look different. 00:02:55.659 --> 00:02:57.019 Our personalities are different. 00:02:57.120 --> 00:02:58.319 Our abilities are different. 00:02:58.840 --> 00:03:00.680 Our capacities are different. 00:03:01.360 --> 00:03:05.020 You know, even identical twins are really different in many ways. 00:03:05.140 --> 00:03:09.780 There's things and traits about them that are unique to them as an individual. 00:03:10.580 --> 00:03:13.700 And so each of us is very unique. 00:03:14.020 --> 00:03:19.500 And in this account here, Jesus tells about two unnamed men who were very different. 00:03:20.240 --> 00:03:20.520 You know? 00:03:20.520 --> 00:03:23.800 We could say that they were opposites. 00:03:24.659 --> 00:03:27.240 They were opposites in their approach to God. 00:03:28.320 --> 00:03:32.780 And as a result, their spiritual states were also opposite. 00:03:34.140 --> 00:03:41.840 Where they stood before God were total opposite because of how they came and presented themselves to Him. 00:03:41.840 --> 00:03:46.080 So we find first here this morning the contrasting motive. 00:03:46.300 --> 00:03:46.539 You know? 00:03:46.939 --> 00:03:48.520 The motives were different. 00:03:49.080 --> 00:03:49.319 You know? 00:03:49.360 --> 00:03:50.680 The contrasting motive. 00:03:50.780 --> 00:03:52.599 On the surface, this story begins. 00:03:53.099 --> 00:03:56.219 And we cannot judge the motives of the two men. 00:03:56.640 --> 00:03:58.180 They're just two unnamed men. 00:03:58.480 --> 00:04:01.400 And they were going to do the same thing. 00:04:01.460 --> 00:04:02.840 They were going down to the temple. 00:04:03.280 --> 00:04:05.599 They were headed there to do the same thing. 00:04:05.659 --> 00:04:06.500 And that's to pray. 00:04:06.500 --> 00:04:17.980 But while, you know, those watching that day would have known they were not the same occupation or religious stripe or indeed different, 00:04:18.100 --> 00:04:22.079 no one would be able to judge their motive initially. 00:04:22.980 --> 00:04:24.259 You know, think about what it says there. 00:04:24.279 --> 00:04:26.240 Look at verse 10 in our text. 00:04:26.339 --> 00:04:26.540 It says, 00:04:26.660 --> 00:04:32.160 Two men went up into the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a publican. 00:04:32.759 --> 00:04:33.120 You know? 00:04:33.120 --> 00:04:36.579 The reality is, as these two men entered the temple that day, 00:04:37.280 --> 00:04:40.480 they might have had outward appearances slightly different. 00:04:41.459 --> 00:04:46.240 But considering this, was there any way of knowing their motive? 00:04:46.680 --> 00:04:46.860 You know? 00:04:47.560 --> 00:04:48.819 It's just like this morning. 00:04:48.899 --> 00:04:50.780 There's people who come to church this morning. 00:04:52.160 --> 00:04:55.560 And, you know, people come for all sorts of different reasons. 00:04:55.780 --> 00:04:57.980 They can come in with a smile on their face. 00:04:58.079 --> 00:04:58.620 But you know what? 00:04:58.639 --> 00:05:01.340 The one thing we can't is understand the motive of a heart. 00:05:01.339 --> 00:05:04.639 Why does somebody do something? 00:05:05.619 --> 00:05:08.119 People do things for a lot of different reasons. 00:05:09.319 --> 00:05:11.319 You know, God's Word talks a lot about that. 00:05:11.419 --> 00:05:14.259 You know, how God looks upon the heart of an individual. 00:05:15.659 --> 00:05:17.579 God knows who you are inside. 00:05:17.719 --> 00:05:18.819 We can look on the outside. 00:05:19.979 --> 00:05:21.579 We can take some guesses. 00:05:21.579 --> 00:05:26.959 But you never truly understand the motive of a person. 00:05:27.079 --> 00:05:27.839 But God does. 00:05:28.939 --> 00:05:31.240 God looks upon the heart of an individual. 00:05:32.500 --> 00:05:35.539 Jesus here is revealing, not the outward. 00:05:36.180 --> 00:05:37.939 He's telling us that they're different. 00:05:39.399 --> 00:05:43.959 But this text that Jesus, this parable Jesus gives us, talks about two men. 00:05:43.959 --> 00:05:46.279 And he looks at not the outward. 00:05:46.459 --> 00:05:47.319 He looks at the motive. 00:05:47.699 --> 00:05:49.000 He looks behind the why. 00:05:50.639 --> 00:05:53.199 Why were they doing what they did? 00:05:54.019 --> 00:05:57.060 Because they were opposite in many ways. 00:05:57.819 --> 00:06:01.359 You know, one, there was a religious display that went on when they came. 00:06:02.079 --> 00:06:02.319 You know? 00:06:03.000 --> 00:06:07.359 The Pharisees of Jesus' day were known for their outward display of spirituality. 00:06:07.360 --> 00:06:13.900 So when it talks about the Pharisee coming in, everybody would have known who the Pharisee was. 00:06:13.980 --> 00:06:16.280 He would have had the right attire on. 00:06:16.340 --> 00:06:20.420 He would have been dressed looking the way that everybody expected. 00:06:20.860 --> 00:06:22.080 Everybody looked at him. 00:06:22.139 --> 00:06:25.220 And I guarantee you, when people judged on the outside, they said, 00:06:25.280 --> 00:06:28.360 there's a guy who has it all together before God. 00:06:28.540 --> 00:06:31.600 Looking on the outside, they thought everything was together. 00:06:31.600 --> 00:06:39.120 But the reality is, is that Jesus points out the inward deadness of the individual. 00:06:41.160 --> 00:06:42.980 Jesus calls them hypocrites. 00:06:44.700 --> 00:06:46.920 You know, take a look over in the Matthew for a moment. 00:06:47.000 --> 00:06:48.520 Look over to Matthew chapter 23. 00:06:48.900 --> 00:06:51.140 Matthew 23, look down at verse 25. 00:06:51.460 --> 00:06:53.939 Jesus looks at the Pharisees and he says this, 00:06:54.060 --> 00:06:57.100 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, 00:06:57.220 --> 00:07:00.840 for you make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, 00:07:00.839 --> 00:07:04.919 but within they are full of extortion and excess. 00:07:05.719 --> 00:07:08.939 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup 00:07:08.939 --> 00:07:12.199 and platter that the outside of them may be clean also. 00:07:13.060 --> 00:07:15.859 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, 00:07:15.979 --> 00:07:17.859 for you are like unto white sepulchers, 00:07:18.219 --> 00:07:20.579 which indeed appear beautiful outward, 00:07:20.759 --> 00:07:24.879 but are within full of dead men's bones and of uncleanness. 00:07:24.879 --> 00:07:28.300 Even so, ye also outward appearance, 00:07:28.439 --> 00:07:31.540 appear righteous unto men, 00:07:31.819 --> 00:07:36.339 but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. 00:07:37.199 --> 00:07:42.300 You know, think about the reality of what Jesus is describing. 00:07:42.439 --> 00:07:46.259 He's basically describing something that is just hollow and empty. 00:07:47.839 --> 00:07:49.439 You know, there's nothing there. 00:07:49.439 --> 00:07:51.719 They look good, 00:07:52.180 --> 00:07:57.259 but when closely examined is not what it appears. 00:07:57.660 --> 00:07:58.939 You know, I remember a few years ago, 00:07:58.980 --> 00:08:00.560 I went to look at a vehicle, 00:08:01.399 --> 00:08:04.519 and you know, the thing about Nebraska and the Midwest, 00:08:04.899 --> 00:08:06.939 you know, you can go look at a vehicle 00:08:06.939 --> 00:08:08.600 and you start looking around on it 00:08:08.600 --> 00:08:09.500 and it looks pretty good. 00:08:09.600 --> 00:08:10.879 You know, especially, like, 00:08:10.920 --> 00:08:12.860 you can have a paint that looks really good. 00:08:13.839 --> 00:08:15.699 Have you ever went to look at a used vehicle 00:08:15.699 --> 00:08:16.560 and it looks really good, 00:08:16.560 --> 00:08:17.740 then you start poking on it? 00:08:20.540 --> 00:08:22.699 The paint looks good and then the paint goes in. 00:08:22.920 --> 00:08:23.579 Why is that? 00:08:23.620 --> 00:08:25.240 Because it may look good on the outside, 00:08:25.420 --> 00:08:26.660 but what's happened on the inside? 00:08:27.040 --> 00:08:28.420 The rust has gotten in there 00:08:28.420 --> 00:08:31.860 and decayed it from the inside going out. 00:08:31.939 --> 00:08:33.639 It still looks good on the outside, 00:08:34.259 --> 00:08:37.539 but there's no substance or nothing on the inside. 00:08:38.080 --> 00:08:40.580 You know, Jesus is giving that same illustration. 00:08:40.580 --> 00:08:42.320 You can have things that look good, 00:08:42.659 --> 00:08:44.879 but it doesn't mean they are. 00:08:44.879 --> 00:08:46.799 And tell it when we begin to examine. 00:08:47.559 --> 00:08:50.899 Because today, many work hard to try to cover up 00:08:50.899 --> 00:08:53.299 what's going on on the inside. 00:08:54.340 --> 00:08:55.820 You know, there's a lot of people who work hard 00:08:55.820 --> 00:08:57.080 to look good on the outside. 00:08:58.139 --> 00:08:59.600 Just as this Pharisee wanted, 00:08:59.740 --> 00:09:01.559 spent a lot of time trying to look good. 00:09:02.399 --> 00:09:04.120 Trying to make sure he measured up 00:09:04.120 --> 00:09:06.659 to all the things that were expected. 00:09:06.840 --> 00:09:08.360 But the reality is, 00:09:08.700 --> 00:09:11.399 is that Jeremiah the prophet described it this way. 00:09:11.480 --> 00:09:11.639 He says, 00:09:11.639 --> 00:09:13.659 The heart is deceitful above all things, 00:09:13.939 --> 00:09:15.299 and desperately wicked. 00:09:15.439 --> 00:09:16.240 Who can know it? 00:09:17.980 --> 00:09:21.580 There's a religious display from one that happened. 00:09:22.580 --> 00:09:23.659 And then we have the opposite. 00:09:23.819 --> 00:09:26.939 We have a repentant desire of the other individual. 00:09:27.860 --> 00:09:30.259 You know, whenever we find the word publican in Scripture, 00:09:30.779 --> 00:09:33.360 it's almost always linked with the word sinner. 00:09:34.139 --> 00:09:35.460 You know, it's one of those words 00:09:35.460 --> 00:09:38.879 that is always tied together in that. 00:09:38.879 --> 00:09:40.820 You know, publicans were the tax collectors. 00:09:40.960 --> 00:09:42.000 You know, everybody's favorite. 00:09:43.240 --> 00:09:43.539 You know? 00:09:44.080 --> 00:09:46.799 It's funny how certain things pass the test of time. 00:09:47.960 --> 00:09:49.000 Whenever you hear somebody, 00:09:49.100 --> 00:09:50.220 I'm a tax collector, 00:09:50.559 --> 00:09:51.620 no matter what they are, 00:09:51.700 --> 00:09:54.100 nobody seems to like them. 00:09:54.179 --> 00:09:54.379 You know? 00:09:54.419 --> 00:09:54.980 It's kind of like, 00:09:55.019 --> 00:09:56.720 you have a job that people don't like. 00:09:58.019 --> 00:09:58.559 You know? 00:09:59.100 --> 00:10:00.679 Because you're the person you don't want to see. 00:10:01.360 --> 00:10:01.639 You know? 00:10:01.960 --> 00:10:03.220 Today we have a fancy thing. 