October 21, 2022

Dear Road Church Friends,

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector certainly came as a shock to those who first heard it. Tax collectors were universally despised in Israel, not because of their work, but for whom they worked. Judea and Galilee were ruled by a hated foreign government. Caesar recruited Jews to collect taxes from their own people, which made them reprehensible traitors and religious reprobates. Pharisees on the other hand were the religious and political leaders who were most influential and popular with the people. Jesus was instigating a reversal of values when he intentionally stirred up trouble by telling a story in which the tax collector is the hero and the Pharisee is the villain. This Parable was also a favorite of Martin Luther who saw it as an example of “Justification by Faith Alone.” He too stirred up trouble, and turned the religious world upside down when he criticized the Church for straying from the gospel of grace. More about this on Sunday. I hope to see you then.

SCRIPTURE:  Luke 18:9-14    SERMON TITLE:  The Great Reversal

Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

A SINNER’S PRAYER by Maureen Edwards

Lord, you see my sins more clearly than I can myself.

You know when I am untruthful and when and when I think evil of others.

You see my anger and unfairness to my friends.

You know how hard it is for me to forgive.

Lord, you know when I am indifferent

To your Word, and how often I forget to pray;

The times I come unwillingly to worship,

And yet turn to you when I am in trouble.

I have sinned, without considering how much you love me.

Lord, have mercy on me a sinner.

A LAST PRAYER by Helen Hunt Jackson

Father, I scarcely dare to pray, so clear I see, now it is done,

That I have wasted half my day, and left my work but just begun;

So clear I see that things I thought were right or harmless were a sin;

So clear I see that I have sought unconscious, selfish aims to win.

So clear I see that I have hurt the soul I might have helped to save,

That I have slothful been, inert, deaf to the calls thy leaders gave.

In outskirts of thy kingdom vast, Father, the humblest spot give me,

Set me the lowliest task thou hast, let me repentant work for Thee.

                                   Blessings to all, Pastor Norm

YouTube for today’s service: https://youtu.be/mRiRZYFjTI8