This document discusses two stories from Luke 18 about maintaining faith and humility. The first story is about a persistent widow who petitions an unjust judge for justice, teaching that people ought to always pray and not lose heart. The second story contrasts a Pharisee who boasts of his righteousness with a tax collector who humbly asks for God's mercy. Both stories teach that the key is to rely on God through prayer and faith, rather than finding fault in others or exalting oneself. The conclusion exhorts the reader to focus on having faith in God rather than faultfinding, and to change oneself through humility before trying to change the world.

4. It Starts with Self!
Pr 23:7 For as he thinks in
his heart, so is he. "Eat and
drink!" he says to you, But
his heart is not with you.

5. Faith vs. Fault Finding!
• Lk 17:3-5 "Take heed to yourselves. If your
brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if
he repents, forgive him. "And if he sins
against you seven times in a day, and seven
times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I
repent,' you must forgive him." And the
apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our
faith."

6. The “Key” is Humility!
• Mt 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
• Eph. 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle;
be patient, bearing with one another in
love.
• Php 2:3 Do nothing from selfishness or
conceit, but in humility count others better
than yourselves.

8. I. The Story!
• Context is king! A lot has already happened
& a lot of stories have already been told
that lead up to our passage this morning.
–The lost sheep, silver & son (Lk. 15)
–The dishonest manger (Lk. 16)
–Overcoming fault with faith (Lk. 17)
• Now let’s read our passage (Lk. 18:1-14)

9. Two Stories to Help us Understand
the Point!
• Lk 18:6-8 & 14 Then the Lord said, "Hear what the
unjust judge said. "And shall God not avenge His
own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though
He bears long with them? "I tell you that He will
avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son
of Man comes, will He really find faith on the
earth?" "I tell you, this man went down to his house
justified rather than the other; for everyone who
exalts himself will be humbled, and he who
humbles himself will be exalted."

10. II. The Strategy!
• In the 1st story the strategy is that men ought
to always pray and not lose heart!
–Verse 1 shows us the purpose of these stories!
• Let’s read the first story again together!
–Lk. 18:1-8
• This judge doesn’t fear God or respect man!
• Yet, the woman keeps coming to him, because he is
the only one that can help her, she doesn’t give up!

11. Wicked vs. Righteous Judge!
• If this strategy will work even on a wicked
judge, what does that say about coming to
the righteous judge?
–Jesus often uses this comparison!
–Mt 7:11 "If you then, being evil, know how to
give good gifts to your children, how much
more will your Father who is in heaven give
good things to those who ask Him!

12. The 2nd Story!
• Let’s now read the 2nd story together!
–Lk. 18:9-14
• The strategy: God be merciful to me, a sinner!
My standard is not others, but Jesus!
–2 Cor 10:12 For we dare not class ourselves or
compare ourselves with those who commend
themselves. But they, measuring themselves by
themselves, and comparing themselves among
themselves, are not wise.

13. III. The Settlement!
• The “key” to the 1st story & strategy is to
“pray with/in faith!” (Lk. 18:1 & 8)
–Reliance & settlement on God is the real
solution! “Don’t lose heart, have faith!”
• The “key” to the 2nd story & strategy is to
“seek mercy!” (Lk. 18:13-14)
–Nobody will be saved outside of mercy & grace!

14. The Self-biases is Dangerous!
• Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to
me, to everyone who is among you, not to think
of himself more highly than he ought to think,
but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each
one a measure of faith.
• The self-serving bias is people's tendency to
attribute positive events to their own character
but attribute negative events to external factors.

15. Conclusion:
• Are we more focused on having faith in God
or in finding fault in others?
• Seek and you will find works both ways!
What are we looking for?
• If you want to change the world, then start
with self!