1. The story of the Pharisee and the Publican. Luke 18:9-14.

1. Why does the Pharisee go to the temple? "The Pharisee goes up to the temple to worship, not because he feels that he is a sinner in need of pardon, but because he thinks himself righteous and hopes to win commendation. His worship he regards as an act of merit that will recommend him to God. At the same time it will give the people a high opinion of his piety. He hopes to secure favor with both God and man. His worship is prompted by self-interest." Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 150:1.

2. The Pharisee draws apart from the others a bit. Luke 18:11.

a. As if to say Isaiah 65:5.

3. What does the Pharisee judge character by? "He judges his character, not by the holy character of God, but by the character of other men. His mind is turned away from God to humanity. This is the secret of his self-satisfaction." Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 151:0.

4. He then lists his good deeds. Luke 18:12.

a. The Pharisee is satisfied with a religion that touches only the outward forms in life. "The religion of the Pharisee does not touch the soul. He is not seeking Godlikeness of character, a heart filled with love and mercy. He is satisfied with a religion that has to do only with the outward life. His righteousness is his own—the fruit of his own works—and judged by a human standard." Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 151:1.

5. What are the signs in our attitude that we are Pharisaical? "Whoever trusts in himself that he is righteous, will despise others. As the Pharisee judges himself by other men, so he judges other men by himself. His righteousness is estimated by theirs, and the worse they are the more righteous by contrast he appears." Christ’s Object Lessons, p.151:2.

a. Can that soul enter into communion with God? "With this spirit it is impossible for him to enter into communion with God. He goes down to his house destitute of the divine blessing." Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 151:2.

6. That prayer was a waste of time.

1. What is a publican?

2. The Publican also draws apart from other worshippers. Luke 18:13.

3. He did not compare himself with others.

4. He seemed overwhelmed with his own guilt,

5. His only plea before God was God’s mercy. Luke 18:13.

1. Cain and Abel

a. The same situation developed with Cain and Abel. Genesis 4:3-5.

b. Cain came only with a thank offering.

c. Abel came with blood pointing to the Lamb of God.

2. The life of Peter.

a. In his early discipleship he felt himself strong.

b. How did Peter react on the eve of the crucifixion? Mark 14:27, 29.

c. Peter later needed to be tested before he could be considered a leader. John 21:15, 17.

3. In the experience of both Peter and the Pharisee, what was it that made their case so offensive to God? "The evil that led to Peter’s fall and that shut out the Pharisee from communion with God is proving the ruin of thousands today. There is nothing so offensive to God or so dangerous to the human soul as pride and self-sufficiency." Christ’s Object Lessons, p.154:4.

a. In Proverbs 6:16-19, this heads the list of 7 things God hates.

b. "Of all sins it is the most hopeless, the most incurable." Christ’s Object Lessons, p.154:4.

1. Christ left a promise that Peter could hold on to. Luke 22:32.

a. He reaffirmed this after His resurrection. Mark 16:7.

b. "It was through self-sufficiency that Peter fell; and it was through repentance and humiliation that his feet were again established. . . In his bitter agony of remorse, this prayer, and the memory of Christ’s look of love and pity, gave him hope." Christ’s Object Lessons, p.155-156.

c. We are never to think that we are saved. "Peter’s fall was not instantaneous, but gradual. Self-confidence led him to the belief that he was saved, and step after step was taken in the downward path, until he could deny his Master. Never can we safely put confidence in self or feel, this side of heaven, that we are secure against temptation. Those who accept the Saviour, however sincere their conversion, should never be taught to say or to feel that they are saved. This is misleading. Every one should be taught to cherish hope and faith; but even when we give ourselves to Christ and know that He accepts us, we are not beyond the reach of temptation. God’s word declares, ‘Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried.’ Daniel 12:10. Only he who endures the trial will receive the crown of life. (James 1:12).

"Those who accept Christ, and in their first confidence say, I am saved, are in danger of trusting to themselves. They lose sight of their own weakness, and their constant need of divine strength. They are unprepared for Satan’s devices, and under temptation many, like Peter, fall into the very depths of sin." Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 155:1, 2.

2. What counsel should we hold in mind? 1 Corinthians 10:12.

a. "Our only safety is in constant distrust of self, and dependence on Christ." Christ’s Object Lessons, p.155:2.

b. Why should we not fear? What promise did God give to us? Isaiah 27:5.

c. He is able to save us to the uttermost. Hebrews 7:25.

d. Promise to give power to the faint and to increase our strength. Isaiah 40:29.

1. We need to confess and acknowledge our specific sins. 1 John 1:9; Jeremiah 3:13.

a. "But we must have a knowledge of ourselves, a knowledge that will result in contrition, before we can find pardon and peace. The Pharisee felt no conviction of sin. The Holy Spirit could not work with him. His soul was encased in a self-righteous armor which the arrows of God, barbed and true-aimed by angel hands, failed to penetrate. It is only he who knows himself to be a sinner that Christ can save." Christ’s Object Lessons, p.158:2.

2. He came to heal those that are broken hearted. Luke 4:18.

a. But we must recognize our need of the great Physician. Luke 5:31.

b. "We must know our real condition, or we shall not feel our need of Christ’s help. We must understand our danger, or we shall not flee to the refuge. We must feel the pain of our wounds, or we should not desire healing. Christ’s Object Lessons, p.158:2.

3. It is this Pharisaical spirit (comparing oneself with others etc.) that leads one to a Laodicean condition. Revelation 3:17, 18.

a. "But no man can of himself understand his errors." Christ’s Object Lessons, p.159:1. Jeremiah 17:9.

b. "The lips may express a poverty of soul that the heart does not acknowledge. While speaking to God of poverty of spirit, the heart may be swelling with the conceit of its own superior humility and exalted righteousness. In one way only can a true knowledge of self be obtained. We must behold Christ. It is ignorance of Him that makes men so uplifted in their own righteousness. When we contemplate His purity and excellence, we shall see our own weakness and poverty and defects as they really are. We shall see ourselves lost and hopeless, clad in garments of self-righteousness, like every other sinner. We shall see that if we are ever saved, it will not be through our own goodness, but through God’s infinite grace." Christ’s Object Lessons, p.159:1.

c. "No outward observances can take the place of simple faith and entire renunciation of self. But no man can empty himself of self. We can only consent for Christ to accomplish the work. Then the language of the soul will be Lord, take my heart; for I cannot give it. It is Thy property. Keep it pure, for I cannot keep it for Thee. Save me in spite of myself, my weak, unchristlike self. Mold me, fashion me, raise me into a pure and holy atmosphere, where the rich current of Thy love can flow through my soul." Christ’s Object Lessons, p.159:3.