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Senior Class Chapel - 9/3/2026 — 9/3/2026 10:00 AM
Today's chapel is led by Cedarville University's Senior Class. Class chaplain Will Augustine teaches from Luke 18:9-14 that the humble receive forgiveness; therefore, humble yourself and find your need for forgiveness met in Christ.
Notes
The Humble Receive Forgiveness
In today’s chapel, Senior Class Chaplain William Augustine delivered a message from Luke 18 on the parable of the “needless” Pharisee and the “needy” tax collector.
The Needless Man
Using the example of the Pharisee, Augustine addressed the qualities of a seemingly “needless” man and his pride. The Pharisee was not an enemy, but a man with a distorted view of himself and his worthiness. He was an example of righteousness for the Israelites and knew it. As a result, he always wore a mask, even when he prayed, and he prayed where he could be seen and compared to others. In Luke 18:11, he thanked God for his own superiority over other men, not for God’s mercy on him.
The Needy Man
Unlike the Pharisee, the tax collector was hated by the Jews. He is not an example of righteousness, but a sinful traitor. While he had any worldly pleasure he could desire, he realized that pleasures are not enough. He humbled himself before God, earnestly begging for forgiveness in Luke 18:13. Augustine implored us to be like the needy man, especially if we come from a “good” church background and overestimate our righteousness.
The Merciful God
The character of God shines in Luke 18:14. He forgave and justified the tax collector, seeing the humility and authenticity in his heart. God has mercy on the evilest sinners; Jesus died on the cross to absolve every person from the wrath of God. When we come before God with humble hearts, He has mercy on us.
Humble Yourself
“If you have humbled yourself before God … you have received His righteousness,” said Augustine. As Christians, we must take off any masks we hide behind before God and others. We are not called to play a part or pretend for God. Instead, we must be authentic and tell the truth of our weakness. Once we have been forgiven, we must see our souls through God’s eyes, acknowledging both our sins and God’s mercy in justifying us despite them.