The Sin of Pride- Luke 18:9-14

Gospel humility is thinking of myself less, Timothy Keller. True Gospel humility means I stop connecting every experience, every conversation, with myself.

The story of the Pharisee and Tax Collector reveals the essence of pride. Those around the pharisee, including God, are only bit parts in the story of his own greatness. He is blind to the ridiculousness of his attitude.

What does pride look like?
1. Centered on personal greatness. The story of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18 is very much about this. The one who humbles himself will be exalted. The first shall be last, the last shall be first. Jesus tells this parable to an audience that is just like this Pharisee. God is not impressed with this guy, even though he is very impressed with himself. Life isn’t all about me. So stop complaining about the Sunday/Wednesday family studies. It is not all about you. We have 130 kids we are introducing a new curriculum to for them and for their family to study. This is a unique situation where we are needing to redesign all the classrooms to be ready for classes to start. It is a short term situation that every can learn from with the right attitude, even if it is your preference. We all have to realize at times that our preferences aren’t the way things happen. It becomes pride when I want everything to cater to what I want. Don’t be that way. Support those working on beneficial tasks even when it may not be your preference. Show interest in how something like this could be for the good of others.

2. Consumed by competition and contempt of others. If we allow pride to consume us we look down on those around us. The Pharisee’s prayer has nothing to do with God, it is all about him. The gap between me and the worst sinner on earth and the gap between me and God are no where close to the same. I am way farther away from God than I am from anyone on this earth. Have you considered that maybe your spouse’s view on something could be correct? We need to be showing mercy to others the way God is showing it to us. When was the last time you confessed your sin to another human being? James tells us to do just that (James 5:16). Proverbs 28:13  states, “whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” It is hard to confess sins when we look on others who do so.

3. No need for God’s mercy. If you’re already righteous you don’t need justification. That’s the Pharisee’s attitude. The irony is, as Jesus says at the end, it’s lonely at the top. No one else is there. Humility means I will be exalted by God. “Humble yourself before God and He will exalt you” (James 4:10)

 

God’s plan is amazing. He can take our rebellion out of the way and draw us to Him.

 

Sermon by Brent Moody

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