WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.460 Now, while our boys and girls are heading back to their places, we can also be turning in our Bibles to the book of Philippians. 00:00:12.359 --> 00:00:20.000 Philippians chapter 2, and we're going to look at verses 1 to 11 together in God's words. 00:00:20.760 --> 00:00:24.199 Philippians 2, and the first 11 verses. 00:00:25.300 --> 00:00:27.219 Let's hear God's word together. 00:00:27.219 --> 00:00:43.420 Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 00:00:44.640 --> 00:00:53.159 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in Spirit and of one mind. 00:00:53.159 --> 00:00:57.079 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. 00:00:57.479 --> 00:01:08.739 Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests, but each of you to the interests of the others. 00:01:08.739 --> 00:01:22.899 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus, who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage. 00:01:22.900 --> 00:01:31.300 Rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 00:01:31.780 --> 00:01:40.460 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. 00:01:40.459 --> 00:01:55.819 Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place, and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 00:01:56.339 --> 00:02:04.379 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 00:02:05.259 --> 00:02:05.939 Amen. 00:02:06.359 --> 00:02:07.439 This is God's word. 00:02:07.439 --> 00:02:11.139 Now, let's once again come before God in prayer. 00:02:11.240 --> 00:02:12.680 Let's pray together. 00:02:17.000 --> 00:02:32.479 Our Father, we give you thanks for what we have just read, of the humility of Jesus in coming into this earth to become one of us, 00:02:32.479 --> 00:02:43.139 to lay down his life for us, to die on the cross for our sins before being exalted to the place of all glory and honour. 00:02:44.280 --> 00:02:52.819 Lord, we pray that as we see the pattern of Jesus' life, that you would help us to be a humble people, 00:02:53.319 --> 00:02:59.539 that you would help us to be ready to help other people and to sacrifice for them. 00:02:59.539 --> 00:03:11.819 Father, as we think about being built into a church, we pray that you would enable us to be having the time and the energy and the will 00:03:11.819 --> 00:03:22.399 to use our gifts, to use our opportunities, to help other people, to serve others in the name of Jesus. 00:03:22.400 --> 00:03:32.180 Lord, we pray that you would establish our faith on your word of truth. 00:03:32.920 --> 00:03:42.080 We ask that you would make us attentive listeners, that we would allow your word to do its work in our hearts, 00:03:42.080 --> 00:03:51.640 that it would comfort us, that it would challenge us, that it would rebuke and correct and teach us, 00:03:52.220 --> 00:03:56.900 so that we might live according to your righteous will. 00:03:56.900 --> 00:04:06.879 Lord, we pray that you would have soft hearts whenever we gather around your word together, 00:04:07.620 --> 00:04:09.680 to hear your word read and preached. 00:04:10.580 --> 00:04:16.420 And we pray that you would give us soft hearts when we read our Bibles alone or with others. 00:04:16.420 --> 00:04:24.600 And we ask that you would help us to apply those truths that we learn to our lives. 00:04:25.240 --> 00:04:33.080 Help us to meditate deeply on your truth, so that it would change our hearts and our will more and more. 00:04:34.740 --> 00:04:38.860 Lord, we give you thanks for the country in which we live. 00:04:39.420 --> 00:04:42.040 And we thank you for the peace that we enjoy. 00:04:42.040 --> 00:04:43.040 Lord, we thank you for the peace that we live. 00:04:43.040 --> 00:04:47.480 Again, we thank you for the freedom that we have to gather together to worship. 00:04:49.000 --> 00:04:54.500 Lord, we thank you for the relative security that we have, 00:04:55.000 --> 00:05:01.320 even as we acknowledge turbulent times and times of crisis. 00:05:02.320 --> 00:05:04.400 Lord, we pray for our government today. 00:05:05.439 --> 00:05:10.840 We pray recognizing the struggles that continue, 00:05:10.839 --> 00:05:14.479 the need for wisdom that there is, 00:05:15.679 --> 00:05:28.659 for guidance as to how to steer our country through an energy crisis and a food price crisis. 00:05:30.019 --> 00:05:37.879 Lord, we pray especially for the ability of government to care and to help for those who are 00:05:37.879 --> 00:05:43.100 the most poor and weak and vulnerable within our society. 00:05:44.459 --> 00:05:49.620 Lord, we ask for compassion and for justice. 00:05:50.779 --> 00:06:00.219 Lord, we pray thanking you for the freedom that we have to worship and to live out our faith 00:06:00.219 --> 00:06:04.339 without fear of extremes of persecution. 00:06:04.339 --> 00:06:05.339 Lord, we pray for the peace that we have to worship and to live out our faith in our faith. 00:06:05.339 --> 00:06:10.379 Lord, we continue to pray for our government towards that end, 00:06:10.679 --> 00:06:13.279 that we might be able to live with that peace, 00:06:13.819 --> 00:06:16.659 that the gospel might be able to flourish. 00:06:18.239 --> 00:06:21.399 Lord, as we give thanks for the freedom that we have, 00:06:21.979 --> 00:06:27.159 we want to pray for the nations that don't have such freedom, 00:06:27.459 --> 00:06:30.199 where there is persecution and where there is opposition. 00:06:30.199 --> 00:06:35.519 Lord, we give you thanks that Jesus is a savior for all nations, 00:06:36.420 --> 00:06:42.159 that your word declares it wasn't enough that he would just be a light to the Jewish people, 00:06:42.159 --> 00:06:45.539 but he was to be a light for the world. 00:06:46.719 --> 00:06:52.180 And so we thank you for wherever the gospel is spreading today. 00:06:52.180 --> 00:06:58.300 Lord, we pray for the church in hard places, 00:06:59.300 --> 00:07:02.480 where it is illegal to meet publicly, 00:07:03.259 --> 00:07:09.060 where to confess that you're a Christian could mean the loss of everything, 00:07:09.280 --> 00:07:11.220 including one's own life. 00:07:12.519 --> 00:07:21.240 Lord, as we see the unfolding scenes in Iran and Ukraine and Russia, 00:07:21.240 --> 00:07:24.300 as we see troubled places, 00:07:26.199 --> 00:07:31.340 Lord, we recognize that Jesus is the only solid hope for the world. 00:07:32.400 --> 00:07:37.060 And so we pray that you would protect your persecuted church, 00:07:37.759 --> 00:07:40.660 give them a solid and eternal hope, 00:07:41.400 --> 00:07:45.900 give them the ability to love you and to love even their enemies. 00:07:45.899 --> 00:07:57.099 And may you turn hearts and minds towards Jesus as they see and hear the good news as it's lived out among your people. 00:07:57.859 --> 00:08:06.759 Lord, we pray for the nations to be glad in confessing Jesus Christ as Lord. 00:08:06.759 --> 00:08:09.659 Lord, help us to be prayerful. 00:08:10.259 --> 00:08:14.819 Help us to be doing our part in supporting mission around the world. 00:08:15.620 --> 00:08:20.680 But we also pray that you would give us that boldness and that courage that we need, 00:08:21.420 --> 00:08:26.120 that love for the Lord Jesus and that love for other people that we need 00:08:26.120 --> 00:08:30.340 to be able to share good news in our communities, 00:08:30.579 --> 00:08:32.500 in our families, with our friends. 00:08:33.039 --> 00:08:34.679 Lord, help us, we pray, 00:08:35.560 --> 00:08:40.019 so that you would be glorified among us and in every nation. 00:08:40.639 --> 00:08:42.879 We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:08:42.879 --> 00:08:50.779 Now, let's sing together again a section from 119. 00:08:51.299 --> 00:08:55.039 We're going to sing from verses 105 to 112. 00:08:55.559 --> 00:08:57.919 And again, we'll stand as we sing. 00:08:57.919 --> 00:09:12.240 Your word's a lamp that shines before my feet. 00:09:12.240 --> 00:09:21.539 It is a light that guides me on my way. 00:09:21.539 --> 00:09:31.120 The oath that I have taken, I've confirmed, 00:09:31.579 --> 00:09:40.039 that all your righteous laws I will obey. 00:09:42.039 --> 00:09:49.879 O Lord, you know that I have suffered 00:09:49.879 --> 00:09:52.019 much. 00:09:52.500 --> 00:10:02.120 Preserve my life according to your word. 00:10:02.120 --> 00:10:12.120 Accept the willing praises of my mouth. 00:10:12.120 --> 00:10:22.279 Instruct me in your righteous laws, O Lord. 00:10:22.279 --> 00:10:32.720 I will not disregard your holy law, 00:10:32.720 --> 00:10:43.139 though constantly my life is in my hands. 00:10:43.139 --> 00:10:53.139 Although the wicked set us near for me, 00:10:53.139 --> 00:11:03.879 I have not left the path of your commands. 00:11:03.879 --> 00:11:13.699 Your statutes are my heritage always, 00:11:13.700 --> 00:11:25.180 And every day they make my heart rejoice. 00:11:25.180 --> 00:11:35.500 My heart is set on keeping your decrees. 00:11:35.500 --> 00:11:47.379 And to the very end, they are my choice. 00:11:47.379 --> 00:11:58.240 Now, can we turn once again in our Bibles 00:11:58.240 --> 00:12:00.299 to Luke chapter 18. 