WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.740 The story goes of an inmate, James Rynason, who was released from prison not so long ago. 00:00:07.740 --> 00:00:14.439 ! He was cleared of his crimes and was sent home. He could barely contain his relief on that day. 00:00:15.660 --> 00:00:25.920 ! But there'd been a mistake. In an identity mix-up, he'd been acquitted when actually his cellmate should have been released instead. 00:00:25.920 --> 00:00:32.179 But Rynason could hardly believe his luck as he got home to his wife, Scott Free. 00:00:32.960 --> 00:00:39.240 But they'd got the wrong man. He was the bad guy who was released as the good guy. 00:00:40.380 --> 00:00:46.219 The relief was short-lived though when he got home to his wife because she didn't share in his joy in him being released. 00:00:46.740 --> 00:00:49.939 Bundled him straight back in the car and drove him back to the prison. 00:00:49.939 --> 00:00:56.659 She'd saved them the embarrassment, hadn't she? Because it had been a huge mistake. 00:00:57.579 --> 00:01:05.319 They'd released the wrong man. They thought the bad guy was good and they thought the good guy was bad. 00:01:06.599 --> 00:01:10.479 Now we've been looking at some parables, haven't we, in Luke's Gospel on prayer. 00:01:10.480 --> 00:01:16.820 And we listen in on two prayers here, don't we, by two other men in this parable that Jesus tells. 00:01:18.020 --> 00:01:20.840 But surely there's been a mix-up, hasn't there? 00:01:21.700 --> 00:01:27.480 This parable should feel like that story about the jail story. 00:01:28.180 --> 00:01:32.960 It should shock us that Jesus seems to have got the wrong man here. 00:01:32.959 --> 00:01:38.419 If you just skip to the punchline in verse 14, Jesus says, 00:01:38.500 --> 00:01:43.459 I tell you that this man, the tax collector, went down to his house just to fight. 00:01:44.639 --> 00:01:47.199 See, Jesus' original listeners would have assumed, 00:01:47.339 --> 00:01:49.859 Hang on, Jesus, you've made a mistake there, haven't you? 00:01:50.919 --> 00:01:52.919 You've got the wrong man there, haven't you, Jesus? 00:01:52.920 --> 00:02:03.879 In their eyes, God was saying, wasn't he, that a man is known by all to be all wrong is all right. 00:02:05.400 --> 00:02:11.300 And we want to know, don't we, why Jesus Christ makes this crazy character judgment. 00:02:13.000 --> 00:02:18.920 Why is it that there are people like this tax collector who are acceptable to God? 00:02:18.919 --> 00:02:24.239 Why is it that there are people in heaven that we never expected to see there? 00:02:25.119 --> 00:02:28.879 People that we have written off, that God has written in. 00:02:30.219 --> 00:02:35.639 What sort of a person is it that God accepts, and what sort of person does he reject? 00:02:37.000 --> 00:02:41.919 Well, it's been said before that if you want to know the character of a man, listen to his prayers. 00:02:42.399 --> 00:02:44.819 And never has that been more true than in this case. 00:02:44.819 --> 00:02:49.419 Because in these prayers lie the answer to our questions. 00:02:50.639 --> 00:02:57.079 Because in their prayers in this parable, we see three reasons why Jesus has not got the wrong man here. 00:02:58.099 --> 00:03:03.500 We see in their prayers their view of themselves, of God, and of others. 00:03:04.939 --> 00:03:06.099 So, three things. 00:03:06.139 --> 00:03:09.519 The first thing, we see what they pray about themselves, don't we? 00:03:09.919 --> 00:03:11.579 We see what they pray about themselves. 00:03:12.019 --> 00:03:14.259 Why hasn't Jesus got the wrong man? 00:03:15.479 --> 00:03:23.900 Well, one mistake in answering that is to assume that the Pharisee, who is rejected, prays about himself too much. 00:03:24.840 --> 00:03:27.219 And that's why God rejects him. 00:03:28.400 --> 00:03:31.879 But notice, actually, that both men pray about themselves, don't they? 00:03:32.099 --> 00:03:33.159 So that's not wrong. 00:03:33.219 --> 00:03:34.180 That can't be the problem. 00:03:35.400 --> 00:03:38.699 So maybe it's because the Pharisee prays good things about himself. 00:03:39.319 --> 00:03:41.439 I've done this, and I've done that, Lord. 00:03:41.439 --> 00:03:45.240 Or he's kind of too puritanical, isn't he? 00:03:45.259 --> 00:03:46.500 He's too pious. 