Key Question: Why do we show up? What drives our spiritual actions?

1. Their Standing (Luke 18:9;13):

• The Right Thing to Bring: Only Christ brings us into good standing with God.
• Misconception:
  • The Pharisee relied on self-righteous acts and public recognition.
  • He used prayer as a performance rather than worship.
  • Truth: The church or personal deeds don’t establish righteousness—only Christ does.
• Contrast:
  • The publican’s humility vs. the Pharisee’s pride.
  • The publican’s inability to even look up, overwhelmed by guilt.
• Reflection:
  • What do we rely on to approach God?
  • Pride vs. Pardon: What’s the posture of our hearts?

2. Their Sayings (Luke 18:11;13):

• The Pharisee