Level: 3, Lesson: 14
Teaching the Lesson Part 4

***SPECIAL STUDENT NOTE***

This lesson does not have any questions for you to answer at the end. When you have finished, you may proceed on to the next lesson. Also, all of the lessons in the entire Discipleship/Evangelism program were originally designed as printed material, cassette tape, and video… We have adapted them all to the internet. Therefore, in these last remaining lessons you may here the instructor on the audio portion referring to a video or a tape. Simply disregard this reference to a tape or video as it does not pertain to these internet lessons. Thank you very much for your understanding.

SALVATION BY GRACE
Luke 18:13-14

Read aloud Luke 18:13: "And the publican, STANDING AFAR OFF, would not lift up so much as HIS EYES UNTO HEAVEN, but SMOTE UPON HIS BREAST, saying, GOD BE MERCIFUL TO ME A SINNER" (Luke 18:13).

1. Notice the body language of this publican. Where was he standing? Afar off. In other words, he was so ashamed that he didn't even approach the temple (church).
2. What was his facial expression?
   He wouldn't even lift his eyes to heaven.
3. Why was he hitting himself?
   Smiting the breast and sometimes tearing your clothes was a sign of humility, repentance, a contrite heart, and a broken spirit, in which God will not despise.
4. What was this tax collector's prayer?
   "God be merciful to me a sinner."
   Read aloud Luke 18:14a (The first part of the verse): "I tell you, this man went down to his house JUSTIFIED . . ." (declared right before God, just as if he had never sinned, acquitted of his sin, declared innocent before God) (Luke 18:14a)

1. Which one of these two men was declared righteous before God when he went to their home?
   The tax collector.
2. Why?
   Read aloud Luke 18:14b (The last part of the verse): "For every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that HUMBLETH himself shall be exalted" (Luke 18:14b).
   The answer is that he humbled himself, and cried out for God's mercy.
3. Did God forgive this tax collector?
   Yes.
4. If you got on your knees right now and cried out to God from your heart, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" Would God treat you the same way He treated the tax collector?
   Yes! (If the person says "yes!" the lesson has been understood correctly.)
   (Here is an additional example to be used at your discretion).
   
   "What is a savior? Suppose you are drowning. There you are out in the middle of the ocean. Suppose someone throws you a book, THREE EASY LESSONS ON HOW TO SWIM. Would he be a savior? No! Perhaps he could be called an ‘Educator.'" (Handbook of Personal Evangelism, Dr. A. Ray Stanford, pp. 26-27).
   
   "Now suppose a man got out of his boat, jumped in alongside you, demonstrated various swimming strokes, and showed you just how you ought to do it. Would he be a Savior? Of course not! He would merely be an example"
   
   "A Savior is one who takes you into the boat and safely to the shore. Christ is the true Savior. If you do not trust him to take you all the way to heaven, then you have not trusted Him as your Savior."

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