00:03:46.979 --> 00:03:48.819 And no one likes a goody-goody, do they? 00:03:50.219 --> 00:03:52.620 But I think we need to be careful on that as well. 00:03:52.620 --> 00:03:57.560 Because, in fact, what Jesus tells us here is a brilliant prayer. 00:03:57.640 --> 00:04:02.800 It is a standard prayer that Jesus' listeners would have assumed was right and good. 00:04:02.800 --> 00:04:06.100 His prayer, actually, is pretty biblical. 00:04:06.099 --> 00:04:15.099 And the Psalms encourage God's people to affirm when God has helped them to do the right thing. 00:04:16.259 --> 00:04:17.560 And the Psalms of innocence. 00:04:18.180 --> 00:04:18.879 You can see them. 00:04:19.839 --> 00:04:21.639 Moses teaches the people to pray. 00:04:21.759 --> 00:04:26.879 When you go into the Promised Land, and when you've given a sacrifice, pray like this. 00:04:26.980 --> 00:04:31.219 I've not sinned in any of your commandments, nor have I forgotten them. 00:04:31.540 --> 00:04:33.879 I've not eaten of the tithe that I've given. 00:04:34.259 --> 00:04:37.199 I've obeyed the voice of the Lord, so look down and bless your people. 00:04:37.300 --> 00:04:38.579 That's Deuteronomy 26. 00:04:39.860 --> 00:04:43.899 And that prayer that Moses taught sounds a bit like this guide, doesn't it? 00:04:43.899 --> 00:04:52.719 Thank you, Lord, that I give tithes, and that I've passed twice a week, and I've not been unjust, and I've not committed adultery, etc. 00:04:54.239 --> 00:04:58.560 You see, in the prayers of the people, we are to thank God for personal holiness. 00:04:58.959 --> 00:04:59.899 And that's not wrong. 00:05:00.919 --> 00:05:04.819 It's right to pray, Lord, thank you for helping me through that temptation. 00:05:05.859 --> 00:05:08.319 Thank you for helping me to do the right thing. 00:05:09.639 --> 00:05:11.659 And his piety isn't wrong either. 00:05:11.660 --> 00:05:20.360 As you read the commentators on these passages, they love pointing out that the Pharisee has gone beyond the law of the Scriptures. 00:05:21.340 --> 00:05:24.200 So he fasts twice a week, doesn't he? 00:05:24.280 --> 00:05:28.020 When actually they only have to fast once a year, the Day of Atonement. 00:05:29.100 --> 00:05:33.360 And he tithes all he gets, rather than what was required. 00:05:34.100 --> 00:05:35.960 And we think, don't we, what a goody-goody. 00:05:35.959 --> 00:05:43.539 But actually, you forget that there are other characters in the Bible that tithe more and fast more than him. 00:05:44.120 --> 00:05:46.879 And yet, we don't kind of slag them off, do we? 00:05:47.519 --> 00:05:52.799 Just as an example, earlier in Luke, we see Anna, the prophetess. 00:05:53.659 --> 00:05:58.759 Who is in the temple, not just praying and fasting twice a week, but every single day. 00:05:58.759 --> 00:06:01.860 And we don't villainise her for that. 00:06:03.439 --> 00:06:08.920 No, it's too easy to play the pantomime villain card on the Pharisee, isn't it? 00:06:09.879 --> 00:06:12.439 And actually, it's easy to do that with each other. 00:06:13.399 --> 00:06:19.180 When there is someone in your church, and you see them, and you think, you know, actually they are living a holier life than me. 00:06:19.180 --> 00:06:25.300 And they are doing things that I know I should be doing, and they're not doing things that I know I shouldn't be doing. 00:06:26.180 --> 00:06:29.000 And what we do is, we make an excuse with that, don't we? 00:06:29.019 --> 00:06:30.840 And we say, they're just such a Pharisee. 00:06:31.980 --> 00:06:33.220 They're such a Puritan. 00:06:34.759 --> 00:06:36.899 But that is not the problem with this man. 00:06:38.120 --> 00:06:44.319 It's not him saying that he's innocent of adultery, or that he really is innocent of those things that he mentions. 00:06:44.699 --> 00:06:45.519 It's not that. 00:06:45.519 --> 00:06:55.379 The problem is actually that a legitimate prayer, thanking God for victory in temptation, has gone off. 00:06:56.539 --> 00:07:08.279 His good and healthy piety has gone rotten, because his piety has turned into pride in self, hasn't it? 00:07:09.159 --> 00:07:10.519 And a disdain of others. 00:07:10.519 --> 00:07:19.139 And we know that, because Luke tells us this parable, Jesus told it, verse 9, it was for those who trusted in themselves, that they were righteous. 00:07:20.680 --> 00:07:29.039 You see, his piety, and his godliness, and his obeying the commandments of God, would have been a wonderful thing in God's sight. 