Introduction: How many of you know that “being GOOD” does not get a person to heaven? In fact, in Luke’s gospel, we read just that. Our Lord Jesus Christ tells this account of two men in a parable. Does Jesus see you as PRIDEFUL or HUMBLE?

1. A GOOD man went to the temple to Pray!

“10Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.” (Luke 18:10-12)

Granted, it is good to go to Church and pray. But often, if we are not careful, we can go to Church and fault-find others.
Or show up with a bad Attitude and leave with a worse Attitude. 

Honesty, because of our need for a GOOD SELF IMAGE, we have a tendency to brag about ourselves in a subtle way, or tell of all the good things we are doing, rather than focus on our flaws and faults. Furthermore, instead of seeing ourselves as Jesus sees us and repenting, we put on a front to be humble. 

However, this can be a major blunder when it comes to growing spiritually. The way UP is DOWN!

Humility is a trait that Jesus works in us as we become less dependent upon ourselves and more dependent upon His GRACE and MERCY toward us. Humility is the fruit of being BROKEN through adversity in this life. But eventually, remember….when we decrease, Jesus increases!

2. A BAD man was Justified!

“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.” (Luke 18:13)

By the way, there is a “superficial” humility that is going around today. Some people pray humble prayers but their actions reveal the secret PRIDE that lurks underneath the surface, i.e. trying to impress others because of our inability to fight against SIN, and thus succumb to our FLESHLY APPETITES. Feeling convicted and guilty, we pray a self renunciation type of prayer to make us feel better, the whole time unwilling to make the changes the Holy Spirit calls for.

3. A Sinless SAVIOR gives the evaluation of the two men.

“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.” (Luke 18:14)

There is a “Spirit” of the Pharisees among us today. While the dress is different, the legalism is the same. People do not tell you they are going to heaven because of their GOOD works but their PRACTICE shows it! It is not necessarily what they DO, but rather it is what they DO NOT do! By that meaning, there is NO real surrender of their hearts or will to the will of God. Others tell you what they DO NOT do (smoke, drink, etc.). But the question is do they give Jesus control of their life (time, Church, money, family, service, etc.).

How many IDOLS have we accumulated, but guard them with our life! Be honest.

Introduction: How would you describe real FAITH? Having FAITH in the God of the Bible does not always mean
He will do everything we want Him to do. Rather, it means we TRUST His judgment – His will, because He is much WISER than we are. This does not mean this is passive FAITH. Some examples in Scripture reveal a contrast and comparison of biblical FAITH.

1. “Even If”
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego!

“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” (Dan 3:17,18)

These three Hebrew boys Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, were not going to BOW or BEND down to king Nebuchadnezzar’s idols. Thank God, they did not BURN!

Did you notice that Jehovah God delivered them “FROM” the fiery Furnace? Or should it be said, “IN” the fiery Furnace!
Please notice that those boys had determined whether they were saved or not – from the fire, they were not going to violate their conscience while disobeying their God.

2. “Even If”
John the Baptist!

Jesus said there was not a greater prophet than John the Baptist.

“Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist.” (Matt 11:11)

While in prison for preaching and taking a stand against Herod, John questions the credibility of Jesus being the Messiah.

“For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife: for he had married her. 18For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.” (Mark 6:17-18)

“2Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” (Matt 11:2)

Why did John ask this question? He had witnessed that heavenly scene when he baptized Jesus in the Jordan River.
In fact, he introduced Jesus as the “Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world”! (John 1:29)

Did he second guess? Was his FAITH faltering while going through the crucible? Ultimately, John was not delivered from prison, but rather had his head severed from his body.

“And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee; 22And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. 23And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. 24And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. 25And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.” (Mark 6:21-25)

While God delivered the 3 Hebrew boys, He permitted Herod to have John’s head cut off.

“And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, 28And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother. 29And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.” (Mark 6:27-29)

Did this mean that John just did not have enough FAITH in God? NO. It meant GOD’S WILL was supreme! Over our conveniences, preferences, and expectations, our Lord has a plan for our lives. We can TRUST HIM. “EVEN IF”…..it doesn’t make sense.

Conclusion: Some people turn away from trusting and serving the Lord when things do not go their way. Others get angry and mad. Don’t forget. God had only 1 Son without sin. But He never has had a son without suffering. So instead of saying, “WHAT IF!” We should begin saying, “EVEN IF”!

1. PRESENTATION!

“1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Rom 12:1)

This is to believers after regeneration (saved).

• The word “beseech” is παρακαλέω, (par-ak-al-eh’-o), which means to call, to exhort, to encourage. It can mean to send for, summon, invite.
• The word “mercies” is οἰκτιρμός, (oyk-tir-mos’), which means pity, compassion, favor, grace, mercy.
• The word “present” is παρίστημι, (par-is’-tay-mee), which means I bring, present, prove, come up to and stand by, am present.
• The word “sacrifice” is θυσία, (thoo-see’-ah), which means sacrifice; a sacrifice, offering.
• The word “service” is λατρεία,(lat-ri’-ah), which means service rendered to God, worship.

