Monday, February 26, 2007
"Also [Jesus] spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 'Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, "God, I thank You that I am not like other men--extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I possess." And the tax collector, standing afar oft would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me a sinner!" I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted' " (Luke 18:9-14).
IDEA: While prayer grows out of a sense of need, our sense of need may keep us from praying.
PURPOSE: To help listeners realize that when they have deep needs, that should drive them to God.
Have you ever found times in your life when you found it difficult to pray? If so, can you put your finger on what was going on in your life?
It’s possible that our deep sense of personal need could keep us away from God.
I. Our deep sense of need should drive us to God.
Look at the story Jesus told about the way two men prayed.
The tax collector had a profound sense of need.
He kept beating on his breast. That was characteristic of a woman who was in deep grief. It demonstrates agony of soul.
He says, “Be merciful to me, the sinner!” It’s as though he sees himself as the only sinner in the world.
Can you identify with how he might have felt?
II. If you can identify with how the tax collector felt about himself and about his sin, does that sense of shame necessarily drive you to God?
It could have kept the tax collector away from God.
He could have said, "I’m not welcome at the temple" because tax collectors were not allowed to enter the sacred place.
He could have said, “I’m not worthy to pray.” And as he compared himself to the Pharisee, that would have been enforced.
It is possible to see the church or the temple as a place that welcomes only righteous people.
God welcomes needy people, but needy people, because of their need, often don’t feel welcome.