00:12:00.759 --> 00:12:02.779 Luke chapter 18, and we're going to read 00:12:02.779 --> 00:12:07.139 from verse 9 to verse number 34. 00:12:08.919 --> 00:12:10.700 We're going to be thinking this morning 00:12:10.700 --> 00:12:13.280 about verses 9 to 14, 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:17.960 thinking about gospel humility, 00:12:18.560 --> 00:12:20.560 but we'll read this whole section. 00:12:22.160 --> 00:12:25.020 To some who are confident of their own righteousness 00:12:25.020 --> 00:12:27.520 and look down on everyone else, 00:12:27.759 --> 00:12:28.940 Jesus told this parable. 00:12:29.440 --> 00:12:31.600 Two men went up to the temple to pray, 00:12:31.879 --> 00:12:33.860 one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 00:12:34.480 --> 00:12:36.680 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, 00:12:36.679 --> 00:12:39.839 God, I thank you that I am not like other people, 00:12:40.479 --> 00:12:42.579 robbers, evildoers, adulterers, 00:12:42.620 --> 00:12:44.639 or even like this tax collector. 00:12:45.000 --> 00:12:48.779 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get. 00:12:49.419 --> 00:12:51.579 But the tax collector stood at a distance. 00:12:52.159 --> 00:12:53.739 He would not even look up to heaven, 00:12:53.859 --> 00:12:55.299 but beat his breast and said, 00:12:55.399 --> 00:12:57.539 God, have mercy on me, a sinner. 00:12:58.139 --> 00:13:01.259 I tell you that this man, rather than the other, 00:13:01.599 --> 00:13:03.500 went home justified before God. 00:13:03.879 --> 00:13:06.339 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, 00:13:06.340 --> 00:13:09.160 and those who humble themselves will be exalted. 00:13:10.160 --> 00:13:12.300 People were also bringing babies to Jesus 00:13:12.300 --> 00:13:13.820 for him to place his hands on them. 00:13:14.259 --> 00:13:16.960 When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 00:13:17.500 --> 00:13:19.780 But Jesus called the children to him and said, 00:13:20.340 --> 00:13:24.019 Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, 00:13:24.420 --> 00:13:26.840 for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 00:13:27.399 --> 00:13:28.500 Truly I tell you, 00:13:28.899 --> 00:13:31.040 anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God 00:13:31.040 --> 00:13:33.660 like a little child will never enter it. 00:13:34.300 --> 00:13:35.680 A certain ruler asked him, 00:13:35.679 --> 00:13:38.779 Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? 00:13:39.459 --> 00:13:40.739 Why do you call me good? 00:13:40.819 --> 00:13:41.599 Jesus answered, 00:13:41.919 --> 00:13:44.279 No one is good except God alone. 00:13:44.819 --> 00:13:45.779 You know the commandments. 00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:47.339 You shall not commit adultery. 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:48.339 You shall not murder. 00:13:48.519 --> 00:13:49.439 You shall not steal. 00:13:49.879 --> 00:13:51.459 You shall not give false testimony. 00:13:51.939 --> 00:13:53.299 Honor your father and mother. 00:13:53.299 --> 00:13:56.479 All these I have kept since I was a boy, he said. 00:13:56.979 --> 00:13:58.719 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, 00:13:58.839 --> 00:14:00.139 You still lack one thing. 00:14:00.719 --> 00:14:02.679 Sell everything you have and give to the poor, 00:14:02.859 --> 00:14:04.819 and you will have treasure in heaven. 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:06.799 Then come, follow me. 00:14:07.599 --> 00:14:09.459 When he heard this, he became very sad 00:14:09.459 --> 00:14:10.919 because he was very wealthy. 00:14:11.699 --> 00:14:12.759 Jesus looked at him and said, 00:14:12.859 --> 00:14:15.459 How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. 00:14:15.559 --> 00:14:19.079 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle 00:14:19.080 --> 00:14:22.220 than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God. 00:14:22.840 --> 00:14:23.940 Those who heard this asked, 00:14:24.120 --> 00:14:25.340 Who then can be saved? 00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:26.759 Jesus replied, 00:14:27.300 --> 00:14:30.420 What is impossible with man is possible with God. 00:14:31.160 --> 00:14:31.879 Peter said to him, 00:14:31.920 --> 00:14:33.800 We have left all we had to follow you. 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:36.259 Truly I tell you, Jesus said to them, 00:14:36.600 --> 00:14:40.440 No one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children 00:14:40.440 --> 00:14:42.060 for the sake of the kingdom of God 00:14:42.060 --> 00:14:45.300 will fail to receive many times as much in this age 00:14:45.300 --> 00:14:47.620 and in the age to come eternal life. 00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:50.519 Jesus took the twelve aside and told them, 00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:52.139 We are going up to Jerusalem, 00:14:52.580 --> 00:14:55.519 and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:56.500 will be fulfilled. 00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:59.159 He will be handed over to the Gentiles. 00:14:59.659 --> 00:15:02.279 They will mock him, insult him, and spit on him. 00:15:02.539 --> 00:15:04.360 They will flog him and kill him. 00:15:04.740 --> 00:15:07.179 On the third day he will rise again. 00:15:08.019 --> 00:15:10.560 The disciples did not understand any of this. 00:15:11.100 --> 00:15:13.220 Its meaning was hidden from them, 00:15:13.539 --> 00:15:17.039 and they did not know what he was talking about. 00:15:17.039 --> 00:15:18.079 Amen. 00:15:19.699 --> 00:15:25.459 So we're thinking about humility and how that connects with the gospel. 00:15:25.959 --> 00:15:28.419 Let me begin with an image, 00:15:28.459 --> 00:15:33.039 just to say that the church is to be like an accident, 00:15:33.159 --> 00:15:34.759 an emergency waiting room, 00:15:34.980 --> 00:15:37.279 not like an interview waiting room. 00:15:37.919 --> 00:15:40.860 When we gather together week by week, 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:43.620 we recognize that we all need help. 00:15:43.620 --> 00:15:48.820 We all stand in need of mercy and healing and wholeness. 00:15:49.200 --> 00:15:53.700 We come as a waiting room of sinners and sufferers 00:15:53.700 --> 00:15:57.580 looking to God, looking to Jesus for help. 00:15:57.580 --> 00:16:03.180 That's very different to the image that you find with an interview waiting room, 00:16:03.259 --> 00:16:07.320 where everybody is doing their best to put on their very best self, 00:16:07.800 --> 00:16:12.040 carrying the CV of our own personal achievements, 00:16:13.180 --> 00:16:16.200 perhaps eyeing up the competition in the room, 00:16:16.280 --> 00:16:20.580 ready to show that we deserve a place more than the next person. 00:16:20.580 --> 00:16:27.840 John Stott once said that humility is another word for honesty. 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:33.320 So we've been thinking for the last six weeks or so about the gospel 00:16:33.320 --> 00:16:36.460 and how time and again we've seen the gospel reveals our problem. 00:16:36.460 --> 00:16:40.940 In the gospel we discover that by nature we are slaves to sin. 00:16:41.639 --> 00:16:43.759 Indeed we are dead in our sin 00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:46.780 and we deserve the wages of sin, 00:16:46.940 --> 00:16:49.379 which is death, which is eternal, 00:16:49.900 --> 00:16:52.080 separation from God and all that is good. 00:16:53.100 --> 00:16:54.940 But we've also heard the good news. 00:16:55.900 --> 00:16:58.759 We've heard the good news of God's heart of love 00:16:58.759 --> 00:17:00.960 towards sinners and sufferers. 00:17:01.580 --> 00:17:04.240 We've heard of God saving by grace 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:06.079 through sending his son Jesus. 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:07.319 To be our savior. 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:09.759 We've heard of that great exchange 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:11.960 that has taken place on the cross 00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:14.880 where Jesus takes the judgment and the wrath that we deserve 00:17:14.880 --> 00:17:16.759 and he gives us his righteousness 00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:18.420 and the glory that he deserves 00:17:18.420 --> 00:17:20.579 and all of that as a free gift. 00:17:20.579 --> 00:17:23.880 So that God's church 00:17:23.880 --> 00:17:26.840 should be a place of deep humility. 00:17:27.660 --> 00:17:33.279 Every Christian heart should be a place of deep humility. 00:17:33.279 --> 00:17:36.579 Church culture should always look different 00:17:36.579 --> 00:17:39.180 to what we see in the world. 