Sermons on Levi The Tax Collector:

When Jesus Called Levi-Matthew Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 11, 2025

Levi, also called Matthew, was a publican who collected Roman taxes from the Jews. One day Jesus came by Matthew's tax-collection site and said two simple words, "Follow Me". Levi did just that!

When Jesus Called Levi-Matthew, Luke 5 (This message is based on a sermon I preached at New Hope Baptist Church near Fulton, MO, on February 9, 2025 but is not an exact transcription.) Introduction: The Lord Jesus Christ picked 12 men to be His followers. We know the occupations of four (James, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-32

Denomination: Baptist

Hosting A Supper For Sinners Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 9, 2014

When Jesus started His ministry He selected twelve team members as His first round of draft picks. The twelve disciples were an eclectic group. He had fishermen, farmers, a terrorist and a wolf in sheep's clothing.

INTRODUCTION Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms out there. There are all kinds of stereotypes of different moms. Most of us are familiar with the overbearing Jewish mother. Joel Rosenberg told me a joke about a Jewish son who called his mom. He asked, “How are you doing?” She ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

"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 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

The Point Of Power Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Sep 8, 2003

Sermon 15 of 16 on 1 Corinthians. Death and Taxes are inevitable – wrong! I believe it was Ben Franklin who said that death and taxes were inevitable. Well, he was wrong! Only Taxes are inevitable!

Death and Taxes are inevitable – wrong! I believe it was Ben Franklin who said that death and taxes were inevitable. Well, he was wrong! Only Taxes are inevitable! Good News Death has been defeated – finally, thoroughly, irrevocably, and perpetually. This is the good new about Jesus! Good ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-58

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Contagious Faith Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Dec 15, 2007

Looking at the example of Levi, this message examines the type of faith necessary to be contagious in our example.

INTRODUCTION A. Sermon: “A Contagious Faith” Series: “Becoming Contagious” Part 1: “The Stockpile Factor” Part 2: “A Contagious Heart” – A desire to be used Part 3: “A Contagious Faith” – How do you have a contagious faith? ILLUSTRATION: FAITH I heard the story of three guys that were hiking ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-32

Denomination: Baptist

Leaving A Taxing Situation Series

Contributed by Sherman Gordon on Feb 17, 2007

MUCH LIKE JESUS CALLED MATTHEW TO WALK AWAY FROM HIS FAMILIAR AND COMFORTABLE LIFESTYLE AS A TAX COLLECTOR AND FOLLOW AFTER HIM, JESUS IS CALLING US TO LEAVE CERTAIN PARTS AND THE PAST OF OUR LIFE BEHIND ALSO. LET’S FIND OUT HOW . . .

SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 9:9 SUBJECT: LEAVING A TAXING SITUATION BEHIND IN LUKE 2:41-52 (MARY AND JOSEPH RETURNING HOME FROM JERUSALEM . . .) AMAZING HOW THOSE YOU ARE CLOSE TO – GRANTED . . . PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY, AND SPIRITUALLY THEY HAVE CHECKED OUT A LONG TIME AGO, BUT BECAUSE YOU WERE SO BUSY ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Humility Over Pride: A Lesson From The Pharisee And The Tax Collector SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 9, 2023

A reflection on pride and humility based on the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

I love Bible stories, and I believe many of us who grew up in the faith find them to be a beautiful source of teachings that still resonate with us today. Stories like David and Goliath, Elijah, Joseph, Moses leading the Israelites in the desert, and Noah's ark have been a constant companion in our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Topics: Humility, Pride

Character Study Matthew

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 29, 2010

Character study Matthew (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request - email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

Reading: Matthew chapter 9 verses 9-13. Ill: • An old man was wondering if his wife had a hearing problem. • So one night, he stood behind her while she was sitting in her lounge chair. • He spoke softly to her, "Honey, can you hear me?" • There was no response. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Denomination: Brethren

Follow Me

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Feb 19, 2022

Jesus calls all of us to follow him. And if he could use a hated tax collector named Levi, he can use us.

Where do you turn to find wisdom today? We now have access to incredible amounts of information, but how do you sort out what is important? We have the technology to do so many things, but how do we decide which of those things are worth doing? We can travel very fast, but as we race through ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-32, Matthew 9:9-13, Mark 2:13-17

The Return Of The Levi

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Nov 29, 2018

A study in the book of 1 Chronicles 6: 1 – 81

1 Chronicles 6: 1 – 81 The Return of the Levi 6 The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 2 The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. 3 The children of Amram were Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. And the sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 4 Eleazar begot ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 6:1

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Zacchaeus’ Big Climb Up.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Oct 1, 2021

About tax collectors: Tax collectors contract with Romans to collect taxes in a particular town or region, and pay a substantial fee for their franchise.

Zacchaeus’ Big Climb Up. Luke 19:1-10TPT Jesus has a divine need to connect and covenant to all mankind. His need for all individuals out weighs His personal wants and, or, desires. Every move Jesus made, He made with purpose. God’s intention through His Son according to Luke 19:10, is to seek and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10, Matthew 19:16-22

Denomination: Pentecostal

God’s Great Love For Humble Sinners Series

Contributed by John Bright on Jun 23, 2023

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

“God’s Great Love for Humble Sinners” Luke 18:9-14 Pastor John Bright Luke 18 “9 Jesus also told this parable to some who were confident that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else. 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14, Matthew 6:5

Denomination: Methodist

The Danger Of Comparative Righteousness Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Jun 6, 2021

Thank God I Am NOT LIKE............

February 06, 2021 The Context: “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told a story”: The Parable {Luke 18:10-14}: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Jesus Calls Levi Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on May 11, 2013

In the call of Levi we learn how Jesus saves sinners.

Scripture Luke wrote his Gospel so that we would know that Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. In the early chapters of his Gospel, Luke showed Jesus seeking and saving those with physical ailments. In today’s narrative, however, Luke showed Jesus taking the initiative to reach a sinner ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-29

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed