Be Merciful to Me
The Power of Prayer • Sermon • Submitted
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· 9 viewsMany people when they are asked to pray publicly feel shy to do so. Why are we so afraid to pray out loud? What is God really looking for in a prayer life? We will see that it is fully within reach of the most baby Christian.
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Two Men
Two Men
two extremes
Tax Collector
Tax Collector
popular opinion
most wicked
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
Bottom of Barrel
scum of the earth.
Self-respecting person
not be see
near them.
Jesus opinion different:
Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.
Jesus believed
in repentant sinners.
Pharisee
Pharisee
Popular opinion:
Very Pious
Extremely Righteous
Little Extreme
Little Legalistic
But very Holy
Well Respected
Held in High Regard
Self-righteous Prayer
Self-righteous Prayer
Standing By Himself
Standing By Himself
Why?
too holy
for all others!
Not Like Other Men
Not Like Other Men
Other Men
extortioners
unjust
adulterer
Tax Collector
How does he judge
his own righteousness?
Comparison
other people.
Where is his mind?
On people
NOT God
They are wicked
So he is righteous
The Accuser
The Accuser
Last Sermon
Satan
Pharisee
Same work...
Whose side?
with God?
with Satan?
Cannot reach God.
My Good Deeds
My Good Deeds
List of things I DO
fast 2 week
return tithes
etc...
My Works Don’t Save
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.
Focused on his works
can’t save
Place of Works?
Place of Works?
Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?
Faith
utter dependence
Christ for salvation
Works
Actions resulting
love with Christ
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
Works always accompany
truth faith.
Through what power?
Next verse:
for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
“God works in you”
Christ’s life
in ours.
Righteousness of the Pharisees
Righteousness of the Pharisees
“Very Pious”
not God’s works...
For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Source of Righteousness?
They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,
All for show.
Not genuine.
Humble Prayer
Humble Prayer
Stands Far Off
Stands Far Off
Why?
Unworthy
Ashamed
Guilt
Prayer Intense
don’t want others
to see him pray
desperate prayer
Eyes Down
Eyes Down
Unworthy?
How to approach God.
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Our High Priest
He long to forgive
He understands
Fell On His Face
Fell On His Face
Bible stories
Abraham 2x
Moses 2x
Balaam
Joshua 2x
Daniel
Jesus
How to approach God?
How to approach God?
With humility
Claiming Promises
Beats Chest
Beats Chest
Deep Emotion
Moved with anguish
He understand
hurt of sin
The Signs of the Times May 27, 1903: Man’s Responsibility
In the light shining from Calvary you will see the sinfulness of sin, and you will see also God’s willingness and power to save from sin.
Sin is a big deal
but...
Christ longs to save.
Beg his merits.
Who Was Justified?
Who Was Justified?
Penitent
Humble
Cain and Able
Cain and Able
Cain
Cain
No repentance
No penitence
No humility
No recognition of condition
Proud of works
(Vegetables)
Able
Able
Humble
repentant
In need
Claim: Blood of Lamb
No righteous works
Who Justified?
Who Justified?
and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.
Respect?
Fire
Visible?
Why Cain angry?
Because not accepted
Because Able accepted
instead of repenting
kill the righteous!!!
Modern Psychology
Modern Psychology
Values and Morals
Where to get them from.
NOT THE BIBLE...
To make the inventory, simply ask yourself what you want from life. Explore your wants and desires in depth.
List out what you value, what you want from life and how you want to live.
Social Morals
Social Morals
Humanist psychologists propose that people have an innate sense of values and personal preferences that tends to get buried under layers of social demands and expectations (social morals). Part of the human journey involves the gradual rediscovery of these innate and highly personal desires, which get unconsciously hidden away when they are seen to conflict with society's demands.
You may have a desire to do artwork, but you become a banker instead simply because this pleases your perfectionist and worried parents. You may have homosexual inclinations, but get married (to an opposite sex spouse) and have children, simply because to do otherwise in your family and community would be unheard of and shameful.
Don’t let society decide
(True)
Let your heart!
Follow Your Heart!
If you feel gay, be gay.
If you feel you are a woman trapped in a mans body be woman.
Complete Garbage!!!
Morals
come from God
can’t make them
Works
(power to live morals)
come from God
can’t do them alone.
Sense of Need
Sense of Need
The sense of need, the recognition of our poverty and sin, is the very first condition of acceptance with God. — COL 152
Sense of need:
forgiveness
power
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Those who recognize need.
Appeal
Appeal
Recognize Your Need
Come to God Broken
Come through His Promises
Leave Justified