Missing the Grace of God Luke 18:9-14

3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-5 NIV 10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 ESV

The Fear of man will prove to be a snare - but those who trust in the Lord are kept safe. Proverbs 29:25 Today’s text can help you avoid three pitfalls that keep you from truly enjoying and living in the reality of God’s approval.

Missing the Grace of God Luke 18:9-14

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. Luke 18:9–10

1st The content of his prayers. 2nd The subject of his prayers. 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. Luke 18:11 1st The content of his prayers. 2nd The subject of his prayers. 3rd The posture in his prayers.

Adoration / Confession / Thanksgiving Supplication 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 Adoration / Confession / Thanksgiving Supplication When we stand by ourselves – we position ourselves in a precarious situation.

A pitfall we want to avoid is the absence of community in order that we may enjoy God’s approval afforded in the gospel.

God’s total satisfaction with me is because of Christ’s perfect substitution on behalf of me.

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. Luke 18:10–12

27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27 5 Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. 6 Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and prove you a liar. Proverbs 30:5-6

Pitfall 1: The absence of community. Pitfall 2: The addition of religion.

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 18:13–14

“The root sin of just about every other sin that you’ve got to battle on the thought level is pride. “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1 Pet. 5:5). Selfishness, anger, jealousy, greed, lust, and many other sins stem from exalting self above God and others (contrary to the two Great Commandments).” -Unknown “Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God’s holiness and our sinfulness”. -C.J. Mahaney

Beware of the Pitfalls The absence of community. The addition of religion. The avoidance of humility.

13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

For Further Study: “When people are big and God is small” By Edward T. Welch “What do you think of me and Why do I care?” “Humility: True Greatness” By C.J. Mahaney “The Deadliest Monster” By James Baldwin