00:10:03.279 --> 00:10:04.620 We call them assessors, you know? 00:10:04.620 --> 00:10:07.580 But really what they're doing is assessing things 00:10:07.580 --> 00:10:09.039 so they can collect money, you know? 00:10:09.320 --> 00:10:11.620 And you get that little slip in the mail every year 00:10:11.620 --> 00:10:13.500 of somebody where somebody's come around, you know? 00:10:13.759 --> 00:10:15.419 And so we all have that same thought 00:10:15.419 --> 00:10:17.179 when it comes to tax collectors, don't we? 00:10:18.240 --> 00:10:18.560 You know? 00:10:20.259 --> 00:10:21.659 Even today, because, 00:10:21.860 --> 00:10:23.100 but even in Jesus' day, 00:10:23.200 --> 00:10:24.700 they were known for their deception 00:10:24.700 --> 00:10:26.060 and their thievery. 00:10:26.179 --> 00:10:26.759 They generally, 00:10:27.279 --> 00:10:29.120 many of them would cheat the people 00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:30.740 to pad their own pocket. 00:10:30.820 --> 00:10:31.120 In other words, 00:10:31.120 --> 00:10:32.919 they would overtax to be able to get 00:10:32.919 --> 00:10:35.000 their own pockets lined. 00:10:35.560 --> 00:10:36.159 They were there. 00:10:36.220 --> 00:10:37.820 They were despised and hated 00:10:37.820 --> 00:10:39.120 by the people. 00:10:39.220 --> 00:10:40.639 They were considered the worst 00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:41.940 of the worst. 00:10:42.679 --> 00:10:44.799 And now we find this unnamed publican 00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:46.240 was not going to the temple 00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:48.060 to show off his religious zeal. 00:10:49.060 --> 00:10:49.279 You know, 00:10:49.320 --> 00:10:51.019 his only possible motive 00:10:51.019 --> 00:10:52.759 would have been to repent 00:10:52.759 --> 00:10:54.379 of his wickedness. 00:10:54.899 --> 00:10:55.080 You know, 00:10:55.100 --> 00:10:57.340 we see these two that walked in that day, 00:10:57.340 --> 00:10:58.840 these two unnamed individuals, 00:10:58.980 --> 00:10:59.940 totally different, don't we? 00:10:59.940 --> 00:11:01.840 Their purpose 00:11:01.840 --> 00:11:02.980 and their reasoning 00:11:02.980 --> 00:11:03.960 for being there 00:11:03.960 --> 00:11:05.080 were two totally 00:11:05.080 --> 00:11:07.560 opposite ends of the spectrum. 00:11:08.940 --> 00:11:10.260 It's not what people 00:11:10.260 --> 00:11:11.760 perceived them being there, 00:11:11.860 --> 00:11:13.040 but it's what God saw 00:11:13.040 --> 00:11:15.040 when they were there. 00:11:16.620 --> 00:11:18.680 Because this unnamed publican, 00:11:18.740 --> 00:11:20.280 this unnamed tax collector, 00:11:20.800 --> 00:11:22.700 was not there in the temple 00:11:22.700 --> 00:11:24.180 trying to impress somebody. 00:11:25.680 --> 00:11:26.360 You know, 00:11:26.400 --> 00:11:27.460 the Pharisee came 00:11:27.460 --> 00:11:29.240 with all the right religious garb, 00:11:29.240 --> 00:11:30.220 all the right language, 00:11:30.340 --> 00:11:31.399 all the right things. 00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:34.440 He was there to let everybody know, 00:11:35.080 --> 00:11:37.080 I'm religious. 00:11:37.500 --> 00:11:38.560 But this publican, 00:11:38.659 --> 00:11:39.799 this unnamed publican, 00:11:39.860 --> 00:11:41.240 this unnamed tax collector 00:11:41.240 --> 00:11:42.180 came that day. 00:11:43.399 --> 00:11:44.659 He wasn't concerned 00:11:44.659 --> 00:11:45.940 with what other people saw. 00:11:46.340 --> 00:11:46.680 Matter of fact, 00:11:46.759 --> 00:11:48.240 most people probably avoided him 00:11:48.240 --> 00:11:49.019 as he walked in. 00:11:49.200 --> 00:11:50.000 You know the routine. 00:11:50.120 --> 00:11:50.480 It's like, 00:11:50.620 --> 00:11:50.919 okay, 00:11:51.019 --> 00:11:51.680 there they are. 00:11:51.779 --> 00:11:52.919 I'm going to go this way. 00:11:52.919 --> 00:11:55.319 We find this individual 00:11:55.319 --> 00:11:57.019 came, 00:11:57.120 --> 00:11:58.539 his motive was there 00:11:58.539 --> 00:12:01.479 because he was there 00:12:01.479 --> 00:12:03.860 to confess who he was 00:12:03.860 --> 00:12:05.539 before God who already knew. 00:12:06.599 --> 00:12:06.819 You know, 00:12:06.819 --> 00:12:08.179 he wasn't trying to cover up 00:12:08.179 --> 00:12:08.779 his faults 00:12:08.779 --> 00:12:10.199 or make himself look better, 00:12:10.419 --> 00:12:11.059 but he knew 00:12:11.059 --> 00:12:12.199 that he needed forgiveness. 00:12:12.679 --> 00:12:12.839 You know, 00:12:12.839 --> 00:12:14.179 another unnamed person 00:12:14.179 --> 00:12:14.740 in Scripture 00:12:14.740 --> 00:12:15.879 was one that was 00:12:15.879 --> 00:12:16.799 a rich young ruler 00:12:16.799 --> 00:12:19.019 who came to Jesus 00:12:19.019 --> 00:12:20.319 in Mark chapter 10. 00:12:21.240 --> 00:12:22.099 It says this 00:12:22.099 --> 00:12:23.559 in verse 17 of Mark 10. 00:12:23.659 --> 00:12:23.759 It says, 00:12:23.859 --> 00:12:24.779 And when he had gone forth 00:12:24.779 --> 00:12:25.339 into the way, 00:12:25.439 --> 00:12:26.240 there came one running 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:26.819 and kneeled down 00:12:26.819 --> 00:12:27.399 and asked him, 00:12:27.699 --> 00:12:28.479 Good Master, 00:12:28.599 --> 00:12:29.519 what shall I do 00:12:29.519 --> 00:12:30.859 that I may inherit 00:12:30.859 --> 00:12:31.859 eternal life? 00:12:33.019 --> 00:12:33.399 You know, 00:12:33.419 --> 00:12:33.959 this young man 00:12:33.959 --> 00:12:35.099 wanted to go to heaven. 00:12:35.639 --> 00:12:36.539 He wanted to add 00:12:36.539 --> 00:12:39.779 some religion 00:12:39.779 --> 00:12:42.779 to his life. 00:12:42.939 --> 00:12:43.419 He ended up, 00:12:43.419 --> 00:12:43.740 however, 00:12:43.899 --> 00:12:45.099 walking away sad 00:12:45.099 --> 00:12:46.339 and grieved in his heart 00:12:46.340 --> 00:12:47.519 because he was unwilling 00:12:47.519 --> 00:12:50.160 to turn from himself 00:12:50.160 --> 00:12:51.160 to the Lord. 00:12:51.960 --> 00:12:52.300 He said, 00:12:52.420 --> 00:12:53.320 I want this, 00:12:53.980 --> 00:12:55.580 but I want it on my terms. 00:12:57.620 --> 00:12:58.980 Motive makes a difference 00:12:58.980 --> 00:12:59.740 because I want you 00:12:59.740 --> 00:13:00.300 to understand 00:13:00.300 --> 00:13:01.340 that Christianity 00:13:01.340 --> 00:13:03.139 is not just a religion 00:13:03.139 --> 00:13:06.560 of regimen or rules. 00:13:07.540 --> 00:13:08.879 It's a relationship 00:13:08.879 --> 00:13:09.680 with the Savior. 00:13:10.540 --> 00:13:10.780 You know, 00:13:10.820 --> 00:13:12.220 the inside of an individual 00:13:12.220 --> 00:13:13.160 makes a difference 00:13:13.160 --> 00:13:15.720 in what's taking place. 00:13:15.800 --> 00:13:15.920 You know, 00:13:15.919 --> 00:13:17.319 look over to Romans chapter 8 00:13:17.319 --> 00:13:17.839 for a moment 00:13:17.839 --> 00:13:19.679 because when you get saved, 00:13:19.740 --> 00:13:20.179 there's something 00:13:20.179 --> 00:13:21.059 that takes place 00:13:21.059 --> 00:13:21.759 in an individual. 00:13:22.599 --> 00:13:24.039 The Bible tells us 00:13:24.039 --> 00:13:25.319 that the Spirit 00:13:25.319 --> 00:13:27.259 of God 00:13:27.259 --> 00:13:28.299 comes and dwells 00:13:28.299 --> 00:13:28.919 within us. 00:13:29.979 --> 00:13:30.699 Romans 8, 00:13:30.759 --> 00:13:31.659 verse 15 says, 00:13:31.740 --> 00:13:32.639 For you have not received 00:13:32.639 --> 00:13:33.860 the spirit of bondage 00:13:33.860 --> 00:13:34.539 again to fear, 00:13:34.599 --> 00:13:35.299 but you have received 00:13:35.299 --> 00:13:36.740 the spirit of adoption 00:13:36.740 --> 00:13:37.699 where we cry, 00:13:37.839 --> 00:13:38.679 Abba, Father. 00:13:39.039 --> 00:13:40.139 The Spirit itself 00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:40.819 bears witness 00:13:40.819 --> 00:13:41.839 with our spirit, 00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:43.500 and we are the children 00:13:43.500 --> 00:13:44.100 of God 00:13:44.100 --> 00:13:44.800 and if children 00:13:44.800 --> 00:13:45.420 then heirs, 00:13:45.540 --> 00:13:46.360 heirs of God 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:47.360 and joint heirs 00:13:47.360 --> 00:13:48.139 with Christ. 00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:49.820 You know, 00:13:49.840 --> 00:13:50.700 that's a whole different 00:13:50.700 --> 00:13:51.700 dynamic, isn't it? 00:13:52.800 --> 00:13:53.940 And we see that 00:13:53.940 --> 00:13:54.740 being played out. 00:13:54.840 --> 00:13:56.000 We see the comparison 00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:57.180 mistake. 00:13:57.340 --> 00:13:58.940 We have that contrasting motive 00:13:58.940 --> 00:13:59.600 but also 00:13:59.600 --> 00:14:01.519 a comparison mistake 00:14:01.519 --> 00:14:02.420 because as we see 00:14:02.420 --> 00:14:03.320 the Pharisee 00:14:03.320 --> 00:14:04.720 comes and compares 00:14:04.720 --> 00:14:05.340 himself 00:14:05.340 --> 00:14:06.600 to the publican. 00:14:06.600 --> 00:14:08.019 You know, 00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:09.180 it's not hard 00:14:09.180 --> 00:14:10.200 to see ourselves, 00:14:10.300 --> 00:14:11.100 our own tendency 00:14:11.100 --> 00:14:12.159 to compare ourselves 00:14:12.159 --> 00:14:12.659 with others, 00:14:12.720 --> 00:14:13.040 is it? 00:14:13.920 --> 00:14:14.220 You know, 00:14:14.300 --> 00:14:15.840 Peter also struggled 00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:17.139 with comparing himself 00:14:17.139 --> 00:14:18.240 with others 00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:19.639 after Jesus told him 00:14:19.639 --> 00:14:20.659 that if he loved him 00:14:20.659 --> 00:14:21.580 he'd be willing 00:14:21.580 --> 00:14:22.820 to commit his life 00:14:22.820 --> 00:14:23.680 to serving him. 00:14:23.740 --> 00:14:24.480 It would cost 00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:25.840 Peter's suffering. 