Pharisee / Tax Collector (2005 @ TBC)

In this part of the sermon: Jesus spoke this parable to those who 'trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and set all others at naught,' revealing their delusive self-trust and demeaning disposition…

The analogy of a builder picking out and rejecting stones for a cornerstone, used to explain how Herod and his soldiers 'set Jesus at naught' and how the Pharisees 'set all others at naught,' treating them contemptuously.

the very word, used in Luke 23, 11, where Herod and his soldiers set Jesus at naught and mocked him. They treated him contemptuously. They treated him like the scum of the earth. It's the very word used in Acts 4, 11, the stone which the builders rejected. Here's the picture of a builder picking out stones and

8:42 - 9:08 Read in full sermon

The point: Sit under preaching that has arrows that go to your own heart, allowing truth to confront your conscience.

The story of Nathan confronting David with a parable is used as a precedent for Jesus' pointed, applicatory preaching aimed directly at the consciences of his hearers.

acceptance with God. He discerns that among his hearers are those who are utterly deluded about how one finds acceptance with God. And he goes after them directly. Just as Nathan told his parable to David. And there was no congregation

10:41 - 10:53 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin details the Pharisee's portrait, examining his prominent position in the temple, his self-congratulatory prayer (declaring what he was not and what he did), his true…

A lengthy quotation from a self-help support group's mantra ('I am a ten... Nothing is wrong with me...') is used to illustrate the Pharisee's ludicrous self-exaltation and self-delusion before God.

His prayer is one in which he sets before God what he is in himself as the ground of his acceptance and if there are any deficiencies in what he is in himself he offers what he does to make up the balance and the difference. I came across this statement that some people in a self help support group seeking to deal with the problems of gluttony and obesity. I came across this statement that some people in a self help support group seeking to deal with the problems of gluttony and obesity. I came across this statement that some people in a self help support group seeking to deal with the problem...

20:41 - 21:12 Read in full sermon

The point: When you see others in gross sin, go into your bedroom and thank God for His restraining grace and for changing you, acknowledging you would be worse without Him.

Martin uses the example of 'pot-smoking, foul-mouthed, cursing kids on the block' to challenge young people in the audience who might be self-righteous, urging them to recognize their own sinful nature despite outward differences.

And you know it. So when you see. That kid on the block. That's known for the foul mouth.

45:04 - 45:10 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The third lesson highlights their differing conceptions of God: the Pharisee's God was impressed by trivialities, while the publican's God was holy, just, and only impressed by…

A hymn is quoted at length to beautifully capture the essence of the publican's cry for mercy, emphasizing his utter dependence on God alone for salvation.

And in him alone. There is salvation. One hymn writer has captured the essence of his cry.

53:26 - 53:34 Read in full sermon

The point: Identify which side of the frame you fit: the self-deluded Pharisee or the self-deprecating publican.

The metaphor of changing the parable's portraits into mirrors is used to challenge listeners to self-examine and identify whether their own face fits the Pharisee or the publican.

Now suppose. By some kind of alchemy. I could change the portrait. Into mirrors.

56:30 - 56:37 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin concludes by bringing the sermon full circle to the initial question of finding acceptance with God, challenging listeners to identify whether they are like the…

A concluding paragraph from a commentary on Luke is quoted to summarize the core lesson of the parable: the contrast between the Pharisee's self-righteousness and the tax collector's justified humility.

In one of the popular commentaries. On Luke that I found so precise. Listen to these words. The tax collector went home.

58:04 - 58:14 Read in full sermon