This sermon unpacks Jesus' parable in Luke 18, contrasting the Pharisee's self‑righteousness and the tax collector's reliance on God's mercy to show that true justification comes only through Christ, not our works.

It applies the parable to modern church life, warning against a culture of moral pride and urging believers to cling to Christ's merits received in Word and Sacrament as the foundation for faith and good works.