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JESUS: A PHARISEE, A SINNER AND YOU

(Luke 7:36-50)

Intro.

1. Mk. 2:16 (Lk. 7:34) - Jesus’ conduct was what many least expected from one claiming to be the Prophet, Son of God.

2. Lk. 7:36-50 - Sinful woman washing Jesus’ feet: The act of loving humility (7: 36- 39); Parable of two debtors (7:40-43); Jesus contrasts Simon & the woman (7:44-47); Jesus forgives the sinner woman (7:48-50). Cf. Matt. 11:28-30 (near in time).

3. Practical lessons for us to learn from this story.

I. THE RECOGNITION OF ONE’S SPIRITUAL NEED.

A. The Woman Realized Her Sin & Need For A Savior - 7:37-38.

-She seems conscious of nothing else!

1. She came to Jesus / Weeping / Considered an outcast.

2. Yet, Jesus received her and forgave her sins.

3. We must know our sin before we will come to Jesus - Lk. 15:1; Psa. 51:1- 4; Acts 2:36-38, 41 (Isa. 53:3-4).

B. Simon’s Sin Never Seemed To Cross His Mind - 7:39.

1. When he thought of sin, it was the woman’s, not his own!

2. He was too busy judging the woman & Jesus to consider his sin! (Matt. 7:1-2; Jno. 7:24).

3. Avoid self-serving judgments - Matt. 7:3-5.

C. By Realizing Our Terrible Spiritual Condition We Will Have Greater Appreciation For Our Forgiveness - 7:40-43.

1. v. 42 - Know we have nothing w/ which to pay for our debt of sin.  Come empty-handed to Christ.

2. Those "raised in the church" may at times fail to appreciate their depth in sin & lose sight of their need for the Lord.

D. The Relation Of Real Need And Love.

1. Because the woman knew her own need, she showed love to Jesus in humble acts of honor & adoration - 7:37-38, 44-47.

2. Simon, not seeing his needs, showed little love for Jesus.

3. When we realize our own need for the Lord & the depths from which we have been lifted, we will be stirred to love & care for others - 1 Jno. 3:16; 4:9-11, 19-20.

II. HOW JESUS WAS TREATED.

A. Simon Apparently Overlooked The Common Courtesies Given A Guest - 7:44-46 (Gen. 18:4; Exo. 4:27; Psa. 23:5).

1. Basic kindness and decency.

2. Woman went beyond courtesy: Washed feet w/tears, dried w/ hair; Kissed feet; Anointed w/ perfume, not common oils.

3. When mistreated, overlooked or ignored, remember Jesus was treated the same way - 1 Pet. 2:21-23.

a. Sometimes those who treat you this way are those who claim to be righteous (really only self-righteous).

b. Absence of common courtesy is really the problem of a lack of love.

III. THE RESPECTABLE SINNER.

A. Both The Woman & Simon Were Sinners.

1. Woman had openly sinned - All knew it (cf. Jno. 8:7) - 1 Tim. 5:24.

2. Simon also sinned - He was "respectable" (not condemned & cast out).

3. His self-righteous rejection of Jesus wasn’t considered evil. Unaware of just how awful his own behavior was!

4. There are a lot of "respectable" sinners today:

a. Good moral people, religiously. wrong - Matt. 7:21-23.

b. "Respectable" Christians w/ a "holier-than-thou" attitude - Lk. 18:9-12

c. Well-known Christians who oppose some part of God’s plan (elders, marriage, purity of character, etc.) - Gal. 1:8-9.

d. Christians who never grow to maturity - Heb. 5:12.

e. Christians who sow discord & strife, murmurers - Rom. 16:17.

5. All the above are sinners, but not always viewed as sinners - Rom. 6:23.

IV. THE WORST OF SINNERS CAN BE FORGIVEN.

A. The Woman Had Many Sins - All Forgiven - 7:47-50.

1. If God would forgive her, He will forgive you, too.

2. cf. Saul of Tarsus (1 Tim. 1:15); Murders of Christ (Acts 2:38, 41); Corinthians (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

3. Don’t let your sins keep you from coming to Jesus!

V. THE COURAGE OF THOSE WHO LOVE GOD.

A. The Woman Showed Courage Coming To Jesus.

1. As an outcast she would be open to scorn, expulsion, mistreatment - Yet she came to Jesus!

2. Those who love God will develop courage.

a. They will cast off fear (2 Tim. 1:7).

b. They will put on determination (Phil. 4:13).

c. They will not be ashamed (1 Pet. 4:16; Mk. 8:38).

d. They will gladly let others know they love the Lord.

Conclusion

1. Matt.11:28-30 - Woman obeyed Jesus (came to Him) & her faith saved her (7:50). Her load was lightened, rest from sin was found.

2. Recognize our need & courageously come to Jesus in faith -- He will forgive!