Sermons on Debt Collectors Persecute:

Mercy Took My Seat

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 8, 2025

At the cross, justice demanded judgment, but mercy took our place—clearing our debt and crediting Christ’s righteousness to all who believe.

Some years ago, Gary Haugen told a story he called “snack math.” He was teaching his kids about fairness. One child got two cookies while another got only one. The protest came fast: “That’s not fair!” That moment made Haugen realize something profound — every child is born with a built-in sense ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-7, Romans 3:23, Isaiah 53:4-6, Luke 23:13-43, 2 Corinthians 5:21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Obedient Citizens

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 21, 2023

Leaders of nations that oppress Christians are only hurting themselves by persecuting their best citizens. Let's look at why in Romans 13.

Leaders of nations and communities that oppress Christians don’t realize that they are harassing some of their most loyal citizens. A Christian value is to be obedient citizens? We obey civil laws because God wants us to. Every person should place themselves under the authority of the government. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Are There Any Sinners In Your Church? Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Sep 9, 2018

The story of the Pharisee and the publican is the story of two great sinners. One knew he was a sinner and acknowledges it before God. The other knew not that he was a sinner and boasted of his righteousness.

Are There any Sinners in Your Church? Luke 18:9-18:14 9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

7 Ways Of Demonstrating The Love Of God In Our Lives

Contributed by Dr. Stanley Vasu on Jan 20, 2012

1.PRECEPTS 2.PRAYER 3.PRAISE 4.PERSECUTION 5.PRESENTS 6.PHILANTHROPY 7.PROCLAMATION

7 WAYS OF DEMONSTRATING THE LOVE OF GOD IN OUR LIVES OUTLINE 1.PRECEPTS 2.PRAYER 3.PRAISE 4.PERSECUTION 5.PRESENTS 6.PHILANTHROPY 7.PROCLAMATION THE MESSAGE 7 WAYS OF DEMONSTRATING THE LOVE OF GOD IN OUR LIVES 1.PRECEPTS We demonstrate the love of God by ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:36-40

Denomination: Pentecostal

Robes And Rags Series

Contributed by Joe Tilton on Oct 28, 2013

The Pharisee and tax collector praying in the Temple--what a contrast, but the one in the robes was not the one favored by God. How good do you have to be? This lesson in humility may be startling.

Message Robes and Rags October 27, 2013 The following are true stories from Associated Press, San Jose Mercury News and UPI. Robert Puelo, 32, was apparently being disorderly in a St. Louis market, when a clerk threatened to call police. Puelo grabbed a hotdog, shoved it in his mouth and walked ...read more

Denomination: *other

Real Righteousness

Contributed by Scott Jensen on Oct 29, 2019

Luther's studies reveled that we are saved by grace through faith, and not by works. That thought is the heart of what the reformation. This sermon ties into the reformation with the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.

Opening and Introduction Tonight, is a special day as we celebrate the reformation. Just over 500 years ago, Martin Luther nailed 95 theses on the Wittenberg church door, which changed the landscape of Europe, and the world. Luther’s disagreement with the Catholic church was very similar to the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Lutheran

The Call To All Sinners (Second Sunday After Epiphany January 15, 2023)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Feb 4, 2023

Imagine you are Matthew, the tax collector. You come from a Jewish background but you work for the enemy----the Roman Government. You have made a good living. But, ….

THE CALL TO ALL SINNERS Text: Matthew 9:9- 13 Matthew 9:9 - 13 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. 10  And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Denomination: United Methodist

Two Ways To Pray, One Effective, The Other Not So Much

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Oct 21, 2025

Our Gospel from St. Luke is the only place in the NT where we can find this parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, or tax-collector. Both go up to the Temple to pray.

Thirtieth Sunday Integral 2025 The deuterocanonical book of Sirach, a late work in Hebrew that survived only in Gk, is kind of a long reflection on the entire OT. It was used by the Church to help new barbarian members understand the moral law and the road to virtuous living so much that it was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 2 Timothy 4:16-18, John 3:16, Psalm 34:2-3, Psalm 34:17-18, Psalm 34:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

When The Going Gets Tough Love Gets Going Series

Contributed by Leonard Cook on May 20, 2007

Living a life of love in the midst of unimaginable persecution. If this is the message to these Christians who are under unimaginable persecution, then what is the message for us living in a free society; and how much more does God expect from us as a re

When the Going Gets tough Love Gets Going 1 Peter 1:22-2:2 (Key Center, Verse 1:22) How Do You Love 22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. Exegesis: You obeyed the truth and are now ...read more

Denomination: Holiness

Call For Endurance

Contributed by D Marion Clark on May 22, 2017

What do we do in the face of persecution? We endure; we keep the faith. This is the message of Revelation. Whatever comes – and every type of persecution and deception will come – remain faithful to your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Rev 12:1-13:18 A Call for Endurance 5/21/17 D. Marion Clark Introduction When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 He said, “Do not be ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Whatever Happens Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jun 22, 2020

Whatever happens Christians should (1) Live godly lives (2) Maintain unity with other believers (3) Not fear persecution from the ungodly. The message focuses on what prepares Christians to faithfully stand firm in persecution.

The world we live in is full of uncertainty. A microscopic virus has upset the status quo of the whole world. Upheaval, discontent and hate suddenly erupts in the streets.i It is too organized to have been purely spontaneous. But people are inflicting pain and violence on other people they don’t ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:10, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Romans 8:4, Ephesians 6:12, 1 Peter 4:12-16, Acts 5:41, James 4:13-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Praying For Our Enemy Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 14, 2003

Romans talks about how we should "treat" our enemies... but until we learn how to pray for them, we will find it nearly impossible to show love for them. Find out why.

OPEN: During the Korean war a certain military unit had hired a local boy to cook and clean for them. Being a bunch of jokesters, these guys soon took advantage of the boy’s seeming naiveté’. · They’d smear Vaseline on the stove handles so that when he’d turn the stove on in the morning he’d get ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:14-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Man Who Went Home Justified

Contributed by Joel Santos on Jan 23, 2005

One of the greatest parables ever told was the story of the Pharisee and the Tax collector. The story is great because it has plot twists and leads to a surprise ending. The word righteousness means “right-standing”. To be righteous means to be in right

A MAN WHO WENT HOME JUSTIFIED Luke 18: 9-14 One of the greatest parables ever told was the story of the Pharisee and the Tax collector. The story is great because it has plot twists and leads to a surprise ending. In Jesus’ day this simple story surely sent people home baffled and buzzing. The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Cajuns, Prophets, And Persian Kings: God's Servants To Bless His People

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Nov 3, 2002

Pentecost 22: Trials, persecutions, and the most difficult moments in life are used by God to deliver us from greater harm and to bless us.

A few nights ago I was sitting in the living room working on the computer. While checking my email, a pop-up ad for Classmates.com appeared. Classmates.com is an Internet company that stores graduation and reunion information for schools and military units. For some reason I decided to look up ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 45:1-7

Denomination: Lutheran

Forgiving Our Enemies

Contributed by John Howard on Feb 23, 2002

Christ challenges us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.

Forgiving Our Enemies Matt 5:43-48 With the events of 11 Sep - Came a lot of anguish and horror - Then came anger and the desire to find the terrorists - Who did this terrible thing - These are normal human reactions - And are something we all experience - But we are called as Christians to be ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:19, Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Baptist