Humility: The Key to True Righteousness Before God
Summary
This morning, we explored the deep contrast between outward religious appearance and the true posture of the heart before God. Through the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18, we see how easy it is to fall into the trap of self-righteousness—measuring ourselves against others, boasting in our spiritual achievements, and missing the heart of God. The Pharisee, confident in his own righteousness, compared himself to others and missed his own need for grace. The tax collector, on the other hand, came before God with humility, honesty, and a desperate plea for mercy. It was the humble, not the proud, who left justified before God.
This theme of humility is woven throughout the Gospel of Luke, where time and again, God surprises us by lifting up the lowly and the overlooked. Whether it’s shepherds receiving the news of Christ’s birth, a sinful woman being forgiven, or a despised tax collector being justified, God’s kingdom consistently turns worldly values upside down. Jesus makes it clear that God is not impressed by our religious resumes or outward acts of devotion if they are not rooted in a humble and contrite heart.
We also saw how Jesus welcomed little children, using them as a living illustration of the kind of faith and dependence that pleases God. In a culture that valued strength, status, and self-sufficiency, Jesus honored those who came to Him with nothing but need and trust. The kingdom of God belongs to those who receive it like a child—not with pride or self-reliance, but with open hands and a heart ready to depend fully on God’s mercy.
The challenge for each of us is to examine how we approach God. Are we coming with pride, comparing ourselves to others, or are we coming with the humble, dependent heart of a child? True repentance is honest and humble, and it is only when we stop pretending and start owning our need that we experience the transforming grace of God. God justifies the humble, not the proud, and invites us to lay down our self-sufficiency and receive His kingdom as a gift.
Key Takeaways
- Self-righteousness thrives when we measure ourselves against others rather than God’s holiness. This comparison blinds us to our own need for grace and leads to a false sense of spiritual security. True holiness is not about being better than someone else, but about being right with God, who alone is the standard of righteousness. [54:21]
- Outward religious acts, no matter how impressive, do not move the heart of God if they are not accompanied by humility and inner transformation. God looks past our spiritual resumes and sees the condition of our hearts. It is possible to do all the right things for the wrong reasons and miss the deeper call to justice, mercy, and faithfulness. [01:00:42]
- True repentance is marked by honesty and humility, not excuses or comparisons. The tax collector’s simple, broken prayer—“God, have mercy on me, a sinner”—is a model for us all. God responds to those who come to Him with a contrite spirit, acknowledging their need and seeking His mercy without pretense. [01:01:47]
- God justifies and lifts up the humble, not the proud. Pride builds a wall between us and God, while humility opens the door to His grace. Justification is not earned by our achievements but received by those who come empty, trusting fully in God’s mercy and not their own goodness. [01:06:22]
- The kingdom of God must be received with childlike faith and dependence. Jesus welcomes those who know their need and are willing to trust Him completely, just as a child depends on a parent. In a world that prizes self-sufficiency, Jesus calls us to embrace humble dependence, recognizing that salvation is a gift, not a reward for our efforts. [01:13:48]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[44:14] - Opening Prayer and Greeting
[45:50] - Personal Story: Lessons from Mike
[46:42] - The Suit and Tie Incident
[47:50] - Judging by Outward Appearance
[49:12] - Misjudged at the Diner
[49:46] - The Universal Struggle with Judgment
[50:33] - Reading Luke 18:9-17
[53:50] - The Danger of Self-Righteousness
[54:21] - Measuring Ourselves Against Others
[57:35] - God Isn’t Moved by Outward Appearances
[01:01:47] - The Nature of True Repentance
[01:05:16] - God Justifies the Humble
[01:09:27] - Jesus Welcomes the Dependent
[01:13:48] - Receiving the Kingdom Like a Child
[01:16:31] - A Question for Reflection
[01:17:28] - Closing Prayer and Announcements
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Heart God Sees
*(Based on Luke 18:9-17 and the sermon summary above)*
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### Bible Reading
Luke 18:9-17 (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.”
Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
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### Observation Questions
1. In the parable, what differences do you notice between the Pharisee’s prayer and the tax collector’s prayer? What does each man focus on when talking to God? [50:33]
2. According to Jesus, who went home justified before God, and why? [51:09]
3. How did the disciples react when people brought children to Jesus, and what was Jesus’ response? [51:09]
4. What does Jesus say is required to enter the kingdom of God? [51:09]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose a Pharisee and a tax collector as the two main characters in this parable? What might each represent to his listeners? [54:21]
2. The Pharisee lists his religious achievements in his prayer. Why do you think Jesus warns against this kind of self-righteousness? [55:34]
3. What does it mean to “receive the kingdom of God like a child”? How is this different from the attitude of the Pharisee? [51:09]
4. The sermon mentioned that “God justifies the humble, not the proud.” What does justification mean in this context, and why is humility so important? [01:06:22]
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### Application Questions
1. The Pharisee compared himself to others and felt spiritually superior. Are there areas in your life where you find yourself comparing your faith or actions to others? How does this affect your relationship with God and people? [54:21]
2. The tax collector was honest about his need for mercy. Is there something in your life right now that you need to bring honestly before God, without excuses or comparisons? What would it look like to pray like the tax collector this week? [01:01:47]
3. The sermon said, “God looks at the heart and not religious performance.” Are there any “spiritual resumes” or outward acts you tend to rely on to feel right with God? How can you shift your focus to inner transformation and humility? [01:00:42]
4. Jesus welcomed little children and said the kingdom belongs to those who receive it like a child. In what ways do you struggle with self-sufficiency or pride? What would it look like for you to depend on God more like a child depends on a parent? [01:13:48]
5. The pastor shared stories about judging by outward appearance. Can you think of a recent time when you judged someone based on their appearance or actions? How can you practice seeing others the way God does? [47:50]
6. The sermon challenged us to examine how we approach God: with pride or with humility. What practical steps can you take this week to cultivate a more humble and dependent heart before God? [01:16:31]
7. The message said, “True repentance is honest and humble, not excuses or comparisons.” Is there a relationship or situation where you need to practice this kind of repentance? What’s one step you can take toward that this week? [01:01:47]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for hearts that are soft, humble, and open to God’s mercy, asking for help to lay down pride and receive God’s grace like a child.
Devotional
Day 1: Self-Righteousness Grows When We Measure Ourselves Against Others
When we compare ourselves to others, it becomes easy to inflate our own sense of goodness and overlook our need for God's grace. This mindset leads to judgmental attitudes and spiritual blindness, as we begin to see ourselves as superior rather than recognizing our shared need for mercy. True holiness is not about being better than someone else, but about being right with God. When we measure ourselves by human standards, we miss the mark of God's holiness and risk developing a prideful heart that distances us from Him. [54:21]
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: In what subtle ways do you find yourself comparing your spiritual life to others, and how can you shift your focus today to measuring yourself by God's standard instead?
Day 2: God Isn’t Moved by Outward Religious Appearances
God is not impressed by our outward religious acts or spiritual resumes; He looks at the heart and desires inner transformation and humility. While spiritual disciplines like fasting and tithing are good, they become empty if done to elevate ourselves above others or to earn God's favor. Outward deeds without a humble heart do not justify us before God, and relying on them can lead to pride and self-deception. Instead, God calls us to practice justice, mercy, and faithfulness, remembering that true righteousness is a matter of the heart, not just external actions. [01:00:42]
Matthew 23:23 (ESV)
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.”
Reflection: Are there any religious habits or good deeds you rely on to feel right with God, and how can you invite Him to search your heart for true humility today?
Day 3: True Repentance Is Honest and Humble
True repentance is marked by honesty, humility, and a willingness to own our sin without excuses or comparisons. God responds not to outward rituals but to a broken and contrite heart that sincerely seeks His mercy. When we come before God acknowledging our need and naming our sin, we open ourselves to His transforming grace. It is only when we stop pretending to be perfect and admit our need for forgiveness that we experience the depth of God's love and restoration. [01:02:38]
Psalm 51:17 (ESV)
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you need to stop making excuses and honestly confess your need for God’s mercy today?
Day 4: God Justifies the Humble, Not the Proud
God declares righteous those who come to Him in humility, not those who trust in their own goodness or achievements. Pride builds a wall between us and God, but humility opens the door to His grace and justification. It is not our spiritual accomplishments that make us right with God, but our willingness to admit our need and trust in His mercy. The humble are lifted up by God, while the proud are brought low, both in salvation and in daily living. [01:07:14]
James 4:6 (ESV)
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Reflection: Where in your life do you sense pride keeping you from fully receiving God’s grace, and how can you humble yourself before Him today?
Day 5: The Kingdom of God Must Be Received with Childlike Faith
Entrance into God’s kingdom is not earned by achievement or religious effort, but received through humble, trusting faith like that of a child. Jesus welcomes those who come to Him with dependence, openness, and a recognition of their need for His mercy. In a world that values self-sufficiency, Jesus teaches that the greatest strength is found in humble dependence on Him. To receive the kingdom, we must let go of pride and self-reliance, and come to God with the simple, trusting faith of a child. [01:13:48]
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
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: What would it look like for you to approach God today with the simple trust and dependence of a child, letting go of self-reliance?
Quotes
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