A Shock to the Self-Righteous

Sermon 75 in Series

Luke 18:9-14

[9] He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: [10] “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ [13] But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  How does this parable follow the theme and pattern of the one before? How does it move in a new direction?
2.  What have we learned about the Pharisees so far in Luke? How does this passage contribute to that portrayal?
3.  How does Jesus describe the Pharisee’s prayer? Where can this attitude, whether subtly or overtly, show up in the life of a Christian?
4.  What does the tax collector teach us about prayer? What does he teach us about salvation?
5.  Is pride a sin that you give much attention to in your life? In what ways does it tend to fly under the radar, and how does our contempt for others help us detect it?
6.  How does Jesus’ application of the parable anticipate Paul’s emphatic proclamation of justification by faith? How does it lay down a guiding principle for the Christian life?

References:Romans 3:9-26 (corporate reading); Luke 16:15; 5:30; 15:2; John 1:14; Matthew 21:31; Luke 3:13; 11:42; Romans 10:3; Isaiah 6:5; Matthew 6:5; Romans 3:25; Genesis 15:6; Romans 3:28; Isaiah 66:2; Luke 14:11.