00:07:29.439 --> 00:07:34.139 He would have delighted in that, had he not been proud of it. 00:07:34.139 --> 00:07:38.300 His piety would have been a wonderful thing in God's sight. 00:07:38.300 --> 00:07:42.659 But that is what has happened to this Pharisee. 00:07:42.779 --> 00:07:45.639 Good piety has corroded into pride. 00:07:46.560 --> 00:07:49.899 Into this prayer of self-congratulation, hasn't it? 00:07:51.819 --> 00:07:56.079 And if we kind of think that, that's not like us. 00:07:56.259 --> 00:07:57.060 We're not like that. 00:07:57.120 --> 00:08:00.000 There's something else we need to see about these prayers. 00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:03.860 There's a prayer about me here, but secondly, the prayer about others. 00:08:04.899 --> 00:08:08.019 What the prayer shows about what they see of others. 00:08:08.180 --> 00:08:11.980 Now, again, notice, both men pray about themselves. 00:08:13.279 --> 00:08:18.339 But also, both men pray according to their relationship with others. 00:08:19.300 --> 00:08:20.540 Do you notice what Jesus says? 00:08:20.699 --> 00:08:25.680 And both of them pray at a distance from others. 00:08:26.399 --> 00:08:27.220 Do you notice that? 00:08:27.220 --> 00:08:31.860 So, the Pharisee, we're told, prays by himself. 00:08:33.060 --> 00:08:37.259 And the tax collector stands far off, doesn't he? 00:08:37.560 --> 00:08:39.740 Both of them are away from others. 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:49.120 Now, we can imagine them in this story, both at one of the two corporate prayer times that would have been in the temple, morning and evening. 00:08:49.759 --> 00:08:51.420 And so there would have been other people around. 00:08:51.680 --> 00:08:55.120 And both of them distanced themselves from other worshippers. 00:08:55.120 --> 00:08:59.360 But they do it for very different reasons. 00:09:00.860 --> 00:09:06.060 The tax collector feels a keen sense of unworthiness. 00:09:07.000 --> 00:09:08.960 Of being in conversation with God. 00:09:09.120 --> 00:09:12.080 And in being in the midst of God's people. 00:09:12.240 --> 00:09:14.340 He's really embarrassed about that, isn't he? 00:09:14.340 --> 00:09:20.740 In his prayer, he uses the definite article, which doesn't come out so well in the English. 00:09:21.360 --> 00:09:24.240 God, be merciful to me, the sinner. 00:09:25.879 --> 00:09:32.080 He singles himself out as the least significant person in the temple there that day. 00:09:32.660 --> 00:09:34.000 As the least deserving. 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:39.379 He is the guy, isn't he, who skulks in halfway through the surface. 00:09:40.139 --> 00:09:42.279 Sits at the back and leaves before the end. 00:09:43.340 --> 00:09:46.740 The guy that we think wouldn't darken the doors of a church. 00:09:47.460 --> 00:09:49.080 The person that we write off. 00:09:50.440 --> 00:09:53.779 He is like the prodigal son, three chapters earlier in Luke. 00:09:53.779 --> 00:09:57.879 Who stays away from his father's house, doesn't he? 00:09:58.539 --> 00:09:59.480 Out of shame. 00:10:00.559 --> 00:10:02.860 I don't deserve to be with my father's people. 00:10:04.240 --> 00:10:05.740 And it's not a false modesty. 00:10:06.799 --> 00:10:12.360 He just knows when he hangs around God's people, he feels convicted of his own failures. 00:10:13.639 --> 00:10:15.399 So he keeps a distance from them. 00:10:15.399 --> 00:10:19.500 Yet the Pharisee keeps his distance for the opposite reason. 00:10:19.659 --> 00:10:24.939 Not because he esteems others, but rather he disdains them. 00:10:26.439 --> 00:10:30.399 And he is like the older brother in the prodigal son story. 00:10:30.500 --> 00:10:34.600 The one who stays away from the party at the end, doesn't he? 00:10:34.639 --> 00:10:37.539 Because he disdains his brother. 00:10:39.480 --> 00:10:42.799 And this is where pride really shows itself, actually. 00:10:42.799 --> 00:10:48.679 Tim Keller, in his book called The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness, 00:10:48.879 --> 00:10:52.620 explains how this is where pride really rears its head. 00:10:53.259 --> 00:10:58.819 When our pride gets exposed when we're with others and in relation to others. 