Luke 18:10-14

Who are the main characters?

Pharisee

TC

Why compare these two? What does it say his purpose was for telling the parable?

Pharisees well respected for their piety, tax collectors certainly under condemnation.

What did both men do?

How would you describe both men, then? Both religious–professing to worship God.

What are the unique characteristics of the Pharisee? Give me the text

1.	prays to himself

a.	What insight does this give us into the Pharisee?

1.	Focused on himself

2.	What's wrong with this?

1.	He's praying! This is worship, and self is not the object of worship!

2.	thank you that

a.	I'm not like others: swindlers, unjust,

1.	What does this imply about his understanding of holiness?

1.	He finds it in comparison with others

2.	What great ability goes with this belief?

1.	Ability to point out others' sins

2.	Often those who condemn others are guilty of the same–illustrate

b.	I fast, I pray

1.	What other great skill does he show?

1.	Ability to remember his own righteousness

2.	What does he do with this recollection of his own righteousness?

1.	Thanks God for it. No true follower of God ever thanked God for his own righteousness–Daniel, Isaiah, do you remember their responses when they saw God? But the pharisee presents his own righteousness to God and actually believes God will be impressed!

2.	What is our righteousness? Filth

3.	What could we conclude about the Pharisee?

1.	He hasn't seen God, he's been busy doing things for God, but he hasn't seen Him. Oswald chambers writes that the biggest obstacle in our relationship with God is our service for God.

What are unique chars of tax collector? Give me the text

1.	Stood at a distance and would not look up to heaven,

a.	What insight does this give us into tax collector?

1.	He recognized God's holiness.

2.	beating his breast

a.	Having seen the holiness of God, what is his response?

1.	He does not feel worthy, sees his true condition and sees himself as a wretch.

3.	Said, "God be merciful to me a sinner

a.	What does he do next?

1.	What is he doing here? Recognizing he's got no other hope, he throws himself on God's mercy

4.	What is the major difference?

a.	One came to offer God something, the other to receive what God offered

Don't miss this, many are ready to offer God their works, but few are willing to accept what God offers. If you are hesitant to come to God just as you are because your life is not the way you would like it to be, you are waiting until you have something with which to impress God. When will you have it? Never. Come now as you are, and notice what's next.

1.	What does God offer the one who throws himself one His mercy?

a.	Justification–best gift available–know what it means? To be counted righteous. There's one thing God can't refuse–a sinner who throws himself on His mercy. In justification God is actually offering us Christ's righteousness–not our own righteousness, and if you receive Christ's righteousness, how much more righteous can you be? You cannot add anything to it.

2.	Many disqualify themselves from receiving Christ's righteousness by offering their own, but the only qualification for receiving justification is what?

a.	To fall on God's mercy, recognizing my unworthiness

3.	Do you know how to tell if you are not falling on God's mercy and receiving His righteousness?

a.	Condemning spirit toward others or toward yourself

b.	Nothing offends God more than a person who says, "Thank you, God for all you've done to save me, but look at what I've done! Doesn't that count a little?"

4.	How's your faith this morning? Do you find yourself comparing your behavior with other people's behavior, either to feel superior or to write yourself off? It's time to stop comparing and see Yourself as powerless, but not without Help, as weak, but not abandoned, as filthy, but not cast off. How's your faith? Are you willing to let God justify you this morning? If you were, what would you be saying to God?