The final message from our brief summer series on Luke 15 is now online. It was entitled “Compassionate Father and Lost Sons (3)” from Luke 15:25-32. This sermon was after the self-righteous tendencies we have as religious, elder brother types. I mentioned Jerry Bridges’ book, Bookends of the Christian Life, and how Bridges calls self-righteousness Gospel Enemy #1. Here are the questions Bridges gave to determine if we were self-righteous or not:

1) Do you tend to live by a list of dos and don’ts?
2) Is it difficult for you to respect those whose standards aren’t as high as yours?
3) Do you assume that practicing spiritual disciplines should result in God’s blessing?
4) Do you feel you’re better than most other people?
5) Has it been a long time since you identified a sin and repented of it?
6) Do you resent it when others point out your “spiritual blind spots”?
7) Do you readily recognize the sins of others but not your own?
8) Do you have the sense that God owes you a good life?
9) Do you get angry when difficulties and suffering come into your life?
10) Do you seldom think of the cross?
(taken from p.49)

The best remedy for our self-righteous thinking is the compassionate father and His unending love for us. Repent and turn to Him!