1. Gospel Reading Luke 18:9-14

2. 9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable:

3. 10“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

4. 11 The Pharisee stood up and prayed about a himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men––robbers, evildoers, adulterers––or even like this tax collector.

5. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

6. 13“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

7. 14“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

8. I Am Sooo Good! Luke 18:9-14 October 27, 2013 Rev. John W. Landis, DMin

9. Story of Contrasts Pharisee Arrogant Separate Convinced he is right Asks for nothing – He boasts, not prays and WRONG Tax collector Humbled Separated Knows he has done wrong Asks for Mercy and RIGHT

10. Pharisee forgot that if you have to prove you are pious YOU ARE NOT!

11. Lessons to Learn

12. We can be identified by how we pray!

13. Who is in your prayers? What are you praying for You – Thanks for self actions – Asking for more – Why? Others? – Why – For your own benefit or for theirs

14. Key question is “WHY are you doing what you are doing?” For God For Others

15. Key question is “WHY are you doing what you are doing?” For yourself? – To serve whom? We need to rest and replenish We need to reward ourselves We need to position so that we can help others We need to have resources to help

16. Don’t Compare There is always someone worse There is always someone better If you are going to compare, compare to yourself – God Does! – “Did you do the best you could with what you have?”

17. There is a difference between a positive self image and conceit Positive Self Image gives you confidence – Is verified by others who know you – Allows you to be constructive Conceit – You hold the sole opinion Except for the new and/or the gullible – Does harm To you To others – Often employed to hide poor self image

18. Your Greatest Strength pushed one step too far becomes Your Greatest Weakness!

19. No need to impress God God made us God knows us God LOVES us

20. Humility Acknowledges that we are human Not self-deprecating Willingness to give value to other human beings Willingness to share with others – Ideas – Control – The Journey

21. If you think you are the best there is no need for improvement!

22. God calls us to Constant Improvement Intellectually – Study and increase our skills and knowledge Particularly for ministry Spiritually – Metanoia – Life long

23. Lifelong Learning We are sent here to – Learn how to be in community Heaven is a community – Serve We use what we learn to serve – Learn to serve – Learn how to serve

24. EVERYTHING You CAN’T LEARN if you think you KNOW EVERYTHING!

25. Humility allows us to let ourselves serve You can’t serve if you are not humble – Arrogance precludes Empathy It also allows us to be served – Allow not DEMAND! – To be served is to serve Provides opportunity for others to minister and serve Provides opportunity for others to learn It acknowledges that others are competent or can learn

26. What you do is not as important why you do it! Motive and Intent Counts!

27. How do we measure? Great Commandment – Love God – Love your neighbor as yourself Look after both – Be compassionate – Care Have we become our own God – In what order do we serve and expect to be served?

28. Some questions to ask ourselves Where in your life are you pushing your strength too far? Where has self confidence expanded to be over confident? Where has humility become posturing or self deprecating

29. In other words.. Are we righteous or self-righteous? Do we serve God and Others or Ourselves? Who is God in our lives?

30. Finally, the Cross is the symbol of humility and the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of others!

31. The Crown of Glory is the reward!

32. The Pharisee thinks he deserves the Crown of Glory!

33. CrownCross In Christianity you cannot separate the Crown from the Cross!

34. Remember, you win the crown by SERVING not DESERVING!