[Oct 19, 2025] Lord Have Mercy

Today, we gathered to reflect on one of Jesus’ most provocative parables: the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector. This story draws a sharp contrast between two ways of seeking rightness with God—one rooted in outward performance and self-reliance, the other in humility and dependence on God’s mercy. We all share a deep, God-given need for security and significance, a longing to know we are loved unconditionally and that our lives matter. Yet, from childhood onward, we often seek to fill these needs through approval, achievement, and comparison, measuring ourselves by external standards or by how we stack up against others.

Jesus exposes the futility of this outside-in approach. The Pharisee, though outwardly moral and diligent in religious observance, is blinded by his own goodness and pride. He trusts in his own efforts, listing his spiritual accomplishments before God, and in doing so, misses the heart of true righteousness. The tax collector, on the other hand, stands at a distance, aware of his own brokenness, and simply pleads, “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.” His prayer is not a resume but a cry for atonement—a recognition that only God can make him right.

This parable invites us to examine our own hearts. Are we living from the outside in, striving to earn God’s favor, or from the inside out, allowing His mercy to transform us? True righteousness is not achieved by our own performance or by keeping lists of do’s and don’ts. It is a gift, received by faith in Jesus, who is our atoning sacrifice. Justification—being declared right with God—is the heart of the gospel. We cannot add to or subtract from what Christ has done; we simply agree with Him, surrendering our pride and self-sufficiency.

Humility is the doorway to grace. When we acknowledge our helplessness and ask for help, God’s grace meets us. Pride, on the other hand, locks us out, keeping us from experiencing the freedom and rest that Jesus offers. Repentance is not a word of shame but of hope—a turning from self-reliance to trust in Christ’s finished work. In Him, there is no condemnation, only the invitation to live in the security, significance, and mercy that God freely gives.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Our deepest needs for security and significance can only be truly met in God. From childhood, we seek approval and worth in many places, but only God’s unconditional love and purpose can satisfy the longing of our hearts. When we look elsewhere, we inevitably end up restless and striving, but in Christ, we find the rest our souls crave. [07:16]
• 2. The difference between outside-in and inside-out living is crucial. Outside-in living focuses on external behaviors, rule-keeping, and comparison with others, leading to pride or despair. Inside-out living begins with humility, self-awareness, and a dependence on God’s transforming mercy, allowing true righteousness to flow from the heart. [09:38]
• 3. Pride is a subtle barrier that blocks us from receiving God’s grace. The Pharisee’s self-reliance and comparison blinded him to his need for mercy, while the tax collector’s humility opened the door to God’s justifying grace. When we refuse to ask for help or admit our need, we hold the door handle to grace but never walk through it. [22:39]
• 4. Justification is God’s declaration that we are right with Him, not because of our performance, but because of Christ’s atoning work. This is the heart of the gospel: we are justified by faith, not by works. Sanctification—becoming more like Jesus—is the daily outworking of this reality, as we learn to live in the freedom and identity Christ has given us. [25:49]
• 5. Repentance is a beautiful invitation, not a word of shame. It means turning from our own efforts and lists, and surrendering our failures and burdens to Jesus, who has already borne them on the cross. In Him, there is no condemnation, only the call to rest in His mercy and to walk in grateful, Spirit-empowered obedience. [30:12]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:01] - Opening Prayer and Introduction
• [01:23] - The Great Christmas Debate
• [02:16] - The Santa Clause 2 Movie Clip
• [06:13] - What Jesus Knows About Us
• [07:16] - Our Need for Security and Significance
• [08:30] - The Search for Righteousness
• [09:38] - Inside-Out vs. Outside-In Living
• [10:42] - The Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector
• [11:32] - Two People: Pharisee and Tax Collector
• [12:27] - Understanding the Law: Moral, Civil, Ceremonial
• [14:10] - The Pharisee’s Outward Focus
• [16:30] - The Pharisee in Us
• [17:05] - Two Prayers: Pride and Humility
• [19:19] - The Mercy Seat and Atonement
• [21:58] - Pride vs. Humility
• [25:11] - Two Outcomes: Justified or Not
• [27:47] - Justification by Faith
• [30:12] - The Beauty of Repentance
• [32:07] - No Condemnation in Christ
• [33:22] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

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.”

Romans 3:21-22, 28 (ESV) — > But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction... For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

Observation Questions

1. In the parable, what are the main differences between the Pharisee’s prayer and the tax collector’s prayer? (Luke 18:9-14)
2. According to the sermon, what two deep needs does every person have, and how do we often try to meet them? [07:16]
3. What does the word “justified” mean in the context of this parable, and who does Jesus say goes home justified? (Luke 18:14)
4. How does Paul describe the way we are made right with God in Romans 3:21-22, 28?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus chose a Pharisee and a tax collector as the two characters in this story? What might each represent to his original audience? (Luke 18:9-14)
2. The Pharisee lists his religious achievements in his prayer. What does this reveal about his understanding of righteousness and his relationship with God? [17:05]
3. The tax collector simply asks for mercy and admits his sin. Why is this posture so important for receiving God’s grace? [19:19]
4. The sermon says that pride “locks us out” from grace, while humility “opens the door.” What does this mean practically in our relationship with God and others? [22:39]

Application Questions

1. The sermon mentioned that from childhood, we look for approval and significance in many places—parents, friends, work, achievements. Where do you most often look for your sense of worth or security? How does this affect your relationship with God? [07:16]
2. Are there areas in your life where you find yourself comparing your “spiritual resume” to others, like the Pharisee did? How does this comparison impact your faith or your relationships? [09:16]
3. The tax collector’s prayer was simple and honest: “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” When was the last time you prayed honestly about your need for God’s help? What keeps you from praying this way more often? [19:19]
4. The sermon said, “Pride locks me out from grace. But humility is put the handle back on, and I walk out into the grace of God.” Can you think of a recent situation where pride kept you from asking for help—from God or from others? What would it look like to choose humility next time? [24:27]
5. Repentance was described as a “beautiful invitation, not a word of shame.” Is there something in your life right now that you need to turn over to Jesus? What would it look like to respond to this invitation today? [30:12]
6. The sermon said, “In Christ, there is no condemnation, only the invitation to live in the security, significance, and mercy that God freely gives.” Do you struggle to believe that God’s love and acceptance are truly unconditional? How can you remind yourself of this truth this week? [32:07]
7. Sanctification is described as the daily process of becoming more like Jesus. What is one practical step you can take this week to live more “inside-out”—letting God’s mercy and love shape your actions and attitudes? [25:49]