00:14:26.320 --> 00:14:27.360 It would cost him 00:14:27.360 --> 00:14:28.720 something in his life. 00:14:30.560 --> 00:14:30.820 You know, 00:14:30.860 --> 00:14:31.779 John 21, 00:14:31.920 --> 00:14:32.620 verse 19 00:14:32.620 --> 00:14:33.800 says this, 00:14:33.800 --> 00:14:34.440 And he spake, 00:14:34.519 --> 00:14:35.259 he signifying 00:14:35.259 --> 00:14:36.139 by what death 00:14:36.139 --> 00:14:37.960 he should glorify God 00:14:37.960 --> 00:14:39.120 and when he had spoken this 00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:39.799 he said unto him 00:14:39.799 --> 00:14:40.519 follow me. 00:14:41.019 --> 00:14:42.139 Then Peter turned about 00:14:42.139 --> 00:14:43.019 seeing the disciple 00:14:43.019 --> 00:14:45.100 whom Jesus loved following 00:14:45.100 --> 00:14:46.159 which also leaned 00:14:46.159 --> 00:14:47.539 on his breast 00:14:47.539 --> 00:14:48.080 at supper 00:14:48.080 --> 00:14:48.480 and said, 00:14:48.580 --> 00:14:48.840 Lord, 00:14:49.199 --> 00:14:49.879 which is he 00:14:49.879 --> 00:14:50.799 that betrayeth thee? 00:14:50.840 --> 00:14:52.299 And Peter seeing him 00:14:52.299 --> 00:14:53.939 saith to Jesus, 00:14:54.199 --> 00:14:54.480 Lord, 00:14:54.819 --> 00:14:56.419 what shall this man do? 00:14:56.559 --> 00:14:56.720 You know, 00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:57.500 here Peter is, 00:14:57.759 --> 00:14:58.620 he's not concerned 00:14:58.620 --> 00:14:59.419 with where he is. 00:14:59.460 --> 00:15:00.000 He's worried about 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:00.899 what John's going to be, 00:15:00.980 --> 00:15:01.960 happened to John too. 00:15:02.100 --> 00:15:02.200 You know, 00:15:02.220 --> 00:15:03.139 he's comparing, 00:15:03.299 --> 00:15:03.399 you know, 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:04.259 is mine going to be 00:15:04.259 --> 00:15:05.100 better than his? 00:15:05.340 --> 00:15:05.519 You know, 00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:06.840 we're easy to get caught up 00:15:06.840 --> 00:15:07.600 in comparison 00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:09.139 of these things 00:15:09.139 --> 00:15:10.079 and we find here 00:15:10.079 --> 00:15:11.199 that Peter makes 00:15:11.199 --> 00:15:11.960 no argument 00:15:11.960 --> 00:15:13.259 and seems to understand 00:15:13.259 --> 00:15:14.620 and agree with Jesus 00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:16.079 that he is willing 00:15:16.079 --> 00:15:17.460 to die for the Lord 00:15:17.460 --> 00:15:18.120 and you know, 00:15:18.179 --> 00:15:18.980 history records 00:15:18.980 --> 00:15:19.679 that he did, 00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:20.960 but immediately 00:15:20.960 --> 00:15:22.679 upon hearing Christ's word 00:15:22.679 --> 00:15:24.460 predicting his martyrdom 00:15:24.460 --> 00:15:25.819 he falls to the temptation 00:15:25.819 --> 00:15:26.559 and comparison. 00:15:26.980 --> 00:15:27.120 Well, 00:15:27.179 --> 00:15:27.699 if I'm going to have 00:15:27.699 --> 00:15:28.240 this happen, 00:15:28.340 --> 00:15:28.960 what's going to happen 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:29.480 to them? 00:15:30.539 --> 00:15:30.819 You know, 00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:31.860 we need to understand, 00:15:31.980 --> 00:15:32.639 we need to know 00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:33.919 where we are 00:15:33.919 --> 00:15:35.080 with God. 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:36.439 The response 00:15:36.439 --> 00:15:37.439 of Jesus here 00:15:37.439 --> 00:15:38.220 is classic 00:15:38.220 --> 00:15:39.659 and well-heeded 00:15:39.659 --> 00:15:40.539 for us today. 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:41.199 You know, 00:15:41.220 --> 00:15:41.819 we need to quit 00:15:41.819 --> 00:15:42.480 comparing, 00:15:43.279 --> 00:15:43.639 you know. 00:15:45.039 --> 00:15:46.179 John 21 00:15:46.179 --> 00:15:47.080 verse 22 00:15:47.080 --> 00:15:47.799 says this, 00:15:48.220 --> 00:15:48.639 and it said, 00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:49.699 Jesus answered Peter 00:15:49.699 --> 00:15:50.220 this way, 00:15:50.319 --> 00:15:51.860 if I will 00:15:51.860 --> 00:15:52.679 that he tarry 00:15:52.679 --> 00:15:53.799 till I come, 00:15:53.919 --> 00:15:55.000 what is that to thee? 00:15:55.480 --> 00:15:56.419 Follow thou me. 00:15:56.419 --> 00:15:58.319 In other words, 00:15:58.360 --> 00:15:58.679 he says, 00:15:58.779 --> 00:15:59.439 what I'm doing 00:15:59.439 --> 00:16:00.360 in their life 00:16:00.360 --> 00:16:01.139 is between me 00:16:01.139 --> 00:16:01.639 and them. 00:16:02.199 --> 00:16:03.339 What's it to you 00:16:03.339 --> 00:16:04.539 with what's going on? 00:16:04.579 --> 00:16:06.439 It's not your decision. 00:16:07.500 --> 00:16:08.740 It's not your impact. 00:16:08.879 --> 00:16:09.899 It's who are you 00:16:09.899 --> 00:16:11.299 between you 00:16:11.299 --> 00:16:12.500 and me? 00:16:13.179 --> 00:16:13.439 You know, 00:16:13.459 --> 00:16:14.199 we find here 00:16:14.199 --> 00:16:15.659 that the first comes up, 00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:16.179 you know, 00:16:16.199 --> 00:16:16.839 the Pharisee 00:16:16.839 --> 00:16:18.659 has a very self-centered prayer. 00:16:19.620 --> 00:16:19.899 You know? 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:22.659 Now notice something, 00:16:22.740 --> 00:16:23.639 and look back in our text, 00:16:23.699 --> 00:16:24.519 look in chapter 18, 00:16:24.579 --> 00:16:25.419 look at verse 11. 00:16:26.740 --> 00:16:27.459 Because I think 00:16:27.459 --> 00:16:28.179 this is important 00:16:28.179 --> 00:16:29.120 as you read the scripture, 00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:29.639 this is there 00:16:29.639 --> 00:16:30.500 with them little phrases 00:16:30.500 --> 00:16:31.599 that I think are important. 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:33.699 Because sometimes 00:16:33.699 --> 00:16:34.659 we can get to reading 00:16:34.659 --> 00:16:35.259 and just kind of 00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:35.860 flow through. 00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:38.299 It says, 00:16:38.459 --> 00:16:39.319 the Pharisee stood 00:16:39.319 --> 00:16:40.419 and prayed thus 00:16:40.419 --> 00:16:40.939 with who? 00:16:42.819 --> 00:16:43.219 Himself. 00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:44.659 He's in the temple. 00:16:46.319 --> 00:16:47.620 He's all dressed up 00:16:47.620 --> 00:16:48.339 looking religious, 00:16:48.519 --> 00:16:49.519 trying to sell everybody 00:16:49.519 --> 00:16:50.980 how close he is to God. 00:16:51.199 --> 00:16:51.459 Remember, 00:16:51.579 --> 00:16:52.719 Jesus looks at the motive. 00:16:53.120 --> 00:16:53.899 Jesus gives us 00:16:53.899 --> 00:16:54.459 an insight. 00:16:54.599 --> 00:16:55.559 He gives us a snapshot 00:16:55.559 --> 00:16:56.599 of what's inside 00:16:56.599 --> 00:16:59.939 of this unnamed individual. 00:17:00.779 --> 00:17:01.539 He said he prayed 00:17:01.539 --> 00:17:02.919 thus with himself. 00:17:03.539 --> 00:17:03.799 You know, 00:17:03.819 --> 00:17:04.740 here's this man 00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:05.919 saying a prayer, 00:17:06.319 --> 00:17:07.619 but God hasn't showed up. 00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:08.679 He's in the place 00:17:08.679 --> 00:17:09.579 that God's there, 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:10.440 God's available. 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:11.539 Everything is there, 00:17:11.599 --> 00:17:12.460 but it says he prayed 00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:13.019 himself. 00:17:13.659 --> 00:17:13.799 You know, 00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:14.799 sometimes we have to be careful 00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:15.720 that we're not just praying 00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:16.359 with ourselves. 00:17:16.700 --> 00:17:16.960 You know, 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:18.039 when we try to make 00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:19.299 ourselves feel better 00:17:19.299 --> 00:17:19.980 as we attempt 00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:21.299 to convince God 00:17:21.299 --> 00:17:23.180 who we are. 00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:23.579 You know, 00:17:23.599 --> 00:17:24.940 sometimes we can think 00:17:24.940 --> 00:17:26.200 about what we've accomplished 00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:28.360 or what we've sacrificed. 00:17:28.860 --> 00:17:29.059 You know, 00:17:29.079 --> 00:17:29.920 when we let him know 00:17:29.920 --> 00:17:30.980 that we're unappreciative 00:17:30.980 --> 00:17:31.880 and take advantage 00:17:31.880 --> 00:17:32.819 of things, 00:17:33.059 --> 00:17:33.839 or how tired 00:17:33.839 --> 00:17:34.660 and exhausted 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:35.559 you are laboring 00:17:35.559 --> 00:17:36.120 for him. 00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:36.420 You know, 00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:37.920 that happens oftentimes. 00:17:38.140 --> 00:17:39.420 We get so focused 00:17:39.420 --> 00:17:40.200 on ourselves, 00:17:40.620 --> 00:17:41.400 we have to be careful. 00:17:41.740 --> 00:17:42.519 And he gives us 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:43.140 this picture, 00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:43.720 we're praying 00:17:43.720 --> 00:17:44.980 thus with ourselves. 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:46.360 God isn't anywhere 00:17:46.359 --> 00:17:47.719 near our prayers. 00:17:49.579 --> 00:17:50.339 Because I want you 00:17:50.339 --> 00:17:50.659 to understand, 00:17:50.799 --> 00:17:51.659 prayer is not getting 00:17:51.659 --> 00:17:52.939 God to do what we want. 00:17:53.199 --> 00:17:53.399 You know, 00:17:53.439 --> 00:17:54.079 oftentimes people 00:17:54.079 --> 00:17:55.000 look at prayer saying, 00:17:55.099 --> 00:17:55.839 I can use prayer 00:17:55.839 --> 00:17:56.979 to manipulate God. 00:17:57.099 --> 00:17:57.819 I want you to understand, 00:17:58.179 --> 00:17:58.839 your prayers 00:17:58.839 --> 00:18:00.059 don't manipulate God. 00:18:01.599 --> 00:18:02.639 Prayer isn't us 00:18:02.639 --> 00:18:03.639 trying to get God 00:18:03.639 --> 00:18:04.699 to do what we want. 00:18:04.779 --> 00:18:05.539 It's getting God 00:18:05.539 --> 00:18:06.019 to become, 00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:07.519 it's getting us 00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:08.759 to become like him 00:18:08.759 --> 00:18:10.019 and doing what he wants. 