00:17:41.700 --> 00:17:45.000 And when Christians and churches live with pride 00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:47.720 and when we're boasting and we're criticizing and judging 00:17:47.720 --> 00:17:49.220 and we're comparing and competing, 00:17:49.579 --> 00:17:51.819 there's something desperately sad about that. 00:17:52.579 --> 00:17:55.599 There's something so opposite to the character 00:17:55.599 --> 00:17:57.819 and the pattern of Jesus in that. 00:17:57.819 --> 00:18:00.799 And so we're going to look today at this parable, 00:18:01.359 --> 00:18:03.200 Luke 18, verse 9 to 14, 00:18:03.659 --> 00:18:07.339 which shows us that the way up in God's economy 00:18:07.339 --> 00:18:08.659 is to go down. 00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:10.799 It's those who humble themselves 00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:13.059 who will be exalted. 00:18:14.359 --> 00:18:16.740 And of course, we read in Philippians 2 00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:20.220 and we saw that was the pattern of Jesus' life as savior. 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:23.240 In his coming, he humbled himself. 00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:25.839 In his taking the place of a servant, 00:18:26.380 --> 00:18:29.640 in his being obedient to death on the cross, 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:34.160 Jesus at every point in his life humbling himself 00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:36.700 and then God exalted him. 00:18:37.860 --> 00:18:41.339 Resurrection, ascension to the Father's right hand. 00:18:41.559 --> 00:18:43.319 So let's use this parable of Jesus 00:18:43.319 --> 00:18:45.940 to consider gospel humility. 00:18:46.100 --> 00:18:46.940 And let's think, first of all, 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:48.940 in verse 9 about the problem. 00:18:48.940 --> 00:18:49.980 So boys and girls, 00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:51.700 there's a first point on your worksheet, 00:18:52.259 --> 00:18:54.759 the problem of pride and prejudice. 00:18:55.180 --> 00:18:56.420 Look at how it's put here, 00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:58.840 to some who are confident of their own righteousness 00:18:58.840 --> 00:19:01.240 and look down on everyone else, 00:19:01.340 --> 00:19:02.820 Jesus told this parable. 00:19:04.080 --> 00:19:06.140 Sometimes we don't know who the audience is 00:19:06.140 --> 00:19:07.620 that Jesus is telling the story to, 00:19:07.680 --> 00:19:08.680 but here we do. 00:19:09.600 --> 00:19:11.680 It's a group who are always confident. 00:19:12.759 --> 00:19:14.840 Confident that they are self-righteous. 00:19:15.320 --> 00:19:16.420 That they are, in effect, saying, 00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:19.259 I, by myself, I'm good enough for God. 00:19:20.539 --> 00:19:22.360 And they are always despising 00:19:22.360 --> 00:19:24.220 those who are not like them, 00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:26.060 those who don't make the grave. 00:19:27.680 --> 00:19:31.519 Most likely, the audience is made up of Pharisees. 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.820 The Pharisees, with their badge of honour, 00:19:34.140 --> 00:19:36.440 we keep the law better than everybody else. 00:19:36.700 --> 00:19:39.660 We keep ourselves separate from the bad people 00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:40.900 better than anybody else. 00:19:40.900 --> 00:19:42.840 We are the great and the good, 00:19:42.940 --> 00:19:46.080 and God should be so happy to have us. 00:19:47.860 --> 00:19:50.000 The problem with that audience, 00:19:50.280 --> 00:19:52.160 and the problem with self-righteous pride, 00:19:52.820 --> 00:19:54.960 is a wrong view of goodness. 00:19:56.560 --> 00:19:59.280 When Jesus spoke to the rich young ruler, 00:19:59.960 --> 00:20:00.759 he reminded him, 00:20:00.920 --> 00:20:03.720 no one is good except God alone. 00:20:05.640 --> 00:20:08.300 Pride compares with other people. 00:20:08.299 --> 00:20:10.099 Well, I'm better than that person, 00:20:10.139 --> 00:20:10.960 I'm better than that person. 00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:13.659 When we're invited to compare against God, 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:14.559 God's perfection, 00:20:14.740 --> 00:20:16.039 God's perfect standard, 00:20:16.139 --> 00:20:17.919 that should humble us. 00:20:18.419 --> 00:20:20.299 So religious pride always has this problem. 00:20:20.460 --> 00:20:21.240 It's always going to have 00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:23.159 too high a view of self. 00:20:23.619 --> 00:20:25.899 I can, by myself, live to please God. 00:20:26.119 --> 00:20:27.779 And we'll always also have 00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:29.460 too low a view of God's holiness, 00:20:30.740 --> 00:20:32.619 too low a view of personal sin, 00:20:33.339 --> 00:20:35.319 and too low a view of other people. 00:20:35.779 --> 00:20:37.680 We'll always tend towards prejudice. 00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:41.059 How does this pride and prejudice 00:20:41.059 --> 00:20:42.240 show itself today? 00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:44.639 How does it show itself in us? 00:20:45.859 --> 00:20:47.879 Do we recognize a tendency sometimes 00:20:47.879 --> 00:20:49.500 to compare and to compete, 00:20:50.059 --> 00:20:54.299 where we're boasting about our own achievements 00:20:54.299 --> 00:20:55.019 or performance, 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:57.079 where we build ourselves up, 00:20:57.079 --> 00:20:57.740 and in the process, 00:20:57.859 --> 00:20:59.099 we want to tear others down, 00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:02.139 where we have a critical or judgmental spirit? 00:21:02.140 --> 00:21:02.259 Do we know that? 00:21:04.820 --> 00:21:06.220 Perhaps we find ourselves 00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:08.280 being puffed up in pride. 00:21:08.600 --> 00:21:10.480 Tim Keller, in his wonderful little book, 00:21:10.600 --> 00:21:12.259 The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness, 00:21:12.380 --> 00:21:14.820 uses the image of people with pride 00:21:14.820 --> 00:21:16.100 being like a big balloon. 00:21:16.200 --> 00:21:17.360 Boys and girls, think about a big balloon 00:21:17.360 --> 00:21:18.180 that you've seen at a party, 00:21:18.280 --> 00:21:19.640 and you just know it's ready to pop 00:21:19.640 --> 00:21:21.120 at the least moment. 00:21:21.800 --> 00:21:22.980 When we are like that, 00:21:23.020 --> 00:21:24.340 when we are puffed up, 00:21:24.420 --> 00:21:25.520 what's true about us? 00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:28.660 We are empty at the center. 00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:31.119 If we make life all about me 00:21:31.119 --> 00:21:32.400 rather than God, 00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:35.619 that is too small a center. 00:21:36.420 --> 00:21:38.680 That is not a good foundation to build on. 00:21:39.160 --> 00:21:40.559 And if we don't have God 00:21:40.559 --> 00:21:41.559 at the center of our lives, 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:43.779 our lives will also be very fragile. 00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:45.960 We don't have that security 00:21:45.960 --> 00:21:48.200 that we know that we belong to God, 00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:49.740 that we are in right relationship to Him, 00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:50.599 and so we're going to feel 00:21:50.599 --> 00:21:52.519 every time we get snubbed or ignored, 00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:54.680 we're going to struggle to enjoy 00:21:54.680 --> 00:21:56.119 the success of other people, 00:21:56.319 --> 00:21:58.420 we're often going to feel deflated. 00:22:01.180 --> 00:22:02.940 This pride and this prejudice 00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:04.519 can also lead to us 00:22:04.519 --> 00:22:06.779 living in the wrong courtroom, 00:22:07.319 --> 00:22:09.039 where what matters most to us 00:22:09.039 --> 00:22:10.700 is public opinion. 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:12.920 What are other people saying of me? 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:14.359 What do other people think of me? 00:22:14.400 --> 00:22:16.000 Or living in the courtroom 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:17.119 of personal opinion, 00:22:17.599 --> 00:22:19.359 where my whole life and identity 00:22:19.359 --> 00:22:19.980 is bound up with 00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:21.420 what do I think about myself, 00:22:21.420 --> 00:22:22.019 and we forget, 00:22:22.120 --> 00:22:24.259 what does God think about me? 00:22:27.840 --> 00:22:29.620 The problem of a proud 00:22:29.620 --> 00:22:31.080 and self-reliant heart 00:22:31.080 --> 00:22:32.860 is a deadly one. 00:22:32.960 --> 00:22:34.400 Jesus tells the parable against it 00:22:34.400 --> 00:22:35.259 because it goes against 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:36.500 the pattern of the gospel. 