A Parable of a Publican and Pharisee

A Parable of a Publican and Pharisee

Sermon by Pastor Brent Snook / March 12, 2023

Series: The Short Stories of Jesus

Bible text: Luke 18:9-14

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in
themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and
the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with
himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are,
extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast
twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the
publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes
unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful
to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house
justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself
shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Luke 18:9-14

I. THE PLACE

II. THE PEOPLE

A. THE PHARISEE

1. HE WAS PROMINENT

2. HE WAS PROUD

B. THE PUBLICAN

III. THE PRAYER

A. THE PHARISEE’S PRAYER

Two Things This Prayer Reveals

1. A Wrong Perspective

The Pharisee majors on three items of obedience.

1. He comforts himself in what he thinks he is not.

2. He congratulates himself with what he has done.

3. He compares himself to what he thinks of others.

Two Things This Prayer Reveals

1. A Wrong Perspective

2. A Wretched Pride

B. THE PUBLICAN’S PRAYER

Three Ways His Humility Was Seen

1. Where He Stood

2. What He Saw

3. By What He Said

•“He stood afar off.”

•“He would not so much as raise his eyes to Heaven.”

•He said, “God be merciful to me; a sinner.”

IV. THE PARADOX