Stories and Signs: "The Deception of Trusting in Ourselves"

Stories and Signs: The Deception of Trusting in Ourselves

Luke 18:9-14             

Self-righteousness - Confident in one's own righteousness and the ability to produce righteousness by self-effort.

I. Deceived about Jesus.

“…the Christians say: Messiah is the son of Allâh. That is a saying from their mouths. They imitate the saying of the disbelievers of old. Allâh’s Curse be on them, how they are deluded away from the truth.” (Quran 9:30)

“The Messiah ‘Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), was (no more than) a Messenger of Allâhand His Word…” (Quran 4:171)

“And because of their saying (in boast), “We killed Messiah ‘Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), the Messenger of Allâh,” – but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but the resemblance of ‘Iesa (Jesus) was put over another man (and they killed that man)…They have no (certain) knowledge… For surely; they killed himnot [i.e. ‘Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)]” (Quran 4:157)

II. Deceived about prayer.

1. Closeness

2. Dependence

III. Deceived about self.

1. Ethical

2. Committed

3. Worshipping

4. Lover of his country

IV. Deceived about others.  

V. Deceived about heaven.

Justification by faith alone - We are declared righteous before God through our faith in His Son and in His merciful work on the cross, not our own efforts or merit.

Faith Sheet

1. What are two or three signs that someone is trusting in themselves and are righteous before God by merit?

2. What are two or three signs that someone (even us) are looking down on others?

3. If someone had accused the Pharisee of being self-righteous in that moment, how do you think he would have responded?

4. Is it easier for you to judge other people more harshly or judge yourself? Why?

5. What are the marks of someone who knows their need for God’s grace?

6. How does Christianity provide a consistent foundation for being humble and thankful? Read and pray through Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:9-10, John 15:16, James 4:6, and Luke 14:11.