00:22:37.660 --> 00:22:39.759 What have we seen week after week 00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:40.980 as we think about the gospel? 00:22:41.100 --> 00:22:42.880 We've seen that we are so bad 00:22:42.880 --> 00:22:43.880 because of our sin, 00:22:44.180 --> 00:22:45.060 that we are so bad 00:22:45.060 --> 00:22:45.840 because of our pride 00:22:45.840 --> 00:22:47.340 that someone had to die for us. 00:22:47.339 --> 00:22:50.740 The sinless, spotless Lamb of God 00:22:50.740 --> 00:22:52.439 died for us. 00:22:53.159 --> 00:22:54.539 We have seen time and again 00:22:54.539 --> 00:22:55.759 that our sin, our guilt, 00:22:55.799 --> 00:22:57.519 and our need is so great 00:22:57.519 --> 00:22:59.159 that we by ourselves 00:22:59.159 --> 00:23:00.659 could never earn God's salvation. 00:23:02.419 --> 00:23:03.419 But what we have seen 00:23:03.419 --> 00:23:04.319 is that Jesus came 00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:05.319 and He took the sin and death 00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:05.959 that we deserve 00:23:05.959 --> 00:23:06.639 and He gave us 00:23:06.639 --> 00:23:07.799 His righteousness 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:09.319 and glory 00:23:09.319 --> 00:23:11.039 as a gift of grace. 00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:14.599 And we're being led 00:23:14.599 --> 00:23:15.619 constantly to understand 00:23:15.619 --> 00:23:16.680 that all we have 00:23:16.680 --> 00:23:17.240 as a Christian 00:23:17.240 --> 00:23:19.720 comes from the mercy of God. 00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:21.759 So the only boasting 00:23:21.759 --> 00:23:22.779 we should ever make 00:23:22.779 --> 00:23:23.500 is to boast about 00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:25.339 the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:26.680 as Paul encourages us. 00:23:28.139 --> 00:23:30.379 So even as we consider 00:23:30.379 --> 00:23:31.779 the audience of the parable, 00:23:31.899 --> 00:23:33.079 we are invited to hear 00:23:33.079 --> 00:23:34.579 the call of Jesus today 00:23:34.579 --> 00:23:37.159 to turn from our pride, 00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:38.519 that instinctive pride, 00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:40.720 and to trust in Him. 00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:43.500 To receive His mercy, 00:23:43.819 --> 00:23:45.960 to find our identity from Him, 00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:48.319 and to ask Him to be our Lord 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:50.180 and our Saviour. 00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:52.879 Now let's get to the parable 00:23:52.879 --> 00:23:55.200 and let's get to the two prayers 00:23:55.200 --> 00:23:56.259 that we find here 00:23:56.259 --> 00:23:57.980 in verses 10 to 13. 00:23:58.859 --> 00:24:00.339 Again, we find a setting 00:24:00.339 --> 00:24:01.139 for our story. 00:24:01.899 --> 00:24:02.399 Boys and girls, 00:24:02.480 --> 00:24:03.279 this is the second part 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:04.159 of the worksheet. 00:24:04.920 --> 00:24:06.379 The setting for the story, 00:24:06.819 --> 00:24:07.420 verse 10, 00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:08.759 is the temple. 00:24:08.899 --> 00:24:09.819 So this is taking place 00:24:09.819 --> 00:24:10.740 in the context of 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:12.140 public worship. 00:24:12.140 --> 00:24:13.099 So we can imagine 00:24:13.099 --> 00:24:14.359 people sitting across 00:24:14.359 --> 00:24:16.319 the aisle from each other, 00:24:16.920 --> 00:24:18.339 but these two figures 00:24:18.339 --> 00:24:20.240 could not be more different 00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:21.480 as they gather for worship. 00:24:22.680 --> 00:24:23.859 There is, first of all, 00:24:23.900 --> 00:24:24.779 the Pharisee. 00:24:25.099 --> 00:24:26.279 The Pharisee who was admired 00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:26.779 by everyone, 00:24:26.880 --> 00:24:28.039 part of the religious elite. 00:24:28.880 --> 00:24:30.940 Let's notice a few things 00:24:30.940 --> 00:24:33.240 about how he sees the world. 00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:33.680 First, 00:24:34.420 --> 00:24:36.720 what's his view of God? 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:36.920 God. 00:24:37.920 --> 00:24:38.960 It's very interesting 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:40.200 to look in verse 11 00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:41.460 at the beginning of his prayer. 00:24:42.360 --> 00:24:43.279 Sounds like we're about 00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:44.680 to hear a psalm of praise. 00:24:44.839 --> 00:24:46.460 God, I thank you. 00:24:47.160 --> 00:24:48.100 But instead of, 00:24:48.180 --> 00:24:48.720 God, I thank you 00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:49.380 that you are holy 00:24:49.380 --> 00:24:50.360 and good and merciful 00:24:50.360 --> 00:24:50.960 and righteous 00:24:50.960 --> 00:24:51.740 and compassionate. 00:24:52.120 --> 00:24:52.880 God, I thank you 00:24:52.880 --> 00:24:54.059 that I'm not like others. 00:24:56.180 --> 00:24:58.819 He glances briefly at God, 00:24:58.819 --> 00:25:01.579 but he stares at himself. 00:25:02.879 --> 00:25:04.119 God, I thank you 00:25:04.119 --> 00:25:04.879 that I'm so great. 00:25:05.919 --> 00:25:07.259 Sounds really ugly, doesn't it, 00:25:07.259 --> 00:25:08.919 when it's put there so boldly. 00:25:09.439 --> 00:25:11.179 What about his view of self? 00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:14.720 Just to hear his prayer 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:16.579 reminds us that 00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:17.639 for this man, 00:25:17.720 --> 00:25:18.639 as Jesus pictures him, 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:21.319 I, me, is right at the center. 00:25:21.460 --> 00:25:22.119 I thank you 00:25:22.119 --> 00:25:23.480 that I'm not like other people. 00:25:23.879 --> 00:25:24.759 I fast. 00:25:24.859 --> 00:25:26.879 I give a tenth of all I get. 00:25:27.279 --> 00:25:28.419 He compares with pride. 00:25:28.860 --> 00:25:30.360 I'm better than that person, 00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:31.720 better than that person. 00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:34.820 Here's my religious record 00:25:34.820 --> 00:25:35.720 of achievement. 00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:39.560 What's his view of others? 00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:42.160 He doesn't hide 00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:43.560 his disgust of them, does he? 00:25:44.560 --> 00:25:45.300 In his prayer, 00:25:45.400 --> 00:25:47.259 he's actively pointing fingers. 00:25:47.380 --> 00:25:48.279 God, I thank you. 00:25:48.320 --> 00:25:49.420 I'm not like that tax collector 00:25:49.420 --> 00:25:49.920 over there. 00:25:50.580 --> 00:25:52.360 And his posture says it all. 00:25:52.360 --> 00:25:54.279 He stood by himself. 00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:57.740 I'm a cut above everybody else. 00:25:58.420 --> 00:26:00.860 If we were to ask 00:26:00.860 --> 00:26:02.259 what's his view of his need, 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:05.500 we would have no answer. 00:26:05.600 --> 00:26:07.320 He doesn't feel any need, 00:26:07.380 --> 00:26:09.640 certainly nothing that he asks God for, 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:12.440 except that he comes expecting a reward. 00:26:13.060 --> 00:26:14.039 I've lived this way. 00:26:14.100 --> 00:26:14.759 I've done this thing. 00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:17.220 Therefore, I expect reward. 00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:21.319 Augustine, in his day, 00:26:21.819 --> 00:26:24.879 said if the church was like a hospital waiting room, 00:26:25.440 --> 00:26:28.160 the man in this parable is sitting there 00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:29.180 in the waiting room saying, 00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:31.299 well, I'm glad my disease isn't that bad 00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:31.819 as that person. 00:26:31.900 --> 00:26:33.579 I'm glad my sickness isn't like that person. 00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:35.819 And he never talks to the doctor 00:26:35.819 --> 00:26:38.140 and he never gets help. 00:26:38.140 --> 00:26:40.820 In the sickness of sin, 00:26:40.900 --> 00:26:42.480 he never gets help. 00:26:43.160 --> 00:26:45.300 He is so full of himself. 00:26:47.300 --> 00:26:48.759 Think about our catechism. 00:26:49.220 --> 00:26:51.680 He cannot see that he does not love God. 