00:11:00.399 --> 00:11:04.099 He says, pride gets no pleasure out of having something. 00:11:05.059 --> 00:11:08.939 Only out of having more of it than the next person. 00:11:09.859 --> 00:11:12.539 We say that we are proud of being rich. 00:11:12.799 --> 00:11:13.639 Or clever. 00:11:14.000 --> 00:11:14.740 Or good looking. 00:11:15.519 --> 00:11:16.699 But actually we're not. 00:11:17.799 --> 00:11:19.699 People are proud of being richer. 00:11:20.459 --> 00:11:21.379 Or cleverer. 00:11:21.819 --> 00:11:23.379 Or better looking than others. 00:11:24.439 --> 00:11:26.919 He says, if everyone became equally rich. 00:11:27.059 --> 00:11:27.559 Or clever. 00:11:27.719 --> 00:11:28.459 Or good looking. 00:11:28.879 --> 00:11:30.779 There would be nothing to be proud about. 00:11:31.679 --> 00:11:32.599 And he's right, isn't he? 00:11:33.099 --> 00:11:35.139 And it's the same in the Christian life. 00:11:35.759 --> 00:11:36.620 And in prayer. 00:11:36.620 --> 00:11:39.220 Notice how the Pharisees' prayer. 00:11:39.340 --> 00:11:40.779 The whole of it. 00:11:41.340 --> 00:11:43.659 Is a comparison with others. 00:11:44.860 --> 00:11:47.860 Thank you Lord that I'm not like other men. 00:11:48.000 --> 00:11:49.580 That's how it starts off, isn't it? 00:11:50.879 --> 00:11:52.580 And actually when you think about it. 00:11:52.580 --> 00:11:53.639 God's law. 00:11:54.420 --> 00:11:55.520 And holiness. 00:11:55.520 --> 00:11:57.080 And true Christian living. 00:11:57.200 --> 00:11:58.360 Are not on his mind. 00:11:59.759 --> 00:12:01.820 Because holiness for him. 00:12:02.000 --> 00:12:03.360 Has become a competition. 00:12:04.780 --> 00:12:08.080 And he's not bothered actually about adultery per se. 00:12:08.080 --> 00:12:10.560 Look at what he prays about. 00:12:12.040 --> 00:12:12.639 Adulterers. 00:12:13.820 --> 00:12:16.040 He doesn't care about extortion. 00:12:16.460 --> 00:12:17.280 And injustice. 00:12:17.520 --> 00:12:18.120 Does he really? 00:12:18.700 --> 00:12:20.980 But rather extortioners. 00:12:21.780 --> 00:12:23.379 And unjust people. 00:12:24.720 --> 00:12:27.460 He's not actually here thanking God. 00:12:27.560 --> 00:12:29.320 For helping him keep God's law. 00:12:30.560 --> 00:12:31.680 He doesn't thank God. 00:12:31.759 --> 00:12:33.420 For his victories with sin. 00:12:33.860 --> 00:12:35.300 Rather he thanks God. 00:12:35.400 --> 00:12:37.500 For other people's failures with sin. 00:12:38.080 --> 00:12:38.720 Doesn't he? 00:12:40.800 --> 00:12:42.680 One of Aesop's fables. 00:12:43.200 --> 00:12:44.720 Has a man who prays. 00:12:44.860 --> 00:12:45.480 Lord God. 00:12:45.620 --> 00:12:47.340 Look thou with favour upon me. 00:12:47.400 --> 00:12:48.020 And my wife. 00:12:48.060 --> 00:12:48.740 And my children. 00:12:49.200 --> 00:12:50.440 And upon no one else. 00:12:51.060 --> 00:12:53.000 And a man who's next to him. 00:12:53.060 --> 00:12:53.820 Prays quietly. 00:12:54.600 --> 00:12:55.120 Lord God. 00:12:55.240 --> 00:12:56.360 Confound that fellow. 00:12:56.560 --> 00:12:57.040 And his wife. 00:12:57.100 --> 00:12:57.639 And his children. 00:12:57.879 --> 00:12:58.700 And nobody else. 00:13:00.160 --> 00:13:01.360 But that is what happens. 00:13:01.400 --> 00:13:01.780 Isn't it? 00:13:01.920 --> 00:13:03.920 When legitimate piety. 00:13:05.020 --> 00:13:06.720 And a love of God's law. 00:13:06.940 --> 00:13:07.920 Turns poisonous. 00:13:09.080 --> 00:13:10.560 When pride. 00:13:10.800 --> 00:13:12.300 Makes it into a competition. 00:13:12.300 --> 00:13:12.940 With others. 00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:16.060 And Jesus is telling us here. 00:13:16.139 --> 00:13:16.340 Isn't he? 00:13:16.400 --> 00:13:17.139 That prayer. 00:13:17.200 --> 00:13:18.020 That prayer. 00:13:18.220 --> 00:13:21.120 Can never be a solo thing. 00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:24.660 What I mean by that. 00:13:24.740 --> 00:13:26.840 I don't mean you can't pray alone. 00:13:27.220 --> 00:13:28.040 Of course you can. 00:13:28.039 --> 00:13:31.199 But that you can't pray alone. 00:13:31.199 --> 00:13:33.480 As if God hears you alone. 00:13:34.159 --> 00:13:34.959 If that makes sense. 00:13:36.480 --> 00:13:37.679 This Pharisee. 00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:38.539 He's so busy. 00:13:38.620 --> 00:13:38.839 Isn't he? 00:13:38.879 --> 00:13:40.379 Looking down on things. 