Whose Glory?

SERVICE VIDEO (link)TEXT: Matthew 6:16-18; Luke 18:9-14

Jesus told parables in order to make a point – often an unexpected point – to his listeners. In the parable in Luke 18 today, he tells a parable “to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt.” (v.9)

Do you know anyone like that? Have you ever been like that?

Let me substitute a word and ask again. A very close synonym for ‘righteous’ is ‘right.’

Do you know someone who is sure that they are right and views others with contempt? Have you ever been like that?

Hmm… Jesus is meddlin’.

Two Men (Luke 18:9-14)

Two men went up into the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee was very public and loud, “praying” by thanking God how much better he was than other sinful people, even singling out the tax collector praying beside him. He also thanked God for his acts of fasting and tithing.

In contrast, the tax collector was some