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:54.759 He cannot see that he is not loving his neighbor. 00:26:55.420 --> 00:26:56.860 He does not recognize 00:26:56.860 --> 00:27:00.340 that he is actually far from God, 00:27:00.600 --> 00:27:02.920 even as he comes to the temple to worship. 00:27:02.920 --> 00:27:09.180 He has a very deadly blind spot. 00:27:10.140 --> 00:27:12.200 If you cycle in the city, 00:27:12.300 --> 00:27:14.880 you probably notice on the back of buses or lorries 00:27:14.880 --> 00:27:17.279 those warnings to cyclists 00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:19.779 to beware of a driver's blind spot. 00:27:19.900 --> 00:27:20.700 There is danger. 00:27:21.019 --> 00:27:22.779 If you find yourself in the blind spot, 00:27:22.880 --> 00:27:24.720 well, when it comes to God, 00:27:25.539 --> 00:27:27.860 there are some spiritual blind spots. 00:27:28.500 --> 00:27:31.300 If we fail to see our sin, 00:27:31.299 --> 00:27:35.220 if we fail to acknowledge God's great holiness, 00:27:35.859 --> 00:27:37.259 if we fail to acknowledge 00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:39.139 a need of mercy of Jesus 00:27:39.139 --> 00:27:41.059 as the Savior that we need, 00:27:41.859 --> 00:27:42.980 like this Pharisee, 00:27:43.399 --> 00:27:46.339 we stand in eternal danger. 00:27:47.359 --> 00:27:49.519 And so we are invited out of pride 00:27:49.519 --> 00:27:51.659 and to humble trust in Jesus. 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:55.279 Jesus, when he tells stories, 00:27:55.440 --> 00:27:57.480 likes to use contrasts. 00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:59.919 So if the Pharisee shows us pride 00:27:59.919 --> 00:28:01.079 and a pride to avoid, 00:28:01.559 --> 00:28:02.980 let's see the tax collector 00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:04.240 in his humility 00:28:04.240 --> 00:28:06.359 that we should embrace and practice. 00:28:08.079 --> 00:28:09.779 So let's think about this tax collector. 00:28:09.859 --> 00:28:10.899 Who is the tax collector? 00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:12.079 Well, the people in Jesus' day, 00:28:12.159 --> 00:28:12.899 instantly they would know 00:28:12.899 --> 00:28:14.200 this is the villain of the peace. 00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:17.399 He's one of the lowest of the low. 00:28:17.480 --> 00:28:19.039 He's one of the bad guys in society. 00:28:19.180 --> 00:28:20.440 So we need to ask the question, 00:28:21.980 --> 00:28:24.559 why has Jesus made a bad guy 00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:26.399 the hero of the story? 00:28:26.400 --> 00:28:29.900 Why does Jesus often do this? 00:28:30.820 --> 00:28:33.700 Think about the story of the good Samaritan 00:28:33.700 --> 00:28:35.540 who shows love to his neighbor. 00:28:36.280 --> 00:28:38.660 Think about the wild younger son 00:28:38.660 --> 00:28:41.880 who receives the welcome from the father. 00:28:41.880 --> 00:28:43.920 Why does Jesus choose to do that? 00:28:44.960 --> 00:28:46.900 To show us that grace is amazing. 00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:49.800 To show us that grace is shocking. 00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:51.860 That actually grace is outrageous 00:28:51.860 --> 00:28:54.120 in the way it comes to us. 00:28:54.400 --> 00:28:57.420 Here is Jesus in the flow of Scripture 00:28:57.420 --> 00:28:59.860 saying anyone can be saved. 00:29:01.140 --> 00:29:02.860 They choose the way of humility. 00:29:02.859 --> 00:29:05.599 Even the lowest of the low. 00:29:06.819 --> 00:29:08.619 Even the tax collector. 00:29:09.859 --> 00:29:11.279 Now let's think about this man. 00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:14.599 Let's think again about his view of God. 00:29:15.219 --> 00:29:16.719 Look at verse 13. 00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:20.459 The tax collector stood at a distance. 00:29:21.279 --> 00:29:23.679 He would not even look up to heaven. 00:29:24.459 --> 00:29:27.659 He has a proper sense of who God is. 00:29:28.219 --> 00:29:29.279 The holiness of God. 00:29:29.359 --> 00:29:30.359 The majesty of God. 00:29:30.359 --> 00:29:32.759 He knows that he has no natural right 00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:36.219 to approach God's mercy seat. 00:29:38.179 --> 00:29:39.419 What's his view of himself? 00:29:40.419 --> 00:29:41.879 Look on at verse 13. 00:29:42.279 --> 00:29:43.539 How does he talk about himself? 00:29:44.119 --> 00:29:47.059 He talks about himself as a sinner. 00:29:47.619 --> 00:29:49.259 Or the sinner. 00:29:50.339 --> 00:29:52.119 He's not busy looking around 00:29:52.119 --> 00:29:53.679 as a way to boast. 00:29:53.779 --> 00:29:55.259 Well at least I'm not as bad as that person. 00:29:55.979 --> 00:29:57.759 No he's looking in and he's looking up 00:29:57.759 --> 00:29:59.779 and he's comparing himself to God. 00:29:59.779 --> 00:30:01.700 In God's holy law. 00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:04.859 What's his view of others? 00:30:05.799 --> 00:30:06.759 We're not told. 00:30:08.740 --> 00:30:10.779 Because he is doing business with God. 00:30:11.579 --> 00:30:13.519 He's not looking to judge and criticize. 00:30:13.819 --> 00:30:15.319 Not looking to make himself feel good 00:30:15.319 --> 00:30:16.879 by making others seem worse. 00:30:18.899 --> 00:30:20.700 He understands God is holy. 00:30:21.339 --> 00:30:22.779 He understands he is the sinner. 00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:26.460 What's in the middle 00:30:26.460 --> 00:30:29.420 between God and the sinner? 00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:32.160 It's mercy isn't it? 00:30:32.899 --> 00:30:33.559 It's mercy. 00:30:33.879 --> 00:30:36.160 Have mercy on me. 00:30:37.480 --> 00:30:39.039 That's really significant language. 00:30:39.220 --> 00:30:40.859 In the temple this is temple language. 00:30:41.000 --> 00:30:42.899 This is atonement language. 00:30:44.500 --> 00:30:45.599 This is an acknowledgement. 00:30:45.599 --> 00:30:48.439 I need a sacrifice to cover my sin. 00:30:49.379 --> 00:30:52.319 I need a substitute to take my place. 00:30:53.519 --> 00:30:56.559 I need for one to turn away the wrath of God 00:30:56.559 --> 00:30:58.859 that I deserve to take it on himself. 00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:03.259 He understands the gospel. 00:31:04.439 --> 00:31:06.639 In this spiritual hospital 00:31:06.639 --> 00:31:08.480 he is looking to Christ. 00:31:08.859 --> 00:31:09.719 Not to himself. 00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:11.839 for the cure that he needs. 00:31:14.900 --> 00:31:16.039 He needs mercy. 00:31:16.420 --> 00:31:17.539 We all need mercy. 00:31:18.120 --> 00:31:19.559 Where is mercy to be found? 00:31:20.700 --> 00:31:21.819 For sinful people. 00:31:21.940 --> 00:31:22.920 For suffering people. 00:31:23.860 --> 00:31:25.039 Mercy is found in Jesus. 00:31:25.140 --> 00:31:25.980 The humble savior. 00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:29.240 Look at verses 31 to 33. 00:31:30.039 --> 00:31:32.620 And we are reminded of the humility of Jesus 00:31:32.620 --> 00:31:34.319 as he predicts his death. 00:31:34.319 --> 00:31:35.660 A third time. 00:31:36.360 --> 00:31:38.500 As we are being reminded of Jesus 00:31:38.500 --> 00:31:40.059 in his humility 00:31:40.059 --> 00:31:41.660 coming as a suffering servant. 00:31:42.519 --> 00:31:43.960 Coming to give his life 00:31:43.960 --> 00:31:45.140 as a loving sacrifice. 00:31:45.779 --> 00:31:48.220 Coming to be the sin bearing substitute. 00:31:48.680 --> 00:31:51.019 Coming to pay the penalty of sin 00:31:51.019 --> 00:31:52.900 in full for his people. 00:31:53.039 --> 00:31:54.380 For all who would trust in him. 00:31:56.019 --> 00:31:58.779 All the way back in 1779 00:31:58.779 --> 00:32:02.599 John Newton wrote a diary entry. 00:32:03.200 --> 00:32:05.920 He was aware on that day 00:32:05.920 --> 00:32:07.380 I imagine every day 00:32:07.380 --> 00:32:08.359 of his sin 00:32:08.359 --> 00:32:09.359 and of his guilt. 00:32:09.719 --> 00:32:10.539 And that prompted him 00:32:10.539 --> 00:32:11.159 to write this. 00:32:11.219 --> 00:32:11.519 He said 00:32:11.519 --> 00:32:12.259 I may 00:32:12.259 --> 00:32:13.779 I must 00:32:13.779 --> 00:32:15.119 I do 00:32:15.119 --> 00:32:16.979 mention the atonement. 00:32:17.799 --> 00:32:19.000 I have sinned 00:32:19.000 --> 00:32:20.939 but Christ has died. 00:32:22.399 --> 00:32:23.359 There's mercy. 00:32:23.719 --> 00:32:24.539 I have sinned 00:32:24.539 --> 00:32:26.439 but Christ has died. 00:32:26.519 --> 00:32:28.699 That we might enjoy mercy. 00:32:32.199 --> 00:32:34.899 Friends, our daily diary entry 00:32:34.900 --> 00:32:37.280 should be Jesus Christ 00:32:37.280 --> 00:32:38.160 came into the world 00:32:38.160 --> 00:32:39.120 to save sinners 00:32:39.120 --> 00:32:41.140 of which I am the chief. 