Coming to Church: Humility, Mercy, and True Worship

Devotional

Day 1: True Worship: Coming to God with Humility

The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector teaches that God is not impressed by outward displays of religiosity or self-righteousness, but instead looks for hearts that are humble and honest before Him. The Pharisee, though outwardly devout and disciplined, prays only to exalt himself, while the tax collector, aware of his brokenness, simply pleads for mercy. This story challenges us to examine not just why we come to church, but how we come—do we seek to impress, or do we come open to encounter the living God and receive His grace? [04:00]

Luke 18:9-14 (ESV)
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Reflection: When you come before God—at church or in prayer—do you come seeking to impress, or do you come honestly, aware of your need for His mercy?

Day 2: The Power of a Simple, Honest Prayer

The tax collector’s prayer, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner,” is a model of humility and honesty before God. Unlike the Pharisee’s self-congratulatory speech, the tax collector’s few words echo the heart of Psalm 51 and show that God values sincerity over eloquence. It is not the length or eloquence of our prayers that matters, but the posture of our hearts—God meets us in our brokenness and responds to our genuine cries for mercy. [10:45]

Psalm 51:1-2 (ESV)
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to pray honestly for God’s mercy today, without excuses or justifications?

Day 3: Church: A Hospital for Sinners, Not a Museum for Saints

The church is not a place for displaying our spiritual achievements, but a place where broken people come to seek healing, forgiveness, and grace. As Saint Augustine is often quoted, “the church is not a museum for saints, it is a hospital for sinners.” We gather not to show off our holiness, but to receive God’s mercy and to be reminded that we are all sinners saved by grace, in need of continual renewal and transformation. [13:42]

Mark 2:17 (ESV)
And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Reflection: How does viewing church as a “hospital for sinners” change the way you approach worship and community with others?

Day 4: Seeking Transformation, Not Just Affirmation

When we gather for worship, the goal is not to be affirmed in our own goodness, but to be transformed by God’s grace. True worship is not about feeling morally secure or being reassured of our own righteousness, but about opening ourselves to God’s renewing work—allowing Him to change us, heal us, and send us out into the world as His people. [12:49]

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need God’s transforming grace, rather than just affirmation or reassurance?

Day 5: Remembering Our Identity: Sinners Saved by Grace

Coming together as the church reminds us of who God truly is—merciful, loving, and forgiving—and who we truly are: sinners in need of grace. We do not gather because we have it all together, but because we need God and are loved by Him. In worship, we are reminded that our identity is not in our failures or our achievements, but in the grace of Jesus Christ who forgives, restores, and calls us His own. [14:37]

Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-9 (ESV)
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved… For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Reflection: How can you remind yourself today that your worth and identity are found in God’s grace, not in your own efforts or failures?

Sermon Summary

In today’s reflection, the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector invites a deep examination of not just why we gather for worship, but how we approach God when we do. Many of us come to church for a variety of reasons—habit, community, peace, or a desire for our children to learn faith. Yet, beneath these reasons lies a more profound question: do we come seeking affirmation of our own goodness, or do we come open to transformation by God’s grace?

The parable presents two worshippers: the Pharisee, respected and devout, who stands confidently and lists his virtues, and the tax collector, despised and broken, who stands far off, unable even to lift his eyes, and simply pleads for mercy. The Pharisee’s prayer is self-congratulatory, more a performance than a conversation with God. He comes to the temple to be seen, to be affirmed, and to justify himself. In contrast, the tax collector comes with humility, aware of his need, and asks only for God’s mercy.

This contrast challenges us to consider our own posture before God. Are we tempted to use worship as a mirror to reflect our own righteousness, or do we allow it to be a door that opens us to God’s transforming presence? The tax collector’s simple, honest prayer—“God, be merciful to me, a sinner”—is the model of true worship. It is not the length or eloquence of our prayers that matters, but the humility and honesty with which we approach God.

Church is not a place to display our holiness, but a place to receive God’s. It is not a museum for saints, but a hospital for sinners. We come not because we are perfect, but because we are in need of healing, forgiveness, and grace. In this space, we are reminded of who God truly is—merciful, loving, and eager to forgive—and who we truly are: sinners saved by grace.

Key Takeaways

1. Worship as Encounter, Not Performance True worship is not about impressing God or others with our piety or good deeds. When our prayers become self-congratulatory, we risk missing the living encounter with God that transforms us. Worship should be a door that opens us to God’s presence, not a mirror reflecting our own achievements. [09:04]
2. The Power of Humble Prayer The tax collector’s seven-word prayer, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner,” demonstrates that God values honesty and humility over eloquence or self-justification. It is in our brokenness and need that we are most open to receiving God’s mercy. Humble confession is the pathway to true forgiveness and restoration. [10:45]
3. Church as a Hospital, Not a Museum The church is not a showcase for the already righteous, but a place where the broken and needy find healing. We gather not to display our spiritual credentials, but to receive the grace that only God can give. Remembering this keeps us from pride and opens us to the healing work of Christ. [13:42]
4. Transformation Over Affirmation When we come to worship, we must ask ourselves whether we seek to be affirmed in our current state or to be transformed by God’s grace. The Pharisee left unchanged because he sought affirmation; the tax collector left justified because he sought transformation. Our openness to change determines the depth of our encounter with God. [12:49]
5. Identity Rooted in Grace At the heart of our gathering is the reminder that we are sinners saved by grace. Our identity is not in our achievements or failures, but in God’s love and mercy. This truth humbles us, heals us, and unites us as a community dependent on God’s grace.

