45 – Lifeline: Experiencing God’s Power Through Prayer.
Mr. Big Stuff
Disciples only asked Jesus to teach them how to pray
Luke 18:10-14
There’s a right and wrong way to pray effectively.
Pharisee thought he was Mr. Big Stuff. God wants us to love Him.
Arrogant – Insulting attitude; thinking you are better, smarter or more important than others
Tendency to measure your worth when comparing yourself to other people.
Are you comparing yourself to others?
All Pharisees in scripture aren’t bad. Just this one.
Pharisee – member of Jewish faith set apart to maintain and further the divine cause.
Other person was a tax collector. He was as despised as the Pharisee was honored. Seen as extortioners and traitors.
Matthew was a tax collector.
Jesus took negative people and made them the hero. Master of juxtaposition.
Pharisee uses “I” seven times in his prayer. Be careful when you talk about you too much. He’s not really praying…..he’s reading his resume. God wants you to be confident but not boastful or look down on others. He stood in the temple…..bold. Trusting only in himself, not God.
Tax collector hung out in the back of the temple. He had wealth but that doesn’t make you right. He knew he was wrong. He felt unworthy and like a criminal. Still came to the temple though he was despised because he knew that’s where his healing would come from.
Jesus said the tax collector went home justified.
So, what’s the Spirit you pray with?
How should you pray?
Humble yourself
Contrite Spirit
Repentant heart
Luke 18:14
Exalt yourself and you will be humble
Humble yourself and you will be exalted.
Tamala R. Maddox, Ph. D.
Principal
R. F. Bumpus Middle School