How Grateful Are You?

How Grateful Are You?

Luke 7:36-48

November 21, 2004

Luke 7:36-48 (NLT)

One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to come to his home for a meal, so Jesus accepted the invitation and sat down to eat. [37] A certain immoral woman heard he was there and brought a beautiful jar filled with expensive perfume. [38] Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them.

[39] When the Pharisee who was the host saw what was happening and who the woman was, he said to himself, "This proves that Jesus is no prophet. If God had really sent him, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!"

Then Jesus spoke up and answered his thoughts. "Simon," he said to the Pharisee, "I have something to say to you."

"All right, Teacher," Simon replied, "go ahead."

[41] Then Jesus told him this story: "A man loaned money to two people—five hundred pieces of silver to one and fifty pieces to the other. [42] But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?"

[43] Simon answered, "I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt."

"That’s right," Jesus said.

[44] Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. [45] You didn’t give me a kiss of greeting, but she has kissed my feet again and again from the time I first came in. [46] You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. [47] I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love." [48] Then Jesus said to the woman, "Your sins are forgiven."

We All Have A Reputation

 Actions speak louder than words

– How are you known?

• Gossip

• Liar

• Tramp

 We share a common problem

– We all have a sin problem

• Romans 3:10-12

• Romans 3:23

Romans 3:10-12 (NLT)

As the Scriptures say,

"No one is good—

not even one.

[11] No one has real understanding;

no one is seeking God.

[12] All have turned away from God;

all have gone wrong.

No one does good,

not even one."

Romans 3:23 (NLT)

For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

Overwhelming Gratitude

 A true accounting of your debt

– Requires an honest evaluation

– Colossians 1:21

– Romans 7:9

Colossians 1:21 (NLT)

This includes you who were once so far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and action...

Romans 7:9 (NLT)

I felt fine when I did not understand what the law demanded. But when I learned the truth, I realized I had broken the law and was a sinner, doomed to die.

Overwhelming Gratitude

 A true accounting of your debt

– Requires an honest evaluation

– Colossians 1:21

– Romans 7:9

 Comes from a heart of brokenness

– Are you broken over your sin?

– Psalm 51:17

Psalm 51:17 (NLT)

The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. A broken and repentant heart, O God, you will not despise.

The Danger of Piety

 It’s easy to look at someone else’s sin as worse than yours

 The ground is level at the foot of cross

– Sin is sin

– James 2:10

James 2:10 (NLT)

And the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as the person who has broken all of God’s laws.

The Danger of Piety

 It’s easy to look at someone else’s sin as worse than yours

 The ground is level at the foot of cross

– Sin is sin

– James 2:10

 It becomes easy to take forgiveness for granted

Humility

 Our humility should reflect the depth and completeness of God’s forgiveness

– Undeserved

– Unearned

– Ephesians 2:8-9

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT)

God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. [9] Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Your Greatest Need

 God’s complete forgiveness

– Luke 24:47

– Acts 13:38

Luke 24:47 (NLT)

With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ’There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.’

Acts 13:38 (NLT)

"Brothers, listen! In this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins...

**Powerpoint available on request