Francis Chan: For Those Who Struggle With Pride

Sermon Summary

Here's a rewritten version of the text with headings and some minor edits for clarity:

**The Pharisees' Pride**

In Luke 14, Jesus is invited to eat at the home of a prominent Pharisee. The Pharisees are carefully watching him, trying to trap him into saying something wrong. A man suffering from dropsy, a debilitating disease, is present at the dinner, and Jesus asks the Pharisees if it's lawful to heal on the Sabbath.

**The Pharisees' Arrogance**

The Pharisees remain silent, but Jesus makes a statement by healing the man and sending him away. He then asks them, "If one of you has a son or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?" The Pharisees have no response.

**Adding to God's Law**

The Pharisees had added certain Sabbath restrictions to God's law, thinking they had the right to elaborate and define what work means. Jesus is pointing out their arrogance by asking if it's lawful for him to heal on the Sabbath according to God's law.

**Humility vs. Arrogance**

Jesus is contrasting humility with arrogance in this passage. The humble person submits to God's word, leaving it alone and submitting to it. The arrogant person tries to add to or subtract from God's law, thinking they have a better way of doing things.

**Jay Vernon McGee's Wisdom**

In a quote that resonates deeply, Jay Vernon McGee says, "This is God's universe, and God does things his way. Now, you may have a better way, but you don't have a universe." This simple yet profound statement highlights the importance of humility and submission to God's will.

**The Role of a Created Being**

As humans, we are created beings, subject to our Creator. We need to submit to whatever he says, recognizing that he has every right to do things his way in his universe. The longer I am alive, the more I realize that God is doing a better job at running this universe than I would have.

**The Importance of Humility**

In conclusion, Jesus' conversation with the Pharisees highlights the importance of humility and submission to God's will. We need to recognize our limitations as created beings and submit to God's authority, rather than trying to add to or subtract from his law.