Do you get the picture?

2. TRANSFORMATION!

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Rom 12:2)

The word “transformed” is μεταμορφόω,(met-am-or-fo’-o), which means, I transform, transfigure.

In other words, the believer, according to Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, can choose to be indoctrinated and influenced by this world or by the renewing of the MIND based in the Word of God.

The word “renewing” is ἀνακαίνωσις,(an-ak-ah’-ee-no-sis), renewing; a renewal or change of heart and life.

A steady diet of the Word of God changes one’s thinking.

Conclusion: If we can get people to come under the fountain of TRUTH, the TRANSFORMING work of the Holy Spirit will take over and begin the process of conforming people into the image of Christ.

Introduction: Does it seem like people today are getting away with cheating, lying, deceiving, and manipulating others? Where is JUSTICE? Will there be JUSTICE this side of heaven? Do you ever get angry because you are attempting to do RIGHT but things seem to go wrong – with a host of troubles and trials? And at the same time, we see those who mock God, the Bible, and are diametrically opposed to what God-fearing men and women believe, but they seem blessed.

1. The Psalmist writes about this JUSTICE!

“10O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?” (Psalm 74:10)

2. Paul writes about this JUSTICE!

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” (Gal 6:7,8)

3. Micah writes about this JUSTICE!

“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8)

4. John writes about this JUSTICE!

“9And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” (Rev 6:9, 10)

This will be a time during the tribulation when righteous believers will be martyred because of their faith in Jesus Christ…..but keep reading the book of REVELATION…..

“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years……6Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” (Rev. 20:4-6)

Introduction: Let me remind you that people are both watching what we do, and listening to what we say. Why? To see if they line up with one another. The Pharisees were notoriously known for telling people what to do but not doing it themselves.

1. Jesus pointed that out:
“Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: 3All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.” (Matt 23:1-3)

Parents and grandparents do this sometimes unknowingly. But most children when they get a certain age can see through this pretense and hypocrisy. Our prayer: Lord search our hearts.

2. James pointed out that as believers in the Word of God, we should obey the Word of God!

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (James 1:22)

Often we set a double standard, even though we have good intentions. Going to Church and Sunday School is good. But what is better than that is going home and fleshing out the truth of the Word of God by the power of the Holy Spirit, especially in our relationships with others.

3. Paul pointed out that people are reading us!

“1Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? 2Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: 3Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. 4And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 5Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.” (2Cor 3:1-5)

The old saying is true: “I can’t HEAR what you are saying because I SEE what you are doing. At times, do you wonder what people are reading?

4. Paul also pointed out the we are to follow Jesus Christ as others are watching and following!

“1Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” (2Cor 11:1)

Praise the Lord for godly leadership! Please understand that men will fail you at times. Yet, JESUS will NEVER FAIL YOU!

Introduction: Far too often, do you find yourself taking God’s BLESSINGS for granted? Probably most of us do. Therefore, at times we need to be REMINDED of the BLESSINGS of the Lord on our life, and why we are BLESSED.

1. Longevity of Life is a BLESSING from the Lord!

“10The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” (Psa 90:10)

The Psalmist reminds us that if a person lives 70 years in this life, it is because of the Lord’s GOODNESS. Perhaps, we may live 80 years. Time will tell. Whatever time left, our Lord is to be PRAISED!

2. Longevity of Life is a BLESSING from the Lord to use your God-given influence more!

“2So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psa 90:12)

If you get a birthday card in the mail from your Pastor, this verse of Scripture is likely to be used.

3. Longevity of Life is a BLESSING from the Lord to use your God-given influence more; therefore, we need to be GRATEFUL!

“14O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. 15Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.” (Psa 90: 14,15)

In good times and bad, give THANKS to Jesus!

4. Longevity of Life is a BLESSING from the Lord to use your God-given influence more; therefore, we need to be GRATEFUL and trust our Lord that our life will influence our children and families!

“16Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children. 17And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.” (Psa 90: 14,15)

Do you see God’s purpose for our life here on earth?

Conclusion: Fulfilling our Lord’s purpose in this life brings significance and security. Why not right now, make it a prayer….?

Introduction: Have you really FORGIVEN the person that has hurt you or is hurting you? Do you still harbor bad thoughts about someone? Are you kind of ANGRY? How can you MOVE ON? If you will Climb this Mountain of Forgiveness, then you will be able to MOVE ON.

1. Understand Jesus Forgave!

“4Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

If Jesus was God in the flesh, and He was, yet He forgave. How much more should we forgive?

