Sermon notes from Sunday 2 February 2020 pm
Luke 18 verse 9 - 14
A sinner`s prayer - "God be merciful to me a sinner."
This is a man who is doing business with God. He has come to the end of himself, can see no hope in himself. Like the thief on the cross dying beside Jesus. Both those thieves railed on the Saviour, ridiculed him and called him all sorts of names. Somehow as that day drew to a close, for one of the thieves as his breath grew shallow he realised the one on the middle cross was one dying not for something he had done but for this thief`s own sin. He cried out "Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." We come tonight and ask "have you ever prayed the sinners prayer?" We are not talking about the simple prayer "Lord come into my heart" but rather one that touches the heart of God. This man in verse 14 went down to his own house justified rather than the other. He was in a proper relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus gave this parable to teach those who were trusting in themselves, they were righteous and despised others (verse 9). This man was saying "I don`t need a Saviour, I am not as bad as other people." Many people feel the same way today. They say others need to be saved, that they have never done anything wrong, I don`t need this salvation. Jesus speaks this parable to you and I in our relationship with God.
See first the sinners company. They went up into the temple to pray. 2 men went to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee, a man who would teach in the synagogue, gave his money to the poor, did so many good things. The other was a publican. He took taxes off the Jewish people. These 2 men went into the temple to pray. One was in a desperate situation. Remember Zacchaeus - it cost him. He said "the half of my goods I give to the poor and if I have taken anything by false accusation I give it back fourfold." Jesus said "if any man come after me he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." We are not told here the exact time of prayer. 2 Chronicles 6 verse 40 "now my God let I beseech thee, let thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place." This is the place where God meets with sinful man. It ishere that God has sent his only begotten son to die in our place for our sins, that our broken relationship with him might be mended, that we might be reconciled unto him. God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself. The publican walked behind the Pharisee. He had his eyes on him. We need to be careful who we have our eyes on today. Remember the man who had a son with a dumb spirit. He brought him to the disciples but they could do nothing for him. He had to watch this son 24 hours a day because the spirit would take him out and cast him into the water or into the fire. He heard of Jesus, how great things were happening through him. One day he took his son to Jesus. The disciples could do nothing for him however. How disappointed he must have been. If only he could get help. He was let down. Sometimes we are let down, disappointed by people around us. We need to lift our eyes higher, to Jesus Christ. That man found when he got to the Lord his son was delivered from that evil spirit. Maybe your eyes are on others who have a false profession. Get your eyes off them and onto Jesus. Mark 1 verse 23 a man with a unclean spirit cried out as Jesus lifted the bible to preach. This man began to disrupt the meeting. Jesus told the demon to come out and it did.
We see the sinners conviction. As he comes into the house of God he hears no doubt the prayer of the old Pharisee. I am sure he was praying at the top of his voice. He wanted everyone to hear him. Verse 11 "I am not like other men ... even as this publican." He lifted up his voice. The publican is listening, maybe he feels inferior. Maybe saying in his heart "who am I to stand in the company of this man." So caught up with the place of God, the presence of God and the power of God that he couldn`t even lift his eyes heavenward. He came under great conviction. Somehow he feels so bad in himself. He smote his breast and said "God be merciful to me a sinner." Verse 13. What is conviction? Acts 2 people standing listening to Peter, as he comes to the cross to the close of his message they were "pricked in their hearts." That word means their hearts were turned asunder. The Holy Spirit brings that same conviction in to the heart of the sinner. Somehow he feels the power of God, feels so guilty standing before God. The Pharisee stood as close to the altar as he could get. The publican stands afar off, he wants to do business with God. His heart is weighty and burdened. No-one could see it, see the condition he is in. Remember the centurion who came to the Lord on one occasion. He had a servant at home sick. He pleaded with God. He is at the point of death. The Lord said he would come and heal him. The centurion said no I am not worthy for you to come under my roof. He did not feel adequate in the presence of Christ. When we come under conviction of sin there is only one thing we want to do - get right with God. Remember Peter on one occasion. He cried out "depart from me for I am a sinful man." We need that conviction tonight. Not an unhappy feeling, that somehow you can take God`s salvation or leave it. When you realise you are a sinner, bound for a Christless hell for all eternity, that if God doesn`t move in your heart you will be lost for all eternity.
Notice the sinners confession. Conviction was felt in the heart, coming to the realisation of what I am before God. Now there is a public confession. He cries out to God of heaven. He has gone through the conviction that God has spoken to him, touched his heart. The confession is now "I am a sinner." That he had been born in sin, shapen in iniquity. The only thing I need today is his mercy and grace before this Pharisee and others. He owns up to his guilt and shame. "If we say we have no sin we make God a liar." (1 John 1 verse 8) This man admits he is a sinner. "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the least." Paul could say (1 Timothy 1 verse 15) When we make our way to Calvary and confess our sin and need of him he saves us. Here`s a man who asks "be merciful to me a sinner." He realises he is a sinner by nature and practice. He acknowledges it. Psalm 51 verse 3 "I acknowledge my transgressions and my sin is ever before me. Against thee and thee only have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight." Remember Achan who tried to hid the treasure he stole from the enemy. The hiding of his sin brought destruction and disaster on him and his family. The judgment fell not only on him but his entire family.
The sinners conviction. "I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather than the other for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." The word justified means in a right relationship with God. We don`t hear of the Pharisee having that same conviction. There is a serious question for you tonight when you come under conviction, when you make that confession - do we really get through to God and are converted? If we say we have no sin. You say "I have no problem with that." We deceive ourselves. You say "I have not deceived myself, I know heaven`s door is closed to me." This man had come to this place of conviction. Will you trust Christ tonight? Will you take him as Saviour and Lord tonight? Romans says "We all have sinned." The publican was not willing to make God a liar, he was willing to take Christ as Saviour. He confessed his sin and is now convicted of his sin. "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins."
The sinners confidence. God tells him he is saved. The business is between you and God. Will you come to Calvary and to the one who died for you? He wants to open up the door of heaven and allows you to enter in. It is his spirit witnessing with your spirit that you are a child of God - only he can give that assurance.
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