Luke 18:9-14_Sermon_The Space Between

10_26_25_#18_Luke 18:9-14_The Space Between

{ILS} Arguments

• The workplace often has several departments - multiple agendas

• Their documentation of the issues is influenced by their memory

• Their motivation to prioritize tasks is influenced by their agenda

• Their temperament is influenced by the last time they argued 

• The perspectives on each side of an argument are warped

{SCR} Luke 18:9 Jesus told this parable to certain people who had convinced themselves that they were righteous and who looked on everyone else with disgust: 10 “Two people went up to the temple to pray. 10 One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

{MPT} The space between the home and the temple

• It is uphill journey, at a committed time, on an important day

• Consider the thoughts you might have on the walk to the temple

• Consider the people you see with a mixture of joy, apathy, and loathing

• Disgust is a serious word

• The text started with a follower looking at another follower with disgust

• When God looks upon a person who would use “disgust” for another in creation…

• Think about that walk to and from the temple 

• The internal conversation recounts the major topics already on your mind

• If not cautious , the arguments travel inside the temple with you

{SCR} Luke 18: 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself with these words, ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like everyone else—crooks, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week. I give a tenth of everything I receive.’ 13 But the tax collector stood at a distance. He wouldn’t even lift his eyes to look toward heaven. Rather, he struck his chest and said, ‘God, show mercy to me, a sinner.’ 

{MPT} The space between merit and grace

• I -  Sacrifice (fasting) and give (a tenth)

• Others - Only consume and take

• I - the listing of attributes leaves no space to hear anything

• Others - allegedly have not contributed to who we are or will be

• how do we balance the effort required without seeking credit and comparison?

• the order of our thoughts matter —-> grace, then action

{SCR} Luke 18:14 I tell you, this person went down to his home justified rather than the Pharisee. All who lift themselves up will be brought low, and those who make themselves low will be lifted up.”

{MPT} The space between bring brought low and lifted up

• First -a structure built primarily by your thoughts and assessments…

• That structure will also be torn down by your thoughts and assessments

• Your perspective becomes warped

• You want to corner God first, to share your warped take

• You talk so much there is no space for listening

• The remedy is confession and pardon

• The optimal location was the temple

• The secondary location was the local synagogue

• Jesus took the practice into the homes of the people

• Second - The further you advance

• Mentally The more you should lead as the lowest

• Spiritually

• The Son of Man will be lifted up

• This ends arguments

• Not bluster

• Not justification

• Not weapons

• Sacrifice