** [14:37]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:38] - Opening Prayer
[01:07] - Back to Church Sunday: A Call to Reconnect
[01:40] - Why Do We Come to Church?
[02:42] - The Many Reasons We Gather
[03:34] - How Do We Come Before God?
[04:00] - The Temple: A Place of Ascent
[05:12] - The Parable’s Audience: The Devout
[05:49] - The Pharisee: Separated and Self-Assured
[07:16] - The Pharisee’s Prayer: Performance or Prayer?
[09:04] - Worship as Door or Mirror
[09:55] - The Tax Collector: Humility and Brokenness
[10:45] - The Power of a Simple Prayer
[11:46] - Justification: Who Leaves Changed?
[12:49] - Affirmation or Transformation?
[13:42] - Church: Hospital for Sinners
[14:37] - Sinners Saved by Grace

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 18:9-14 (ESV) — He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt:
“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’
But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Observation Questions

What differences do you notice in the way the Pharisee and the tax collector approach God in their prayers? (Luke 18:11-13)
According to the parable, who leaves the temple justified, and why? (Luke 18:14)
In the sermon, what reasons are given for why people come to church? [02:42]
How does the sermon describe the Pharisee’s prayer—what is it focused on, and what is missing? [07:16]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus chose a Pharisee and a tax collector as the two characters in this parable? What might each represent to his listeners? (Luke 18:9-10)
The sermon says, “Worship should be a door that opens us to God’s presence, not a mirror reflecting our own achievements.” What does this mean, and how does it relate to the parable? [09:04]
The tax collector’s prayer is only seven words: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” Why is this short, humble prayer so powerful, according to the sermon? [10:45]
The sermon describes church as “a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.” What are the implications of this for how we view ourselves and others in the church? [13:42]

Application Questions

When you come to church, do you find yourself seeking affirmation for your goodness, or are you open to being changed by God’s grace? What would it look like to come with a posture of humility? [12:49]
Think about your own prayers—are they more like the Pharisee’s (listing your good deeds or comparing yourself to others) or the tax collector’s (honest and humble)? What is one way you could make your prayers more honest this week? [07:16]
The sermon says, “Church is not a place to display our holiness, but a place to receive God’s.” Are there ways you have tried to “perform” spiritually for others? How can you shift your focus to encountering God instead? [09:04]
The tax collector stood “far off” and wouldn’t even look up to heaven. Is there an area of your life where you feel unworthy to approach God? How might you bring that honestly to God in prayer? [09:55]
The sermon reminds us that our identity is “sinners saved by grace.” How does remembering this truth affect the way you treat others in the church, especially those who seem different or difficult? [14:37]
The idea of church as a “hospital for sinners” suggests we all need healing. What is one area in your life where you need God’s healing or forgiveness right now? How can your small group support you in this? [13:42]
The sermon challenges us to seek transformation over affirmation. What is one specific way you want to be transformed by God’s grace this season? [12:49]

Sermon Clips

But today's Gospel reading asks us something else. Today, we're challenged to look deeper than just why we come, and to ask ourselves how do we come? How do we come as we gather before God? [00:03:37] (17 seconds) #SeekingPeaceAndFellowship

So today's parable, I believe, is intended to speak not to those who don't already come to church. Instead, I believe it's for the religious, for the devout, for people who come to worship, for people perhaps like you and I today, because the parable is about two men who both come to God in Christ. In prayer. Both enter the same temple, both pray to the same God, yet one leaves justified and the other not. [00:04:48] (38 seconds) #FaithForTheNextGeneration

He doesn't come to meet God. He comes to perform for God. He doesn't come to be changed. He comes to be congratulated and rewarded. It's easy to fall into that trap, isn't it? It's easy to come to church, to show our faith, to prove our commitment, to feel morally secure. [00:08:00] (32 seconds) #SafePlacesOfWorship

``The humble, broken tax collector leaves forgiven, while the proud Pharisee leaves unchanged. When we gather for worship, it's not to prove ourselves before God, it's to place ourselves before God. [00:12:05] (27 seconds) #JustifiedByGrace

So we come back to that question from the start of the sermon, why do I come to church? Do I come like the Pharisee, to appear good, to feel safe, to be affirmed? Or do I come like that tax collector, aware of my need, honest before God, open to grace? [00:12:34] (25 seconds) #HumbleAndForgiven

We come because we are sinners. We come because we search for healing. We come because we search for forgiveness. And it is here that we find life in the words of Jesus Christ, who says, you are forgiven. You are loved. [00:13:51] (31 seconds) #AffirmationOrTransformation

We come because it is here together that we are reminded of who God truly is and who we are. Sinners. Sinners saved by grace. [00:14:39] (21 seconds) #LovedAndForgiven

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