The Gospel & Self-Righteousness (Luke 15:11-32)
Self-righteousness quietly trusts in our own goodness instead of Christ’s, and only the gospel can dismantle it.
I. The DNA of Self-Righteousness: “What Is It?”
a. Self-righteousness is trusting in my goodness rather than Christ’s righteousness.
b. “My goodness makes me better than you.”
c. The older brother (Luke 15:25-30)
II. The Development of Self-Righteousness: “How Does It Grow?”
Seven ways to cultivate self-righteousness in your life and in your kids:
7. Equate godliness with knowledge
6. Focus on impressing others, not loving God
5. Minimize your sins (they’re more like mistakes)
4. Compare yourself only to people who are worse than you (and never to God’s holiness)
3. Talk about how good confession is, but don’t actually confess your sins (blame others instead)
2. Take all the credit for the good things in your life
1. See Jesus not as your Savior and Lord but as an accessory to enhance your life
III. The Dismantling of Self-Righteousness: “How Do I Fight It?”
a. Self-righteousness inflates self, exalts self, and points to self. The gospel deflates self, humbles self, and points to Jesus.
b. The life-transforming message of the gospel (Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:4-5; Luke 19:10)
c. Applying gospel truths in our classrooms and homes: What do we celebrate? How do we respond to failures, both ours and others’? What kind of relationship do we have with the Father?
Watch or listen to the full message: https://lighthousesouthbay.org
The Purpose of Divine Forbearance (Luke 13:1-9)
God withholds judgment against our sin to humble us and bring us to repentance.
I. A Level Ground (vv. 1-5)
II. A Longsuffering God (vv. 6-9)
Watch or listen to the full message: https://lighthousesouthbay.org
Eyes Wide Shut (Luke 12:49-59)
Key idea: Jesus and His coming force a reckoning now, not only later.
The Return of the Master (Luke 12:35-48)
Key Idea: Jesus calls us to be spiritually alert and ready for His return, promising reward for those who are and retribution for those who aren’t.
The Cure for Anxiety (Luke 12:22-34)
Key idea: Jesus reminds us not to worry about our daily needs because God cares for us—and that an eternal treasure awaits us in heaven.
Rich Toward God (Luke 12:13-21)
Key idea: True life and lasting riches are found in God and not the riches of this world. “Creation is neither to be defiled nor despoiled, but as the ‘theater of God’s glory,’ it is to be delighted in and used in a stewardly manner.” – Herman Bavinck
A Proper Fear (Luke 12:1-12)
Key idea: A proper fear of God produces a life that’s honest, free, and bold.
The Profit of a Generous Life (Luke 16:1-13)
Key Idea: The investment that produces the greatest profit is generosity.
The Danger of Counterfeit Godliness (Luke 11:37-54)
Key idea: Jesus forces us to examine if we merely love the appearance of godliness, or if we actually love and serve God from the heart.
Back to Basics – Following Christ is hard… and worth it (Luke 6:27-36)
Suffering: anything that hurts. Big question for tonight: Three kinds of suffering that I can experience in life. 1. Physical Brokenness Genesis 3:16-19 I suffer because… I live in a world broken by sin 2. Suffering we experience while we sin I suffer when I sin because… I’m living in a trap. I suffer when I sin […]