00:18:10.159 --> 00:18:11.559 Because the reality is, 00:18:11.619 --> 00:18:12.359 it's his will, 00:18:12.439 --> 00:18:13.059 not our will. 00:18:13.359 --> 00:18:13.500 You know, 00:18:13.539 --> 00:18:14.259 part of the problem 00:18:14.259 --> 00:18:15.179 with prayer sometimes 00:18:15.179 --> 00:18:16.119 is what do I want? 00:18:17.039 --> 00:18:18.359 What makes me comfortable? 00:18:18.740 --> 00:18:20.799 What's going to benefit me? 00:18:21.159 --> 00:18:21.379 You know, 00:18:21.379 --> 00:18:21.899 you think about 00:18:21.899 --> 00:18:22.979 when Jesus taught 00:18:22.979 --> 00:18:24.279 his disciples to pray, 00:18:24.339 --> 00:18:25.459 when they asked him to pray, 00:18:25.779 --> 00:18:26.259 you couldn't get 00:18:26.259 --> 00:18:27.319 a greater contrast 00:18:27.319 --> 00:18:28.740 in the Pharisees' prayer 00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:29.679 and how Jesus taught 00:18:29.679 --> 00:18:30.819 his disciples to pray. 00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:31.859 Because the prayer 00:18:31.859 --> 00:18:32.579 was all about 00:18:32.579 --> 00:18:33.559 who God is, 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:35.439 what God has done, 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:37.379 and what God is going to do. 00:18:37.559 --> 00:18:38.419 The right focus. 00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:38.879 You know, 00:18:38.919 --> 00:18:40.699 we can easily be caught up 00:18:40.699 --> 00:18:41.579 in the things 00:18:41.579 --> 00:18:44.179 of this life 00:18:44.179 --> 00:18:45.559 and miss what Christ 00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:47.319 has for us. 00:18:48.579 --> 00:18:49.579 To be focused 00:18:49.579 --> 00:18:50.899 upon what he desires. 00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:52.259 You know, 00:18:52.319 --> 00:18:52.799 we had that 00:18:52.799 --> 00:18:54.200 self-centered prayer 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:56.299 of the publican. 00:18:57.359 --> 00:18:58.539 He stood and prayed 00:18:58.539 --> 00:18:59.759 thus with himself. 00:19:00.279 --> 00:19:01.039 Let's look quick 00:19:01.039 --> 00:19:01.639 at his prayer 00:19:01.639 --> 00:19:02.779 just so we understand 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:03.859 what he says. 00:19:03.940 --> 00:19:04.179 He says, 00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:04.599 God, 00:19:04.679 --> 00:19:05.500 I thank thee 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:06.220 that I am not 00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:07.179 as other men are. 00:19:07.859 --> 00:19:08.259 Extortioners, 00:19:08.419 --> 00:19:08.859 unjust, 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:09.619 adulterers, 00:19:09.679 --> 00:19:11.240 or even as this publican. 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:13.019 You know? 00:19:13.420 --> 00:19:14.279 And then he starts 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:15.299 listing the things 00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:15.900 that he did. 00:19:16.819 --> 00:19:17.279 You know, 00:19:17.359 --> 00:19:18.480 I fast twice a week. 00:19:18.579 --> 00:19:19.299 I give tithes 00:19:19.299 --> 00:19:20.120 of all I possess. 00:19:21.460 --> 00:19:21.759 You know, 00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:22.920 all the things that, 00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:23.140 Lord, 00:19:23.339 --> 00:19:23.559 Lord, 00:19:23.620 --> 00:19:24.620 you better take note of me. 00:19:24.920 --> 00:19:25.039 Lord, 00:19:25.099 --> 00:19:25.980 you know I do a lot. 00:19:26.640 --> 00:19:26.799 You know, 00:19:26.819 --> 00:19:27.420 one of the things 00:19:27.420 --> 00:19:28.299 that gets us in trouble 00:19:28.299 --> 00:19:29.120 when we get our eyes 00:19:29.120 --> 00:19:30.079 on ourselves, 00:19:30.539 --> 00:19:32.680 because sometimes 00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:33.279 we get our eyes 00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:33.779 on ourselves 00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:34.420 and we get our own 00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:35.259 pity party going. 00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:37.380 Well, 00:19:37.400 --> 00:19:38.720 I didn't get what I want. 00:19:38.960 --> 00:19:39.140 You know, 00:19:39.140 --> 00:19:40.100 the reality is 00:19:40.100 --> 00:19:40.800 as a believer 00:19:40.800 --> 00:19:41.620 in what Christ 00:19:41.620 --> 00:19:42.680 has done for you, 00:19:42.940 --> 00:19:43.620 it says we're to be 00:19:43.620 --> 00:19:44.759 a living sacrifice. 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:45.440 And that means 00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:45.940 if you're going to 00:19:45.940 --> 00:19:46.700 sacrifice something, 00:19:46.940 --> 00:19:47.900 that means you're giving 00:19:47.900 --> 00:19:49.140 voluntarily something 00:19:49.140 --> 00:19:51.180 that you may possess, 00:19:52.460 --> 00:19:53.759 that you may control, 00:19:54.200 --> 00:19:54.720 but you're saying, 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:55.020 Lord, 00:19:55.220 --> 00:19:57.640 you use it 00:19:57.640 --> 00:19:58.620 how you see fit. 00:19:58.759 --> 00:19:59.840 The problem with that 00:19:59.840 --> 00:20:00.840 oftentimes with us, 00:20:00.880 --> 00:20:01.940 that makes us uncomfortable. 00:20:02.300 --> 00:20:03.340 That makes us anxious 00:20:03.340 --> 00:20:04.400 because we want 00:20:04.400 --> 00:20:05.340 what we want 00:20:05.340 --> 00:20:08.080 instead of what God wants. 00:20:08.340 --> 00:20:08.460 You know, 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:09.180 today oftentimes 00:20:09.180 --> 00:20:10.420 when we get so caught up 00:20:10.420 --> 00:20:11.079 in ourselves 00:20:11.079 --> 00:20:11.799 is when you start 00:20:11.799 --> 00:20:12.720 having the pity party, 00:20:12.860 --> 00:20:13.079 isn't it? 00:20:13.259 --> 00:20:14.019 A pity party 00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:14.640 is no different 00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:15.860 than what the Pharisees 00:20:15.860 --> 00:20:16.200 praying. 00:20:16.640 --> 00:20:17.279 It's me, 00:20:17.340 --> 00:20:17.480 me, 00:20:17.600 --> 00:20:17.720 me, 00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:17.900 me, 00:20:17.900 --> 00:20:18.079 me, 00:20:18.079 --> 00:20:18.240 me, 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:18.279 me, 00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:18.460 Lord, 00:20:18.519 --> 00:20:19.000 look at me. 00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:19.740 It's empty. 00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:20.779 He stood there 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:21.700 with this supreme 00:20:21.700 --> 00:20:22.420 positioning, 00:20:22.600 --> 00:20:23.480 lording over, 00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:24.600 you know. 00:20:25.019 --> 00:20:25.680 Think about that. 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:26.019 It says, 00:20:26.319 --> 00:20:26.900 he stood there 00:20:26.900 --> 00:20:27.660 and prayed thus 00:20:27.660 --> 00:20:28.120 with himself, 00:20:28.220 --> 00:20:28.400 God, 00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:28.920 I thank thee 00:20:28.920 --> 00:20:29.600 that I am not 00:20:29.600 --> 00:20:30.660 as other men are. 00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:31.960 He had a supreme 00:20:31.960 --> 00:20:33.019 mindset to say, 00:20:33.340 --> 00:20:33.559 you know, 00:20:33.600 --> 00:20:34.360 I get to make 00:20:34.360 --> 00:20:35.039 the decisions 00:20:35.039 --> 00:20:36.120 when we compare 00:20:36.120 --> 00:20:36.819 our life 00:20:36.819 --> 00:20:37.539 with our neighbors 00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:38.659 and those at work 00:20:38.659 --> 00:20:39.740 or the average person 00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:40.460 on the street. 00:20:41.339 --> 00:20:41.559 You know, 00:20:42.259 --> 00:20:43.099 we may appear 00:20:43.099 --> 00:20:44.139 to be doing great, 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:45.339 but it's God 00:20:45.339 --> 00:20:46.359 who is the standard. 00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:47.039 We need to hold 00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:47.819 our life up 00:20:47.819 --> 00:20:48.639 next to him. 00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:49.539 You know, 00:20:49.539 --> 00:20:51.359 I want you to understand 00:20:51.359 --> 00:20:52.500 the Bible tells us 00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:53.420 that we're not 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:54.420 going to measure up. 00:20:55.859 --> 00:20:56.500 Matter of fact, 00:20:56.559 --> 00:20:57.539 totally the opposite. 00:20:57.799 --> 00:20:57.940 You know, 00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:58.940 Romans tells us 00:20:58.940 --> 00:20:59.579 that there is none 00:20:59.579 --> 00:21:00.079 righteous, 00:21:00.579 --> 00:21:00.859 no, 00:21:00.920 --> 00:21:01.440 not one. 00:21:01.519 --> 00:21:02.159 This man says, 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:02.399 Lord, 00:21:02.460 --> 00:21:02.920 look at me, 00:21:02.980 --> 00:21:03.559 I'm righteous. 00:21:03.960 --> 00:21:05.099 And God looks back 00:21:05.099 --> 00:21:05.500 at him and says, 00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:05.700 no, 00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:06.420 you're not. 00:21:06.680 --> 00:21:06.899 You know, 00:21:06.899 --> 00:21:07.779 if you use the wrong 00:21:07.779 --> 00:21:08.659 measuring stick, 00:21:08.659 --> 00:21:09.420 you'll get the wrong 00:21:09.420 --> 00:21:10.399 length every time. 00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:13.119 I'll give you 00:21:13.119 --> 00:21:13.779 a good example. 00:21:13.960 --> 00:21:14.139 You know, 00:21:14.180 --> 00:21:14.859 it's like we compare 00:21:14.859 --> 00:21:15.460 a lot of things, 00:21:15.579 --> 00:21:16.220 especially like in 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:16.819 track and field. 