Embracing Humility: From Self-Righteousness to Compassion

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the concept of self-righteousness and how it affects our relationships with others and our understanding of God. Self-righteousness is a wardrobe choice that doesn't look good on anyone. It often goes unnoticed by the person wearing it, yet it is evident to everyone else. This attitude stems from internalizing our rightness to the point where it becomes part of our identity, leading us to dismiss and look down on those who don't share our views. This is not the way of Jesus.

Jesus taught that when our views become an excuse to be disrespectful or dismissive, we may be right, but we are not righteous. The credibility of Christianity hinges on Jesus of Nazareth, and the question we must wrestle with is whether the accounts of His life are reliable. If they are, then His teachings and actions demand our attention. Jesus' life and ministry were about demonstrating what God is like and who God loves. He associated with those considered unrighteous, drawing them in rather than pushing them away.

Through the parables in Luke 15, Jesus illustrated God's heart for the lost. The parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son reveal that God sees people not as good or bad, but as lost or found. The father in the parable of the prodigal son exemplifies God's love, welcoming his lost son back with open arms, not because of his behavior, but because of a restored relationship. This is the essence of the Gospel: God seeks to restore relationships, not to judge based on behavior.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to view others through the lens of lost and found, not good and bad. This perspective changes how we interact with the world, leading us to seek connection rather than judgment. It challenges us to shed self-righteousness and embrace the humility and compassion of Christ.

Key Takeaways:

1. Self-Righteousness vs. Righteousness: Self-righteousness is an internalized rightness that leads to dismissiveness and disdain for others. True righteousness, as taught by Jesus, is about humility and respect, recognizing that being right does not equate to being righteous. [02:38]

2. The Centrality of Jesus: The credibility of Christianity rests on the person of Jesus. The question of faith is not about the existence of God or the truth of the Bible, but whether the accounts of Jesus' life are reliable. If they are, His teachings and actions are foundational to our faith. [04:33]

3. God's Heart for the Lost: Through the parables in Luke 15, Jesus reveals that God sees people as lost or found, not good or bad. God's desire is to restore relationships, as demonstrated by the father in the parable of the prodigal son. [17:08]

4. The Inclusivity of Jesus' Message: Jesus' teachings were paradigm-shifting, elevating the dignity of all people, including women and those marginalized by society. His message was one of inclusivity and love, challenging cultural norms and religious exclusivity. [20:22]

5. A Call to Humility and Compassion: As followers of Jesus, we are called to view others through the lens of lost and found, not good and bad. This perspective leads us to seek connection rather than judgment, embodying the humility and compassion of Christ. [36:05]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - The Problem with Self-Righteousness
- [02:20] - Right vs. Righteous
- [02:56] - Investigating Jesus
- [04:33] - The Core Question of Faith
- [05:16] - The Gospel Accounts
- [06:04] - Luke's Purpose
- [07:08] - God's Action in History
- [08:20] - The Context of Parables
- [09:08] - Jesus' Inclusive Message
- [10:36] - The Pharisees' Perspective
- [12:22] - Self-Reflection Exercise
- [15:07] - The Parable of the Lost Sheep
- [17:08] - The Value of the Lost
- [21:18] - The Parable of the Lost Coin
- [22:11] - The Prodigal Son
- [29:22] - The Father's Compassion
- [33:18] - The Older Brother's Perspective
- [35:24] - Lost and Found, Not Good and Bad
- [37:57] - God's Pursuit of the Lost
- [38:50] - Conclusion and Next Steps

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 15:1-32
- John 3:16

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Observation Questions:

1. In the parable of the prodigal son, what actions did the father take when he saw his son returning? How did the father's response contrast with the expectations of the audience? [29:22]

2. How did Jesus' association with tax collectors and sinners differ from the Pharisees' expectations of a religious teacher? What was the reaction of the Pharisees to Jesus' actions? [09:08]

3. What is the significance of Jesus using a woman as the central figure in one of His parables, and how did this challenge cultural norms of the time? [19:16]

