Henderson Hills Baptist Church

This week we have looked at the idolatry that can be created when we worship with the wrong motives. We looked at an Old Testament example through the prophet Jeremiah and a New Testament church that was doing a lot of things well but the Lord had one thing against. If you didn’t get a chance to read those blogs, go back and review them as time permits. Today let’s once again turn to the New Testament and read a narrative that Jesus told in Luke 18:10-14.

Luke 18:10-14(NASB95)
“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. “The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. ‘I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ “But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ “I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Who were the Pharisees? STRONG’S LEXICON SAYS, A sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to OT books the Pharisees recognized in oral tradition a standard of belief and life. They sought for distinction and praise by outward observance of external rites and by outward forms of piety, and such as ceremonial washings, fastings, prayers, and alms giving; and, comparatively negligent of genuine piety, they prided themselves on their fancied good works. They held strenuously to a belief in the existence of good and evil angels, and to the expectation of a Messiah; and they cherished the hope that the dead, after a preliminary experience either of reward or of penalty in Hades, would be recalled to life by him, and be requited each according to his individual deeds. In opposition to the usurped dominion of the Herods and the rule of the Romans, they stoutly upheld the theocracy and their country’s cause, and possessed great influence with the common people. According to Josephus they numbered more than 6000. They were bitter enemies of Jesus and his cause; and were in turn severely rebuked by him for their avarice, ambition, hollow reliance on outward works, and affection of piety in order to gain popularity.

Jesus shared this story in Luke 18 with some specific people:
“9He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt”: You see even in Jesus’ day when religion and rules were the focus of the people their worship became confused. They believed they were righteous which then led to their belief that if others didn’t think like they did, they were not righteous and thus not worthy of their attention. Do we ever do this today? I am afraid we do. For some if we believe with our whole hearts that clapping in church is a command and a necessity to worship, we will look at those who don’t clap with disdain. If we deify one particular ministry in the church we will look with disgust at those who don’t give it any attention. If we worship the method of praise on Sunday morning rather than the Creator of praise, we will miss the worship all together. So, what is the answer to religious idols? Look back at verse 13 of Luke 18. What was the heart of the tax collector? He was humble. He couldn’t even lift his eyes; he felt he was unworthy to be in the presence of God. Instead of elevating himself, he was elevating God. Instead of pride there was humble acknowledgement of his sin and his need for a Savior. When you come to “worship” this coming weekend, what will be your attitude? Will you dress so others take notice of you? Will you sit where others can see you and make sure that you do things to draw attention to yourself? Will you get your feelings hurt if others don’t immediately reach out and notice you? Instead, tear down the idol of self and religion instead of relationship with Christ. Acknowledge before you ever arrive at church that you are coming to worship and praise God Almighty. Confess your sin to God. Come with clean hands and pure heart. Come expecting to see and hear Him. Respond to His voice as if He Himself were present. He is and will be. Don’t miss the Almighty with distractions of self. Don’t be thinking of what is wrong with the service; instead be thankful for the opportunity to worship and praise God corporately. Pray for those in leadership; don’t criticize what they are doing incorrectly in your opinion. Practice living as the tax collector not the Pharisee. Your life and those around you will be blessed.

With Joy,

Dennis