Justified! Luke 18:14ff

Justified Means: How are you Justified? To demonstrate or prove to be just, right, or valid: To declare free of blame; absolve. Theology. To free (a human being) of the guilt and penalty attached to grievous sin. Used only of God And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: Luke 18:9 Jesus is dismantling the “Religion-of-the-Day.” ALL Religions teach Lk.18:9 is good. Background ** Bkgrd: “Religion-Du-Jor” =Why Ppl HATE RELIGION =Src. Of HYPOCRISY ** “justified each expense”; ** =FREEDOM! ~Under-Estim! ** Theol=GARBLED!

How are you Justified? Self-Justified (Luke 18:9-12) "I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; " Luke 18:14 How are you Justified? Self-Justified (Luke 18:9-12) GOD-Justified (Luke 18:13) "The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: 'God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 'I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.‘” "But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.

“I don’t want to be like this!” How are you Justified? Self-Justified (Luke 18:9-12) GOD-Justified (Luke 18:13) "The Pharisee…” A good man Respectable Confident, self-assured WHY!? "But the tax collector…” A monster Unforgivable Bad company “I want to be like this” "for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled” God does not want you to be like this “I don’t want to be like this!” “but he who humbles himself will be exalted." God wants you to be like this!

How are you Justified? Self-Justified (Luke 18:9-12) People who trust in themselves. “I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.” #1) that they were righteous I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector #2) viewed others with contempt ** Arbit.Rightness=Cf. w/ Others LUK like a FOOL!! “SMUG, FAT KID”

Business Deal Love Relationship How are you Justified? Self-Justified (Luke 18:9-12) GOD-Justified (Luke 18:13) People who trust in themselves. “God, be merciful to me, the sinner!” Luke 18:13 "God, be merciful to me!” #1) undeserving …I am THE Sinner #2) high view of others “I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.” #1) that they were righteous I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector #2) viewed others with contempt Business Deal Love Relationship

The Business Deal How are you Justified? A “Dog-Eat-Dog World” “If I have to explain it to you, then you aren’t listening…” Is she crazy? Or RIGHT? Why bribe God? Why bribe anyone you love? Is he CRAZY? Or CLUELESS? The Business Deal A “Dog-Eat-Dog World” Merciless Contemptuous Warning: not recommended for marriages, parenting, friendships, or any healthy relationship. ** Crzy Wife=RIGHT! ?? G=Get Upset w/ Pharisees? His ego==Fragile.. offended by arrogance? ASW: It’s an EMOTIONAL ISSUE ** CLUELESS Guy=RELIG.Person

The Business Deal God’s Love How are you Justified? A “Dog-Eat-Dog World” Merciless Contemptuous Gift-Oriented (GRACE) Forgiveness Compassionate Warning: not recommended for marriages, parenting, friendships, or any healthy relationship. IS recommended for marriages, parenting, friendships, or any healthy relationship. G’s Luv=TRANSFORMS…

The Business Deal God’s Love How are you Justified? A “Dog-Eat-Dog World” Merciless Contemptuous Gift-Oriented (GRACE) Forgiveness Compassionate And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. But Jesus called for them, saying, "Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. "Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all." Luke 18:15-17 CHILDREN=Highlight the Diff. ~Hv 2 Tch Kids IMPORT. Of LUV

Adults want you to “grow UP” God wants you to “grow DOWN” How are you Justified? The ADULT WORLD A Kid’s World A “Dog-Eat-Dog World” Merciless Contemptuous Gift-Oriented (GRACE) Forgiveness Compassionate Adults want you to “grow UP” God wants you to “grow DOWN” DIFF=btwn the ADULTS & KID’S WORLD  ~Hv 2 Tch Kids about…  DO Hv 2 Tch Kids about $$$

HOW do we DEAL with this world? How are you Justified? The ADULT WORLD A Kid’s World A “Dog-Eat-Dog World” Merciless Contemptuous Gift-Oriented (GRACE) Forgiveness Compassionate Much SELFISHNESS required Much MATURITY required growing DOWN growing UP HOW do we DEAL with this world? Selfishness= “SURVIVAL MODE”  Give UP on LOVE & LIFE Maturity=Deal w/REAL WORLD  ~@ Expense of PPL,LUV  ~w/ ARROGANCE

The ADULT WORLD A Kid’s World How are you Justified? LOOSERS WINNERS A “Dog-Eat-Dog World” Merciless Contemptuous Gift-Oriented (GRACE) Forgiveness Compassionate LOOSERS WINNERS Howard Hughes Steve Jobs Stalin Jesus YOU! G Wnts MATURITY…  ~@ Cost of G’ LUV  WS=Anti-LUV

Authentic Justification Means Ask for God’s mercy And receive God’s love. Stop proving/defending yourself. Hypocrisy Game, or: “I am the sinner” Stop condemning others Learn what compassion means. Authentic Justification "I can assure you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other…” “…Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:14 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way. Psalm 139:23-24 ** Mercy=Jdg Rslvs By cf. w/ JC Recv LOVE=GRACE=GIFT ==Beyond MERCY ** Defending=MIND GAMES=Hypocrisy ~Mk. Ppl. PAY \ USELESS: They SEE! EVEN ENEMIES!!  EVN. UNJUST! G=Wants 2 BREAK UR PRIDE= SOFT HRT ** Ps.139 ** Repl. Judgm. w/Compass Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. Romans 2:1 "But go and learn what this means: 'I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,'" Matthew 9:13