00:21:16.940 --> 00:21:17.980 They have two different 00:21:17.980 --> 00:21:18.799 standards that go 00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:19.539 because you have 00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:21.180 a time for yards 00:21:21.180 --> 00:21:21.899 that are run 00:21:21.899 --> 00:21:24.200 and time for meters 00:21:24.200 --> 00:21:24.839 that are run. 00:21:25.099 --> 00:21:25.539 You know what? 00:21:25.579 --> 00:21:26.079 There's a difference 00:21:26.079 --> 00:21:26.619 between a yard 00:21:26.619 --> 00:21:27.019 and a meter. 00:21:27.299 --> 00:21:28.359 It might not be much, 00:21:28.440 --> 00:21:29.039 but you know what? 00:21:29.059 --> 00:21:29.919 When you start multiplying, 00:21:30.019 --> 00:21:30.740 it makes a big difference 00:21:30.740 --> 00:21:31.359 on the outcome. 00:21:31.680 --> 00:21:31.819 You know, 00:21:31.839 --> 00:21:32.599 if you grabbed a, 00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:33.359 I remember they used 00:21:33.359 --> 00:21:34.579 to make meter sticks. 00:21:34.579 --> 00:21:34.859 You know, 00:21:34.919 --> 00:21:35.899 I'm old enough to remember 00:21:35.899 --> 00:21:36.460 when all that was 00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:37.220 starting to come out. 00:21:37.659 --> 00:21:38.339 I don't see them 00:21:38.339 --> 00:21:39.220 around much anymore. 00:21:39.379 --> 00:21:39.579 You know, 00:21:39.619 --> 00:21:40.159 those have kind of 00:21:40.159 --> 00:21:40.819 faded away. 00:21:41.339 --> 00:21:41.879 But you know, 00:21:41.899 --> 00:21:42.639 the problem with that, 00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:43.740 the 39 and a half 00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:44.819 inches tall was a problem 00:21:44.819 --> 00:21:45.240 when you thought 00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:45.799 it was 36. 00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:46.919 Why is that? 00:21:46.940 --> 00:21:47.839 Because you're measuring 00:21:47.839 --> 00:21:49.179 with the wrong assumption. 00:21:49.639 --> 00:21:50.959 This man was measuring 00:21:50.959 --> 00:21:52.099 with the wrong assumption. 00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:53.899 He thought he was good 00:21:53.899 --> 00:21:56.000 and it was about him 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:57.039 and Jesus says, 00:21:57.119 --> 00:21:57.220 no, 00:21:57.259 --> 00:21:57.939 it's about me. 00:21:59.379 --> 00:22:00.500 To measure up 00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:01.099 those things, 00:22:01.179 --> 00:22:02.099 all have sinned 00:22:02.099 --> 00:22:02.779 and come short 00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:03.519 of the glory 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:05.019 of God. 00:22:05.179 --> 00:22:05.439 You know, 00:22:05.459 --> 00:22:06.459 the reality is 00:22:06.459 --> 00:22:07.379 is what we measure 00:22:07.379 --> 00:22:08.500 against is important. 00:22:10.439 --> 00:22:10.720 You know? 00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:12.920 It's kind of like 00:22:12.920 --> 00:22:14.039 when you're doing work, 00:22:14.120 --> 00:22:14.339 you know, 00:22:14.559 --> 00:22:15.259 one of the most 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:16.100 important things, 00:22:16.160 --> 00:22:16.940 you have two important 00:22:16.940 --> 00:22:17.700 things in building 00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:18.100 a building. 00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:18.960 One is level 00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:21.100 and the other is plumb. 00:22:21.319 --> 00:22:21.920 The difference, 00:22:22.059 --> 00:22:23.279 level goes this way, 00:22:24.380 --> 00:22:25.339 plumb goes this way. 00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:26.600 Both are critical 00:22:26.600 --> 00:22:27.559 and to know 00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:28.819 how to measure it 00:22:28.819 --> 00:22:30.339 is critical 00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:34.539 because a plumb line 00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:35.319 will give you 00:22:35.319 --> 00:22:36.880 a truly accurate 00:22:36.880 --> 00:22:39.039 picture of where 00:22:39.039 --> 00:22:39.680 something is. 00:22:41.539 --> 00:22:41.839 You know? 00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:44.500 A level sometimes 00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:45.240 you can get off 00:22:45.240 --> 00:22:45.599 a little bit. 00:22:45.659 --> 00:22:46.059 You know about 00:22:46.059 --> 00:22:46.839 a plumb line though? 00:22:46.879 --> 00:22:47.460 A plumb line 00:22:47.460 --> 00:22:48.639 will always be accurate. 00:22:48.899 --> 00:22:50.180 When a plumb line 00:22:50.180 --> 00:22:50.779 hangs, 00:22:51.180 --> 00:22:52.399 the end of that point 00:22:52.399 --> 00:22:53.299 is perfectly 00:22:53.299 --> 00:22:55.059 90 degrees, 00:22:55.200 --> 00:22:56.480 perfectly straight down 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:57.059 from the point 00:22:57.059 --> 00:22:57.700 it hangs from. 00:22:57.899 --> 00:22:58.960 There's no hiding it. 00:22:59.039 --> 00:23:00.440 There's no deception. 00:23:00.599 --> 00:23:01.119 If you put it 00:23:01.119 --> 00:23:01.759 against there, 00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:02.379 it will show 00:23:02.379 --> 00:23:03.759 and reveal exactly 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:04.879 the plumb line. 00:23:06.200 --> 00:23:06.579 Matter of fact, 00:23:06.680 --> 00:23:06.920 you know, 00:23:07.319 --> 00:23:08.220 turn back in the Old Testament, 00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:09.620 go to Amos chapter 7. 00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:12.279 Because it's interesting 00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:13.120 that God doesn't 00:23:13.120 --> 00:23:13.980 tell us to be level, 00:23:14.100 --> 00:23:15.160 He tells us to be plumb. 00:23:16.519 --> 00:23:17.700 I didn't say plump, 00:23:17.940 --> 00:23:18.559 I said plumb. 00:23:18.860 --> 00:23:19.940 Amos chapter 7 00:23:19.940 --> 00:23:20.579 and verse 8, 00:23:20.640 --> 00:23:21.400 notice what it says, 00:23:21.480 --> 00:23:22.460 And the Lord said unto me, 00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:22.839 Amos, 00:23:23.140 --> 00:23:24.259 What seest thou? 00:23:24.319 --> 00:23:24.819 And I said, 00:23:24.860 --> 00:23:25.579 a plumb line. 00:23:26.059 --> 00:23:26.920 Then said the Lord, 00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:27.400 Behold, 00:23:27.460 --> 00:23:28.759 I will set a plumb line 00:23:28.759 --> 00:23:29.319 in the midst 00:23:29.319 --> 00:23:30.539 of my people Israel, 00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:32.120 and I will not again 00:23:32.120 --> 00:23:33.700 pass by them anymore. 00:23:34.140 --> 00:23:34.839 It's interesting 00:23:34.839 --> 00:23:35.880 that God uses 00:23:35.880 --> 00:23:37.020 a plumb line 00:23:37.020 --> 00:23:38.600 as a picture. 00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:39.200 Why? 00:23:39.340 --> 00:23:40.760 Because there's no deviation 00:23:40.760 --> 00:23:41.800 of a plumb line. 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:42.940 It will be true. 00:23:43.280 --> 00:23:44.020 The reality 00:23:44.020 --> 00:23:46.540 is proven out. 00:23:46.800 --> 00:23:47.440 The truth is, 00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:48.240 God gives us 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:49.280 a plumb line today. 00:23:49.380 --> 00:23:50.260 It's called His Word. 00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:51.660 He gives us His Word. 00:23:51.760 --> 00:23:52.900 He is not interested 00:23:52.900 --> 00:23:54.500 in negotiation 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:55.540 or compromise. 00:23:55.900 --> 00:23:56.460 He has forever 00:23:56.460 --> 00:23:57.520 settled His Word, 00:23:57.680 --> 00:23:58.740 and He's not going to 00:23:58.740 --> 00:23:59.720 bend the standard 00:23:59.720 --> 00:24:01.080 to make us look straight. 00:24:01.340 --> 00:24:01.500 You know, 00:24:01.520 --> 00:24:02.140 the problem is, 00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:02.900 we like things 00:24:02.900 --> 00:24:03.580 we can maneuver. 00:24:03.579 --> 00:24:04.779 But we need to understand 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:06.279 that God gives us 00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:07.839 His standard. 00:24:08.460 --> 00:24:09.539 Look back in the New Testament. 00:24:09.679 --> 00:24:10.759 John chapter 12, 00:24:11.319 --> 00:24:12.679 in verse 48, 00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:13.079 it says, 00:24:13.199 --> 00:24:14.419 And he that rejecteth me 00:24:14.419 --> 00:24:16.279 and receiveth not my words 00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:18.259 hath one that judges him, 00:24:18.299 --> 00:24:19.759 and the word that I have spoken, 00:24:19.899 --> 00:24:21.240 the same shall judge him 00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:23.139 in the last day. 00:24:24.179 --> 00:24:24.500 You know, 00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:25.339 I want you to see here, 00:24:25.379 --> 00:24:26.359 the Word of God 00:24:26.359 --> 00:24:28.099 is our plumb line of life. 00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:30.379 Are we lining up 00:24:30.379 --> 00:24:32.939 with what God's Word says? 00:24:33.840 --> 00:24:34.100 You know, 00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:35.539 this man, 00:24:35.600 --> 00:24:36.220 the interesting thing 00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:37.200 about the Pharisee 00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:38.000 that we're looking at, 00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:40.259 he had a soothing portrayal 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:40.880 of himself. 00:24:41.580 --> 00:24:42.980 He prays with himself 00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:44.140 and he feels better 00:24:44.140 --> 00:24:45.140 about his conscience 00:24:45.140 --> 00:24:46.799 because he attempts 00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:47.799 to remind God 00:24:47.799 --> 00:24:49.059 of how spiritual he is. 00:24:49.440 --> 00:24:49.920 Lord, look, 00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:50.340 I go through 00:24:50.340 --> 00:24:51.100 all the right things. 