Welcome to the Paul Tripp podcast, where pastor and bestselling author Paul David Tripp connects the transforming power of Jesus Christ to everyday life.

If Jesus asked you to choose the 12 men who would be his closest ministry partners, who would make your list?

In today's episode, we continue our sermon series from the archives, the gospel according to Mark,

as Paul Tripp explores why Levi the tax collector would never be our pick, and how our reactions

reveal hearts far more like the self-righteous scribes than we might expect.

To hear more sermons from Paul, visit paultrip.com slash sermons.

Now here's Paul with today's message.

It is a universal problem that doesn't seem to escape any of us. I wish I could say it hasn't been my problem. It's the problem

of self-righteousness. Self-righteousness seems to be no respecter of persons. It can have that

buttoned down, theological, conservative arrogance.

I know more than you know.

And if you were as theological as I am, you would be as spiritual as I am.

It may take the form of looking down on someone who doesn't appear to be as spiritually mature as you are.

It could take the form of a parent who says something like this to your child.

I can't believe that you would do such a thing.

Why, in my day, I would have never thought of doing such a thing.

Essentially, what you're saying to your child is your problem is,

you're not nearly as righteous as I am.

It could take the form of mocking a sinner.

Maybe that takes the form of a rather sick, homophobic joke

that you can tell, and it doesn't bother you.

Self-righteousness is no respecter of persons. Hear these words from that great Anglican preacher,

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