00:32:42.640 --> 00:32:43.640 The gospel, 00:32:43.800 --> 00:32:45.180 when it does its work 00:32:45.180 --> 00:32:45.980 in our hearts 00:32:45.980 --> 00:32:47.519 will always serve 00:32:47.519 --> 00:32:48.980 to kill pride 00:32:48.980 --> 00:32:50.720 and to cause us 00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:51.400 with humility 00:32:51.400 --> 00:32:52.820 to look to Jesus 00:32:52.820 --> 00:32:54.340 our humble 00:32:54.340 --> 00:32:55.519 saviour. 00:32:57.720 --> 00:32:59.220 Let's move from there 00:32:59.220 --> 00:33:00.259 to the verdict 00:33:00.259 --> 00:33:02.279 how this story 00:33:02.279 --> 00:33:03.420 finishes. 00:33:03.619 --> 00:33:05.379 Verse 14. 00:33:07.119 --> 00:33:08.339 Luke in his gospel 00:33:08.339 --> 00:33:10.039 loves the reversal theme. 00:33:11.359 --> 00:33:12.059 And so we read 00:33:12.059 --> 00:33:12.599 I tell you 00:33:12.599 --> 00:33:13.220 that this man 00:33:13.220 --> 00:33:14.200 the tax collector 00:33:14.200 --> 00:33:15.720 rather than the other 00:33:15.720 --> 00:33:18.059 went home justified 00:33:18.059 --> 00:33:20.819 before God. 00:33:22.720 --> 00:33:24.400 Showing us the way up 00:33:24.400 --> 00:33:26.140 is down 00:33:26.140 --> 00:33:27.519 in the gospel. 00:33:27.519 --> 00:33:29.500 So there's this picture 00:33:29.500 --> 00:33:30.359 of these two men 00:33:30.359 --> 00:33:31.480 they've been at the temple 00:33:31.480 --> 00:33:32.940 and they've been 00:33:32.940 --> 00:33:33.819 in the place of worship 00:33:33.819 --> 00:33:34.720 and they're going home 00:33:34.720 --> 00:33:35.599 and they're going home 00:33:35.599 --> 00:33:37.639 to two very different 00:33:37.639 --> 00:33:38.240 verdicts 00:33:38.240 --> 00:33:39.799 in God's law court. 00:33:39.900 --> 00:33:41.099 This Pharisee 00:33:41.099 --> 00:33:41.900 who had the view 00:33:41.900 --> 00:33:43.099 well I'm good enough 00:33:43.099 --> 00:33:45.440 I'm a religious person 00:33:45.440 --> 00:33:48.279 I try my very best 00:33:48.279 --> 00:33:48.879 to keep the law 00:33:48.879 --> 00:33:49.639 and I certainly keep it 00:33:49.639 --> 00:33:50.279 better than others 00:33:50.279 --> 00:33:51.940 God's verdict on him 00:33:51.940 --> 00:33:55.059 he was not justified. 00:33:55.059 --> 00:33:57.639 He's not in right 00:33:57.639 --> 00:33:58.960 standing with God. 00:33:59.259 --> 00:33:59.579 Why? 00:34:01.720 --> 00:34:02.940 Because he never 00:34:02.940 --> 00:34:04.539 sought God's mercy. 00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:07.059 He presumed that he 00:34:07.059 --> 00:34:08.159 could please God 00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:09.039 by himself 00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:10.059 and he never 00:34:10.059 --> 00:34:11.679 looked to God 00:34:11.679 --> 00:34:12.880 for mercy. 00:34:16.199 --> 00:34:18.599 To ask the question 00:34:18.599 --> 00:34:20.599 why should God 00:34:20.599 --> 00:34:21.739 accept me 00:34:21.739 --> 00:34:23.219 is to ask one of the 00:34:23.219 --> 00:34:24.159 most important questions 00:34:24.159 --> 00:34:24.940 we ever could. 00:34:26.960 --> 00:34:28.139 How do we answer 00:34:28.139 --> 00:34:29.059 that question 00:34:29.059 --> 00:34:32.039 is equally vital. 00:34:32.899 --> 00:34:33.799 If we answer 00:34:33.799 --> 00:34:34.299 that question 00:34:34.299 --> 00:34:35.639 God should accept me 00:34:35.639 --> 00:34:37.139 because of my 00:34:37.139 --> 00:34:38.259 efforts 00:34:38.259 --> 00:34:39.000 because of my 00:34:39.000 --> 00:34:39.759 morality 00:34:39.759 --> 00:34:41.259 because I come to church 00:34:41.259 --> 00:34:42.839 because I read my Bible 00:34:42.839 --> 00:34:43.879 because I try and be 00:34:43.879 --> 00:34:44.759 a good person 00:34:44.759 --> 00:34:46.019 those answers 00:34:46.019 --> 00:34:46.960 miss the point. 00:34:48.299 --> 00:34:49.219 Those answers 00:34:49.219 --> 00:34:51.039 miss God's grace. 00:34:51.039 --> 00:34:54.759 the only answer 00:34:54.759 --> 00:34:57.279 is because Jesus 00:34:57.279 --> 00:34:59.519 because Jesus 00:34:59.519 --> 00:35:00.059 loved me 00:35:00.059 --> 00:35:00.719 because Jesus 00:35:00.719 --> 00:35:01.340 died for me 00:35:01.340 --> 00:35:01.960 because Jesus 00:35:01.960 --> 00:35:02.719 paid the price 00:35:02.719 --> 00:35:03.320 for my sin. 00:35:03.420 --> 00:35:04.079 That's the only 00:35:04.079 --> 00:35:04.980 basis for our 00:35:04.980 --> 00:35:05.500 acceptance. 00:35:07.900 --> 00:35:09.360 The tax collector 00:35:09.360 --> 00:35:11.279 who prayed 00:35:11.279 --> 00:35:11.739 God 00:35:11.739 --> 00:35:12.779 have mercy 00:35:12.779 --> 00:35:15.119 he was the one 00:35:15.119 --> 00:35:15.900 who was justified. 00:35:16.840 --> 00:35:18.460 He humbled himself 00:35:18.460 --> 00:35:19.079 before God 00:35:19.079 --> 00:35:19.699 and he was the one 00:35:19.699 --> 00:35:20.539 who would be exalted. 00:35:22.679 --> 00:35:23.679 He came 00:35:23.679 --> 00:35:24.439 to the accident 00:35:24.439 --> 00:35:25.179 and emergency 00:35:25.179 --> 00:35:26.099 room 00:35:26.099 --> 00:35:27.119 in his sickness 00:35:27.119 --> 00:35:28.759 and in his distress. 00:35:30.159 --> 00:35:31.219 He asked 00:35:31.219 --> 00:35:31.939 the doctor 00:35:31.939 --> 00:35:32.679 for the help 00:35:32.679 --> 00:35:33.559 that he desperately 00:35:33.559 --> 00:35:34.139 needed 00:35:34.139 --> 00:35:36.759 and he received 00:35:36.759 --> 00:35:37.279 the cure. 00:35:39.000 --> 00:35:39.599 Humility 00:35:39.599 --> 00:35:41.559 coming to 00:35:41.559 --> 00:35:42.159 Jesus 00:35:42.159 --> 00:35:43.819 is the way 00:35:43.819 --> 00:35:44.639 to find the cure 00:35:44.639 --> 00:35:45.319 from the sickness 00:35:45.319 --> 00:35:45.839 of sin. 00:35:46.399 --> 00:35:46.960 The way 00:35:46.960 --> 00:35:47.679 to be right 00:35:47.679 --> 00:35:48.359 with God 00:35:48.359 --> 00:35:49.039 the way 00:35:49.039 --> 00:35:49.639 to healing 00:35:49.639 --> 00:35:51.259 and wholeness 00:35:51.259 --> 00:35:52.739 is not 00:35:52.739 --> 00:35:53.239 entrusting 00:35:53.239 --> 00:35:54.019 in ourselves 00:35:54.019 --> 00:35:55.599 it's entrusting 00:35:55.599 --> 00:35:56.899 in Jesus. 00:35:59.960 --> 00:36:01.779 So the tax collector 00:36:01.779 --> 00:36:03.099 and the Pharisee 00:36:03.099 --> 00:36:04.480 teach us 00:36:04.480 --> 00:36:06.279 about humility 00:36:06.279 --> 00:36:07.299 about humility 00:36:07.299 --> 00:36:08.480 in the gospel. 00:36:09.219 --> 00:36:10.500 Now as we finish 00:36:10.500 --> 00:36:11.980 three lessons 00:36:11.980 --> 00:36:12.940 for us to begin 00:36:12.940 --> 00:36:14.259 to think about 00:36:14.259 --> 00:36:15.399 when it comes 00:36:15.400 --> 00:36:16.840 to gospel humility. 00:36:16.980 --> 00:36:17.980 One for our heads 00:36:17.980 --> 00:36:20.320 something to believe 00:36:20.320 --> 00:36:21.920 something for our heart 00:36:21.920 --> 00:36:24.300 something for our hands 00:36:24.300 --> 00:36:25.240 a point of action. 00:36:25.340 --> 00:36:25.800 So first of all 00:36:25.800 --> 00:36:27.539 for our head 00:36:27.539 --> 00:36:29.300 we are 00:36:29.300 --> 00:36:30.200 Philippians 2 00:36:30.200 --> 00:36:31.980 called to have 00:36:31.980 --> 00:36:32.760 the mind 00:36:32.760 --> 00:36:33.639 of Christ. 00:36:34.380 --> 00:36:35.460 We are called 00:36:35.460 --> 00:36:35.900 to this 00:36:35.900 --> 00:36:36.860 humble 00:36:36.860 --> 00:36:37.599 way 00:36:37.599 --> 00:36:39.119 of thinking 00:36:39.119 --> 00:36:41.160 and to do that 00:36:41.160 --> 00:36:41.639 according to 00:36:41.639 --> 00:36:42.300 Philippians 2 00:36:42.300 --> 00:36:42.820 what we need 00:36:42.820 --> 00:36:43.260 to do 00:36:43.260 --> 00:36:44.040 is we need 00:36:44.040 --> 00:36:44.560 to fix 00:36:44.560 --> 00:36:45.060 our mind 00:36:45.060 --> 00:36:45.740 on 00:36:45.740 --> 00:36:47.660 our humble 00:36:47.660 --> 00:36:48.220 Christ. 00:36:49.720 --> 00:36:50.440 We need 00:36:50.440 --> 00:36:51.180 always to have 00:36:51.180 --> 00:36:51.620 our mind 00:36:51.620 --> 00:36:52.380 fixed on him 00:36:52.380 --> 00:36:53.120 the one who 00:36:53.120 --> 00:36:54.020 gave up 00:36:54.020 --> 00:36:54.580 privilege 00:36:54.580 --> 00:36:56.000 to rescue 00:36:56.000 --> 00:36:56.600 us. 00:36:57.920 --> 00:36:58.860 The one who 00:36:58.860 --> 00:36:59.540 humbled himself 00:36:59.540 --> 00:37:00.220 to become 00:37:00.220 --> 00:37:01.880 one of us. 00:37:02.820 --> 00:37:03.600 The one who 00:37:03.600 --> 00:37:04.780 gladly became 00:37:04.780 --> 00:37:05.300 an obedient 00:37:05.300 --> 00:37:05.860 servant 00:37:05.860 --> 00:37:07.040 for us. 00:37:07.820 --> 00:37:08.480 The one who 00:37:08.480 --> 00:37:09.060 in love 00:37:09.060 --> 00:37:09.720 died 00:37:09.720 --> 00:37:10.440 to save 00:37:10.440 --> 00:37:10.840 guilty 00:37:10.840 --> 00:37:11.680 people like 00:37:11.680 --> 00:37:12.180 us. 00:37:13.220 --> 00:37:13.559 And when 00:37:13.559 --> 00:37:14.039 our mind 00:37:14.039 --> 00:37:14.600 is fixed 00:37:14.600 --> 00:37:15.420 on him 00:37:15.420 --> 00:37:17.800 that's 00:37:17.800 --> 00:37:18.059 when 00:37:18.059 --> 00:37:18.660 God 00:37:18.660 --> 00:37:19.039 by his 00:37:19.039 --> 00:37:19.320 grace 00:37:19.320 --> 00:37:19.579 and by 00:37:19.579 --> 00:37:19.760 his 00:37:19.760 --> 00:37:19.960 spirit 00:37:19.960 --> 00:37:20.380 is able 00:37:20.380 --> 00:37:20.780 to bring 00:37:20.780 --> 00:37:21.400 an end 00:37:21.400 --> 00:37:21.880 to 00:37:21.880 --> 00:37:23.440 the selfish 00:37:23.440 --> 00:37:24.019 ambition. 