Religious but Lost

Luke 18:9-14, Matthew 23:, Romans 3:21-28, and 10:1-3
Men are quick to judge from outward appearance, but God looks upon the heart. “I just came to help the meeting.” David

I: “Two men went up into the temple to pray.”
1. They may have walked to the temple together, but here in God’s house they separated.
2. The outward appearance of the Pharisee.
a. He was of the “Separated ones.”
b. He was a member of the strict religious group.
c. He regarded himself better than others: “Blessed art thou, Lord, our God, King of the World, that thou hast not made me a stranger, (Gentile) … a servant … a woman.”
d. He was honest in his business.
e. He was faithful to his wife and children.
f. He fasted twice in a week.
g. He was a tither and they didn’t guess at the tithe.
h. In fact, from outward appearance, he would have made a good Baptist.
3. The Outward appearance of the Publican:
a. He was a traitor to his own people.
b. He was a member of a corrupt tax system.
c. He was cut off from the religious inner circle.
d. His wealth was unclean money.
e. He possibly followed the trend of his day in respect to the home.
f. He couldn’t afford to tithe.
g. In fact he was the type we would have been glad to get rid of.

II: As Jesus saw them:
1. The Pharisee: (self-righteous): “Me and my son.”
a. He made the word of God of no effect by his many traditions.
b. He looked down on others and up to himself.
c. He was unthankful and felt no spiritual need.
d. He depended upon his good works to get him to Heaven.
e. But he was ignorant of a personal contact with God, (The new birth).
f. He was like a white-washed tomb.
g. He was a church-going sinner headed for Hell.
2. The Publican realized he was a sinner.
a. He was ashamed of his sin.
b. He asked for pardon.
c. He was willing to humble himself and turn from sin. (One was lost, and one was saved).