2026-10-26 ILC Chapel — Christ is the Best Renovator
Luke 18:9–14 (Listen)
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed1 thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man 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.”
Footnotes
[1] 18:11
(ESV)
1. With broken heart and contrite sigh,
A trembling sinner, Lord, I cry.
Thy pardoning grace is rich and free,–
O God, be merciful to me!
2. I smite upon my troubled breast,
With deep and conscious guilt opprest:
Christ and His cross my only plea,–
O God, be merciful to me!
3. Far off I stand with tearful eyes
Nor dare uplift them to the skies;
But Thou dost all my anguish see,–
O God, be merciful to me!
5. And when, redeemed from sin and hell,
With all the ransomed throng I dwell,
My raptured song shall ever be,
O God, be merciful to me!