00:13:40.519 --> 00:13:41.419 And on other people. 00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:43.039 As long as he's looking down. 00:13:43.539 --> 00:13:45.659 He cannot see what is above him. 00:13:46.379 --> 00:13:48.740 And he is cutting himself off from God. 00:13:48.740 --> 00:13:48.820 God. 00:13:49.940 --> 00:13:50.899 The Pharisee. 00:13:50.899 --> 00:13:53.340 Excludes others from God. 00:13:53.460 --> 00:13:54.060 But thereby. 00:13:54.460 --> 00:13:55.740 Excludes himself from God. 00:13:56.720 --> 00:13:58.799 And when he writes them off. 00:13:59.340 --> 00:14:01.060 He writes himself out. 00:14:01.059 --> 00:14:04.239 We see the prayer about me. 00:14:04.819 --> 00:14:05.979 The prayer about others. 00:14:06.119 --> 00:14:06.619 And thirdly. 00:14:06.699 --> 00:14:07.739 The prayer about God. 00:14:08.179 --> 00:14:09.099 Prayer about God. 00:14:09.319 --> 00:14:10.719 And we've seen what they pray. 00:14:11.579 --> 00:14:12.939 And where they pray it. 00:14:12.959 --> 00:14:14.019 In relationship with others. 00:14:14.159 --> 00:14:16.079 But what about how they pray it? 00:14:17.059 --> 00:14:19.639 And I think this is really interesting here. 00:14:19.639 --> 00:14:23.379 Because Jesus gives air time. 00:14:23.559 --> 00:14:25.000 For different things. 00:14:25.539 --> 00:14:26.519 In these two prayers. 00:14:27.899 --> 00:14:29.699 A lot of air time. 00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:32.019 Is spent on the content. 00:14:32.259 --> 00:14:33.659 Of the Pharisee's prayer. 00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:34.480 Did you notice? 00:14:35.080 --> 00:14:36.860 On what his mouth says. 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:38.960 What are the words that come from his lips. 00:14:40.139 --> 00:14:41.639 The tax collector though. 00:14:41.679 --> 00:14:43.259 Has far less time on that. 00:14:43.319 --> 00:14:43.740 Doesn't he? 00:14:44.500 --> 00:14:45.059 Lord. 00:14:45.340 --> 00:14:46.700 Be merciful to me a sinner. 00:14:46.700 --> 00:14:48.240 A very very quick prayer. 00:14:49.639 --> 00:14:51.080 But the tax collector. 00:14:51.080 --> 00:14:52.539 Gets a lot of air time. 00:14:52.699 --> 00:14:54.080 On how he prays. 00:14:54.799 --> 00:14:55.799 On his posture. 00:14:56.340 --> 00:14:56.740 Doesn't it? 00:14:56.960 --> 00:14:58.340 We get this vivid picture. 00:14:58.519 --> 00:15:00.299 We know that he's standing there. 00:15:00.779 --> 00:15:02.460 We know what his eyes are doing. 00:15:02.580 --> 00:15:04.019 That he doesn't look up to heaven. 00:15:04.220 --> 00:15:05.879 We know that he swings his arms. 00:15:05.960 --> 00:15:07.299 And he beats his chest. 00:15:08.740 --> 00:15:09.879 On posture though. 00:15:09.919 --> 00:15:11.539 The Pharisee has one word. 00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:12.120 Standing. 00:15:13.439 --> 00:15:15.019 And that is really important. 00:15:16.159 --> 00:15:17.279 Because even though. 00:15:17.439 --> 00:15:19.059 They don't speak directly. 00:15:19.059 --> 00:15:20.139 About God. 00:15:20.779 --> 00:15:21.819 Their posture. 00:15:22.119 --> 00:15:23.299 Shows us what they're thinking. 00:15:23.299 --> 00:15:23.919 About him. 00:15:25.279 --> 00:15:26.139 And we see here. 00:15:26.339 --> 00:15:27.579 That Jesus is telling us. 00:15:27.719 --> 00:15:29.119 What is more important. 00:15:29.219 --> 00:15:29.459 About. 00:15:30.059 --> 00:15:31.000 Important to God. 00:15:31.079 --> 00:15:31.379 In prayer. 00:15:31.559 --> 00:15:32.659 Is attitude. 00:15:32.659 --> 00:15:33.439 Isn't it? 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:36.279 Attitude in prayer. 00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:37.799 And posture before God. 00:15:37.879 --> 00:15:39.000 Is more important. 00:15:39.199 --> 00:15:40.379 Than the solid. 00:15:40.459 --> 00:15:41.359 Biblical content. 00:15:41.559 --> 00:15:42.079 Of a prayer. 00:15:43.319 --> 00:15:44.439 Our posture. 00:15:44.719 --> 00:15:45.500 And our attitude. 00:15:45.500 --> 00:15:47.440 And our heart. 00:15:47.559 --> 00:15:48.240 Towards God. 00:15:48.320 --> 00:15:49.320 Matters more to him. 00:15:50.159 --> 00:15:51.519 And what we think of him. 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:54.279 So the Pharisee. 