Sermons on Pharisee And Publican:

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

The Razor's Edge

Contributed by Paul Hammons on Mar 13, 2007

How many Christian’s have been tempted to give into sin, tempted to mix God’s standards with the world’s, tempted to take that lustful glance, that first drink, to tell that little white lie, to cheat on a test, to cheat on their taxes, or to cheat on the

The Razor’s Edge; Genesis 13:1-11 The Eskimo’s are among the greatest hunter’s of the world, but there is one animal that is the most difficult for them to catch. This animal has the greatest intellect, keenest smell, and the sharpest eyesight. And yet for the Eskimo’s to survive they must trap ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:1-11

I Saw The Light

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 20, 2002

The Pharisees tries to turn out the light. Jesus simply turned up the wattage.

Question: How many Episcopalians does it take to change a light bulb? Aswer: TWELVE - one to do the work and 11 to serve on the committee. Question: How many Church of Christ members does it take to change a light bulb? Answer: THREE - one to convince the light bulb to change and 2 to carry the ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Tale Of The Two "I” Exams (Sermon Theme Adapted From John Beehler)

Contributed by Daniel Habben on May 27, 2008

The Tale of the Two “I” Exams 1) “See me, God? I’m not like him.” 2) “Save me, God! I’m not like you.”

When is the last time you had an eye exam? Eye care experts recommend that we should have our eyes checked every one to three years depending on age, risk factors, and physical condition (allaboutvision.com). Regular eye exams are important because experts estimate that one in four school-age ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Mercy Not Sacrifice

Contributed by Chris Surber on Jun 6, 2008

Today, let us be reminded by the words of Jesus, "But go and learn what this means: "I DESIRE MERCY AND NOT SACRIFICE." For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." (Matthew 9:13 NKJV)

Mercy Not Sacrifice, Matthew 9:9-13 Introduction There is the story of the man who came down from the North Carolina Mountains. He was all dressed up and carrying his Bible. A friend saw him and asked, "Joe, what’s happening? Where are you going all dressed up like that?" Joe said, "I’ve been ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Denomination: Christian Church

What Does It Takes To Enter God's Kingdom Series

Contributed by Rule Digal on Aug 11, 2008

Jesus made a shocking statement to the religious leaders who were around Him. He says: “The tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.”

What Does It Takes To Enter God’s Kingdom Matt.21: 28-32 Note: Some materials of this sermon are taken from sermoncentral.com This morning, we will study the parable of the two sons. The Lord addressed this parable to the religious leaders who were around him that time to find reasons to accuse ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Four Questions Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 11, 2008

ENTRAPMENT! Jesus’ enemies sought to entangle Him--their guns were loaded, and so were their questions. But His answers left them speechless. Then Jesus posed a question of His own. Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint.

Four Questions Matthew 22:15-46 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/FourQuestions.html ENTRAPMENT! 3 groups sought to entangle the Lord Jesus, and each asked Him a tough question they thought would bring Him down. But His answers left them speechless and astonished. Then Jesus posed a question of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-46

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus, The Rebel With A Cause Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 17, 2011

Throughout the Gospel of Mark, we see a growing opposition to Jesus from the Pharisees and the other religious leaders of the day. To understand that, we need to look at the religious landscape Jesus ministered in

Jesus, the Rebel With a Cause Throughout the Gospel of Mark, we see a growing opposition to Jesus from the Pharisees and the other religious leaders of the day. To understand that, we need to look at the religious landscape Jesus ministered in. In Jesus’ time, there were three sects of Jews ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:1-6

Denomination: Methodist

Is Your Prayer Good Enough?

Contributed by Sajeev Painunkal, Sj on Oct 25, 2010

The Pharisee made a show of his prayer with his arrogance. But the tax collector understood that the heart of prayer must be humility. We have something to learn before we kneel down to pray.

There was a little boy who was kneeling by his bed with his mom to say his nighttime prayers. He began to shout to the top of his lungs, “Dear God, I’ve been real good this year so please let me get a new bicycle for my birthday.” His mom said, “Johny, God is not deaf; you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Catholic

Righteousness Plus

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 10, 2011

Righteousness greater than that of the Pharisees isn't about behavior: it's about bone-deep transformation.

We’ve been shocked and horrified once again this week at the shooting of children by children, from Santee CA to next door in Pennsylvania. And the commentators and pundits are asking once again what kinds of laws we should pass to keep this from happening. Most are honest enough to admit ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Pilgrim's Path Part-6 Pure In Heart

Contributed by Chris Surber on Feb 5, 2009

God has called us to be transformed from the inside out.

The Pilgrim’s Path Part-6, Mathew 5:1-12 The Pure in Heart Introduction In the forests of Northern Europe lives the ermine, a small animal known best for its snow-white fur. Legend has it that instinctively; this animal protects its glossy coat of fur with great care lest it become soiled. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Christian Church

Lord, We Need Your Help!

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Feb 9, 2009

Four requests for spiritual help we need from the Lord.

Lord, We Need Your Help! Matthew 16:1-12 Sermon by Rick Crandall McClendon Baptist Church - Feb. 8, 2009 *Do you ever feel like you need spiritual help? -- Oh yeah! -- Especially when I am struggling or see people I love struggling with faults and weaknesses. *If you don’t feel like you need ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

It's All In The Approach

Contributed by Matt Hoffmann on Oct 2, 2009

In Mark 10 we learn from the Pharisees and from some kids on how we approach Jesus. Do we try to justify ourselves, or be justified by God?

Mark 10:2-13 So, usually I like to have my sermons done by Wednesday or so, and I worked very hard to get this one done on Wednesday. I wrote a sermon using the Gospel lesson that talked about marriage and divorce. And after I wrote it, I read through it before I went home and realized it was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:2-13

Denomination: Lutheran

The Bonds Of Legalism Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on May 4, 2009

Instead of doing a full exposition of the passage, we’re going to focus on one aspect of it. We’re going to focus on the bonds of legalism. And make no mistake about it, legalism is bondage.

http://brushforkbanner.blogspot.com As you can tell, we are in the same passage this morning as we were last week. But this morning, rather than doing a full exposition of the passage, we’re going to focus on one aspect of it. We’re going to focus on the bonds of legalism. The fact is that true ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Too Full Of Yourself? Or Weighed Down By Shame?

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Feb 21, 2013

A short talk given at a baptism service. If we’re too full of ourselves then God desires humility. If we’re weighed down by sin, by shame, by guilt, and if we can pray, "God have mercy on me a sinner", God will restore us and lift us up.

Jesus told lots of challenging stories; and in the Church we tend to calls his stories parables. But why did Jesus use stories, parables, to communicate truth to his 1st century audience? Well, he used parables to paint a picture with a punchy, poignant, pertinent point. His pithy parables packed a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Anglican