Grace Church Metropolis
Parable 18
      • Bible Trivia
        Loading...

      • Luke 18:9–14MEV

  • 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.

      • Luke 18:9–14NLT

      • Luke 18:11NLT

      • Proverbs 16:18NLT

      • Luke 18:13NLT

      • Luke 18:14NLT

Grace Church Metropolis
sielbeck@gmail.com
http://www.gracechurchmetropolis.com
18 members • 2 followers