2. Understand Jesus Forgives!

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” (Eph 1:7)

Where sin abounds, grace super Abounds! Praise the Lord!!

3. Understand Jesus gives GRACE to Forgive!

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Eph 4:32)

In ourselves, we do not have the capacity to forgive consistently. That is where the power of the Holy Spirit comes in… with God’s GRACE!

4. Understand Jesus wants you to MOVE ON!

Introduction: Have you ever heard of “Sukkot”? The word means booth or tabernacle. It is the word that describes the seventh Jewish Feast (time out) found in Leviticus 23.

“33And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 34Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD. 35On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. 36Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein.” (Lev 23:33-36)

1. What was the Feasts of Tabernacles?

“Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath. 40And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days. 41And ye shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month. 42Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths: 43That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. 44And Moses declared unto the children of Israel the feasts of the LORD.” (Lev 23:39-44)

2. How is it practiced today?

“It shall be a statute for ever in your generations:” (Lev 23:41)

3. What implications does it have in comparison with the other fall feasts in relation to Bible Prophecy?

“And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. 17And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. 18And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.” (Zech 14:16-18)

• Return of Jesus Christ (Zech 14:4)
• Remnant of Jews (Zech 14:5,6)
• Rivers of water (Zech 14:7-8)
• Reverence to the King (Zech 14:9) 
• Renewed Jerusalem (Zech 14:10)
• Rain given or withheld (Zech 14:14)
• Remembering the Feast of Tabernacles (Zech 14:19)

Conclusion: The Feasts of Tabernacles has an amazing significance in the past, present, and future. We will celebrate this Feast during the 1,000 year reign of Christ. It may be here sooner than you expect.

Introduction: “Sometimes I’m Up, Sometimes I’m Down, Sometimes I’m Low to the ground”!

Things and people can get you down. Are you down? How can you get up when you are down? Five (5) ways:

1. A – Always remember, our Lord knows what you are going through!

“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)

If His eye is on the sparrow, we know He watched us!

2. B – Believe and trust our Lord no matter what!

“15Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.” (Job 15:13)

Admittedly, this is “Easier said than done.”

3. C – Confess your dependence upon the Lord!

“…the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21)

No matter what, we can learn to depend upon our Heavenly Father.

4. D – Don’t focus on your trouble all the time!

“Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” (Job 14:1)

Rather, focus on how big is our God.

5. E – Exercise praying for those who criticize you!

“when he prayed for his friends.” (Job 42:10)

Doing things we would rather not takes great faith in the Lord. Especially when it comes to praying for those who criticize us.

    E – Expect a BREAKTHROUGH!

“10And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.” (Job 42:10)

“Joy comes in the morning!”

Introduction: Have you ever studied the doctrine of pneumatology? Do you recognize the word? It is the study of the Holy Spirit. Let’s take a look at the biblical role of this third person of the trinity. 

1. The Holy Spirit Convicts!

“And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9Of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.” (John 16:8-11)

Oh, how we need the Holy Spirit today!

2. The Holy Spirit Comforts!

“7Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” (John 16:7)

When nothing else or nobody else can help, the Holy Spirit can Comfort!

3. The Holy Spirit Baptizes!

“12For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” (1Cor 12:12,13)

The word baptized is in the aorist tense in the Greek; therefore, it represents a past event (the moment one is saved), not a futuristic “sensational” speaking in tongues experience after a person is converted. Charismatic teaching claims this term “baptism of the Holy Spirit” is a second blessing after a person is saved. However, a careful grammatical analysis debunks this teaching. Rather, the New Testament reveals the terms “Be filled with the Spirit.” This is not the same as “baptism of the Spirit.” This is ongoing as one submits to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

4. The Holy Spirit Guides!

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” (John 14:16,17)

Will you pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit?

5. The Holy Spirit Leads!

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Rom 8:14)

My prayer is for more sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s leading. Do you agree?

6. The Holy Spirit Fills!

“8And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” (Eph 5:18)

Empty me of Self….fill me Holy Spirit!

7. The Holy Spirit Seals!

“3In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” (Eph 1:13-14)

That is security!

8. The Holy Spirit Inspires!

“16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2Tim 3:16,17)

9. The Holy Spirit Illumines!

“13Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1Cor 2:13,14)

10. The Holy Spirit can be grieved or quenched!

“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” (Eph 4:30)

“19Quench not the Spirit.” (1Thess 5:19)

The Holy Spirit is our FRIEND!

11. The Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus!

“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.” (John 15:26)

This is important! Jesus wanted us to know this.

 12. The Holy Spirit Glorifies Jesus!

“13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” (John 16:13,14)

Keep in mind, ultimately Jesus gets the GLORY!

Conclusion: Since the Bible reveals all of these wonderful truths concerning the Holy Spirit, it seems obvious that we should cooperate with the Holy Spirit.