The Pharisee & Tax Collector

Sermon Notes

[Luke 18:9-10] Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: [10] "Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector.

Pride is nearly impossible to SELF-DIAGNOSE.

[Luke 18:11-14] The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: 'I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don't cheat, I don't sin, and I don't commit adultery. I'm certainly not like that tax collector! [12] I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.'

God doesn't count the WORDS of our prayers; He measures the HEART.

[Matthew 6:5-6] "When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. [6] But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

God values AUTHENTICITY in our prayers more than eloquence.

[Luke 18:13-14] "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.' [14] I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

True humility isn’t thinking LESS of yourself; it’s thinking of YOURSELF less and God more.

True righteousness comes from a HUMBLE heart.

[Matthew 23:11-12] The greatest among you must be a servant. [12] But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

God's GRACE is available to all regardless of their PAST.