Humility and Grace: The True Path to Righteousness
Summary
In today's sermon, I explored the profound misunderstanding many have about what it means to be right with God. It's not about listing our good deeds or boasting about our moral superiority. Over 90% of people surveyed by R.C. Sproul believed they would be allowed into heaven because they were "good people." However, this works-based approach is not how we are saved. Our good deeds are like filthy rags in the face of salvation; they cannot justify us before God.
I shared the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, highlighting the danger of self-righteousness and the necessity of humility. Both men were sinners, but only the tax collector admitted his need for a savior and went home justified. This story was a direct challenge to the religious leaders and to us, reminding us that God's grace is not earned through our works but is a gift to those who humbly seek mercy.
I confessed that even as a pastor, I am in need of a savior because I am a sinner. We all stand shoulder to shoulder in our need for grace. The religious leaders of Jesus' time were so focused on following over 600 rules that they missed the point of those laws. They were meant for our benefit, not to enslave us. I shared personal experiences from my upbringing that reflected a misunderstanding of God's love, which is not conditional on our behavior.
In our series "Jesus Changes Everything," we looked at how Jesus offers a new way, not just a modification of the old system. He fulfilled the law and summarized it in two commandments: love God and love people. The religious leaders failed at both, showing contempt for others and trusting in their own righteousness.
I emphasized that it's okay to not be okay and to be honest with Jesus about our struggles. Religion, when used as a weapon, can hurt people through guilt, shame, and manipulation. It was the religious leaders, not the sinners, who plotted Jesus' death. They were more concerned with appearances and maintaining power than with people's hearts.
As we approach Easter, we recognize that Jesus died for all of us, regardless of our status or deeds. We are all equal at the foot of the cross, and it's there that we find mercy and grace.
Key Takeaways:
- True righteousness comes not from our works but from recognizing our need for God's mercy and grace. Like the tax collector, our prayer should be, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner." This humility opens the door to genuine justification before God. [11:44]
- The danger of religious legalism is that it can lead to a sense of superiority and contempt for others. Jesus' command to love God and love people is a reminder that our faith should lead us to compassion, not judgment. [19:11]
- Authentic faith in Jesus means understanding that rules and laws are for our benefit, not to enslave us. God's love for us is not based on a checklist of good behavior but on a relationship with Him. [20:23]
- It's important to be real with God and with each other about our struggles. Jesus invites us to come to Him as we are, without masks, knowing that He loves us despite our imperfections. [32:46]
- The crucifixion of Jesus is a powerful reminder that it was our sins that led Him to the cross, and His love for us that kept Him there. Recognizing our part in His death leads us to a place of gratitude and a deeper understanding of His sacrifice for our redemption. [35:55]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Luke 18:9-14 (Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector)
- Matthew 22:37-40 (The Greatest Commandment)
- Romans 3:23-24 (All Have Sinned and Are Justified by Grace)
#### Observation Questions
1. In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, what were the key differences in their prayers and attitudes? (Luke 18:9-14)
2. According to the sermon, what was the main reason Jesus told the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector? [06:26]
3. What does Jesus summarize as the greatest commandments, and how did the religious leaders fail in these areas? (Matthew 22:37-40) [19:11]
4. How does the sermon describe the religious leaders' focus on rules and laws, and what was the intended purpose of these laws? [16:22]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize humility in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, and what does this teach us about true righteousness? (Luke 18:9-14)
2. How does the sermon illustrate the danger of religious legalism, and what are the consequences of this mindset? [07:07]
3. What does it mean to be justified by grace according to Romans 3:23-24, and how does this contrast with a works-based approach to salvation?
4. How does the sermon explain the relationship between God's laws and His love for us? [16:22]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you might have felt morally superior to someone else. How can you cultivate a more humble attitude like the tax collector in the parable? [09:45]
2. The sermon mentions that it's okay to not be okay and to be honest with Jesus about our struggles. How can you practice this honesty in your daily prayer life? [26:23]
3. Think about the rules and laws you follow in your faith. Are there any that you feel have become more about appearances than about genuine love for God and others? How can you shift your focus? [22:48]
4. The sermon discusses the harm that religious legalism can cause. Have you ever experienced or witnessed this harm? How can you contribute to a more compassionate and grace-filled community? [25:49]
5. As we approach Easter, how can you deepen your understanding of Jesus' sacrifice and its significance for your life? What specific actions can you take to reflect this understanding in your interactions with others? [30:54]
6. The sermon highlights the importance of loving God and loving people. Identify one specific way you can show love to someone in your community this week. [19:11]
7. How can you ensure that your faith is based on a relationship with God rather than a checklist of good behaviors? What steps can you take to strengthen this relationship? [16:22]
Devotional
Day 1: Humility Unlocks Divine Justification
Humility is the key that unlocks the door to a right relationship with God. It is not through a tally of good deeds or a sense of moral superiority that one finds favor with the Divine, but through the recognition of one's own need for mercy and grace. Like the tax collector in the parable, who stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'—it is this posture of humility that leads to genuine justification before God. This humility is not about self-degradation but about understanding one's position in relation to the Almighty and the grace that is freely given. [11:44]
"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!'" (Luke 18:13 ESV)
Reflection: How does your prayer life reflect a posture of humility, and in what ways can you express a deeper dependence on God's mercy in your daily interactions?
