1. Luke 18:9-14

2. A Lesson Not Learned: How an alien sinner is to be saved.  The Pharisee and the Tax Collector were both already in a covenant relationship with God. – v. 10 Deuteronomy 5:1,2; 6:1-3  No “Sinner’s Prayer” here. Acts 9:6,11; 22:16 Acts 10:1, 2, 6, 48  They lived under the Law of Moses. Colossians 2:11-14 Luke 24:46-47, Acts 2:37-38

3. The Contrast In The Men, Luke 18:10  The Pharisee Acts 26:5 “the strictest sect of our religion” Matthew 15:1-3, 7-9; Matthew 23:23 Rulers of the nation, Matthew 23:1-3

4. The Contrast In The Men, Luke 18:10  The Tax Collector An agent of the hated Roman government. Matthew 5:46-47 Luke 7:34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Matthew 10:3 …Matthew the tax collector,…

5. Contrast in the Prayers The Pharisee, Luke 18:11-12  Completely satisfied with himself Saw no lack, Revelation 3:14-18 Sought no mercy, Ephesians 2:3-5 Confessed no sin, Romans 3:23 Exhibited pride, Proverbs 6:16-17 2 Corinthians 10:18, Ephesians 2:8-10

6. Contrast in the Prayers The Tax Collector, Luke 18:13  Humble, James 4:6-10  Understanding of his condition Romans 3:10-18, Ephesians 2:1  Seeking God’s mercy, 1 Peter 1:3

7. Contrast In Results Luke 8:14 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.” “There is something a bit terrifying about this parable. There is within every person that which makes it possible for him to do the same thing the Pharisee did. He can go to the place of worship and go through the forms of worship and still go home the same person he was!” Ray Summers, Commentary on Luke (Waco, Texas: Word Books, Publisher, 1974), p. 210, quoted by James Burton Coffman

8. Obey the gospel today!  Believe – John 8:24  Repent – Luke 13:3  Confess – Matthew 10:32-33  Be Baptized – Mark 16:16  Be Faithful – Revelation 2:10