A. INTRODUCTION: LUKE 18:9-14
Christ reproves two sins, (1) pride in one self, and (2) despising other people. He uses a negative illustration of the Pharisee who is guilty of both. He uses the Publican as a positive illustration of humility and meekness.
B. SIMILARITIES OF THE PHARISEE AND PUBLICAN
1. Both men appear before God. “Two men went up” (18:10). The technical phrase to ascend Mt. Moriah, i.e., Psalm of Ascent.
2. Both men go at the same time. “The Pharisee stood … the Publican standing afar off” (vv. 11, 13).
3. Both men go to the same place. “Two men went up into the Temple” (v. 10), i.e., the outer court.
4. Both men pray. “The Pharisee … prayed” (v. 11). “The Publican … saying God be merciful to me” (v. 13).
5. Both men look into their hearts. The Pharisee saw his good works, the Publican saw his sin.
6. Both men permitted the fruit of their self-examination to control the way they prayed. The Pharisee saw his righteousness and “prayed thus within himself” (v. 11). The Publican “would not lift up so much his eyes to Heaven” (v. 13).
7. Both men permitted the fruit of their self-examination to control the content of what they prayed. The Pharisee prayed, “I thank Thee that I am not as other men” (v. 11). The Publican prayed, “be merciful to me” (v. 13).
C. THE PRAYER OF THE PHARISEE
1. A Pharisee (literally, separated) believed in the literal interpretation and practice of the Old Testament and corresponding law.
2. Isolated. Stood by himself because he thought he was to be separated and not pray with others.
3. Negative congratulations: not stolen, broken law, commit adultery. The phrase “not as mother men” (v. 11) was part of Pharisee’s prayer, i.e., “I thank God I am not a Gentile … woman … etc.
Man Robbed Of $500
I thank God it was only $500.
I thank God I was not harmed.
I thank God I was robbed and not the robber.
4. Positive congratulations. Fasted twice a week (Monday and Thursday) but law required once a year (Leviticus 16:29). “I give tithes of all I possess” (18:12), but law required tithe on increase.
5. Basis, his prayer was based on what he was, what he did, and how much better he was than others.
6. Religion was his ruin. Paul was delivered from this blindness and prayed, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross” (Galatians 6:14).
D. THE PRAYER OF THE PUBLICAN
1. A Publican was a renegade Jew who worked for Rome and helped oppress his fellow Jews.
2. Repent, “would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven” (v. 13). An indication he was unfit to stand in God’s presence.
3. Remorse, “smote his breast” (v. 13). An indication of remorse and sorrow.
4. Basis, “be merciful” literally means “be satisfied,” i.e., the atonement. The Mercy Seat was where the blood was sprinkled.
5. The foundation of character is a personal concern for one’s sin.
E. CONTRAST BETWEEN THE TWO
Pharisee Publican
1. Law keeper 1. Law breaker
2. Outward religiosity 2. Outward rebellion
3. Form of godliness 3. Denied the form of
but denied the power godliness but found the power
4. Hypocrite 4. Worldly
5. Found himself only good 5. Found himself only evil
6. Said and did not 6. Neither said, nor did.
7. Pretended righteousness 7. Neither pretended nor possessed
which he did not possess 8. Justified by God.
8. Justified by self.
F. GETTING TO THE ROOT OF PRIDE
1. Know the problem. “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.” (1 John 2:16).
2. Know the source. “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells” (Romans 7:18).
3. Identify with Christ. “Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him” (Romans 6:6).
4. Yield. “Don’t allow the members of your body to commit sin, but give them to God to do His will” (Romans 6:11, ELT).
5. Purpose. “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
6. Indwell. “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless, I live, yet not I, but Christ lives within me” (Galatians 2:20).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
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