A Humble Servant of God
A Sermon on Luke 18:9-14 by Pastor Allan Santos
Watch the sermon here.
Introduction
We define a humble servant of God as a person who is submissive, sensitive to God’s leading, and the one who commits to God’s will. Why do you think the Bible speaks a lot about humility? In James 4:6 it clearly states, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Luke gave us a wonderful story of when Jesus encountered a self-righteous religious leader and a humble sinner.
This parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector will convict us to check our attitude towards God and the people around us. The parable addresses those people who are confident of their own righteousness and those who are repentant and show humility and commitment to God. May we all see the importance of humbling ourselves before the Lord and submitting to His authority and lordship in our lives.
Luke 18:9-14
9 He also told this parable to some who trusted din themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’
13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Outline:
Jesus’ exhortation about self-righteousness and pride. (vv.9-10)
9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
The Spiritual Person: The Portrait of Spiritual Pride (vv.11-12)
11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’
The Sinner: The Model of True Humility (v.13)
13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
The Lord gives mercy to the humble-hearted and despises the proud (v.14)
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Application from God’s Word:
King David listened and accepted the Prophet’s Nathan declaration of his sins to the Lord. He did not deny or disregard the sins he committed against Bathsheba, Uriah, and especially to the Lord. Just like King David, may we follow and submit to God’s discipline and wake-up call in our lives.
King David’s life is the prime example in the Scriptures of how God works through weak, frail, and sinful persons, like you and me, to accomplish His purpose. May we all be willing and available as God will use our lives to encourage others and set a godly example to others. How is the Lord shaping your life today? Are you allowing Him to use your life to encourage others?
The Lord is so gracious and merciful in bestowing forgiveness for all our sins if we sincerely repent. He forgives us of our sins even though we don’t deserve it. God made us alive and gave us freedom from the bondage of sin (Ephesians 2:4-5)