Day 2: Compassion Overcomes Legalism
The danger of religious legalism is that it can create a heart of stone, where rules overshadow the core commandments of love. Jesus' teachings remind us that the heart of faith is compassion, not judgment. The religious leaders of His time were so consumed with their own righteousness that they failed to love God and others genuinely. This takeaway challenges believers to examine their hearts and ensure that their faith leads them to acts of love and kindness, rather than a sense of superiority and contempt. [19:11]
"Thus says the LORD: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place." (Jeremiah 22:3 ESV)
Reflection: In what ways might you be practicing faith as a set of rules rather than as a relationship of love, and how can you show compassion to someone who is different from you today?
Day 3: Love Defines Our Faith
The essence of faith is not found in a checklist of behaviors but in a loving relationship with God. The laws and rules given in Scripture are meant to guide believers into a life of love and service, not to enslave them with a yoke of impossible standards. This understanding liberates the faithful to live in the freedom of God's love, which is unconditional and not based on human merit. It is in this freedom that one can truly experience the fullness of a life lived in Christ. [20:23]
"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." (Galatians 5:13 ESV)
Reflection: How can you live out the freedom of God's love today, and what is one practical way you can serve someone else as an expression of that love?
Day 4: Authenticity with God
Being real with God about one's struggles is a vital aspect of a healthy spiritual life. Jesus invites everyone to come to Him as they are, without pretense or masks. This openness is crucial for growth and healing, as it allows believers to confront their imperfections and receive the love and grace that Jesus offers. It is in this honest space that individuals can find true peace and rest for their souls, knowing they are loved by God despite their flaws. [32:46]
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15 ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to be authentic with God, and how can you take a step towards transparency in your relationship with Him today?
Day 5: The Cross Equalizes Us All
The crucifixion of Jesus is the ultimate demonstration of love and grace. It is a poignant reminder that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and yet, it is through His sacrifice that redemption is possible. At the foot of the cross, all stand equal—no deed or status can elevate one above another. It is here that one finds mercy and grace, and it is through the recognition of Jesus' sacrifice that believers can live a life of gratitude and purpose. [35:55]
"For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:22-24 ESV)
Reflection: How does the reality of the cross shape your view of others, and what is one way you can demonstrate the equality and love of Christ to someone today?
Quotes
"Right with God by admitting our need for A Savior by admitting that I am a sinner in need of great Mercy we are not made right with God by listing our works and telling God how amazing we are that is not how we're saved." [12:22]
"Two of them one of them is made right with God and the other one it was for show now the reality is they're both in need of a savior only one of of them admitted it only one of them recognized it they're both Sinners they're both extortioners they're both unjust they're both adulterers as Jesus describes them or they they both are only one of them recognized it and only one of them goes home to his house Justified rather than the other." [14:18]
"Listen church I'll be as honest as I can be with you today I am those people. Yeah, you're like you're a pastor so aren't you more on the religious leader side? Yes, but I am in need of a savior because I am a sinner as I stand here before you today and I say to God on a daily basis God have mercy on me for I'm a great sinner. I need Grace and we all stand shoulder to shoulder together recognizing our need for mercy and for Grace." [15:40]
"Some of us have this idea that following Jesus is just a whole list of rules and laws that we're trying to follow. I mean the religious leaders of the day they just did what they were taught over 600 rules and laws they were adhering to on a regular basis and somewhere along the line they elevated these rules and laws to be more important than the people." [16:22]
"External appearances bear no resemblance to their internal reality. I want you to know today it's okay to not be okay. It's okay to say hi I don't have it all together maybe you've been wearing a mask maybe you've been acting like everything's good in your life in your world and when you talk to certain people you feel like you can't be honest." [26:23]
"It was my sin that nailed Jesus to the cross. I recognize that I recognize I'm in I'm in great need of a savior and then for anyone who questioned that he paints another picture which makes it really ultimate clear because he paints himself here at the foot of the cross with the little beron he's in the blue there at the cross and he's just saying hey I was I was a part of it." [35:55]
"Jesus can invite you into a personal authentic relationship from this forward on you don't have to have an app tracking you every moment of the day you don't have to live by a list of rules because if it's it's about being good how good is good enough right it's about falling at the mercy of Jesus saying I'm in need God thank you for saving me and you can do so today just simply tell Jesus." [37:00]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?