Pride and Prejudice

Luke 18:9-14 (NIV)

9To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 10“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

13“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

14“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

I.                   Introduction:

II.               Avoid the Prayer of Pride

A.                 The Conceit He Has: Admiration before God

B.                 The Contempt He Shows: Superiority to Others

C.                 The Credit He Takes: Acceptance through Works

D.                The Consequences He Faces: Disgrace by Humiliation

III.            Adopt the Prayer of humility

A.                 His Concept of God: Holiness Forbids Familiarity

B.                 His Consciousness of Sin: Guilt Takes Responsibility

C.                 His Cry for Mercy:  Conviction Needs Leniency

D.                His Commendation from God: Exaltation Follows Humility

IV.             Conclusion: