PARABLE DEFINED

a short allegorical story designed to illustrate or teach some truth, religious principle, or moral lesson. a statement or comment that conveys a meaning indirectly by the use of comparison, analogy, or the like.

and

The Tax Collector

LUKE 18: 9-14

and

The Politician
LUKE 18: 9-14

18:9-14

Who Do You Look Down On?

Different Religions (Muslims, Hindus) Addicts: Drugs and Alcohol Immigrants and Foreigners Different Styles of Clothing Kinds of Music (country, rap, punk) Sexual Orientation Pregnant Teens Social Classes

Two Men entered the Temple to Pray

One a Pharisee
OK reputation with the people Linked with Macabees Of the People, For the People

The other a tax collector

Turncoat, Traitor, Cheat Opposites in many ways

 Pharisee (Vs. 11-12)

Lists his virtues before God Compares himself to others

Tax Collector (Vs. 13)

Stands back Head down Beat his breast

The Approach To God

Luke 18:14
One left Justified
He humbled himself

One was not

He exalted himself

WHY?
The Departure From God

Matthew 16:6, 11-12

"Be careful," Jesus said to them. "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." 7 They discussed this among themselves and got it all jacked up. So Jesus says to them, 11 How is it you don't understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." 12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Galatians 1:8-9
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!

Lessons for would-be disciples

We are saved by God's grace, not by our righteous deeds. God hates the haughty, but welcomes the humble. We cannot, we must not look down on others.