00:15:54.279 --> 00:15:55.059 Thinks that he can. 00:15:55.059 --> 00:15:56.360 Sort of chum up with God. 00:15:56.439 --> 00:15:57.079 And set the world. 00:15:57.179 --> 00:15:58.019 To rights with God. 00:15:58.079 --> 00:15:58.439 Doesn't he? 00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:00.079 Oh Lord. 00:16:00.139 --> 00:16:00.659 You are so. 00:16:00.899 --> 00:16:02.120 You and I are so different. 00:16:02.279 --> 00:16:02.899 From the rest. 00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:04.919 I love being in your gang. 00:16:05.079 --> 00:16:05.340 Lord. 00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:07.460 Just wait till we get to judge. 00:16:07.539 --> 00:16:08.139 All these sinners. 00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:10.919 And we can do that. 00:16:10.980 --> 00:16:12.500 When we think God is like us. 00:16:13.620 --> 00:16:14.399 That's what we do. 00:16:14.419 --> 00:16:14.639 Isn't it? 00:16:14.639 --> 00:16:16.939 We couch up to powerful people. 00:16:17.179 --> 00:16:18.179 And we flatter them. 00:16:19.019 --> 00:16:21.639 And we love praise from influential people. 00:16:21.779 --> 00:16:23.000 We're drawn to people. 00:16:23.580 --> 00:16:25.500 Who give us self-importance. 00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:28.199 But God doesn't need any of that kind of fawning. 00:16:29.860 --> 00:16:32.059 God doesn't respond well. 00:16:32.279 --> 00:16:33.480 To presumptuous. 00:16:34.259 --> 00:16:34.819 Pally. 00:16:35.659 --> 00:16:36.220 Flattery. 00:16:36.319 --> 00:16:37.019 From his creatures. 00:16:38.059 --> 00:16:39.779 Doesn't need us to patronise him. 00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:42.860 Actually what he wants. 00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:44.879 Is a posture of honesty. 00:16:46.480 --> 00:16:47.419 Sheer honesty. 00:16:47.659 --> 00:16:48.919 Like the wrong man here. 00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:49.899 Like the tax collector. 00:16:50.139 --> 00:16:51.519 He is as honest as possible. 00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:52.000 Isn't he? 00:16:52.659 --> 00:16:53.279 Have mercy. 00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:54.360 I'm a sinner Lord. 00:16:56.039 --> 00:16:56.439 See. 00:16:56.679 --> 00:16:59.299 They both have an image of God in their minds. 00:17:00.579 --> 00:17:03.500 One image of God is assumed by the Pharisee. 00:17:03.579 --> 00:17:04.619 But it's a wrong image. 00:17:05.740 --> 00:17:07.079 And the other image of God. 00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:08.500 Is hoped for. 00:17:08.639 --> 00:17:09.759 And not presumed on. 00:17:09.779 --> 00:17:11.559 By the tax collector. 00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:12.879 And that is the right image. 00:17:14.399 --> 00:17:16.180 But God does not respond well. 00:17:16.279 --> 00:17:17.279 To grandstanding. 00:17:18.059 --> 00:17:18.879 To pride. 00:17:19.039 --> 00:17:20.279 And self-congratulation. 00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:22.539 But he is a God. 00:17:22.639 --> 00:17:23.779 Who mercifully answers. 00:17:24.579 --> 00:17:25.059 Honest. 00:17:25.220 --> 00:17:26.180 Unneedy prayers. 00:17:26.259 --> 00:17:26.799 For forgiveness. 00:17:28.680 --> 00:17:30.579 And so what he requires from us. 00:17:30.619 --> 00:17:31.799 When we come to him. 00:17:31.899 --> 00:17:32.519 In prayer. 00:17:33.359 --> 00:17:35.319 Of everything that he requires from us. 00:17:35.379 --> 00:17:37.079 Is the grand sum total. 00:17:37.259 --> 00:17:38.559 Of absolutely nothing. 00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:38.740 Nothing. 00:17:39.379 --> 00:17:41.039 Actually of less than nothing. 00:17:43.119 --> 00:17:43.500 D.L. 00:17:43.579 --> 00:17:44.519 Moody says. 00:17:44.659 --> 00:17:47.159 God sends no one away empty. 00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:49.839 Except those who are full of themselves. 00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:53.459 And what he wants for you in prayer. 00:17:53.459 --> 00:17:54.419 Is for you to admit. 00:17:54.419 --> 00:17:56.779 That you have absolutely nothing before him. 00:17:57.819 --> 00:17:59.459 That all you can bring him. 00:17:59.619 --> 00:18:00.599 Is your failure. 