[ ] 9/23/07 #735
WHEN SINNERS REPENT
Luke 7:36-50
INTRODUCTION: Jesus said, “They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Mark 2:17) Every person is guilty before God. No one can pay his or her sin debt to God. Jesus paid that enormous debt for every sinner on Calvary. Only those who repent and cry out for mercy will experience the forgiveness and peace of God. There are no sinners who are beyond the reach of God’s grace and no person too good who does not need God’s mercy.
I. SINNER
A. HER REPUTATION. “which was a sinner”
B. HER RESOLVE. v. 37
C. HER REPENTANCE.
1. Her generous spirit. v. 37 “alabaster box of ointment”
2. Her humble spirit. v. 38 “kissed his feet” (James 4:6)
“A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.” Prov. 29:23
“. . . be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”1 Pet. 5:5-6
3. Her broken spirit. v. 38 “stood at his feet behind Him weeping” (Ps. 51:17)
“The sacrifices of Godare a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”Ps. 51:17
“The LORDis nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”Ps. 34:18
4. Her loving spirit. v. 47 “for she loved much”
Her guilty heart was broken over her sin and love for the Lord flowed out.
II. SIMON
A. RELIGION OF SIMON. v. 39 “Pharisee”
B. REACTION OF SIMON. v. 39
1. Criticism of the Savior. “if he were a prophet”
2. Contempt for the woman. “she is a sinner”
III. SAVIOR
A. PERCEPTION OF JESUS. John 2:24-25
“But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew allmen,And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.”
B. PARABLE OF JESUS. v. 40-42 (pence was a day’s pay for a laborer)
C. PROBLEM OF SIMON. v. 43-46
1. His ingratitude. v. 44-46
2. His self-righteousness. v. 39
3. His spiritual blindness. (blind to the Savior and his own sin)
“But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go inyourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.”Matt. 21:13-14
“The men of Nineveh shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonasis here.No man, when he hath lighted a candle, puttethit in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.”Luke 11:32-33
D. PARDONING OF THE WOMAN. v. 48 “Thy sins are forgiven”
IV. SALVATION
A. FAITH: ESSENTIAL FOR SALVATION. v. 50 “Thy faith hath saved thee”
Faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is essential for salvation. God sees the heart and knows if a person has saving faith. Jesus knew the faith of this woman; therefore, He said to her, “Thy faith hath saved thee.”
B. WORKS: EVIDENCE OF SALVATION. v. 44-47
Jesus called Simon to look at her works. This is the outward evidence of salvation seen by men. A changed life is recognized by the world through good works.
C. PEACE: EXPERIENCE OF SALVATION. Greek meaning is to “Go into peace.”
LESSONS FOR LIFE:
1. The woman loved much because she realized the enormous debt that had been forgiven. Her outward action revealed an inward change. Has your life changed?
2. Simon was as much a sinner as the woman, “for all have sinned.” He failed to comprehend his sinfulness, his need of forgiveness and his Savior. Therefore, he had little need or love for the Savior. Do you recognize your need of Jesus today?
3. Jesus is the only Savior. Forgiveness of sin and life eternal are God’s gifts when a person repents and trusts Jesus as his Savior and Lord. Are you saved?
When we get a clear view of Jesus, we see ourselves for who we are.A pastor made a follow up call on a family whose children had come to VBS. It was a simple “thank you” call. Later the father of that home revealed to the pastor after the pastor had left, that the man went to the refrigerator, pulled out his bottle, and dumped the contents down the sink. The pastor was surprised and mentioned that no discussion was made concerning such things. The man responded, “I know that. But I could see that what you were inviting me to was so opposed to the way I was living I had no other choice.” So it is with every honest person. That man later went on to become an elder in the church.