Sermons on Debt Collectors Persecute:

Praise The Lord, I Saw The Light!

Contributed by Craig Condon on Mar 23, 2015

We must follow God and start inviting ourselves and go out into the world and seek out others-just like Jesus and Zacchaeus sought each other out.

There is a story about a fitness centre that was offering $1,000 to anyone who could show that they were stronger than the owner of the place. Here’s how it worked. The owner would squeeze a lemon until all the juice ran into a glass, and then hand the lemon to the challenger. Anyone who ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Anglican

Lost And Found Series

Contributed by John Bright on Jun 22, 2023

Working through the Gospel of Luke using consecutive expository preaching. Teaching sheet included at end of text.

"Lost and Found" Luke 15:1-10 A sermon for 10/30/22 – All Saint’s Sunday Pastor John Bright Harmony & Swansonville UMC Luke 15 1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: Methodist

Come On Down

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Sep 14, 2023

Until God changes us, we cannot be good. But we have to accept his invitation.

Once upon a time, about 2,000 years ago, a man named Zacchaeus wanted something so badly he climbed a tree to get it - in a skirt. I'm not too fond of climbing trees myself, even in jeans; I'm not always sure about getting down again. But this man didn't care. He lived in a town in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

I'm Glad I'm Not. . .

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Oct 27, 2022

do we pray like a Pharisee to impress God or like the tax collector to be impressed by God

God, I thank you that I am not like those conservative Episcopalians who walked away refusing to acknowledge gospel hospitality, love, and inclusiveness. God, I thank you that I am not like the agenda-driven liberal Episcopalians who neither understand nor respect the holy scriptures. God, I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14, Proverbs 16:18, Matthew 23:27, Isaiah 2:11

Denomination: Episcopal

The Challenge Of Change Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Mar 21, 2025

This is the 16th Sermon from the Gospel of Luke Series, "Jesus- Son Of Man".

Series: Jesus- Son Of Man [#16] THE CHALLENGE OF CHANGE Luke 5:27-39 Introduction: Today, we are going to look at the challenge of change in our spiritual lives. We see Levi, a tax collector, who chose to leave his comfortable but corrupt life to follow Jesus. This decision highlights the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-39, Matthew 9:9-17, Mark 2:13-22

Denomination: Baptist

Thirtieth Sunday In Ordinary Time - Year C. In Defense Of The Pharisee And Tax Collector

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 25, 2025

Jesus indicates that the Pharisee's virtue was destroyed by pride, but he certainly was objectively living a good moral life.

Let’s see what the Pharisee did right, and the tax collector— The Pharisee prayed- 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity --greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.' Jesus indicates ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Catholic

Levi To Matthew Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Aug 13, 2025

Matthew had an identity crisis.

Sermon: Levi – to – Matthew- to Chosen by Jesus! Thesis: Jesus loved changing the identity and direction of people he came across in his ministry. Do you know who you are within the Kingdom of God? Do you know your calling and gifts? Have you believed the Father of lies for your life or the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Sin Debt Is Paid, Christ Is Risen And A Full Pardon Offered.

Contributed by David Goering on Aug 14, 2018

Why and how did Christ make a full payment for sin

SCRIPTURE: Mark 8:31 "And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again." 1.) Why and How could Christ make a full payment for mankinds sin? A.) For Christ ...read more

Forgive Us Our Debts (Contd) - Matthew 6:12 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 20, 2024

When we sin God is displeased and our relationship with Him is disrupted. That continues until we confess in sorrow and repentance and He forgives and brings us back out into the light.

Matthew 6:5-15 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:12

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

A Tale Of Two Prayers

Contributed by Peter Thelander on Oct 29, 2001

A look at Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector.

It was the best of prayers, it was the worst of prayers, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of grace, it was the epoch of law, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: United Methodist

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

Pardon Me Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 18, 2011

Forgiveness is hard, but God shows us how and makes us able.

Do any of you remember the movie Love Story? From at least 30 years ago, starring Ryan O’Neill and Ali McGraw? It was a real tear-jerker. Spoiled rich young man at Harvard meets gifted beauty from the wrong side of the tracks... she dies, eventually, of some unspecified wasting disease that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed