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Scripture Reading:  Luke 7:36-43

Be Merciful as your Father is Merciful

(Luke 6:36)

Intro.

1.  Jno. 8:3-11 – Jesus turned the light of truth on the scribes & Pharisees & exposed their own sinfulness; See His mercy & warning of truth.

2.  When someone sins we are tempted to grab a rock & start throwing; We are tempted to see others as worse sinners than ourselves (cf.  Matt. 23:29-30).  But, we will not escape the damnation of hell unless we also repent (Matt. 23:31-33; Lk. 13:1-5).  -Rocks in the vestibule-

3.  Lk. 7:36-50:  Simon the Pharisee and the sinner woman – Which one more nearly depicts our view of ourselves, of others & of Jesus?

I.  A PICTURE OF GODLY SORROW – Lk. 7:36-38 (2 Cor. 7:10).

  A.  Godly Sorrow does not occur…

    1.  Just because the sinner “got caught” – cf. Ezra 9:6; 10:1 (Neh. 8:9).

    2.  In order to be seen & praised by others (Matt. 6:16-18).

       -cf. Being baptized because a friend does & you want attention, too.

    3.  As a prideful display of humility – cf. Matt. 23:5-8, 12.

       -Matt. 6:5-6 – To put one’s humility on display implies just the opposite (pride) – cf. Lk. 18:9-10, 14.

  B.  Godly Sorrow Comes from Conviction of One’s Own Sin (Psa. 38:3-5).

    1.  Not because others called her a “sinner” (7:37), but because she knew she was a sinner – cf. Lk. 5:8; 18:13.

    2.  Gospel convicts sinners – Jno. 16:8; Acts 2:37.

    3.  Such conviction leads to repentance of sins – 2 Cor. 7:9, 10.

    4.  Acknowledgement of sin…total contrition & humility – 7:38.

      a.  She placed her glory at His feet (1 Cor. 11:15).

      b.  So must we I order to be forgiven of our sins.

II.  A PICTURE OF SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS – Lk. 7:39; cf. Isa. 65:5.

“He judged that if Jesus had been a prophet he would have both known and repelled this woman… Thus reasoning, Simon concluded that Jesus had neither the knowledge nor the holiness which are essential to a prophet. His narrow mind did not grasp the truth that it was as wonderful condescension for Christ to sit at his board as it was to permit this sinner to touch him.” –McGarvey, TFG, 292-293)

  A.  It is Void of Compassion & Mercy (pity over distress of others).

    1.  Unlike Jesus – Matt. 9:36.

    2.  Heart that is “shut up” toward others, 1 Jno. 3:17; Col. 3:12-13.

  B.  It is Characterized by Condescending Superiority that Does Not See things as they Really are:

    1.  Doesn’t view itself as a sinner (7:41-42, 47; Lk. 18:9-12).

    2.  Doesn’t believe in Jesus for who He is (7:39, 40).

    3.  It “throws rocks” at other sinners while dismissing judgment.

    4.  It will not receive mercy because it is not merciful (Lk. 6:36-38).

III.  OUR NEED FOR MERCY COMPELS US TO BE MERCIFUL, Lk. 7:40-47.

  A.  Know our Sin – Lk. 7:40-42a.

    -We have been freed from a debt we can never repay {Matt. 18:24-27 (Talent=93 lbs.; Silver talent ~$93M @ $6.25/oz.)}

  B.  God has Shown Rich Mercy toward us – 7:42b; cf. Rom. 5:6-8; Eph. 2:4-5.

  C.  The Affect of God’s Mercy on us – Lk. 7:42b-47.

     1.  Love (7:42-43):  When we understand our debt of sin & God’s great love, we will show love & mercy to others.

     2.  Gratitude for our mercy (cf. Lk. 17:11-19).

     3.  Mercy toward others (7:44-47) – cf. Matt. 18:32-35.

        {Denarius=Day wage:  $7.10/hr x 8 hrs x 100 = $5680}

IV.  FAITH TO OBTAIN MERCY FROM CHRIST.

  A.  Her Love was the Result of her Forgiveness – Lk. 7:47-48.

Perfect tense:  an action which is viewed as having been completed in past

Passive action:  Subject is the recipient of the action

Indicative mood:  A simple statement of fact.

     1.  Jesus said she had already been forgiven…thus, she loved.

     2.  1 Jno. 4:19 – We love because He first loved us!  Or do we?  (4:10)

  B.  She was Saved by Faith – Lk. 7:50.

  C.  We Must have Faith:

     1.  To go to Jesus for forgiveness (Matt. 11:28).

     2.  To acknowledge sin, have godly sorrow & repent (2 Cor. 7:10).

     3.  To love Christ (Jno. 14:15).

     4.  To love and forgive others as we have been loved & forgiven (Lk. 6:36; Matt. 5:7; 6:14-15).

     5.  To please God & be forgiven (Heb. 11:6).

Conclusion

1.  Instead of throwing rocks at other sinners, we must have compassion & show mercy (to help, to have good will) – Gal. 6:1-3.

2.  Otherwise, we will be lost in our faithlessness, Lk. 7:50; 18:14