TRUE FICTION

“Attitude is Everything”
Pastor Ben Johnson – July 30, 2022

Luke 18:9-14 (NLT) — Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people - cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Humility is an ATTITUDE, and all attitudes begin in the HEART.

“True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” – C.S. Lewis

How a Humble Heart Expresses Itself

1. It COMMUNICATES humility, not pride.

   Matthew 8:2-4 (NLT) — Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”

   Proverbs 16:18 (NLT) — Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

2. It COMPARES itself to God, not other people.

   Philippians 4:8-9 (NLT) — And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.
   Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me - everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

3. It CELEBRATES God’s grace, not its own righteousness.

   Ephesians 2:8 (NLT) — God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

I am a SINNER saved by GRACE.