Introduction

Good morning, brothers and sisters! Today, we are diving into Luke 18:9-14, a passage that sheds light on some serious heart matters – humility before God, the danger of pride, and the mercy and grace of our heavenly Father. As the renowned Christian author, Andrew Murray, once said, "Pride must die in you, or nothing of heaven can live in you." That's a sobering thought, isn't it?

Opening Scripture Reading – Let me read to you from Luke 18:9-14: "To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 'Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.'"

Humility before God

Humility before God is the posture of our hearts that recognizes our place before an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving God. It is the acknowledgement that we are not the center of the universe, but rather, we are part of a grand design orchestrated by the Creator of all things. This is a profound and necessary understanding that we must grasp, not just intellectually, but also experientially.

A. In the parable, the Pharisee stands in the temple, confident in his own righteousness. He prays to God, but his prayer is more of a self-congratulatory monologue than a humble dialogue with the Almighty. He thanks God that he is not like other people, those he deems as sinners, and he lists his religious deeds as if they were a badge of honor. The Pharisee's prayer reveals a heart that is full of pride and self-righteousness. He sees himself as superior, not just to the tax collector, but to everyone else.

B. On the other hand, the tax collector stands at a distance, unable to even lift his eyes to heaven. He is acutely aware of his sinfulness and unworthiness before God. His prayer is simple and sincere, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner." This is a prayer of a humble heart, a heart that recognizes its need for God's mercy and grace. The tax collector does not boast of his deeds or compare himself with others. Instead, he acknowledges his sin and pleads for God's mercy.

The contrast between the Pharisee and the tax collector is stark and revealing. It shows us that humility before God is not about religious rituals or moral superiority. It is about recognizing our sinfulness and our need for God's mercy. It is about acknowledging that we are not saved by our deeds, but by God's grace alone.

C. Humility before God also means that we do not judge others. The Pharisee looked down on the tax collector, but in God's eyes, it was the tax collector who was justified. When we are humble before God, we recognize that we are all sinners in need of God's mercy. We do not elevate ourselves above others, but we see everyone as equal in God's sight.

D. Humility before God is a daily attitude. It is a constant reminder that we are not God, but we are utterly dependent on Him. It is a posture of surrender, where we submit our will to His will. It is a state of heart where we let go of our pride and self-sufficiency, and embrace our need for God's grace and mercy.

E. Humility before God is not easy. It goes against our human nature, which seeks to exalt itself and assert its independence. But it is the pathway to true freedom and joy. For when we humble ourselves before God, we find our true worth not in our achievements or possessions, but in our identity as beloved children of God.

The Danger of Pride

Pride is often depicted as a destructive force, a barrier that separates us from God ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO