MORE THAN PRAYER AT STAKE

•    attempt at pulling rank turned foolish
•    parable aimed at those trusting their own merit, despising others
•    on what do I base my self-worth?
•    who am I tempted to look down on?
•    exalting oneself misses the ultimate frame of reference
•    who do we find ourselves muttering about?

BROADCASTING BADGES IN AN ECHO CHAMBER

•    when prayer becomes ‘all about ME’
•    impressive performance distracts from how good God is
•    pride goes before a fall
•    master at banquet changes place

GRABBING AT GRACE, RETURNING PUT RIGHT

•    tax-collector’s humble penitence: placement, gaze, self-abasement
•    focus not ‘how good I am’ but ‘how gracious God is’
•    pride owns stock in divine corporation, expects to be made director
•    mistaken if feel we have a claim on God
•    Jesus was ‘stuck up’ on a cross for sinners’ sake
•    put right with God by faith in Jesus, not by works

GIVING UP HIS PLACE

•    thrifty threads: judging by external appearance cost bank dearly
•    general yielded seat for elderly woman
•    Jesus gave up His seat in heaven to bring us there