Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Matthew 9:11-13: And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Jesus doesn't want people who think they're "righteous." Jesus doesn't want who don't think their need a Savior. Jesus doesn't want all the "good people," the ones who have a swag about them, the ones who think that "I have done all that God requires of me." Who does Jesus want? He wants sinners. Jesus wants people who know themselves inside and out and conclude, "I'm not that good. As a matter of fact, I'm a sinner in my thoughts, by my words, and through my actions." Jesus wants people who know with humility and sorrow that they will never measure up to God's standard. Jesus hangs out with people who know what words like this mean and take to heart. "O almighty God, merciful Father, I, a pure miserable sinner, confess to You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You and justly deserved Your punishment, now and forever. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray You of Your boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor sinful being." Jesus aligns Himself with people who know their condition before God, confess their sins to Him, and rely on the mercy and grace given to them by what Jesus did. And Jesus forgives them their sins. Where you are in your life? Come to the realization that you are not "good with God" and stop claiming you are righteous. You're not. Compare your actions in line with the Ten Commandments. Are you following ALL OF them perfectly ALL THE TIME. You're not? You're a sinner. Come to God. Confess your sins. Believe in Jesus and what He did for you and receive the forgiveness and the righteousness of Jesus you need. Dear God, lead us to confess our sins are receive Your Grace, Amen.
1 Comment
Margie
10/4/2017 04:14:07 pm
Amen
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AuthorPastor Robert Hemsath joined Faith Lutheran Church and School as the Senior Pastor in January 2017. Pastor Hemsath comes to FLC from Christ the King Lutheran Church in Waxahachie, TX. He has also served congregations in Aberdeen, ID and Pocatello, ID. He has been a Lutheran pastor for the past 20 years. Archives
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