Sermons on Parable Net:

The Pharisee And The Publican (Tax-Collector)

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jul 25, 2023

Jesus told a story (parable) about two men who went to the Temple to pray. One man was changed, but the other remained the same. Let's take a look:

(Based on a message preached at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO; not an exact transcription) Introduction: Some folks have become concerned about where they’re going when they die. I know of some who have asked, “Am I going to Hell when I die?” Today’s text, a story from Jesus about two people, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

Invitation

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 4, 2020

What is our response to God’s invitation? What does God expect us to wear? Let’s look at the Parable of the Wedding Banquet in Matthew 22:1-14.

What is our response to God’s invitation? What does God expect us to wear? Let’s look at the Parable of the Wedding Banquet in Matthew 22:1-14. Matthew 22:1-2 And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

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

Celestial Celebrations Series

Contributed by David Welch on Nov 19, 2018

This is message 32 in our exposition of James. This message continue the theme of restoring the wayward. I share how God feels about the wayward by looking to the parables of Jesus in Luke 15.

Chico Alliance Church Pastor David Welch “Celestial Celebrations” Luke 15:1-32 Introduction Last week we explored the attitude toward the wayward, lost, sinners, stumbling, straying James prescribes for every follower of Jesus. My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The "second Coming" Of Our Lord

Contributed by Byron Perrine on Jul 9, 2019

This sermon incorporates and adapts “The Parable of the Ten Virgins—A Picture of the Second Coming”, a sermon by Joseph Wallis, Sermon Central, Jan. 2002, to whom credit is hereby acknowledged.

(We invite you to visit us at www.HeritageRestorationProject.org or www.ChristianWisdom.info) The prophecy of the Second Coming of Jesus is often either misunderstood by Christians themselves, or, the object of derision and ridicule among non-Christians. And yet, it is one of the most important ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: United Methodist

Love Neighbor: The Greatest Commandment Part 2 Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Dec 5, 2018

Equally as difficult in loving God is learning what it means to love our neighbor as a disciple of Jesus Christ. This sermon reflects on both the greatest commandment as well as the parable of the Good Samaritan

All You Need is Love: Loving Others: The Greatest Commandment, Part 2 Mark 12: 28 – 34 We spent last week looking at what it means to love God. Hopefully, we discovered that we love what we’re passionate about, and that to love God is to desire Him, to devote ourselves to Him, and to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34, Luke 10:29-37

Denomination: Methodist

Use Your Worldly Wealth Wisely

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Aug 29, 2025

The parable of the dishonest manager leaves us with many unanswered questions. Why did Jesus use the “creative accounting” done by a cheater as the basis for a lesson on managing money and material wealth?

Dynamite. The airplane. Television. The Internet. Those are just a few examples of things that mankind has invented that have been used for good and for evil. Dynamite has allowed people to accomplish great tasks in building, mining, and demolition. Sadly it has also been used as a tool for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:9-13

Denomination: Lutheran

A Very Frightening Reading About Hell, How Then To We Avoid It.

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Sep 28, 2025

No matter where we are in our spiritual journey, this parable will quickly return us to earth with a bang. Let us remind ourself of our duty to God and our fellow man.

Introduction: “This is a frightening reading” What a horrible, and frightening reading that was. For me, this is one of the worst passages in the whole bible, partly because we do not understand it in full, and partly because we do. … No matter where we are in our spiritual journey with the Lord, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31, 1 Timothy 6:6-19

Denomination: Episcopal

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

Having A Contrite Heart

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Oct 23, 2025

The parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector show us the importance of having a contrite heart that is aware of one's own sinfulness and lives in appreciation of God's mercy.

ONE OF THE CHURCH’S ANCIENT LITURGIES IS WHEN THE PRIEST STARTED MASS WITH THE PRAYER “LORD, YOU WERE SENT TO HEAL THE CONTRITE OF HEART.” THE RESPONSE OF THE PEOPLE WAS TO SAY, “LORD, HAVE MERCY.” WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE A CONTRITE HEART AND TO SEEK GOD’S MERCY? TO HAVE A CONTRITE HEART MEANS ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14, 1 Peter 5:5-6, Ezekiel 21:26, 1 Peter 1:16

Denomination: Free Methodist

Lessons From The Wise And Foolish Virgins

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 1, 2025

The parable of the wise and foolish virgins, as recounted in Matthew 25, illustrates the importance of readiness and vigilance in the Christian life. It serves as a metaphor for the coming of Christ and the necessity of being prepared to meet Him.

LESSONS FROM THE WISE AND FOOLISH VIRGINS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Matthew 25:1-13 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.” Supporting Texts: 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6, Ephesians 5:15-16, Proverbs 21:20, Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13, 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6, Ephesians 5:15-16, Proverbs 21:20, Matthew 7:24-27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Lazarus And The Rich Man PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Emphasize the importance of compassion and good deeds in our lives, as neglecting these can lead to severe consequences, as illustrated in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus from Luke 16:19-31.

Good morning, church! Today, we are going to unpack a powerful message from the book of Luke, Chapter 16, verses 19 through 31. This passage is a profound illustration of the sin of omitting good deeds, the consequences of ignoring others, and the incredible power of compassion. Before we delve in, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Topics: Great Omission

Wealth Doesn't Guarantee Heaven SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 2023

Jesus, through the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, illustrates that wealth does not equate to righteousness. The rich man, despite having worldly possessions, lacked what was necessary for entry into heaven.

Today, we will explore the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, as told by Jesus. This parable serves to remind us that being wealthy does not equate to being righteous. The rich man in the story had everything he desired, but he lacked what was necessary for eternal salvation. In the parable, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Topics: Wealth And Righteousness, Abraham's Bosom

"In A Manner Of Speaking": 'the Prodigal Son' [part Six]

Contributed by Reverend Cooper Mcwhirter on Oct 1, 2016

Did Jesus resort to using allegory as a clever ruse so as to keep things hidden? On the contrary! Jesus resorted to using parables so that the listener could better understand “the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” [Matthew 13:11].

Sermon Preached at Grace Community Church (EPC) Sun City Grand, Surprise, AZ Sunday, September 6, 2015 by the Reverend Cooper McWhirter In a Manner of Speaking: “The Prodigal Son” Luke 15:11-32 [NET] The scriptures tell us that on one occasion ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Trusting In A Tough Teaching

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Oct 3, 2019

This sermon looks at Jesus' four teachings here: taking sin seriously, rebuking, forgiving, and serving. This sermon applies the text at each point, and does so in a Gospel approach.

“Just climb up, sit down, let go, and enjoy, honey!” Lainey’s father to said to her. Little Lainey had recently learned how to swim, and was now standing on the ladder of the water slide, frozen in fear. Lainey had just started jumping into the pool, and then would frantically dog paddle back ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran