THE PARABLE OF THE PHARISEE AND TAX COLLECTOR

Introduction:

A. Jesus Used A Parable To Teach About Prayer.

1. Be persistent.

2. God answers prayers.

3. Persistence is a sign of faith.

B. Jesus Now Uses Prayers In A Parable To Teach Truth.

Body: Luke 18: 9 - 14

I. Teaching On Self Righteousness.

A. The Self Righteous.

1. Trust in themselves (works).

2. Look down on others (better vs. worse).

B. It is not Christ-like.

II. A Parable Of Prayers.

A. The Pharisee.

1. Stood up, eyes open (to be seen, lack of humility?)

2. Thankful not a disgrace.

3. He was not a sinner.

4. He performed righteous acts.

B. The Tax Collector.

1. Stood back, eyes downward.

2. Beat his chest - sign of humility and grief.

3. Knew he was a sinner.

4. Pleaded for mercy.

III. The Results.

A. Justification = having been vindicated or cleared of all charges against oneself. It is the act of a judge.

B. Which one was justified?

1. The snobby, rich, do no wrong Pharisee?

2. The repentant, humble tax collector?

C. The way God works.

1. He brings down those full of pride in themselves.

2. He exalts those who know there true stature before God.

Conclusion:

A. Question.

1. Are You More Like The Pharisee?

2. Or, are you more like the Tax Collector?

B. Which One Ought You To Be?