4. How does the parable of the lost sheep illustrate God's perspective on those who are "lost"? What does this imply about God's priorities? [16:37]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does the father's reaction to the prodigal son's return reveal about God's character and His view of repentance and restoration? [29:22]

2. How does Jesus' interaction with sinners and tax collectors challenge the traditional views of righteousness and self-righteousness? What does this suggest about the nature of true righteousness? [10:15]

3. In what ways does the inclusion of women in Jesus' parables reflect His message of inclusivity and the elevation of dignity for all people? How might this have been received by His original audience? [20:22]

4. How does the concept of being "lost" and "found" rather than "good" and "bad" change the way we view others and ourselves in the context of faith? [31:49]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you may have acted self-righteously. How did it affect your relationships with others? What steps can you take to adopt a more humble and compassionate approach in similar situations? [36:05]

2. Consider the people in your life who might be considered "lost." How can you demonstrate God's love and compassion to them in a way that draws them in rather than pushes them away? [17:08]

3. Jesus' teachings often challenged cultural norms. Are there cultural or societal norms today that you feel Jesus would challenge? How can you align your actions with His message of inclusivity and love? [20:22]

4. Think about a person or group you have judged as "bad" rather than "lost." How can you change your perspective to see them as God does, and what practical steps can you take to build a connection with them? [31:49]

5. The father in the parable of the prodigal son did not wait to restore his son to sonship. Is there someone in your life with whom you need to restore a relationship? What immediate actions can you take to begin that process? [30:27]

6. How can you ensure that your faith is not just about being "right" but about being righteous in the way Jesus taught? What changes might you need to make in your daily interactions to reflect this? [02:38]

7. Reflect on the idea that God does not see people as good or bad, but as lost or found. How does this perspective influence your understanding of the Gospel and your role as a follower of Jesus? [31:49]

Devotional

Day 1: The Illusion of Self-Righteousness
Self-righteousness is a subtle yet pervasive attitude that can distort our relationships with others and our understanding of God. It is an internalized sense of rightness that often leads to dismissiveness and disdain for those who do not share our views. This attitude is contrary to the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized humility and respect. Jesus taught that being right does not equate to being righteous. True righteousness involves recognizing our own limitations and approaching others with compassion and understanding. This perspective challenges us to shed our self-righteousness and embrace the humility of Christ. [02:38]

Isaiah 64:6 (ESV): "We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away."

Reflection: Think of a recent interaction where you felt the need to prove you were right. How can you approach similar situations with humility and a willingness to listen?


Day 2: The Foundation of Faith
The credibility of Christianity rests on the person of Jesus Christ. The central question of faith is not merely about the existence of God or the truth of the Bible, but whether the accounts of Jesus' life are reliable. If they are, His teachings and actions become foundational to our faith. Jesus' life and ministry were about demonstrating what God is like and who God loves. His association with those considered unrighteous challenges us to reconsider our own biases and assumptions. As we explore the life of Jesus, we are invited to deepen our understanding of His message and its implications for our lives. [04:33]

Colossians 1:15-17 (ESV): "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

Reflection: How does the reliability of Jesus' life and teachings influence your faith journey? What steps can you take to explore His teachings more deeply?


Day 3: God's Pursuit of the Lost
Through the parables in Luke 15, Jesus reveals that God sees people as lost or found, not good or bad. God's desire is to restore relationships, as demonstrated by the father in the parable of the prodigal son. This perspective challenges us to view others through the lens of lost and found, seeking connection rather than judgment. The essence of the Gospel is God's relentless pursuit of the lost, welcoming them back with open arms. As followers of Jesus, we are called to embody this same love and compassion, reaching out to those who are lost and inviting them into a restored relationship with God. [17:08]

Ezekiel 34:16 (ESV): "I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice."

Reflection: Who in your life might be feeling lost or disconnected? How can you reach out to them with the love and compassion of Christ today?


Day 4: The Inclusivity of Jesus' Message
Jesus' teachings were paradigm-shifting, elevating the dignity of all people, including women and those marginalized by society. His message was one of inclusivity and love, challenging cultural norms and religious exclusivity. Jesus demonstrated that God's love is not limited by human boundaries or prejudices. As His followers, we are called to embrace this inclusivity, recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of every person. This perspective invites us to challenge our own biases and to extend love and acceptance to all, regardless of their background or circumstances. [20:22]

Galatians 3:28 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Reflect on a group or individual you may have unintentionally excluded. How can you actively demonstrate the inclusivity of Jesus' message in your interactions with them?


