August 21, 2026
Forgiven - Part 5
Luke 18:10,14
08/21/2026
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a
Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
14 I tell you, this man [the tax collector] went down
to his house justified, rather than the other. For
everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but
the one who humbles himself will be exalted.
(ESV)
Almighty and everlasting God, always more ready to hear
than we to pray and to give more than we either desire
or deserve, pour down upon us the abundance of Your
mercy, forgiving those things of which our conscience
is afraid and giving us those good things that we are
not worthy to ask, except through the merits and
mediation of Christ, our Lord.
``Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee
and the other a tax collector.'' We heard the prayers of both
men. One boasted before God of his personal righteousness. The
Pharisee looked to his own good works to earn him a place in
God's kingdom. The tax collector threw himself on God's mercy.
Who received the peace which comes from knowing their sins are
forgiven?
I tell you, this man [the tax collector] went down to
his house justified, rather than the other. For
everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the
one who humbles himself will be exalted.
Each Sunday we hear the Word of God: ``If we say we have no
sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we
confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.''[1] Each Sunday we
hear God's voice saying, ``Depart in peace, your sins are
forgiven,'' as He speaks through His called and ordained servant.
Wouldn't you like to receive the same assurance, the same hope,
the same forgiveness at the tax collector? Please join us each
Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. to receive God's message of grace and
mercy.
May our Lord grant us the peace of knowing our sins are
forgiven. Amen.
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1. I John 1:8-9 (ESV)