00:37:24.940 --> 00:37:25.920 The end 00:37:25.920 --> 00:37:26.340 to 00:37:26.340 --> 00:37:27.380 the self 00:37:27.380 --> 00:37:28.079 interest. 00:37:28.920 --> 00:37:29.500 This is 00:37:29.500 --> 00:37:29.860 where the 00:37:29.860 --> 00:37:30.320 beginning 00:37:30.320 --> 00:37:31.220 comes to 00:37:31.220 --> 00:37:32.079 value 00:37:32.079 --> 00:37:33.019 others 00:37:33.019 --> 00:37:34.079 above 00:37:34.079 --> 00:37:34.760 yourselves. 00:37:36.140 --> 00:37:36.600 Gospel 00:37:36.600 --> 00:37:37.300 humility 00:37:37.300 --> 00:37:38.120 begins 00:37:38.120 --> 00:37:38.720 with 00:37:38.720 --> 00:37:39.480 having 00:37:39.480 --> 00:37:39.699 the 00:37:39.699 --> 00:37:40.119 mind 00:37:40.119 --> 00:37:40.340 of 00:37:40.340 --> 00:37:40.800 Christ 00:37:40.800 --> 00:37:41.420 by 00:37:41.420 --> 00:37:41.699 having 00:37:41.699 --> 00:37:41.920 our 00:37:41.920 --> 00:37:42.219 minds 00:37:42.219 --> 00:37:42.619 fixed 00:37:42.619 --> 00:37:43.179 on 00:37:43.179 --> 00:37:43.880 Christ. 00:37:46.980 --> 00:37:47.880 The second 00:37:47.880 --> 00:37:48.139 thing, 00:37:48.219 --> 00:37:48.480 to think 00:37:48.480 --> 00:37:48.699 about 00:37:48.699 --> 00:37:49.320 what we 00:37:49.320 --> 00:37:49.500 need 00:37:49.500 --> 00:37:49.740 in our 00:37:49.740 --> 00:37:50.039 hearts, 00:37:50.139 --> 00:37:50.559 we need 00:37:50.559 --> 00:37:50.960 to 00:37:50.960 --> 00:37:52.400 believe 00:37:52.400 --> 00:37:52.780 the 00:37:52.780 --> 00:37:53.199 gospel. 00:37:54.840 --> 00:37:55.519 And when 00:37:55.519 --> 00:37:56.019 we truly 00:37:56.019 --> 00:37:56.880 believe 00:37:56.880 --> 00:37:57.440 the gospel 00:37:57.440 --> 00:37:57.780 and as 00:37:57.780 --> 00:37:57.920 it 00:37:57.920 --> 00:37:58.619 transforms 00:37:58.619 --> 00:37:59.280 us, 00:37:59.719 --> 00:37:59.960 we 00:37:59.960 --> 00:38:00.440 recognize 00:38:00.440 --> 00:38:00.719 that as 00:38:00.719 --> 00:38:01.219 we reflect 00:38:01.219 --> 00:38:01.900 on what 00:38:01.900 --> 00:38:02.199 Jesus 00:38:02.199 --> 00:38:02.659 has done 00:38:02.659 --> 00:38:02.960 for us, 00:38:03.039 --> 00:38:03.380 it is 00:38:03.380 --> 00:38:04.280 impossible 00:38:04.280 --> 00:38:05.740 to have 00:38:05.740 --> 00:38:06.260 pride at 00:38:06.260 --> 00:38:06.519 the foot 00:38:06.519 --> 00:38:06.800 of the 00:38:06.800 --> 00:38:07.219 cross. 00:38:09.480 --> 00:38:10.659 There is 00:38:10.659 --> 00:38:11.219 a wonderful 00:38:11.219 --> 00:38:12.579 fact for 00:38:12.579 --> 00:38:13.219 us to 00:38:13.219 --> 00:38:13.860 treasure 00:38:13.860 --> 00:38:14.860 that should 00:38:14.860 --> 00:38:15.740 always 00:38:15.740 --> 00:38:16.699 humble 00:38:16.699 --> 00:38:17.480 us. 00:38:19.360 --> 00:38:20.119 That Jesus 00:38:20.119 --> 00:38:20.619 loved me 00:38:20.619 --> 00:38:20.920 and gave 00:38:20.920 --> 00:38:21.539 himself for 00:38:21.539 --> 00:38:21.800 me. 00:38:22.840 --> 00:38:23.300 There is 00:38:23.300 --> 00:38:23.659 also a 00:38:23.659 --> 00:38:23.920 wonderful 00:38:23.920 --> 00:38:24.960 truth for 00:38:24.960 --> 00:38:25.340 us to 00:38:25.340 --> 00:38:25.719 treasure 00:38:25.719 --> 00:38:26.119 about 00:38:26.119 --> 00:38:26.800 Jesus 00:38:26.800 --> 00:38:27.559 right now. 00:38:27.659 --> 00:38:27.780 That 00:38:27.780 --> 00:38:28.719 Jesus who 00:38:28.719 --> 00:38:29.219 humbled 00:38:29.219 --> 00:38:29.920 himself to 00:38:29.920 --> 00:38:30.380 become one 00:38:30.380 --> 00:38:30.599 of us, 00:38:30.639 --> 00:38:30.980 to die 00:38:30.980 --> 00:38:31.199 in our 00:38:31.199 --> 00:38:31.559 place for 00:38:31.559 --> 00:38:31.719 our 00:38:31.719 --> 00:38:31.980 sins, 00:38:32.380 --> 00:38:32.659 he is 00:38:32.659 --> 00:38:32.860 now 00:38:32.860 --> 00:38:33.460 exalted 00:38:33.460 --> 00:38:34.579 as the 00:38:34.579 --> 00:38:34.960 Lord of 00:38:34.960 --> 00:38:35.240 glory. 00:38:35.340 --> 00:38:35.820 He rules 00:38:35.820 --> 00:38:36.440 and reigns 00:38:36.440 --> 00:38:36.920 in heaven. 00:38:36.920 --> 00:38:38.680 And that's 00:38:38.680 --> 00:38:38.940 where our 00:38:38.940 --> 00:38:39.240 hope of 00:38:39.240 --> 00:38:39.659 salvation 00:38:39.659 --> 00:38:40.320 is found. 00:38:42.420 --> 00:38:43.139 That God 00:38:43.139 --> 00:38:43.659 exalted 00:38:43.659 --> 00:38:45.320 him and 00:38:45.320 --> 00:38:45.659 gave him 00:38:45.659 --> 00:38:45.960 the name 00:38:45.960 --> 00:38:46.519 above every 00:38:46.519 --> 00:38:46.880 name. 00:38:47.500 --> 00:38:47.700 That at 00:38:47.700 --> 00:38:47.940 the name 00:38:47.940 --> 00:38:48.360 of Jesus 00:38:48.360 --> 00:38:48.860 every knee 00:38:48.860 --> 00:38:49.240 would bow 00:38:49.240 --> 00:38:49.559 and every 00:38:49.559 --> 00:38:49.820 tongue 00:38:49.820 --> 00:38:50.480 confess that 00:38:50.480 --> 00:38:51.460 Jesus is 00:38:51.460 --> 00:38:52.440 Lord. 00:38:55.720 --> 00:38:56.320 We need 00:38:56.320 --> 00:38:56.960 to believe 00:38:56.960 --> 00:38:57.840 the gospel 00:38:57.840 --> 00:38:58.780 for our 00:38:58.780 --> 00:38:59.320 own sense 00:38:59.320 --> 00:39:00.200 of identity 00:39:00.200 --> 00:39:01.420 and security. 00:39:02.300 --> 00:39:03.500 To remember 00:39:03.500 --> 00:39:05.099 every day 00:39:05.099 --> 00:39:05.639 that in 00:39:05.639 --> 00:39:06.199 God's 00:39:06.199 --> 00:39:06.739 law 00:39:06.739 --> 00:39:07.179 court 00:39:07.179 --> 00:39:08.159 the 00:39:08.159 --> 00:39:08.679 verdict 00:39:08.679 --> 00:39:09.460 on your 00:39:09.460 --> 00:39:09.900 life 00:39:09.900 --> 00:39:10.219 is 00:39:10.219 --> 00:39:10.799 already 00:39:10.799 --> 00:39:11.339 in 00:39:11.339 --> 00:39:11.960 if 00:39:11.960 --> 00:39:12.139 you're 00:39:12.139 --> 00:39:12.519 trusting 00:39:12.519 --> 00:39:12.779 in 00:39:12.779 --> 00:39:13.079 Jesus. 00:39:13.779 --> 00:39:14.519 We need 00:39:14.519 --> 00:39:15.379 to relive 00:39:15.379 --> 00:39:16.079 that reality 00:39:16.079 --> 00:39:16.619 that in 00:39:16.619 --> 00:39:17.059 Christ 00:39:17.059 --> 00:39:17.739 I am 00:39:17.739 --> 00:39:18.159 loved, 00:39:18.319 --> 00:39:18.579 I am 00:39:18.579 --> 00:39:18.980 welcomed, 00:39:19.139 --> 00:39:19.400 I am 00:39:19.400 --> 00:39:19.960 accepted. 00:39:20.679 --> 00:39:21.440 When I'm 00:39:21.440 --> 00:39:22.019 tempted to 00:39:22.019 --> 00:39:22.639 pride and 00:39:22.639 --> 00:39:23.199 despair, 00:39:24.119 --> 00:39:24.519 when I'm 00:39:24.519 --> 00:39:25.079 tempted to 00:39:25.079 --> 00:39:25.420 become 00:39:25.420 --> 00:39:26.420 anxious 00:39:26.420 --> 00:39:27.219 about 00:39:27.219 --> 00:39:28.099 how people 00:39:28.099 --> 00:39:28.779 view me, 00:39:29.920 --> 00:39:30.480 here's where 00:39:30.480 --> 00:39:31.179 security is 00:39:31.179 --> 00:39:31.359 found, 00:39:31.460 --> 00:39:31.859 here's where 00:39:31.859 --> 00:39:32.679 our identity 00:39:32.679 --> 00:39:33.599 rests, 00:39:34.859 --> 00:39:35.299 here's how 00:39:35.300 --> 00:39:35.539 we can 00:39:35.539 --> 00:39:35.960 live with 00:39:35.960 --> 00:39:36.380 humble 00:39:36.380 --> 00:39:37.120 confidence 00:39:37.120 --> 00:39:38.720 as we 00:39:38.720 --> 00:39:39.320 remember 00:39:39.320 --> 00:39:40.380 that in 00:39:40.380 --> 00:39:40.780 Jesus 00:39:40.780 --> 00:39:41.720 God's 00:39:41.720 --> 00:39:42.280 verdict on 00:39:42.280 --> 00:39:42.680 our life 00:39:42.680 --> 00:39:43.140 is already 00:39:43.140 --> 00:39:43.420 in. 00:39:44.980 --> 00:39:45.460 And then 00:39:45.460 --> 00:39:46.060 something for 00:39:46.060 --> 00:39:46.660 our hands, 00:39:47.420 --> 00:39:47.800 we are 00:39:47.800 --> 00:39:48.280 called 00:39:48.280 --> 00:39:49.600 to follow 00:39:49.600 --> 00:39:50.539 Jesus' 00:39:50.940 --> 00:39:51.360 pattern 00:39:51.360 --> 00:39:52.620 of humility. 00:39:54.000 --> 00:39:55.060 That begins 00:39:55.060 --> 00:39:55.539 with what we've 00:39:55.539 --> 00:39:55.920 been thinking 00:39:55.920 --> 00:39:56.140 about, 00:39:56.240 --> 00:39:57.140 since Christ 00:39:57.140 --> 00:39:58.280 did that 00:39:58.280 --> 00:39:59.320 for me, 00:39:59.740 --> 00:40:00.640 since he 00:40:00.640 --> 00:40:01.220 humbled 00:40:01.220 --> 00:40:01.680 himself 00:40:01.679 --> 00:40:02.739 for me, 00:40:04.539 --> 00:40:05.159 surely there 00:40:05.159 --> 00:40:05.659 is nothing 00:40:05.659 --> 00:40:06.359 too low 00:40:06.359 --> 00:40:06.759 for me 00:40:06.759 --> 00:40:07.259 to do, 00:40:07.799 --> 00:40:08.219 or for 00:40:08.219 --> 00:40:08.639 you to 00:40:08.639 --> 00:40:08.879 do. 00:40:09.960 --> 00:40:10.359 There is 00:40:10.359 --> 00:40:11.259 no sacrifice 00:40:11.259 --> 00:40:11.940 that we 00:40:11.940 --> 00:40:12.519 can make 00:40:12.519 --> 00:40:13.099 for others 00:40:13.099 --> 00:40:13.440 that will 00:40:13.440 --> 00:40:14.579 ever compare 00:40:14.579 --> 00:40:15.779 with the 00:40:15.779 --> 00:40:16.460 greatness of 00:40:16.460 --> 00:40:16.759 Jesus' 00:40:16.919 --> 00:40:17.139 humble 00:40:17.139 --> 00:40:17.879 sacrifice. 