Missing the Gorilla
Part 2 of the "Content Life" message series
9 Now He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed 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 stood and began praying this in regard to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, crooked, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to raise his eyes toward heaven, but was beating his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other one; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” – Luke 18:9-14 (NASB)
The BIG Idea:
We should delight and give thanks to the Lord when people repent and are transformed by Christ Jesus. Don’t wish for disaster to come to those outside of the Kingdom of God; instead, looks for ways to reach out to them with the love of God.
When we use religion to exalt ourselves, God will not see our actions as righteous.
Then the Lord said, “Because this people approaches Me with their words and honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me, and their reverence for Me consists of the commandment of men that is taught. – Isaiah 29:13 (NASB)
Our worldly positions and possessions can easily keep our minds away from what is important.
Illustration: The “Invisible Gorilla” test by Live Science video clip
If we have our eyes on ourselves and what we are able to achieve, we will never see the greatness of God.
Illustration: Jonah’s story found in the Old Testament Book of Jonah.
We cannot allow anything as an excuse to drive people away from the Truth of Christ.
True gratitude and contentment focus on the Lord Jesus, reflects His goodness, and guides people to Him.
Pride is challenging. Spiritual pride can be even MORE challenging.
“Spiritual Pride” is when we say . . .
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling. – Proverbs 16:18 (NASB)
Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Be assured, he will not go unpunished. – Proverbs 16:5 (NASB)
You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God is opposed to the proud, but He gives grace to the humble. – I Peter 5:5 (NASB)
The more pride we have, the further we fall from God.
The closer we are to God, the humbler and more broken we become.
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted. – Luke 14:11 (NASB)
Questions for Reflection:
Name some things in which people may take pride in during these modern times?
Have you ever been so focused on yourself that you missed what God was doing all around you?
What are some things that take our attention away from God?
Are you able to spot pride in yourself? What type of pride affects you the most?
Have you ever thought you were being thankful when you were really being prideful?
Why do you think pride may be a hidden sin? Is this a sin we are okay with in the Church?
How and in what areas is God humbling you so that you’ll depend more on Jesus instead of yourself?
Why is it important to remember that only Christ-like humility can push out pride?
How can we let our gratitude and contentment draw people to the Lord?
The BIG Idea:
We should delight and give thanks to the Lord when people repent and are transformed by Christ Jesus. Don’t wish for disaster to come to those outside of the Kingdom of God; instead, looks for ways to reach out to them with the love of God.
When we use religion to exalt ourselves, God will not see our actions as righteous.
Then the Lord said, “Because this people approaches Me with their words and honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me, and their reverence for Me consists of the commandment of men that is taught. – Isaiah 29:13 (NASB)
Our worldly positions and possessions can easily keep our minds away from what is important.
Illustration: The “Invisible Gorilla” test by Live Science video clip
If we have our eyes on ourselves and what we are able to achieve, we will never see the greatness of God.
Illustration: Jonah’s story found in the Old Testament Book of Jonah.
We cannot allow anything as an excuse to drive people away from the Truth of Christ.
True gratitude and contentment focus on the Lord Jesus, reflects His goodness, and guides people to Him.
Pride is challenging. Spiritual pride can be even MORE challenging.
“Spiritual Pride” is when we say . . .
- “I’m better than you.”
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling. – Proverbs 16:18 (NASB)
- “I can handle it myself.”
Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Be assured, he will not go unpunished. – Proverbs 16:5 (NASB)
- “It doesn’t apply to me.”
You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God is opposed to the proud, but He gives grace to the humble. – I Peter 5:5 (NASB)
The more pride we have, the further we fall from God.
The closer we are to God, the humbler and more broken we become.
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted. – Luke 14:11 (NASB)
- When we are full of ourselves, there is no room for God.
- When we empty ourselves, we are in the perfect position for God to work in and through us.
- Pride is about my glory. Humility is about God’s glory!
Questions for Reflection:
Name some things in which people may take pride in during these modern times?
Have you ever been so focused on yourself that you missed what God was doing all around you?
What are some things that take our attention away from God?
Are you able to spot pride in yourself? What type of pride affects you the most?
Have you ever thought you were being thankful when you were really being prideful?
Why do you think pride may be a hidden sin? Is this a sin we are okay with in the Church?
How and in what areas is God humbling you so that you’ll depend more on Jesus instead of yourself?
Why is it important to remember that only Christ-like humility can push out pride?
How can we let our gratitude and contentment draw people to the Lord?