The Attitude at the Alter

Luke 18:9–14 (ASV)

And he spake also this parable unto certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and set all others at nought: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I get. But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinner. I say unto you, This man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; but he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

The Posture of prayer is important.

The physical posture is important, whether kneel, stand, lift our hand, bow our heads, pray out loud or silently, the spiritual/mental posture is of the utmost importance.

Pharisee prayer is self-righteous

1. A Prejudice prayer. (vs.11

(The Pharisee)

He thanked God that he was not like others. He does not thank God for giving him the strength to fight temptation and delivering him from evil, instead he boast

Romans 3:10 As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 1 John 1:8 ESV If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1 John 1:9 ESV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Proverbs 16:2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. Edited by Michael P. Green Foreword by Haddon W.Robinson

“In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart” (John Bunyan).

2. A Proud prayer. (vs.12)

The Pharisee boast about his works. I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I get.

Titus 3:5 He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

Matthew 7: 21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Some people’s prayers need to be cut short at both ends and set on fire in the middle.

Often we pray with our minds on hold and our mouths on automatic.

3. A Pitiful Prayer. (vs.13)

(The Publican)

smote his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinner.

A. standing afar off.

The publican stood afar off and beat his breast and said, ‘God be merciful to me, a sinner.’ I tell you that man had the finest theology of any man in all England.

Charles Spurgeon

“But the Publican stood afar off:” yet the Lord regarded him near. “For the Lord is high, yet hath He respect unto the lowly.”4

Saint Augustine of Hippo

B. would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven,

C. saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinner.

“It is ‘the meek’ who are also ‘the merciful’. For to be meek is to acknowledge to others that we are sinners; to be merciful is to have compassion on others, for they are sinners too” (Stott, p. 48, emphasis his)D. A. Carson

Prayer is much like a check to be countersigned by two parties. I sign the check and send it up to heaven. If Jesus Christ also signs it, it does not matter how large it is—it will be

Close:

The publican came in humility; the Pharisee in pride. The publican thought himself unworthy; the Pharisee boasted of his worthiness. The publican thought he was the worst sinner of all; the Pharisee thought he was better than all. The publican found only evil in himself; the Pharisee found only good in himself. The publican put his hope in mercy; the Pharisee put his hope in merit.

Hebrews 4:14–16 (KJV 1900)

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Jesus Is Crucified (23:33–49)

Arriving at the place of execution, Jesus is crucified between two criminals. As he is being crucified, Jesus prays for his murderers to be forgiven. While on the cross, Christ is mocked and mistreated. Even one of the criminals being crucified begins to mock Jesus. When the other criminal looks to Jesus in faith, Christ declares that he will enter into paradise. From about noon until 3 p.m., several supernatural events take place. Jesus speaks his last words and dies. The centurion makes an astounding statement about Jesus. Finally, Luke is sure to point out that Jesus’ death is observed by several witnesses.