Luke 18:9-14 and Isaiah 66:1-6

Familiarity of an idea or truth doesn’t always help us in understanding that idea or truth. In fact the more familiar it is the more easily it’s impact can become lessened. The parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector is that way. This week's sermon focuses on Jesus’ story of two praying men and what it means. In this story see that God doesn’t accept every brand of righteousness that is presented. We see that there are acts of righteousness the God of righteousness hates! However, there is a righteousness that God is pleased with and it has a different effect on those to whom it is given. The righteousness that God is pleased with, when it is embraced, actually produces the righteous life that God esteems. What is the righteousness that God is pleased with? How do you get it? How do you know that it is not so familiar that it has lost it’s impact on you? These are all questions that we will answer in this message. If you want a hint as to the heart of the matter of righteousness, here it is: If you are getting what you deserve then you are probably in trouble.