00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:02.240 And your sins. 00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:05.279 Pharisees. 00:18:05.399 --> 00:18:05.919 Back in the day. 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:07.059 They were highly respected. 00:18:07.059 --> 00:18:09.839 They were heavy influences. 00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:11.679 On Jewish culture. 00:18:11.679 --> 00:18:12.679 And of worship practice. 00:18:13.720 --> 00:18:14.279 On prayer. 00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:15.359 On bible study. 00:18:15.579 --> 00:18:16.579 On godly piety. 00:18:18.579 --> 00:18:19.440 Tax collectors. 00:18:19.539 --> 00:18:20.039 On the other hand. 00:18:20.119 --> 00:18:20.759 Were sellouts. 00:18:20.879 --> 00:18:22.339 To the pagan political elite. 00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:24.099 They were classed as dishonest thieves. 00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:25.039 They were nuisances. 00:18:26.500 --> 00:18:27.819 One of them is an angel. 00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:29.659 And the other. 00:18:29.940 --> 00:18:31.159 Is a devil of a man. 00:18:31.240 --> 00:18:31.500 Isn't he? 00:18:31.500 --> 00:18:35.359 But has Jesus got the right one? 00:18:37.339 --> 00:18:37.740 Well. 00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:39.740 Their prayers say it all. 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:41.700 And our prayers say it all. 00:18:42.380 --> 00:18:43.220 About me. 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:45.539 And about what I think of others. 00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:47.299 And about what I think of God. 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:49.380 Do you know. 00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:51.140 This is one of those parts of the bible. 00:18:51.140 --> 00:18:51.500 Isn't it? 00:18:51.539 --> 00:18:52.680 That we always think. 00:18:52.759 --> 00:18:54.359 Someone else could do with hearing. 00:18:55.240 --> 00:18:56.200 We kind of sit here and think. 00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:57.880 I wish they were here to hear this. 00:18:58.059 --> 00:18:58.220 You know. 00:18:58.279 --> 00:18:59.960 That person is so proud. 00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:02.900 They really need to hear this stuff. 00:19:03.880 --> 00:19:04.519 But actually. 00:19:04.680 --> 00:19:05.900 We run the risk of leaving. 00:19:06.039 --> 00:19:06.819 At the end of today. 00:19:06.840 --> 00:19:07.340 Don't we? 00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:08.539 And praying a prayer. 00:19:08.680 --> 00:19:09.240 Lord God. 00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:10.120 I'm so glad. 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:11.440 That I'm not like other men. 00:19:11.860 --> 00:19:13.539 And I'm not like this Pharisee. 00:19:14.579 --> 00:19:15.840 And I'm actually sounding. 00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:16.860 Just like him. 00:19:18.120 --> 00:19:19.360 It would be ironic. 00:19:19.360 --> 00:19:20.920 If we left this meeting. 00:19:21.120 --> 00:19:22.059 Feeling proud. 00:19:22.059 --> 00:19:23.340 That we're not proud. 00:19:25.319 --> 00:19:26.740 But as Augustine said. 00:19:26.880 --> 00:19:27.680 It was pride. 00:19:27.799 --> 00:19:28.180 Pride. 00:19:28.180 --> 00:19:28.420 Pride. 00:19:28.900 --> 00:19:30.720 That changed angels. 00:19:30.860 --> 00:19:31.680 Into devils. 00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:33.980 But it's humility. 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:35.019 That makes men. 00:19:35.120 --> 00:19:35.880 As the angels. 00:19:37.700 --> 00:19:39.740 Let me close with a short story. 00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:41.580 There was a minister. 00:19:41.799 --> 00:19:42.539 In New England. 00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:43.860 In the 1600s. 00:19:44.200 --> 00:19:45.700 A man called Thomas Hooker. 00:19:46.279 --> 00:19:47.000 And he fled. 00:19:47.120 --> 00:19:48.000 To the new world. 00:19:48.120 --> 00:19:49.539 From religious persecution. 00:19:49.539 --> 00:19:50.299 In England. 00:19:51.160 --> 00:19:53.259 And he accomplished much. 00:19:53.840 --> 00:19:54.880 As a minister. 