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:52.720 I fast twice a week. 00:24:52.779 --> 00:24:53.600 I give tithes 00:24:53.600 --> 00:24:54.420 of all I possess. 00:24:54.980 --> 00:24:55.180 You know, 00:24:55.180 --> 00:24:56.059 like the Pharisee, 00:24:56.140 --> 00:24:57.240 sometimes we get caught up 00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:58.059 in ourselves 00:24:58.059 --> 00:25:00.840 instead of caught up 00:25:00.840 --> 00:25:01.759 in what God has. 00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:03.200 to say, 00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:03.460 God, 00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:04.759 I'm willing to do 00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:07.460 what you want me to do. 00:25:07.900 --> 00:25:09.240 It's not about me 00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:10.720 or how it makes me feel. 00:25:12.339 --> 00:25:14.279 It's about what's my responsibility 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:16.980 before you. 00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:18.779 How am I measuring 00:25:18.779 --> 00:25:19.980 to your plumb line? 00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:21.440 When we pray to God 00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:24.940 and he sees us as we are, 00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:26.440 are we saying, 00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:26.740 God, 00:25:26.859 --> 00:25:27.720 look at me? 00:25:27.720 --> 00:25:28.839 Are we saying, 00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:30.680 Lord, 00:25:30.940 --> 00:25:32.519 I need you 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:34.880 to assess me? 00:25:35.140 --> 00:25:35.299 You know, 00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:36.220 think about Isaiah 00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:37.120 in chapter 6 00:25:37.120 --> 00:25:37.839 and verse 5 00:25:37.839 --> 00:25:38.339 when he says, 00:25:38.460 --> 00:25:39.079 Woe is me 00:25:39.079 --> 00:25:40.440 for I am undone 00:25:40.440 --> 00:25:41.799 because I'm a man 00:25:41.799 --> 00:25:42.700 of unclean lips 00:25:42.700 --> 00:25:43.539 and I dwell in the midst 00:25:43.539 --> 00:25:44.880 of people of unclean lips 00:25:44.880 --> 00:25:46.120 for my eyes 00:25:46.120 --> 00:25:47.100 have seen the King, 00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:49.000 the Lord of hosts. 00:25:49.059 --> 00:25:49.880 When we get our eyes 00:25:49.880 --> 00:25:50.480 on the Lord, 00:25:50.579 --> 00:25:51.660 it changes the perspective 00:25:51.660 --> 00:25:52.380 of ourselves. 00:25:52.600 --> 00:25:54.079 But we see next quickly here, 00:25:54.140 --> 00:25:56.039 we see not only the motive 00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:56.839 in the mistake, 00:25:56.980 --> 00:25:58.819 but we see a very contrite man 00:25:58.819 --> 00:25:59.659 that's the counter. 00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:02.519 Because if we're going 00:26:02.519 --> 00:26:03.099 to look here, 00:26:03.159 --> 00:26:04.399 we see the other unnamed, 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:05.220 the publican. 00:26:05.839 --> 00:26:08.099 The opposite is unfolding. 00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:09.039 Now these two things 00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:10.200 are happening simultaneously, 00:26:10.200 --> 00:26:10.879 I think. 00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:13.839 I think when Jesus talks 00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:14.500 in this parable, 00:26:14.579 --> 00:26:15.059 he's talking about 00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:16.240 two men that walk in. 00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:19.579 One goes to do his thing, 00:26:19.659 --> 00:26:20.480 the Pharisee, 00:26:20.859 --> 00:26:22.599 and wants everybody to see, 00:26:22.740 --> 00:26:23.000 you know, 00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:24.359 and everybody to know. 00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:25.259 And I think you have 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:26.319 the publican that kind of 00:26:26.319 --> 00:26:27.299 sneaks in behind 00:26:27.299 --> 00:26:27.940 and says, 00:26:28.039 --> 00:26:29.319 I have to focus 00:26:29.319 --> 00:26:30.420 on what God has. 00:26:30.619 --> 00:26:31.900 Notice here in verse 13 00:26:31.900 --> 00:26:32.799 back in our text, 00:26:32.900 --> 00:26:33.539 it says this, 00:26:33.619 --> 00:26:33.859 it says, 00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:34.579 and the publican 00:26:34.579 --> 00:26:35.599 standing afar off 00:26:35.599 --> 00:26:36.839 would not so much 00:26:36.839 --> 00:26:38.039 as eyes, 00:26:38.519 --> 00:26:40.359 lift so much as eyes 00:26:40.359 --> 00:26:41.259 unto heaven, 00:26:41.579 --> 00:26:43.220 but smowed his breast. 00:26:43.839 --> 00:26:44.559 In other words, 00:26:44.619 --> 00:26:44.779 you know, 00:26:44.779 --> 00:26:45.700 I want you to see here, 00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:46.960 there's a common thread 00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:49.059 in those who are used of God. 00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:49.900 This man was willing 00:26:49.900 --> 00:26:50.980 to humble himself. 00:26:51.379 --> 00:26:52.279 He caught the first 00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:52.960 important thing. 00:26:53.019 --> 00:26:53.720 If you're going to catch 00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:54.539 God's ear, 00:26:54.539 --> 00:26:55.700 it's to humble yourself. 00:26:57.159 --> 00:26:57.759 To say, 00:26:57.859 --> 00:26:58.099 Lord, 00:26:58.180 --> 00:27:00.480 it's not about me. 00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:00.980 You know, 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:01.519 by nature, 00:27:01.639 --> 00:27:02.920 we like ourselves. 00:27:03.220 --> 00:27:03.599 Ultimately, 00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:04.759 we look out for ourselves. 00:27:05.079 --> 00:27:06.180 We are by nature 00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:08.379 selfish people. 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:09.519 People will even do 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:10.099 good things 00:27:10.099 --> 00:27:10.920 to help themselves. 00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:12.180 Think about the Pharisee. 00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:13.000 What was he pointing to? 00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:13.220 He says, 00:27:13.279 --> 00:27:14.039 I do these things 00:27:14.039 --> 00:27:15.339 so everybody thinks I'm good. 00:27:15.579 --> 00:27:16.319 But he missed 00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:17.539 what it was before God. 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:18.399 But here we have 00:27:18.399 --> 00:27:19.259 this publican 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:19.940 that comes in, 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:20.960 this tax collector, 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:22.019 and he comes 00:27:22.019 --> 00:27:22.940 and he humbly 00:27:22.940 --> 00:27:24.259 comes before God. 00:27:26.319 --> 00:27:27.140 Because look at 00:27:27.140 --> 00:27:28.240 how he humbles himself. 00:27:28.440 --> 00:27:29.240 Look at his cry 00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:29.819 for help. 00:27:31.860 --> 00:27:32.900 Verse 13 says, 00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:33.220 saying, 00:27:33.299 --> 00:27:33.620 God, 00:27:33.740 --> 00:27:35.240 be merciful to me, 00:27:35.360 --> 00:27:37.819 a sinner. 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.460 You know what? 00:27:38.500 --> 00:27:39.400 When Jesus went 00:27:39.400 --> 00:27:40.039 to the cross, 00:27:40.120 --> 00:27:41.039 he went for sinners. 00:27:41.360 --> 00:27:42.019 He went because 00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:42.620 of our sin. 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:43.759 He didn't go 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.920 so we could be proud 00:27:44.920 --> 00:27:45.660 or boastful. 00:27:45.940 --> 00:27:46.559 He didn't say, 00:27:46.680 --> 00:27:46.980 I'm going to go 00:27:46.980 --> 00:27:47.660 to the cross. 00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:49.040 My body's going 00:27:49.040 --> 00:27:49.660 to be crushed 00:27:49.660 --> 00:27:50.340 and bruised. 00:27:50.420 --> 00:27:51.120 I'm going to bleed 00:27:51.120 --> 00:27:52.740 for those to be prideful. 00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:53.740 Exact opposite, 00:27:53.900 --> 00:27:54.160 wasn't it? 00:27:54.340 --> 00:27:55.500 To realize we're a sinner 00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:57.820 that needs a Savior. 00:27:59.100 --> 00:27:59.320 You know, 00:27:59.340 --> 00:28:00.240 the more we depend 00:28:00.240 --> 00:28:00.940 on ourselves, 00:28:01.120 --> 00:28:01.580 our goodness, 00:28:01.779 --> 00:28:02.220 our merit, 00:28:02.300 --> 00:28:02.940 our abilities, 00:28:03.580 --> 00:28:05.720 the more we're going 00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:06.120 to fall. 00:28:06.340 --> 00:28:07.180 You cannot get rid 00:28:07.180 --> 00:28:08.000 of your own sin. 00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:08.380 You know, 00:28:08.400 --> 00:28:08.960 we need to grab 00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:09.920 a hold of the fact 00:28:09.920 --> 00:28:10.279 that we need 00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:11.340 to humble ourselves 00:28:11.340 --> 00:28:12.860 before God. 00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:13.759 Be willing to say, 00:28:13.840 --> 00:28:14.000 Lord, 00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:15.140 what would you have 00:28:15.140 --> 00:28:17.480 for me to do? 00:28:18.620 --> 00:28:19.380 Where would you 00:28:19.380 --> 00:28:21.320 have me to be faithful? 