Day 5: Embracing Humility and Compassion
As followers of Jesus, we are called to view others through the lens of lost and found, not good and bad. This perspective leads us to seek connection rather than judgment, embodying the humility and compassion of Christ. By embracing this mindset, we can transform our interactions with others, fostering relationships built on love and understanding. This call to humility and compassion challenges us to let go of our self-righteousness and to approach others with an open heart, seeking to understand and support them in their journey. [36:05]

Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Reflection: Identify a relationship where judgment has overshadowed connection. What steps can you take to approach this person with humility and compassion, seeking to restore the relationship?

Quotes

Self-righteousness is a wardrobe choice that doesn't look good on anyone. It often goes unnoticed by the person wearing it, yet it is evident to everyone else. This attitude stems from internalizing our rightness to the point where it becomes part of our identity, leading us to dismiss and look down on those who don't share our views. [00:00:04]

When a view about anything becomes an excuse to be disrespectful or dismissive toward another person, the person across from you, you may be right but you are not righteous. According to Jesus. [00:02:26]

The credibility of Christianity, the veracity of Christianity rises and falls on a single individual. This individual we're talking about, Jesus of Nazareth. So which means that if you are considering faith for the first time, the Christian faith, or if you are reconsidering faith, because you walked away and now you're re-interested. [00:03:28]

The starting point for the Christian faith, the only question to wrestle with is this question: is Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John, a reliable account of actual events? These are the four accounts of the life of Jesus written in the first century that were eventually bundled together by the end of the first or the beginning of the second century. [00:04:33]

Jesus claimed to know what God is like. And He claimed to know who God likes. So case in point Luke 15, jumping ahead, another parable that became iconic. But the context of this very, very familiar set of parables, the context is the point of the parable and without understanding the context, we don't get the point of the parable. [00:08:00]

People who are nothing like Jesus liked Jesus. He was righteous. He was not self-righteous in the sense that He carried His righteousness in such a way that it made the unrighteous feel pushed away. On the contrary, it made the unrighteous feel drawn in. Isn't that amazing? Imagine if the church had been that way for 2000 years. [00:10:15]

When you lose something of value, you are laser focused not on what's found, but on what is lost. So they all get this first one. And then Jesus interprets it. He pulls out of the parable and He says in the same way, this is so powerful. He says, "I tell you that in the same way, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who do not need to repent." [00:16:25]

Are you telling us that God views unrighteous people as something valuable that got separated from its owner? Jesus is like, "Exactly." Well, that's not really how we view unrighteous people. Jesus is like, "And that's why I came." This is what He would say to me. For of us who raised our hand at self-righteous. [00:17:08]

If you wanna know what God is like, you begin with Jesus. If you wanna know what God would say, you begin with Jesus. If you wanna know God would do, you follow Jesus through the gospels 'cause he's God in a body who came to reveal the Father. He said at one point, "I glorified you on the earth." talking to His Father. [00:28:37]

God, your Father, does not see good and bad people? He sees lost to God people and found by God people. Fun fact, and you're gonna be the only Christians who know what I'm about to share with you. I'm telling you, nobody knows this but me and I'm about to share it with you, okay? [00:31:36]

What if we saw people in terms of lost and found, not good and bad? What if the church people that pushed you away had thought in those terms? Now there's another character in the story, unfortunately it's my character. I hate to admit that. The other character in the story is the well behaved first born, get it right, live within the guardrails, make Dad proud, do it by the book, older brother, right? [00:32:50]

When our rightness, as I said earlier, becomes an excuse to dismiss those we consider less right, we're not as right as we think we are. And we are certainly not righteous. Let me ask you one more question and we're done. Do you get disgusted with lost things? Do you get angry at lost things? No. You go looking for and re-connecting with lost things. [00:37:57]

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Transcript
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