Pharisees Exalt Themselves Over Others
The Pharisees' problem of exalting themselves over others makes them unable to be justified by God, and we must avoid this same problem by being humble and sensitive to others.
Zac Poonen preaches on the parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee, emphasizing that the tax collector was justified by God because of his humility, unlike the Pharisee who exalted himself. Poonen highlights the danger of exalting ourselves over others, whether through talents, relationships, or testimonies, as it goes against God's principle of humility. He urges believers to be sensitive to how their actions and words may affect others, reminding them that God only justifies the humble.
Text
"This tax-collector went to his house justified rather than the Pharisee - for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled" (Luke 18:14).
Pharisees cannot be justified by God because they exalt themselves. God humbles all those who exalt themselves over others.
There are many subtle ways in which we can exalt ourselves over others. We can behave in ways that make others feel small and inferior to us. Gifted people and musicians are in great danger here. You must not play a musical instrument in a church meeting in a way that makes people admire you. You are there to help people to worship God and not to get them to worship you!!
Sometimes married couples speak about the joys of married life in the presence of single sisters who are older and not married. They are exalting their marriage relationship when they speak like that, without any consideration for the feelings of those single sisters. We must not hurt others by such testimonies. Pharisees are totally inconsiderate about the feelings of others. That is why they cannot be declared righteous (justified) by God, because God justifies only the humble.
There are many other ways in which we can exalt ourselves over others. We must ask the Holy Spirit to make us sensitive in this area.
Sermon Outline
- The Pharisees' Problem
- Subtle ways of exalting ourselves
- The importance of humility
- God justifies only the humble
- The Holy Spirit's role in sensitivity
- Married couples must consider others' feelings
Key Quotes
“You are there to help people to worship God and not to get them to worship you!!” — Zac Poonen
“God justifies only the humble.” — Zac Poonen
“Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled” — Zac Poonen
Application Points
- We must be careful not to behave in ways that make others feel small or inferior to us.
- Married couples must consider the feelings of others when sharing about their relationships.
- We must ask the Holy Spirit to make us sensitive to the feelings of others and to help us avoid exalting ourselves over others.