How to Leave Justified

Do you know your condition before God this morning? We have had someone we know pass away. That realization that one who was our own for some time has gone from this life should make us think about our current situation. Our time that we have left and what we will do with it. We consider this with a very real understanding that though we have have plans, they can be derailed and we can be called to give an account at any time of the things we have done in this life. We might die today or the Lord may return today.

Many believe that Jesus will come to this earth and establish an earthly kingdom for some 1000 year reign, but he says...

Luke 17:20–25 ESV

20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” 22 And he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23 And they will say to you, ‘Look, there!’ or ‘Look, here!’ Do not go out or follow them. 24 For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. 25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.

20-25

lUke 17:20-

Luke 17:20–35 ESV

Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” And he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. And they will say to you, ‘Look, there!’ or ‘Look, here!’ Do not go out or follow them. For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all— so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, let the one who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it. I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left. There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken and the other left.”

Jesus’ kingdom is currently in place. He is currently the king of heaven and earth. As Paul said, this was all a part of God’s foreknowledge. He had planned to establish the kingdom that will unite heaven and earth in praise to God through Jesus the Son.

All of the parables that we have looked at have some information about the kingdom that Jesus wanted those hearing to remember and ,upon understanding, apply it then pass it along others.

The parables that Jesus has given us beat up the religious leaders who are very hard hearted and wrapped up in the things of this word and self seeking desires.

Parable

Our parable this morning takes all of that to a whole ‘nother level. His obvious hope is that those who hear it will see themselves in the

Luke 18:9–14 ESV

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 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. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 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!’ 14 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.”

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.”

Luke 18:7-

Here Jesus describes two contrasting characters. Who are these men? Why does Jesus speak of them? How did He know what they trusted in?

What do you trust in while thanking God?

Do you realize while you are thanking God all that you need from Him daily?

Pharisees

There are two main characters in this parable and the first is one who needs no introduction, but I would like to spend some time thinking about the Pharisee before we discuss what Jesus says he does here.

Described

The name Pharisee meant “separatist” which shows the importance he places on cleanliness. These men were known to go to the furtherest extent to ensure cleanliness is achieved and maintained so that they could always serve God rightly.

On the outset these men who would attempt to live a life that is free from defilement and able to discipline their bodies to keep a large portion of the law better than any others. They were also believers in resurrection and the law and prophets of the OT.

Yet, with so many things going for them, they looked around and saw people who hadn’t made the number of changes that they had made to their lives. Their thinking is brought out best by looking at their deeds.

Luke 16:13–20 ESV

13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” 14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. 15 And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. 16 “The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it. 17 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void. 18 “Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery. 19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,

Luke 16:13–15 ESV

No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

Luke 16:13-20

Luke 16:13-15

This text is very interesting because it tells us exactly what they cared most about, how badly they had interpreted their own condition before God, and what, exactly they were guilty of. Adultery, Covetousness/Idolatry, Not loving their neighbor. They ridiculed Jesus. The word ridicule shows how contemptuous they can be toward those who do not fall in line with their authority!

This Pharisee...

Goes into the Temple. Draws near to God and His holy place. This is what he does. This is the end goal of everything he does, but it is not the primary reason for everything he does. He’s not their for a love of God. He’s not there to worship God in spirit.

Problem 1

The first problem with this Pharisee to begin with is that he fails to lower himself as he draws near to the presence of the creator. It is as though he is worthy to go right on into the Most Holy Place and spend time showing God how great he is. He is effectively approaching the throne of God to brag about himself while beginning it with a “Thanks” because God has obviously blessed his situation to allow for him to be so great! The more blessed he is the more he feels God must really appreciate him. He has become convinced that his own righteousness has made him “good enough.”

Problem 2

The next problem is like we have seen before with the Pharisee ridiculing Jesus. This man has missed God’s desire for him to show love for his neighbor.

What do we see him doing with respect to the tax collector?

Thanks for not making me like this sinner...

He then describes how much he has done for God.

Matthew 23:23–24 ESV

23 “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. 24 You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!

These men are the leaders of the teaching sect of Judaism and they have no sense of justice and mercy. They have lost all of that sense and Jesus said that they have avoided eating the tiniest unclean thing, but have swallowed the largest unclean thing. The thing that makes God want to leave them outside of the kingdom is their unwillingness to see justice or mercy.

The idea that someone would see themselves as good as they draw near to God should make us wince. There is not a person in this room good enough to draw near to God without Jesus. Without His atoning blood, we have no chance for entering into God’s presence without asking for judgment. And, I’ll tell you, if anyone thinks that having that blood means that you can look at yourself in some kind of boastful light, you are DEAD WRONG!

Apply

We are not in control of our flesh enough to say to God. “Look at what all I don’t do and look at what all I do!”

These things that this Pharisee saw in himself were the product of listening to the false teaching of his peers and desiring to be justified in his own goodness. It doesn’t work like that because he has sinned, is sinning, and has not found reconciliation with God. Furthermore, he is using a prayer to God to shame the tax collector.

Sinners

Description

You know the tax collectors. How many times have I mentioned their evil? Taking advantage of their own countrymen in order to become wealthy and then spending the money on earthly pleasures. Chances are that when the Pharisee was coming up with evil things that he is not, he was sure to name the evil things that a common tax collector would be guilty of.

This Tax Collector

When we look at this guy, who has probably received a number of dirty looks as he attempts to enter into the temple for worship, we see that he has desired to draw near to God as well. He is a Jew who has come to worship God, but he cannot without receiving persecution for his sins and they are deserved. Everyone would agree with that, even the tax collector. He doesn’t respond to the tax collector who has likely prayed about him out loud.

He is ashamed of all of the evil he has done and recognizes God’s word has condemned him. He is unworthy to enter into the temple and he feels the unworthiness as he stands afar off.

This guy would not even lift up his eyes, but instead beats his breast and begs for mercy. He fully recognizes what he’s done and that God knows all about it so his heart is heavy with grief, realizing that God has ordered his death in the law.

He is overwhelmed, disgraced, ashamed, embarrassed, and disheartened. This man is like the woman of who we read about in the bulletin is so heart breaking as she comes in to wash Jesus’ feet with her tears. These Pharisees have shamed these people in public and then refused to give them any semblance of hope that the God they serve is compassionate. They are the teachers of the law and they forgot about the main descriptor of their God. Hesed.

Luke 7:36-50

Do we really need to be

That woman’s sins were many and she loved very much because the news had come to her that God has forgiven her.

Us

Our Tendencies

Apply

We are not in control of our flesh enough to say to God. “Look at what all I don’t do and look at what all I do!”

I’m afraid that those of us who are here this morning could fall into either category, but if there are any of us who feel the great shame over our sin who haven’t yet turned to God and pleaded with Him for forgiveness we want you to know that their is still time. As long as your heart is remorseful and you recognize your separation from God.

Titus 3:3–7 ESV

3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Romans 5:6–9 ESV

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

Rom 5:6-9

Romans 6:17–18 ESV

17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.

Rom 7:

Romans 7:14–24 ESV

14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

Romans 8:3–8 ESV

3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 8:33–34 ESV

33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

33-34

1 John 1:8–10 ESV

8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

We must recognize that the one who sins is in need of atonement to stand justified in God’s sight on the day of judgment.

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