by John Lowe
(Woodruff, S.C.)
Then he said, "Thank God I am not an adulterer." He started to look around him and judge his fellow man, and to think he was better than the other person. God forbid that we should do any of that! Let God be the judge. Whenever you compare yourself to other men you’ll always measure up. But compare yourself to Christ and see how you really are. You will say like Isaiah, "Woe is me." And you will cry out to God like the other man, "Have mercy on me a sinner." Then you can sing "Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see."
Galatians 6: says, "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye who are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering yourself, lest you also be tempted." The Pharisees thought there were spiritual. Look at Luke 18:12 of our text. "I fast twice a week, and I give tithes of all things I own." Does that sound familiar? I go to church every Sunday. I’m spiritual. This is just a meaningless ceremony if your heart is not right with God and you don’t worship Him and love Him with all your heart and soul, mind and strength. Many go to church because of tradition.
Illustration: During a revival, the evangelist was so excited that just about everyone there was Baptist. So he asked that all those who were Baptist would raise their hands. Everyone raised their hands except for one little old lady in the front row. The preacher asked what church she was from and she said Presbyterian. He asked her why she was Presbyterian. She said, "My grandma and grandpa, my parents and my brothers are all Presbyterian, so I’m Presbyterian." Then the preacher said, "Well, what if your Grandma, and Grandpa, and your parents, and your brothers were all crazy, what would that make you?" And she said, "Baptist." See to some it’s just a family tradition. Christianity isn’t a religion, it’s a relationship.
Now lets look at the Publican at Church. He came humbly. "God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble." He came to God penitently confessing his sin.
1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Psalm 24:3-4 says, "Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart."
We need to say like the Psalmist David in Psalm 51, "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your loving kindness; according to the multitude of your tender mercies. Blot out my transgressions, Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. Purge
Comments for Are There any Sinners in Your Church? Part 2 of 2 (series: General Sermons)
|
||
|
||
The Preaching Ezine Subscribe to my free newsletter for monthly sermons and get a free book right now. Just follow the link above and get the details! |
Ministry Leads Anybody else want more leads and prospects for your Church, Ministry, or School, as well as, a means to follow up and communicate automatically? |
YOUR PAGES: by sharing YOUR great sermons! by sharing YOUR great poems! |