Sermons on pharisee and tax collector:

Called Into Righteousness

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 21, 2025

1) The Righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees 2) The Righteousness God Requires, and finally, 3) The Righteousness God Gives.

Although we will just focus on Matthew 5:20, in Matthew 5, beginning in verse 17, Jesus explained God’s standard of Righteousness as embodied by the law of God. He said: Matthew 5:17-20.17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20

Denomination: Other

Feasting With The Pharisees - An Examination Of Luke 14:1-24

Contributed by Clay Gentry on Aug 21, 2013

Jesus ate with all kinds of sinners, including the Pharisees. One such occasion is recorded in Luke 14:1-14. In this lesson we'll examine the disastrous dinner with a focus of learning who will sit around the Lord's table.

The meal table is the main social center of the home. Think of some of your warmest memories and many of them will be associated with meal-time. In our text, the entire passage is centered around and on a meal table. The great question discussed was who will sit around God’s table in the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-24

Denomination: *other

Zacchaeus Meets Jesus Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Sep 27, 2023

Whatever the reason was that made Zacchaeus want to see Jesus he was determined to see him. He went to great lengths. He ran ahead of the crowd and he climbed a sycamore tree so he could catch a glimpse of Jesus as he passed by.

Some people are very interested in the Royal Family of Great Britain. I must confess that for me, not so much. Just in a year over 3 million visited the Royal residence. There is clearly sky-high interest in the UK royal family. But not me. No way am I standing for hours with the crowds just to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Secret For More Is Less Series

Contributed by Eyriche Cortez on May 30, 2007

To be poor in spirit means one is aware that he has less, not more, that he has to admit that he has less to have more and that he has to accept that he can only have more with God.

There was an old woman begging in a street corner. A passer-by took pity on her. He was about to give when he noticed that she’s holding two cans. When he asked why, she answered, “Well, business is so good that I opened a new branch.” Seriously, I remember watching an episode of Imbestigador[1] ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3

Denomination: Baptist

Hosting Jesus, The Vip (Luke 7:36-50) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Mar 28, 2024

One host fails, but another rises up, and gives Jesus the welcome he deserves. The passage is an illustration of how and why people tripped on Jesus (Luke 7:31-35).

One of the things we've talked about several times in the gospel of Luke, is the idea of God "visiting" his people. That's a big part of today's message, so let's read Luke 1:68, to get us off on the right foot: I'll read from the RSV (and here, the translation ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:68, Luke 7:36-50, Luke 7:31-35

We Have Been Hurt, We Have Been Used, We Have Failed, We Need Healing Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 21, 2012

The Holy Spirit took fisherman, former prostitutes, ex-religious leaders, tax collectors, and various family members of Jesus and the other disciples and formed them into a united group we call the church.

Today across our group of churches is Healing and Wholeness Sunday. We are a Pentecostal Church and we believe that God can and does Heal people every day. So why do we have a specific day dedicated to Healing and Wholeness? In many ways today is no different from any other day but often we ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Prayer God Hears

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Oct 24, 2019

Jesus shows two very different prayer styles, and in so doing, reveals two very different heart styles. One will enter the kingdom of heaven; one won't. Our prayer life should reflect humility throughout.

Luke 18:9-14 A Prayer God Hears Last week we looked at a parable where Jesus taught us to be persistent in our prayers: pray always, never give up, and above all, keep the faith! Today, in the very next passage in the Bible, Jesus makes a different point: he really points to the very crux of our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14, 1 John 1:8, Jeremiah 29:13, Hebrews 11:6

Denomination: Baptist

Evaluating Your Spiritual Growth PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 5, 2024

Explores the concept of spiritual maturity, emphasizing its essence in living out God's word rather than merely performing religious rituals.

Welcome, dear friends, to another blessed day in the house of our Lord. It's always a joy to gather together in His name, to be nourished by His Word, and to grow in our understanding of His unending love for us. Today, we gather to ponder some profound truths that will challenge us, inspire us, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Topics: Spiritual Maturity

A Soldier In God's Army Series

Contributed by Keith Foskey on Jun 24, 2006

INTRODUCTION: This week begins our three week study through the book of Ephesians called “A soldier in God’s Army”

This week we are studying: (1) Proper recruitment into Christianity, which is our having passed from death in sin to life in Christ Illustration: “Back from the dead: Part I” Have you ever seen the television show ER? It is a television show that portrays events happening in a county emergency ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Service Through Gifts

Contributed by Jimmy Dillon on Nov 14, 2011

Serving others

Service Through Gifts Romans 12:3-8 Introduction From the beginning we must understand that Paul is talking to us about living the Christian life in Romans 12 As we have looked at over the last couple of weeks, we have seen Paul encourage us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices He has also ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3-8

Denomination: Baptist

Man On A Mission

Contributed by Jason Jones on Feb 19, 2019

I want to look at the mission of Christ and talk about our responses

A. Opening illustration: Sir Edmund Hillary, Everest 1953, died January11, 2008 B. Background to passage: After the birth narratives, the accounts of John the Baptist, and the temptation by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus returns in the power of the Spirit to begin his ministry. According to John, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:16-30

Denomination: Baptist

You're Not Good Enough Series

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Apr 14, 2005

God demands perfection which is only found in Jesus Christ.

"For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. The Jews had a saying, "If only two people go to heaven, one will be a scribe and the other a Pharisee." Those who were there to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20

Denomination: Baptist

Give Up Pride For Lent And Beyond

Contributed by Don Schultz on Feb 17, 2014

It's time to stop practicing fake Christianity during Lent. Let's give up something meaningful - the sin of pride

The season known as Lent is starting this coming Wednesday, with Ash Wednesday being the first day of Lent. What is Lent to you? Let's be honest, for many of us, Lent is really, nothing - it's just another time of the year. On Wednesdays many of your churches have extra midweek church services, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Thanksgiving 2006: Are You Truly Thankful

Contributed by John Browning on Nov 19, 2006

In this thanksgiving sermon, I asked the question are you truly thankful and thankful for the right things and reasons

Thanksgiving 2006: Are you truly Thankful? By: Pastor Clinton Browning Illustration: My daughter has often been caught doing something she not supposed to be doing. Now once confronted with the fact that she is wrong she is generally quick to admit when she is wrong. She is very apologetic and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Dead Dog Syndrome

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 17, 2002

Shimea suffered from a spiritual illness that plagues many Christians. How did it reveal itself and how can we be healed?s

THE DEAD DOG SYNDROME 9/98 ILLUSTRATION: There’s a story about a crazy old woman who was known to be crazy because she would walk down the streets talking to herself. One of her best known pastimes was talk to Jesus... and Jesus would talk back. One day a new preacher came to town and thought ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 16:5-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