Parable 18

Parable 18

Hey Look at Me!

Luke 18:9-14

The Power of a Parable

How do we learn.

Some people are visual

Sermons slides are super helpful (picture = 1000 words)

Some people learn by writing or taking notes.

Sermon notes

Some are hands on. (doing the job)

Some work better in a group other just opposite self-study

Almost all love a good story.

I will often begin a sermon with a story

A parable or an illustration is God’s way of teaching us the truths of who he is and as importantly who we are.

This is especially true of today’s parable.

Luke 18:9–14 MEV

He told this parable to some who trusted in themselves, as though they were righteous, and despised others: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed these things about himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men: extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I tithe of all that I earn.’ “But the tax collector, standing at a distance, would not even lift his eyes to heaven, but struck his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

The Greatest Barrier to Salvation

Pride

Pride is an elevated view of oneself — believing you are better, wiser, or more capable than you truly are.

Pride is the sin of putting myself where only God belongs.

Spiritually, pride represents a rebellion against God, as it attributes honor and glory to oneself instead of to God.

Self-Righteousness

Prides first cousin.

Self-righteousness is trusting your own goodness or morality to make you right with God.

Pride is trusting in self.

Self-righteousness is trusting in self for righteousness.

The harm they do.

These two have done more harm to church than could ever be measured.

Luke 18:11 NASB95

“The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

Could also be translated “about himself”.

Let’s see how they manifest themselves and the dangers we face.

Proverbs 16:18 NASB95

Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.

James 4:6 God opposes the proud.

Self-Righteousness

Comparison Christianity

“At least I’m not like them.”

Comparing their marriage, children, giving, or morality to others.

Keeping Score with God

Feeling God owes them because they attend, tithe, or serve.

Resentment when life is hard:

“After all I’ve done for God… why is this happening to me?”

Looking Down on Strugglers

Judging people with addictions, messy pasts, or visible sins.

There is a line between condoning sin but loving the person.

Thinking certain people don’t “fit” the church.

Weaponizing Scripture

Using Bible knowledge to win arguments rather than to grow in Christ.

Performance-Based Spirituality

Serving, praying, or giving primarily to feel superior or to appear spiritual.

Harshness Toward Others’ Failures

“I can’t believe they did that.”

Being shocked by other people’s sin, forgetting their own.

Quick to Correct, Slow to Repent

They are experts at pointing out faults

Pride

Needing Recognition for Everything

Serving only if credit is given. Withdrawal when not thanked. Being upset if their name isn’t mentioned.

Always Wanting Their Way

Control issues. “Music”

Pride whispers:

“This church exists to make me comfortable.”

Refusing to be Taught

Becoming offended when corrected

That’s not how we’ve always done it”

Being Easily Offended

People with pride take everything personally.

Talking More Than Listening

Pride assumes they have more to offer than to learn.

Gossip and Criticism

Pride fuels the need to feel “above” others by tearing them down.

Pretending to Be Fine

Never admitting weakness

Resisting Change

Not because the change is wrong.

But because it didn’t come from them.

Proud and Loud

No not in church.

Most pride in church is quiet.

It manifests itself in attitudes, expectations, tone, reactions, judgmental attitude.

Look at the Pharisee

He prayed

He served

He fasted “fast twice a week”

He tithed “I give you a tenth of my income”

He didn’t extort, cheat, commit adultery, or a tax collector.

Trusted his own righteousness. FAILURE

The meanest people I have ever known never missed a church service.

Some of the kindest sweetest people I’ve meant also went to church.

What’s the cure?

Luke 18:13 NLT

“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’

Here’s the cure

It’s the gospel.

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” Rick Warren

Pride is Me-Focused

Hey look at me!

Self-Righteous is Works Focused

Look at what I’m doing.

Justified

Luke 18:14 MEV

“I tell you, this man went down to his house “justified” rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Made Righteous is Christ Focused

Decrease Me Increase You

Humility is others-focus and God-focus.

The greatest barrier to salvation is not sin — it is self-righteousness.