Are you an appreciative person because of the calendar or because

of the reality of your life?

I need to see myself for who I am, my sins for what they are, and

His forgiveness for what it is.

Luke 7:36-48

1. The Pharisee and the Sinner 36-39

2. The Story 40-43

3. The Lesson 44-48

Luke 7:18-35 Summary

John the B. has questions.• His ministry was short and over• He’s in jail• Did he get it right?• Where is the Kingdom?

Luke 7:18-35 Summary• Jesus gives John what he needs• Jesus defends John• The sinners admit God is right• The Pharisees won’t respond• Wise people show it by actions

Wait…

So, the “bad people” respond to God and the “good people” don’t??

Luke 7:36-48

1. The Pharisee and the Sinner 36-39

2. The Story 40-43

3. The Lesson 44-48

Luke 7:36-37

Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to

eat. And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the

Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil,

Luke 7:36-37Scene: A “good guy’s” house and an unexpected

visit from one of the “bad people”.

Awkward!

Luke 7:38-39 and stood at His feet behind Him weeping;

and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her

head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him

saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this

is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”

Luke 7:38-39

And, of course, a righteous person would never let a sinner show appreciation to him!

Luke 7:38-39

The woman appreciates who Jesus is and what He has done, but the Pharisee does

not!

Luke 7:38-39

The Pharisees are still at it.

And, now, he sets his sights on Jesus.

But, he picked the wrong Target!

Luke 7:36-48

1. The Pharisee and the Sinner 36-39

2. The Story 40-433. The Lesson 44-48

Luke 7:40-41

And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say

to you.”So he said, “Teacher, say it.”

“There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred

denarii, and the other fifty.

Luke 7:42-43

And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will

love him more?”Simon answered and said, “I suppose

the one whom he forgave more.”And He said to him, “You have rightly

judged.” 

Luke 7:40-43 – The Story

• Three Characters: a Creditor and 2 Debtors• Both debtors forgiven• The one forgiven more, loves more

Luke 7:40-43 – The Point

“On one level, this woman is worse than you. But, that’s why her forgiveness means so much to her and she loves Me so much”.

Luke 7:40-43 – The Point

Appreciation leads to service!

Luke 7:36-48

1. The Pharisee and the Sinner 36-39

2. The Story 40-43

3. The Lesson 44-48

Luke 7:44-45 Then He turned to the woman and

said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you

gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and

wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this

woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 

Luke 7:46-48 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet

with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are

forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves

little.”Then He said to her, “Your sins are

forgiven.”

Luke 7:44-45

“Your sins are forgiven”Maybe for re-assurance,

certainly for those nearby.

Luke 7:44-45

“When you think about it, you’re every bit as bad and worse than she is!

You didn’t show me common courtesy, respect, or appreciation!”

I need to see myself for who I am, my sins for what they are, and

His forgiveness for what it is.

Luke 7:38-39

Notice her humble expressions to Jesus:• Washed His feet with her tears• Wiped His feet with her hair• Kissed His feet• Anointed His head

Luke 7:38-39

Humility is the key to appreciation!

Luke 7:44-45

Those who appreciate the Lord more don’t necessarily sin more,

But they do know more of their sin.

Luke 7:49-50 And those who sat at the table with

Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Luke 7:49-50

“Surprisingly”, the friends of the Pharisee don’t know who Jesus is.

But, the “sinner” sure does!

Luke 7:49-50

Jesus wanted her to know that her repentance would deliver her from the judgment John had forecast on Israel.

Luke 7

Appreciation is the key to service

Humility is the key to appreciation.

Luke 7

The key is not how much you’ve sinned, but how much you know you’ve sinned!

Luke 7

And once you know how much you’ve done, you must remember how much

has been done for you!

I need to see myself for who I am,

my sins for what they are, and

His forgiveness for what it is.

“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by

wonder.” (G.K. Chesterton)

Hope you have great thanksgiving even after Thanksgiving!

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus

for you.1 Thess. 5:16-18