Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• Two people having an encounter with Jesus:
• A Pharisee and a sinner
• We are in this situation - whenever we come to the word of God or to worship God, we are having an encounter with Jesus Christ
• It is the best place on earth to be - having an encounter with Jesus
• But there are dangers
• One seemingly righteous and one seemingly a sinner
• Yet the tables were turned upside down

Simon the Pharisee

• He invites Jesus to a meal but we don't the motive why?
• What is our motive in coming to God?
• What is the motive of our hearts? - God knows
• The sinful woman - doing a remarkable thing (v37)
• What was the effect on Simon?
• He was judgmental
• Jesus was receiving the worship of this unclean sinner
• Does he see in Christ a Redeemer and Saviour?
• Who do you see Jesus as?
• Jesus
• Sent by the Father
• John 1:14
• If Christ is the living God - this has implications
• He is creator
• He has made us
• We are answerable to Him
• He has died for sinners
• Simon
• He did not listened, he refused, he closed his heart
• Is this not almost the default position of man?
• Who is this Jesus?
• Jesus
• Responds to Simon 'I have something to say you'
• The gospel ministry is of love and persuasion
• Jesus takes us to one side
• Shares a parable with Simon with an obvious answer
• We as individuals have a massive debt towards God but cannot pay even one penny back
• In Christ, we are forgiven
• Those who are forgiven much are thankful much
• Simon
• Yet, Simon's response is grudging
• How often are we like this?
• What is our response to God?
• What is our response to the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
• The final response of his heart - v44
• No kiss, no water, no anointing
• The common things were not done
• He is a Pharisee, a religious person, yet there is no response to Jesus
• His life would appear different yet in reality is not
• There is an emptiness in his life
• Many people think they are okay before God, yet are far from Him
• Would people identify us as different?
• Are we serving God and loving God?

The sinful woman

• No greater contrast
• A woman we might turn away in embarrassment
• Weeping over Jesus' feet - 'heart water'
• She is touching the Saviour
• She doesn't stop kissing His feet
• She poured alabaster oil on His feet
• Are we embarrassed about the love and devotion in some?
• Example
• Do we have a true devotion to Jesus Christ?
• Her sins are forgiven - The climax of the story
• How can Jesus say this?
• By the amazing gospel of Jesus Christ
• Jesus Christ alone has the power on earth to forgive sins to give us peace with God
• Her faith has saved her (v50)
• The human heart has not changed - we need our sins forgiven and to know peace with God
• Col 1:19-20

Two dangers

• If we continue in our present situation we face a hell for all eternity
• There is a cost to following Christ
• Yet it is worth it!