00:19:54.880 --> 00:19:57.460 The history books remember him. 00:19:57.560 --> 00:19:58.860 He helped establish. 00:19:58.860 --> 00:20:00.040 The city of Hertford. 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:01.120 In Connecticut. 00:20:01.860 --> 00:20:02.940 He was a great man. 00:20:03.020 --> 00:20:04.500 Who did much for the church. 00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:07.580 When it came to the time of his death. 00:20:07.640 --> 00:20:08.980 He grew more and more ill. 00:20:09.140 --> 00:20:11.020 He was asked to give some last words. 00:20:11.020 --> 00:20:11.820 On his worries. 00:20:11.820 --> 00:20:13.140 For the future of the church. 00:20:13.220 --> 00:20:13.920 In New England. 00:20:15.040 --> 00:20:15.680 And he said. 00:20:15.880 --> 00:20:17.560 I've not got that work to do now. 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:18.659 I've already declared. 00:20:18.779 --> 00:20:19.839 The counsel of the Lord. 00:20:19.919 --> 00:20:20.200 You see. 00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:21.039 He was a man. 00:20:21.079 --> 00:20:22.099 Of great achievements. 00:20:23.119 --> 00:20:24.099 A great preacher. 00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:26.339 And a great strategist. 00:20:27.679 --> 00:20:28.859 When somebody in the room. 00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:30.679 Stood weeping by his bedside. 00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:31.679 They came in. 00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:32.419 And said to him. 00:20:32.419 --> 00:20:32.859 Sir. 00:20:33.099 --> 00:20:33.419 Well. 00:20:33.700 --> 00:20:35.399 Now you are going to receive. 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:36.639 The reward. 00:20:36.779 --> 00:20:37.859 Of all your labors. 00:20:39.059 --> 00:20:40.079 And he replied. 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:40.500 Brother. 00:20:41.220 --> 00:20:41.659 No. 00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:44.159 I'm going to receive mercy. 00:20:44.160 --> 00:20:46.940 He understood. 00:20:47.120 --> 00:20:47.400 Didn't he. 00:20:47.440 --> 00:20:48.840 That Jesus is the God. 00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:50.300 Who exalts the humble. 00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:52.480 And who gives mercy. 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:53.160 To the humble. 00:20:54.800 --> 00:20:55.400 And so. 00:20:55.540 --> 00:20:56.640 God has not got. 00:20:56.700 --> 00:20:57.600 The wrong man here. 00:20:57.600 --> 00:20:57.960 Has he. 00:20:58.900 --> 00:20:59.980 Or the wrong woman. 00:21:01.259 --> 00:21:02.340 Because there are people. 00:21:02.340 --> 00:21:02.940 In heaven. 00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:03.720 Who are there. 00:21:03.820 --> 00:21:05.040 That we never expected. 00:21:05.200 --> 00:21:05.660 To see. 00:21:07.040 --> 00:21:07.820 He is the God. 00:21:07.900 --> 00:21:09.540 Who writes people in. 00:21:09.700 --> 00:21:10.740 That we've written off. 00:21:11.940 --> 00:21:13.200 And even the best. 00:21:13.259 --> 00:21:13.860 Among us. 00:21:13.859 --> 00:21:15.159 Even the godliest. 00:21:15.919 --> 00:21:17.559 Can bring nothing to God. 00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:19.519 Less than nothing. 00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:22.479 And anything we receive. 00:21:22.479 --> 00:21:23.119 From him. 00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:24.419 Is a mercy. 00:21:26.079 --> 00:21:27.399 The tax collector. 00:21:27.659 --> 00:21:28.799 Standing far off. 00:21:28.879 --> 00:21:29.919 Would not even lift. 00:21:29.919 --> 00:21:30.839 His eyes up to heaven. 00:21:30.959 --> 00:21:32.059 But beat his breast. 00:21:32.179 --> 00:21:32.599 Saying. 00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:34.199 God be merciful. 00:21:34.199 --> 00:21:34.899 To me a sinner. 00:21:35.979 --> 00:21:36.619 I tell you. 00:21:36.679 --> 00:21:37.259 This man. 00:21:37.779 --> 00:21:38.859 Went down to his house. 00:21:38.939 --> 00:21:39.579 Just to fight. 00:21:40.219 --> 00:21:41.099 Rather than the other. 00:21:42.219 --> 00:21:42.879 Let's pray. 00:21:43.320 --> 00:21:43.460 Let's pray. 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.460