Luke 18:9-14

Luke 18:9-14

Intro Announcements: Good morning, I am Josiah: share stuff about yourself.

Intro- Today we will be spending our time in Luke 18:9-14 It is a parable about a Tax collector and a Pharisee. A Parable is a simple story to emphasize a point. Jesus used them to connect with his audience while illustrating the truth to those who listen. Most often we see these play out as the Kingdom of God is like. Let’s Read parable.

The New Revised Standard Version The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Explain narrative- The Pharisee who is this guy who feel they are above everyone they are the 32oz lean steak. The Tax Collector who is this guy who betrays their friends , family, and everyone his like a piece of chicken that looks so good but then is the most bland and dry chicken you have ever had. The setting is the temple imagine stairs leading up to this massive building the size of multiple football fields with massive pillars. The conflict between them is that this religious elite has a heart full of pride and contempt toward this lowly Tax collector.

Point: Contempt for others

The heart state Between the Pharisee and the Tax collector is massively different.

A. The heart state of the Pharisee. How he is trusting in himself (Verse 11).

11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

Look at how many Is are in the prayer there is no trust in God. In how God has helped him. How God made him. There is no trust in God there is only I. Only what I have done not you God only me. He trusts in himself so much in his own accomplishments.

B. How the Pharisee is elevating himself (Verse 11). “Or even like this Tax collector” The guy who is at the Top because of his social status of being the religious elite. Is looking down on this Tax collector. Illustrate the neighbor who you swear comes out to measure your grass and reports you for having your grass to high. That is a low betrayal. The Tax collector would report to the Government who will them come and take your wife, children, your home. Do you feel that (Count to 10) that icky, tension at the pit of your stomach?

C. Contempt is something you have for someone. Contempt can also mean Distain, disrespect, scorn, disregard. That’s how this leader this Pharisee sees and how the rest of the population of looked at the Tax collector.

D. Talk about the Tax collector. Point out he doesn’t even look up. How he says be merciful to me a sinner. Paint the temple image. How humbling is that? To not even look up to God. To not go all the way to the top of the temple. To be at the bottom and say be merciful to me God. (Social status explanation)

E. Connect with modern context on how “Christian is better than everyone else”.

Such as Thank you God I am not a cheater. I just tithed more than my neighbor. I volunteer more at my church. I gave ten bucks to the homeless person today. In our society competition is bred to who will be the best. That stems from pride.

Point: Pride shows our insecurities

A. Explain why is the Pharisee praying this. This Leader thought himself better because of what they do. They know the most they live the correct way. They feel entitled (Karen analogy explain fully)

B. Pride shows our insecurities. 2 possibilities that the Pharisee shows his insecurities because he was insecure about being righteous enough or (2) he was so secure of his own righteousness that comes from being insecure This might look like I have no insecurities while that in itself is an insecurity.

C. How are we insecure or have contempt with others? Talk about how I elevate myself, how I have to have the last word Personal story.

Point 3: Upside down kingdom

A. The kingdom of God is the complete opposite of this. The kingdom of God is filled with people like the tax collector who do not allow pride to corrupt them. When we approach God with a humble heart that is when we can be transformed. A Prideful heart is almost impossible to help. Explain a Prideful hard heart vs a humble teachable heart. (Story about the phrase you have to be teachable). If you are humble, you can be transformed. Prideful heart=sin

B. The kingdom doesn’t have social status. Do not confuse that with we are not allowed to be different but there is no one here who is better or higher on some totem pole that doesn’t exist in Gods eyes.

C. We are all image bearers that is something we should think and remind ourselves. (Emphasize not contempt in the kingdom of God)

Application: humble oneself to be transformed.

A. Take home project. I want you to take this seriously I know life is busy. Explain importance. Share story how it helped me include white board.

B. End with how pride destroys and humbleness will transform. Explain how pride is like an infection it can grow to something that hurts everyone. An example that is pushed to the extremes (Grandma analogy)

C. God isn’t looking for the best people who let pride become the foundation of their identity. God is looking for the most humble, obedient, and Christ-like people. These people are putting their identity in Christ.