Luke 18:9-14 – The Pharisee and the Publican

(Editor’s note – this was preached as a running contrast between the two characters, i.e. point #1 of the publican followed by point #1 on the pharisee, etc. I’m not smart enough to know how to make it appear in two columns in html format, so do the best you can with it! jtc)

The Publican . . .

1.   Came for HELP – “God be merciful”

      a.   Psalm 25:7

      b.   Daniel 9:9

      c.   Hebrews 4:14-16

2.   Came with HUMILITY – “God be merciful to me”

      a.   James 4:6-10

      b.   Based upon HINDSIGHT – “God be merciful to me a sinner.”

            i.   Revelation 2:5 “remember from whence thou art fallen”

            ii.  Psalm 41:4

            iii. Ephesians 2:1-10

            iv. Titus 3:1-7

3.   Left in HOLINESS – “This man went down justified”

      a.   1 Peter 1:13-16

      b.   Hebrews 12:14

      c.   Isaiah 6:1-8 – Getting close to God . . .

            i.   Causes me to recognize His holiness and glory – v 3

            ii.  Makes me keenly aware of my sin – v 5

            iii. Provides the remedy for sin – vv 6-7

            iv. Makes me more sensitive to God’s call - v 8

The Pharisee . . .

1.   Came with HYPOCRISY – “I thank thee that I am not as other men are, . . . even as this publican”

      a.   Matthew 23:14

      b.   Matthew 6:5

      c.   Psalm 19:13-14

2.   Came with Haughtiness – “I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I possess.” possess = obtained, provide, acquire (Deut 8:11-18)

      a.   Proverbs 6:17

      b.   Revelation 3:14-22

      c.   1 Corinthians 5:1-2

      d.   1 Corinthians 13:1-4

      e.   Isaiah 64:6

      f.   Daniel 9:18

      g.   Philippians 3:19

3.   Left in HOPELESSNESS – “rather than the other”

      a.   Proverbs 16:18

      b.   2 Corinthians 10:18 (cf v 12)

      c.   1 John 1:9