Pharisee And Publican

Luke 18:9–14 KJV 1900

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 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 other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Certain trusted in themselves that they were righteous. We are either saved by grace or saved by works. The pharisees measured themselves by themselves.

“For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (2 Co. 10:12).

OUR MEASURE IS CHRIST

The pharisee prayed with himself…even God was not with him in his prayer.

Your worst day is behind you. The day Christ wasn’t in your life.

Two men in the temple.

Two in the field - Matt 24:40

Two women grinding at the mill - Matt 24:41

One of four soils are fertile - Mark 4:8

Two in the temple

Self focused or God focused

Unworthiness is feeling your efforts are not good enough.

Pride is putting confidence in your efforts. (I am not like other men)

God focused faith is (God be merciful. I am a sinner)

“For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 5:20).

Altar call - This morning, Let us humble ourselves and put our trust in Him.

--Continue if there is time--

A justified person is counted righteous. Has something laid on them because of another

Romans 4:3 KJV 1900

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Romans 4:5 KJV 1900

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

imputed - lay something to the account of a person.

Romans 4:21–22 KJV 1900

And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Romans 4:23 KJV 1900

Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

Romans 4:24 KJV 1900

But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;