00:28:22.100 --> 00:28:22.519 Where would you 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:24.240 have me do my part? 00:28:24.540 --> 00:28:24.720 You know, 00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:25.720 oftentimes I think 00:28:25.720 --> 00:28:26.440 we get caught up 00:28:26.440 --> 00:28:27.779 in what's in it 00:28:27.779 --> 00:28:28.880 for me instead of, 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:29.060 Lord, 00:28:29.140 --> 00:28:29.800 what would you 00:28:29.800 --> 00:28:30.540 have me to do? 00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:31.519 Because we cannot 00:28:31.519 --> 00:28:32.580 live for Christ 00:28:32.580 --> 00:28:33.360 on our own. 00:28:33.460 --> 00:28:33.920 We need to be 00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:36.060 dependent upon Him. 00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:36.300 You know, 00:28:36.380 --> 00:28:38.040 2 Corinthians chapter 3 00:28:38.040 --> 00:28:39.140 says this, 00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:39.500 it says, 00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:40.400 not that we are 00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:41.680 sufficient of ourselves 00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:42.980 to think anything 00:28:42.980 --> 00:28:44.019 as ourselves, 00:28:44.180 --> 00:28:45.300 but our sufficiency 00:28:45.300 --> 00:28:47.500 is of God. 00:28:47.660 --> 00:28:48.340 You know, 00:28:48.380 --> 00:28:49.019 sometimes we need 00:28:49.019 --> 00:28:50.600 to get our eyes 00:28:50.600 --> 00:28:51.500 off ourselves 00:28:51.500 --> 00:28:53.420 and get them 00:28:53.420 --> 00:28:54.220 back on God. 00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:57.240 Because even as a believer, 00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:57.800 you know what, 00:28:57.820 --> 00:28:58.400 we can become 00:28:58.400 --> 00:28:59.240 like the Pharisee. 00:28:59.420 --> 00:29:00.060 You can become 00:29:00.060 --> 00:29:00.620 like the one 00:29:00.620 --> 00:29:01.360 that gets our eyes 00:29:01.360 --> 00:29:02.279 on ourselves 00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:03.000 instead of having 00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:03.660 our eyes 00:29:03.660 --> 00:29:04.680 on the Savior. 00:29:06.600 --> 00:29:07.680 To keep our eyes 00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:08.320 upon Him 00:29:08.320 --> 00:29:09.460 because our sin 00:29:09.460 --> 00:29:10.640 and our miserable 00:29:10.640 --> 00:29:11.920 condition in ourselves, 00:29:12.040 --> 00:29:12.700 we may think 00:29:12.700 --> 00:29:13.779 that our cry to God 00:29:13.779 --> 00:29:14.620 will be in vain, 00:29:14.619 --> 00:29:15.579 but you know, 00:29:15.659 --> 00:29:16.599 the reality is 00:29:16.599 --> 00:29:17.259 when we come 00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:18.479 humbly before Him, 00:29:18.819 --> 00:29:19.899 God will hear 00:29:19.899 --> 00:29:21.039 and God will answer. 00:29:22.559 --> 00:29:23.459 Think about what 00:29:23.459 --> 00:29:24.319 Micah says 00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:25.979 in Micah 7 verse 18. 00:29:26.439 --> 00:29:26.659 It says, 00:29:26.739 --> 00:29:27.459 Who is a God 00:29:27.459 --> 00:29:28.259 like unto thee 00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:29.719 that pardoneth iniquity 00:29:29.719 --> 00:29:31.739 and passes by 00:29:31.739 --> 00:29:32.599 the transgression 00:29:32.599 --> 00:29:33.399 of the remnant 00:29:33.399 --> 00:29:34.799 of His heritage? 00:29:34.939 --> 00:29:35.839 He retaineth not 00:29:35.839 --> 00:29:36.839 His anger forever 00:29:36.839 --> 00:29:38.599 because He delighteth 00:29:38.599 --> 00:29:40.159 in mercy. 00:29:40.479 --> 00:29:40.659 You know, 00:29:40.679 --> 00:29:41.059 the one thing 00:29:41.059 --> 00:29:41.659 you can know 00:29:41.659 --> 00:29:42.259 about God 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:43.279 is God delights 00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:43.920 in those who 00:29:43.920 --> 00:29:45.740 humbly come before Him 00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:47.079 because God delights 00:29:47.079 --> 00:29:48.000 in being merciful. 00:29:48.339 --> 00:29:49.059 He'll not turn 00:29:49.059 --> 00:29:49.759 a deaf ear. 00:29:50.160 --> 00:29:51.079 God will hear 00:29:51.079 --> 00:29:52.579 the merciful. 00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:54.099 He will be merciful 00:29:54.099 --> 00:29:54.859 to those who have 00:29:54.859 --> 00:29:55.779 humbled themselves 00:29:55.779 --> 00:29:57.579 because we see 00:29:57.579 --> 00:29:59.000 also a clear measurement. 00:29:59.900 --> 00:30:00.059 You know, 00:30:00.099 --> 00:30:00.720 the Pharisee 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:01.940 had a false measurement 00:30:01.940 --> 00:30:03.660 by his assessing 00:30:03.660 --> 00:30:05.299 of himself 00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:07.319 with another human being. 00:30:08.579 --> 00:30:08.859 You know, 00:30:09.859 --> 00:30:11.440 when we compare 00:30:11.440 --> 00:30:12.400 ourselves to others, 00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:13.240 it's always easy 00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:14.220 to find somebody 00:30:14.220 --> 00:30:15.700 who will make us 00:30:15.700 --> 00:30:16.140 feel good. 00:30:16.360 --> 00:30:16.759 Have you ever noticed 00:30:16.759 --> 00:30:16.900 that? 00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:17.539 Don't take long 00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:18.120 looking around 00:30:18.120 --> 00:30:18.920 to find somebody 00:30:18.920 --> 00:30:19.640 worse than you. 00:30:19.860 --> 00:30:20.640 It's just amazing, 00:30:20.799 --> 00:30:20.960 you know. 00:30:21.000 --> 00:30:21.600 It's like you can 00:30:21.600 --> 00:30:22.700 always find, 00:30:22.860 --> 00:30:23.000 you know, 00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:24.059 no matter who it is, 00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:25.320 I could take you 00:30:25.320 --> 00:30:25.900 down here 00:30:25.900 --> 00:30:26.820 to the worst ward 00:30:26.820 --> 00:30:27.759 down here at the jail 00:30:27.759 --> 00:30:28.080 and you know 00:30:28.080 --> 00:30:28.640 what the person's 00:30:28.640 --> 00:30:29.059 going to do? 00:30:29.539 --> 00:30:29.920 Well, 00:30:29.940 --> 00:30:30.680 that guy over there 00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:31.500 is worse than me. 00:30:33.820 --> 00:30:34.720 I only killed 00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:35.440 22 people. 00:30:35.500 --> 00:30:36.259 He killed 24. 00:30:36.360 --> 00:30:36.880 He's worse. 00:30:38.680 --> 00:30:39.220 I mean, 00:30:39.240 --> 00:30:39.740 the measurement 00:30:39.740 --> 00:30:40.779 is just insane, 00:30:40.860 --> 00:30:41.140 really. 00:30:41.460 --> 00:30:41.580 Well, 00:30:41.600 --> 00:30:41.780 he said, 00:30:41.840 --> 00:30:42.240 I didn't kill 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:42.620 anybody, 00:30:42.720 --> 00:30:43.100 but you know 00:30:43.100 --> 00:30:43.340 what? 00:30:43.540 --> 00:30:44.240 Sometimes we look 00:30:44.240 --> 00:30:44.960 at our own sin 00:30:44.960 --> 00:30:45.300 and say, 00:30:45.400 --> 00:30:45.480 hey, 00:30:45.540 --> 00:30:46.080 they've sinned 00:30:46.080 --> 00:30:46.780 worse than me, 00:30:46.820 --> 00:30:47.200 so therefore 00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:48.020 I must be okay. 00:30:48.420 --> 00:30:49.320 A humble person 00:30:49.320 --> 00:30:49.980 says it doesn't 00:30:49.980 --> 00:30:50.500 matter what 00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:51.100 the other person 00:30:51.100 --> 00:30:51.400 did. 00:30:51.660 --> 00:30:52.280 One of humility 00:30:52.280 --> 00:30:53.140 says I only 00:30:53.140 --> 00:30:54.160 understand that 00:30:54.160 --> 00:30:55.640 I'm accountable 00:30:55.640 --> 00:30:56.259 to God. 00:30:57.980 --> 00:30:58.759 I'm accountable 00:30:58.759 --> 00:30:59.840 for what He's done. 00:31:00.040 --> 00:31:00.180 You know, 00:31:00.200 --> 00:31:01.220 a false measurement, 00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:02.540 one that was 00:31:02.540 --> 00:31:03.060 inaccurate. 00:31:04.780 --> 00:31:05.259 You know, 00:31:05.280 --> 00:31:05.840 one of the things 00:31:05.840 --> 00:31:06.500 you'll find 00:31:06.500 --> 00:31:07.460 in the Old Testament 00:31:07.460 --> 00:31:09.340 is people would 00:31:09.339 --> 00:31:10.720 use scales 00:31:10.720 --> 00:31:12.159 to cheat people 00:31:12.159 --> 00:31:12.939 and God would 00:31:12.939 --> 00:31:13.980 call them on it. 00:31:15.579 --> 00:31:16.139 You know, 00:31:16.179 --> 00:31:17.179 the Lord condemns 00:31:17.179 --> 00:31:18.319 improper measurement. 00:31:20.119 --> 00:31:20.279 You know, 00:31:20.339 --> 00:31:21.079 Proverbs 20, 00:31:21.159 --> 00:31:21.659 verse 10 00:31:21.659 --> 00:31:21.899 says, 00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:22.859 divers weights 00:31:22.859 --> 00:31:23.919 and divers measures. 00:31:24.279 --> 00:31:25.079 Both of them 00:31:25.079 --> 00:31:25.659 are alike, 00:31:25.779 --> 00:31:27.199 abomination to the Lord. 00:31:27.439 --> 00:31:27.659 You know, 00:31:27.679 --> 00:31:28.480 the funny part is 00:31:28.480 --> 00:31:29.799 they've actually found 00:31:29.799 --> 00:31:31.500 weights that are off 00:31:31.500 --> 00:31:34.399 in archaeology. 00:31:35.400 --> 00:31:36.080 They'll be marked 00:31:36.080 --> 00:31:36.880 for one thing 00:31:36.880 --> 00:31:38.380 and when they 00:31:38.380 --> 00:31:39.180 actually weigh them, 00:31:39.240 --> 00:31:39.900 they weigh different 00:31:39.900 --> 00:31:40.700 than what they're marked. 00:31:42.420 --> 00:31:43.040 You know what 00:31:43.040 --> 00:31:43.680 that tells them? 00:31:44.759 --> 00:31:45.200 Hey, 00:31:45.259 --> 00:31:45.820 there was people 00:31:45.820 --> 00:31:46.480 cheating people. 00:31:46.800 --> 00:31:47.160 Today, 00:31:47.300 --> 00:31:47.840 oftentimes, 00:31:48.060 --> 00:31:49.680 we cheat ourselves 00:31:49.680 --> 00:31:50.400 by measuring 00:31:50.400 --> 00:31:51.480 with the wrong things. 