00:40:18.899 --> 00:40:19.719 The gospel 00:40:19.719 --> 00:40:20.279 says that 00:40:20.279 --> 00:40:21.000 Jesus was 00:40:21.000 --> 00:40:22.799 humble so 00:40:22.799 --> 00:40:23.099 that you 00:40:23.099 --> 00:40:23.399 and I 00:40:23.399 --> 00:40:23.719 could be 00:40:23.719 --> 00:40:24.019 humble 00:40:24.019 --> 00:40:24.419 too, 00:40:25.419 --> 00:40:26.399 so that 00:40:26.399 --> 00:40:26.859 you and I 00:40:26.859 --> 00:40:27.059 could 00:40:27.059 --> 00:40:28.679 live our 00:40:28.679 --> 00:40:29.279 lives making 00:40:29.280 --> 00:40:29.860 the gospel 00:40:29.860 --> 00:40:30.560 seem good 00:40:30.560 --> 00:40:31.260 and beautiful 00:40:31.260 --> 00:40:31.980 and true 00:40:31.980 --> 00:40:33.240 as we 00:40:33.240 --> 00:40:34.360 love others, 00:40:34.640 --> 00:40:35.340 as we 00:40:35.340 --> 00:40:36.060 sacrifice 00:40:36.060 --> 00:40:36.680 for our 00:40:36.680 --> 00:40:37.240 others, 00:40:37.480 --> 00:40:38.120 as we 00:40:38.120 --> 00:40:38.440 put the 00:40:38.440 --> 00:40:39.120 interests of 00:40:39.120 --> 00:40:39.680 others ahead 00:40:39.680 --> 00:40:39.980 of our 00:40:39.980 --> 00:40:40.220 own. 00:40:41.480 --> 00:40:42.080 So this 00:40:42.080 --> 00:40:42.340 week, 00:40:42.860 --> 00:40:45.019 can you 00:40:45.019 --> 00:40:45.260 and I 00:40:45.260 --> 00:40:45.740 find one 00:40:45.740 --> 00:40:47.040 person to 00:40:47.040 --> 00:40:47.560 sacrifice 00:40:47.560 --> 00:40:49.019 for in 00:40:49.019 --> 00:40:49.400 order to 00:40:49.400 --> 00:40:49.760 put their 00:40:49.760 --> 00:40:50.180 interests 00:40:50.180 --> 00:40:50.600 first? 00:40:51.500 --> 00:40:51.840 Can we 00:40:51.840 --> 00:40:52.380 begin to 00:40:52.380 --> 00:40:52.760 put this 00:40:52.760 --> 00:40:53.200 gospel 00:40:53.200 --> 00:40:53.800 humility 00:40:53.800 --> 00:40:54.460 into 00:40:54.460 --> 00:40:55.120 practice 00:40:55.120 --> 00:40:56.160 in our 00:40:56.160 --> 00:40:56.720 lives? 00:40:56.719 --> 00:40:59.319 gospel 00:40:59.319 --> 00:40:59.759 humility 00:40:59.759 --> 00:41:00.279 changes 00:41:00.279 --> 00:41:00.859 everything. 00:41:02.399 --> 00:41:02.819 It means 00:41:02.819 --> 00:41:03.679 we look 00:41:03.679 --> 00:41:04.559 across the 00:41:04.559 --> 00:41:05.019 aisle, 00:41:05.619 --> 00:41:06.480 not to 00:41:06.480 --> 00:41:07.480 compare and 00:41:07.480 --> 00:41:08.539 criticize and 00:41:08.539 --> 00:41:09.439 judge or 00:41:09.439 --> 00:41:09.980 boast, 00:41:11.159 --> 00:41:12.639 but in 00:41:12.639 --> 00:41:13.219 humility, 00:41:13.819 --> 00:41:14.519 we're looking 00:41:14.519 --> 00:41:15.439 for opportunities 00:41:15.439 --> 00:41:16.439 to extend 00:41:16.439 --> 00:41:17.339 the grace and 00:41:17.339 --> 00:41:18.059 mercy of God 00:41:18.059 --> 00:41:18.519 that we have 00:41:18.519 --> 00:41:18.859 come to 00:41:18.859 --> 00:41:20.139 discover to 00:41:20.139 --> 00:41:20.759 others. 00:41:21.239 --> 00:41:21.980 We want to 00:41:21.980 --> 00:41:23.000 spend ourselves 00:41:23.000 --> 00:41:23.579 and to be 00:41:23.579 --> 00:41:24.199 ready to go 00:41:24.199 --> 00:41:24.799 low in order 00:41:24.799 --> 00:41:25.379 to lift 00:41:25.379 --> 00:41:26.639 others up. 00:41:26.719 --> 00:41:28.559 because we 00:41:28.559 --> 00:41:29.239 know that the 00:41:29.239 --> 00:41:29.879 church is a 00:41:29.879 --> 00:41:30.359 place of 00:41:30.359 --> 00:41:31.879 mercy and 00:41:31.879 --> 00:41:32.179 we have 00:41:32.179 --> 00:41:32.699 come to 00:41:32.699 --> 00:41:33.399 find mercy 00:41:33.399 --> 00:41:34.199 and we 00:41:34.199 --> 00:41:34.539 want to 00:41:34.539 --> 00:41:35.299 extend that 00:41:35.299 --> 00:41:36.480 mercy to 00:41:36.480 --> 00:41:36.959 others. 00:41:37.919 --> 00:41:38.579 Let's pray 00:41:38.579 --> 00:41:38.939 about that 00:41:38.939 --> 00:41:39.219 together. 00:41:42.459 --> 00:41:43.019 Lord, 00:41:43.299 --> 00:41:44.039 our God, 00:41:44.119 --> 00:41:44.679 once again, 00:41:44.759 --> 00:41:45.339 we want to 00:41:45.339 --> 00:41:46.159 praise you 00:41:46.159 --> 00:41:48.259 for the 00:41:48.259 --> 00:41:49.219 humility of 00:41:49.219 --> 00:41:49.599 the Lord 00:41:49.599 --> 00:41:50.000 Jesus, 00:41:51.219 --> 00:41:54.459 for his 00:41:54.459 --> 00:41:55.379 readiness to 00:41:55.379 --> 00:41:56.019 leave the 00:41:56.019 --> 00:41:56.679 glory of 00:41:56.679 --> 00:41:57.099 heaven, 00:41:57.099 --> 00:41:59.219 to be born 00:41:59.219 --> 00:41:59.759 of the 00:41:59.759 --> 00:42:01.159 Virgin Mary, 00:42:01.920 --> 00:42:02.960 to live a 00:42:02.960 --> 00:42:03.840 life of 00:42:03.840 --> 00:42:04.800 humble 00:42:04.800 --> 00:42:05.340 obedience, 00:42:06.059 --> 00:42:07.259 to suffer 00:42:07.259 --> 00:42:08.039 and die 00:42:08.039 --> 00:42:08.699 for us 00:42:08.699 --> 00:42:11.619 before being 00:42:11.619 --> 00:42:12.179 exalted 00:42:12.179 --> 00:42:13.059 once again to 00:42:13.059 --> 00:42:13.639 his Father's 00:42:13.639 --> 00:42:14.320 right hand. 00:42:16.259 --> 00:42:16.599 Lord, 00:42:16.639 --> 00:42:17.300 we pray that 00:42:17.300 --> 00:42:18.039 the humility 00:42:18.039 --> 00:42:18.719 of Jesus 00:42:18.719 --> 00:42:20.239 would move 00:42:20.239 --> 00:42:20.940 us, 00:42:21.539 --> 00:42:22.559 would remove 00:42:22.559 --> 00:42:23.679 pride from 00:42:23.679 --> 00:42:24.159 us, 00:42:24.799 --> 00:42:25.739 would instill 00:42:25.739 --> 00:42:26.819 a humble 00:42:26.819 --> 00:42:28.159 confidence in 00:42:28.159 --> 00:42:28.759 us as we 00:42:28.759 --> 00:42:29.500 trust him 00:42:29.500 --> 00:42:30.279 as Savior 00:42:30.279 --> 00:42:30.839 and as we 00:42:30.839 --> 00:42:32.419 understand that 00:42:32.419 --> 00:42:32.759 we are 00:42:32.759 --> 00:42:34.659 justified as 00:42:34.659 --> 00:42:35.440 our faith is 00:42:35.440 --> 00:42:35.879 in him. 00:42:37.759 --> 00:42:38.799 Help us 00:42:38.799 --> 00:42:41.079 to wrestle 00:42:41.079 --> 00:42:42.940 with pride 00:42:42.940 --> 00:42:43.839 and anxiety 00:42:43.839 --> 00:42:44.899 that we feel, 00:42:45.239 --> 00:42:45.980 prejudice that 00:42:45.980 --> 00:42:46.839 we can show. 00:42:48.199 --> 00:42:48.940 Help us to 00:42:48.940 --> 00:42:50.379 pursue this 00:42:50.379 --> 00:42:50.859 kind of 00:42:50.859 --> 00:42:51.399 humility. 00:42:51.400 --> 00:42:52.400 for the 00:42:52.400 --> 00:42:52.740 sake of 00:42:52.740 --> 00:42:52.900 our 00:42:52.900 --> 00:42:53.360 church, 00:42:53.480 --> 00:42:53.740 for the 00:42:53.740 --> 00:42:54.119 sake of 00:42:54.119 --> 00:42:54.320 our 00:42:54.320 --> 00:42:54.960 community, 00:42:55.760 --> 00:42:56.240 for the 00:42:56.240 --> 00:42:56.660 sake of 00:42:56.660 --> 00:42:56.820 our 00:42:56.820 --> 00:42:57.280 world, 00:42:58.300 --> 00:42:58.900 to make 00:42:58.900 --> 00:42:59.639 the gospel 00:42:59.639 --> 00:43:01.099 look good 00:43:01.099 --> 00:43:01.820 and beautiful 00:43:01.820 --> 00:43:02.960 as we have 00:43:02.960 --> 00:43:03.740 discovered that 00:43:03.740 --> 00:43:04.099 it is. 00:43:04.740 --> 00:43:05.500 Please help 00:43:05.500 --> 00:43:06.240 us, we pray, 00:43:06.720 --> 00:43:07.320 in Jesus' 00:43:07.559 --> 00:43:07.800 name. 00:43:08.360 --> 00:43:08.639 Amen. 00:43:08.639 --> 00:43:08.759 Amen. 00:43:13.319 --> 00:43:14.019 Now we're 00:43:14.019 --> 00:43:14.259 going to 00:43:14.259 --> 00:43:16.059 close with 00:43:16.059 --> 00:43:17.339 a wonderful 00:43:17.339 --> 00:43:17.799 hymn to 00:43:17.799 --> 00:43:18.420 help us to 00:43:18.420 --> 00:43:20.159 reflect on 00:43:20.159 --> 00:43:21.039 these truths 00:43:21.039 --> 00:43:21.559 when I 00:43:21.559 --> 00:43:23.099 survey the 00:43:23.099 --> 00:43:23.679 wondrous 00:43:23.679 --> 00:43:24.219 cross. 00:43:24.359 --> 00:43:24.699 And let's 00:43:24.699 --> 00:43:25.460 again stand 00:43:25.460 --> 00:43:26.719 together to 00:43:26.719 --> 00:43:26.980 sing. 00:43:26.980 --> 00:43:27.059 Amen. 00:43:27.059 --> 00:43:27.480 Amen. 00:43:28.259 --> 00:43:29.119 Amen. 00:43:29.119 --> 00:43:29.259 Amen. 00:43:29.279 --> 00:43:29.539 Amen. 00:43:29.539 --> 00:43:29.679 Amen. 00:43:29.679 --> 00:43:30.579 Amen. 00:43:30.579 --> 00:43:31.219 Amen. 00:43:31.219 --> 00:43:31.779 Amen. 00:43:31.779 --> 00:43:31.980 Amen. 00:43:31.980 --> 00:43:32.519 Amen. 00:43:32.519 --> 00:43:32.739 Amen. 00:43:32.739 --> 00:43:32.799 Amen. 00:43:32.799 --> 00:43:32.859 Amen. 00:43:32.859 --> 00:43:32.960 Amen. 00:43:32.960 --> 00:43:33.759 Amen. 00:43:33.759 --> 00:43:34.339 Amen. 00:43:34.339 --> 00:43:34.859 Amen. 00:43:34.859 --> 00:43:34.940 Amen. 00:43:34.940 --> 00:43:35.299 Amen. 00:43:35.299 --> 00:43:35.440 Amen. 00:43:35.440 --> 00:43:35.579 Amen. 00:43:35.599 --> 00:43:36.299 Amen. 00:43:36.299 --> 00:43:36.900 Amen. 00:43:36.900 --> 00:43:37.379 Amen. 00:43:37.379 --> 00:43:38.619 Amen.