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Study 05 of 10

The Experience of the Spirit

Genuine experience with God, through the revealing of Christ, brings us to abhor self and repent.

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

Prescott shares the experience of the publican in the temple—'God be merciful to me a sinner.' True conversion occurs when we stop looking at ourselves and start looking at Jesus Christ. As we see His glory and purity, we naturally see our own sinfulness and are brought to abhor ourselves and repent. This is not a one-time event, but an ongoing experience. Just as the apostles and Job experienced this, so must we. If we are not willing to repent, God is waiting impatiently, as He did for the fruit on the fig tree. The message of righteousness of Christ is meant to be received, but many are failing to recognize the urgency of this time.

Key points

  • True repentance comes from seeing the glory and purity of Jesus Christ, not by looking at self.
  • The prayer 'God be merciful to me a sinner' is the experience for every day.
  • God has been waiting patiently for our cooperation for four years since Minneapolis.
  • We cannot rest easy when we catch a glimpse of the purity of Christ in our hearts.

Key texts

  • Luke 18:9-14
  • 1 Timothy 1:15
  • Job 42:5-6

From the book

Sermon 3 · Repentance · Read this chapter

  • “I know not what to say. When a servant of God like Ezra comes before God with such a statement as that, what shall we say, what shall we do?” (sermon 3)
  • “One ray of the glory of God, one beam of the purity of Christ, pervading the soul, makes every spot of defilement painfully distinct.” (sermon 3)
  • “But from my soul I can only say that we have come to a terrible, solemn time for us. God has waited and sent reproof, and waited and sent reproof.” (sermon 3)

Put it into practice

  • Practice praying the publican's prayer, 'God be merciful to me a sinner,' from the heart.
  • Look to Jesus instead of yourself to see the true nature of your heart.
  • Take time to reflect on God's patience with you over the past few years.
  1. Comprehension

    1. Why did the publican go down justified rather than the Pharisee?

  2. Scripture

    2. How can we truly see our own sinfulness?

  3. Doctrinal Clarity

    3. What happens every time we catch a glimpse of Jesus Christ's purity?

  4. Contrast

    4. Why is it impossible to see our own sinfulness by looking at ourselves?

  5. Doctrinal Clarity

    5. How does the author describe God's waiting for His people's cooperation?

  6. Comprehension

    6. What was the lesson of the fig tree in this context?

  7. Scripture

    7. What is the 'solemn time' the author refers to?

  8. Application

    8. What specific area of pride will you humble yourself about today?