00:31:51.620 --> 00:31:52.519 Just like a weight 00:31:52.519 --> 00:31:53.140 on a scale 00:31:53.140 --> 00:31:54.340 can be inaccurate 00:31:54.340 --> 00:31:55.240 when we judge 00:31:55.240 --> 00:31:56.320 with the wrong thing 00:31:56.320 --> 00:31:57.980 ourself before God, 00:31:58.040 --> 00:31:58.920 it becomes inaccurate. 00:31:59.280 --> 00:32:00.140 I want you to understand 00:32:00.140 --> 00:32:00.680 that sometimes 00:32:00.680 --> 00:32:01.740 this is good and bad 00:32:01.740 --> 00:32:02.440 because sometimes 00:32:02.440 --> 00:32:03.300 we think God 00:32:03.300 --> 00:32:04.220 can't do something 00:32:04.220 --> 00:32:06.000 and we have 00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:06.559 an inaccurate 00:32:06.559 --> 00:32:07.819 measurement of God 00:32:07.819 --> 00:32:10.140 because God says, 00:32:10.339 --> 00:32:11.600 I can if you trust me. 00:32:11.799 --> 00:32:13.240 It works both ways. 00:32:14.519 --> 00:32:15.460 God says that we 00:32:15.460 --> 00:32:16.019 ought to have 00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:18.240 a right measurement 00:32:18.240 --> 00:32:21.120 because notice here quick 00:32:21.120 --> 00:32:21.920 the justification 00:32:21.920 --> 00:32:23.160 that was pronounced 00:32:23.160 --> 00:32:24.059 by Christ. 00:32:24.680 --> 00:32:25.860 Verse 14, 00:32:26.620 --> 00:32:27.519 Jesus looks at him 00:32:27.519 --> 00:32:27.700 and says, 00:32:27.779 --> 00:32:28.880 I tell you this, 00:32:29.779 --> 00:32:30.900 man went down 00:32:30.900 --> 00:32:31.779 to his house 00:32:31.779 --> 00:32:32.460 justified 00:32:32.460 --> 00:32:33.880 rather than the other. 00:32:34.980 --> 00:32:35.240 You know? 00:32:36.299 --> 00:32:36.559 Boy, 00:32:36.600 --> 00:32:37.319 that's a pretty harsh 00:32:37.319 --> 00:32:37.759 assessment, 00:32:37.900 --> 00:32:38.120 isn't it? 00:32:38.319 --> 00:32:39.740 Jesus looks at the Pharisee 00:32:39.740 --> 00:32:40.620 that everybody would have said, 00:32:40.700 --> 00:32:40.839 man, 00:32:40.900 --> 00:32:42.019 that guy has it together. 00:32:42.299 --> 00:32:42.920 And everybody looks 00:32:42.920 --> 00:32:43.460 at the public 00:32:43.460 --> 00:32:44.680 and it says he's over there 00:32:44.680 --> 00:32:46.059 just crying out to God. 00:32:46.200 --> 00:32:46.660 The Bible says 00:32:46.660 --> 00:32:47.539 just being, 00:32:47.640 --> 00:32:48.059 it's just saying, 00:32:48.120 --> 00:32:48.420 God, 00:32:48.500 --> 00:32:49.039 I'm the sinner. 00:32:50.740 --> 00:32:51.640 I imagine everybody 00:32:51.640 --> 00:32:52.360 was looking at him 00:32:52.360 --> 00:32:52.519 like, 00:32:52.579 --> 00:32:53.059 look at him. 00:32:53.259 --> 00:32:53.700 He's right. 00:32:53.740 --> 00:32:54.559 He needs to get right. 00:32:54.799 --> 00:32:55.579 But Jesus says 00:32:55.579 --> 00:32:56.059 he went down 00:32:56.059 --> 00:32:56.620 to his house 00:32:56.620 --> 00:32:57.299 justified 00:32:57.299 --> 00:33:00.919 because he humbled himself 00:33:00.919 --> 00:33:02.299 and said, 00:33:02.379 --> 00:33:02.559 Lord, 00:33:02.639 --> 00:33:03.879 be merciful to me, 00:33:05.019 --> 00:33:05.399 a sinner. 00:33:05.599 --> 00:33:06.279 What a picture 00:33:06.279 --> 00:33:07.159 that we have. 00:33:09.119 --> 00:33:09.299 You know, 00:33:09.339 --> 00:33:10.259 you think even when 00:33:10.259 --> 00:33:11.740 Jesus was on the cross, 00:33:11.859 --> 00:33:12.960 consider the two thieves. 00:33:14.700 --> 00:33:15.240 You know, 00:33:15.259 --> 00:33:15.799 the two thieves 00:33:15.799 --> 00:33:16.740 were comparing themselves 00:33:16.740 --> 00:33:17.419 one to another 00:33:17.419 --> 00:33:18.259 and comparing themselves 00:33:18.259 --> 00:33:18.980 to Christ too, 00:33:19.019 --> 00:33:19.339 weren't they? 00:33:20.259 --> 00:33:20.599 You know? 00:33:20.599 --> 00:33:22.519 And their perception 00:33:22.519 --> 00:33:24.039 of who Jesus is 00:33:24.039 --> 00:33:24.779 made a difference. 00:33:25.099 --> 00:33:26.339 They both deserved 00:33:26.339 --> 00:33:27.480 a cruel death 00:33:27.480 --> 00:33:30.119 that were hanging beside him. 00:33:30.240 --> 00:33:31.299 One ridiculed him 00:33:31.299 --> 00:33:33.000 but the other thief 00:33:33.000 --> 00:33:35.199 cried out to God. 00:33:36.159 --> 00:33:37.199 The Bible says 00:33:37.199 --> 00:33:37.959 that he cried out 00:33:37.959 --> 00:33:38.219 and said, 00:33:38.299 --> 00:33:38.519 Lord, 00:33:38.659 --> 00:33:39.279 remember me 00:33:39.279 --> 00:33:40.019 when thou comest 00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:40.759 into thy kingdom. 00:33:41.159 --> 00:33:42.019 He looked at Jesus 00:33:42.019 --> 00:33:42.419 and said, 00:33:42.459 --> 00:33:43.699 I believe that you are 00:33:43.699 --> 00:33:44.659 who you said you are. 00:33:44.799 --> 00:33:46.199 There was no good thief 00:33:46.199 --> 00:33:47.439 that would merit heaven. 00:33:48.439 --> 00:33:50.319 He could not come off the cross 00:33:50.319 --> 00:33:52.379 and reform his life 00:33:52.379 --> 00:33:53.639 or start going to church. 00:33:53.720 --> 00:33:54.460 His only hope 00:33:54.460 --> 00:33:55.279 was in the Savior. 00:33:56.879 --> 00:33:58.759 His eyes was only on Christ. 00:33:59.079 --> 00:33:59.619 Jesus said, 00:33:59.619 --> 00:34:00.799 today thou shalt be with me 00:34:00.799 --> 00:34:01.379 in paradise. 00:34:01.819 --> 00:34:02.399 The picture 00:34:02.399 --> 00:34:04.899 of simple faith 00:34:04.899 --> 00:34:06.119 and the proper judgment 00:34:06.119 --> 00:34:06.519 of saying, 00:34:06.599 --> 00:34:06.740 Lord, 00:34:06.819 --> 00:34:07.399 I'm a sinner. 00:34:08.139 --> 00:34:09.019 Have merciful. 00:34:09.400 --> 00:34:10.639 Be merciful to me. 00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:11.099 You know, 00:34:11.139 --> 00:34:11.840 today I think we have 00:34:11.840 --> 00:34:12.380 a lot of people 00:34:12.380 --> 00:34:13.759 who call themselves Christian 00:34:13.759 --> 00:34:14.619 but the real question 00:34:14.619 --> 00:34:15.159 we ought to ask 00:34:15.159 --> 00:34:16.219 is God call you one. 00:34:16.440 --> 00:34:17.259 All that will matter 00:34:17.259 --> 00:34:18.219 on judgment day 00:34:18.219 --> 00:34:19.440 is judgment day 00:34:19.440 --> 00:34:19.960 when you stand 00:34:19.960 --> 00:34:20.740 before the Lord 00:34:20.740 --> 00:34:21.720 is what Jesus 00:34:21.720 --> 00:34:22.960 is assessment of you 00:34:22.960 --> 00:34:23.800 because it will either 00:34:23.800 --> 00:34:24.559 be assessed 00:34:24.559 --> 00:34:25.539 by the shed blood 00:34:25.539 --> 00:34:26.579 of Jesus Christ 00:34:26.579 --> 00:34:27.639 and how it's been applied 00:34:27.639 --> 00:34:28.519 to your life 00:34:28.519 --> 00:34:30.760 or it won't. 00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:31.840 We need to grab a hold 00:34:31.840 --> 00:34:32.940 of the justification 00:34:32.940 --> 00:34:34.220 Jesus pronounced 00:34:34.220 --> 00:34:35.840 one justified. 00:34:37.280 --> 00:34:38.619 But we find also 00:34:38.619 --> 00:34:39.840 a jarring paradox 00:34:39.840 --> 00:34:42.159 here because notice here 00:34:42.159 --> 00:34:43.400 in verse 14 00:34:43.400 --> 00:34:43.639 it says, 00:34:43.780 --> 00:34:45.099 for the one that exalted 00:34:45.099 --> 00:34:46.400 himself shall be abased 00:34:46.400 --> 00:34:47.639 and he that humbled himself 00:34:47.639 --> 00:34:49.619 shall be exalted. 00:34:50.059 --> 00:34:50.239 You know, 00:34:50.279 --> 00:34:51.179 Jesus is again 00:34:51.179 --> 00:34:54.239 teaching a very simple reality. 00:34:56.079 --> 00:34:57.960 He says to humble yourselves 00:34:57.960 --> 00:35:00.139 before God. 00:35:01.279 --> 00:35:02.199 The Bible says 00:35:02.199 --> 00:35:03.960 that he will lift you up. 00:35:05.099 --> 00:35:06.259 Not ourselves 00:35:06.259 --> 00:35:07.659 but him. 00:35:08.779 --> 00:35:09.119 You know, 00:35:09.159 --> 00:35:10.739 the Pharisee exalted himself 00:35:10.739 --> 00:35:11.519 and the publican 00:35:11.519 --> 00:35:12.339 humbled himself. 00:35:12.340 --> 00:35:14.500 Now, 00:35:14.579 --> 00:35:15.800 2,000 years after 00:35:15.800 --> 00:35:16.559 we're still 00:35:16.559 --> 00:35:19.720 reading and speaking 00:35:19.720 --> 00:35:21.539 about what took place. 00:35:22.960 --> 00:35:24.500 These two unnamed men 00:35:24.500 --> 00:35:25.820 and what took place. 00:35:26.120 --> 00:35:26.240 Now, 00:35:26.280 --> 00:35:27.079 don't get caught 00:35:27.079 --> 00:35:28.660 in your own self-conceit 00:35:28.660 --> 00:35:31.480 or by comparing yourself 00:35:31.480 --> 00:35:32.220 the wrong way. 00:35:32.460 --> 00:35:33.300 I want to encourage you 00:35:33.300 --> 00:35:34.680 to always see yourself 00:35:34.680 --> 00:35:35.700 as God sees you. 00:35:35.900 --> 00:35:36.680 That starts with 00:35:36.680 --> 00:35:37.740 understanding that God 00:35:37.740 --> 00:35:38.800 sees you as a sinner 00:35:38.800 --> 00:35:39.640 who needs a Savior. 00:35:39.639 --> 00:35:42.379 But the other side of that 00:35:42.379 --> 00:35:43.859 is a very positive thing too 00:35:43.859 --> 00:35:45.000 because once you're saved 00:35:45.000 --> 00:35:46.679 God sees you as his child. 00:35:47.019 --> 00:35:47.679 He's there. 00:35:48.119 --> 00:35:48.960 He's with you. 00:35:49.059 --> 00:35:49.900 He protects you. 00:35:51.139 --> 00:35:52.460 He looks over you. 00:35:52.719 --> 00:35:53.619 The same is true 00:35:53.619 --> 00:35:55.359 if you're his child. 00:35:55.500 --> 00:35:56.559 If you've called upon him 00:35:56.559 --> 00:35:57.179 as your Savior. 00:35:58.059 --> 00:35:58.739 If you've been born 00:35:58.739 --> 00:35:59.679 into his family. 00:36:00.920 --> 00:36:01.839 God looks at you 00:36:01.839 --> 00:36:02.500 and not just 00:36:02.500 --> 00:36:03.619 as a sinner 00:36:03.619 --> 00:36:04.339 but a sinner 00:36:04.339 --> 00:36:05.400 that's been saved 00:36:05.400 --> 00:36:06.219 by grace. 00:36:06.219 --> 00:36:07.799 make sure you see yourself 00:36:07.799 --> 00:36:09.799 and understand 00:36:09.799 --> 00:36:11.599 how God sees you. 00:36:12.619 --> 00:36:13.659 We can learn that 00:36:13.659 --> 00:36:14.599 from these two men. 00:36:15.579 --> 00:36:16.500 These two people 00:36:16.500 --> 00:36:17.259 with no name 00:36:17.259 --> 00:36:19.699 that Christ mentions. 00:36:20.719 --> 00:36:21.399 Let's pray. 00:36:21.599 --> 00:36:21.959 Heavenly Father 00:36:21.959 --> 00:36:23.259 as we come before you 00:36:23.259 --> 00:36:23.719 this morning 00:36:23.719 --> 00:36:24.719 Lord we just thank you.