Sermons on Collector:

God Hates Overachievers

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Oct 17, 2007

Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector.

-Rugged individualism is a highly sought after and much honored trait, especially in America -Workaholism is one of only a handful of diseases that goes untreated in America -We love to watch John Wayne or Clint Eastwood westerns -We love to hear the rags to riches story where the guy who comes ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Change Series

Contributed by Ken Sowers on Mar 24, 2014

Levi the tax collector becomes Matthew the disciple

Change? How? LK 5:27 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him, 28 and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. Last week Shelley talked about Jesus’ authority to lead - “Peter, leave the nets ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:21-39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Inside And Outside Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jan 14, 2016

Jesus heals a paralytic and eats with tax collectors.

Mark 2:1-22 “Inside and Outside” INTRODUCTION Often times our images of heaven are peaceful and serene. The books, Heaven is for Real and Ninety Minutes in Heaven, certainly underscore this thought. Heaven is a place to be reunited with family and friends. There is no struggle ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-22

Denomination: Lutheran

Zacchaeus

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jan 10, 2021

There is hope for everyone, even crooked tax-collectors!

There is hope for everyone, even crooked tax-collectors! We’ve all heard the story of Zacchaeus in Sunday School; it’s a favorite, and raises a smile or two. Just a few days before the crucifixion, Jesus visits Jericho. It was an important center of commerce. King Herod had a palace there. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Congregational

The Pharisee And The Tax Collector Or The Pastor And Irs Agent Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Feb 7, 2002

Jesus told a story in Luke’s Gospel to teach us about the irony of God’s righteousness and man’s sinfulness.

INTRODUCTION Sermonic Theme Opening Statement: There are many literary forms used in the Bible. There is poetry, proverb, legal document, dramatic narrative, hymn, sermon, theological treatise, personal letter, and apocalyptic vision. And sprinkled into all of these genres are figures of speech ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

"Breaking Barriers"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Feb 8, 2018

A sermon about Jesus calling all sinners.

“Breaking Barriers” Mark 2:13-17 One verse in here that really stands out to me is verse 15. It says: “And as he sat at dinner in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples—for there were many who followed him.” There were many “tax ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:13-17

Denomination: United Methodist

The Little Man With A Big Need

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 22, 2022

This is a popular text with preachers, and I have heard several intriguing titles for it besides the one I am using today.

Here are some of them that I recall: • A man who went out on a limb for Jesus • The Salvation of Shorty the Racketeer • The Short Scoundrel that Seriously Sought The Saviour • Seeking the True Vine By Sitting In A Tall tree Any of these titles would be appropriate for this sermon, but I have ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Catching Sinners

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 19, 2023

The Mediterranean News Service interviews a Pharisee and Simon Peter to get their reactions to Jesus having called a tax collector to follow him.

RM Good morning. This is Rufus Milo of the Mediterranean News Service with a special report live from Judea. Over the past few weeks we’ve been closely following the growing controversy over Galilean rabbi Yeshua bar Joseph, whose revolutionary message continues to attract followers from all over ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"The Puzzle Of The Be Attitudes”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Feb 9, 2022

“The Beatitudes are not teachings on ‘how’ to be blessed. They are not instructions to do anything. Jesus is not telling anyone they would be better off being ‘financially’ poor. (Dallas Willard) Is Luke 6 about Jesus fulfilling His Mission statement? Luke 4

In Jesus Holy Name February 13, 2022 Luke 6:17 “The Puzzle of the Be Attitudes” Philip Yancy in his book “The Jesus I Never Knew” wrote the following when he read the 1st Beatitude in Luke 6. “I became so convicted about my addiction to material things that I gave away to a friend my ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:17-26, Matthew 5:3-4

Denomination: Lutheran

The Prayer That Reaches Heaven Series

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Oct 17, 2025

This is the secret of true worship. This is what God is looking for when we come before Him.

Title: The Prayer That Reaches Heaven Intro: This is the secret of true worship. This is what God is looking for when we come before Him. Scripture: Luke 18:9-14 Reflection Dear Friends, My dear friends, let me tell you about a moment that changed everything for me. It happened on an ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Other

La Oración Que Alcanza El Cielo Series

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Oct 17, 2025

Este es el secreto de la verdadera adoración. Esto es lo que Dios busca cuando nos presentamos ante Él.

Título: La Oración que Alcanza el Cielo Introducción: Este es el secreto de la verdadera adoración. Esto es lo que Dios busca cuando nos presentamos ante Él. Escritura: Lucas 18:9-14 Reflexión Queridos amigos: Queridos amigos, permítanme contarles sobre un ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Other

A Prophet, An Adulterous, An Idolator, A Tax Collector And You"

Contributed by Bruce Hindenburg on Jun 15, 2002

How God blessed and continues to bless the not so ordinary, including You.

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. It is always a blessing to be invited to preach in another church. I especially enjoy coming back to Peace Lutheran and seeing my friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, that I don’t get to see nearly ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13, Romans 4:18-25

Denomination: Lutheran

God, Have Mercy On Me, A Sinner

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Feb 9, 2005

This is a comparison on the attitude of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector for an Ash WEdnesday service.

February 9, 2005 Luke 18:9-14 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Lutheran

A Sting In The Tail

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 20, 2004

Why was the tax collector more acceptable than the "good" Pharisee

OR/NR 24-10-04 Parable of the Pharisee & Tax Collector - Lk 18:9-14 Story: In a small country village in Sicily, there were two brothers, renown members of the local Mafia. They were mean, bad and very rich. No one had a good word to say about them. Indeed, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Anglican

"Coming Back To The Heart Of Worship"

Contributed by Lance Hostetter on Jan 7, 2014

This message looks at the Pharisee and tax collectors attitude toward worship.

“Coming Back to the Heart of Worship” The Pharisee and the Tax Collector History of the heart of worship. Luke 18:9-14 9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:9-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