Sermons on Pharisee And Tax Collector:

The Radical Invitation Of Jesus, From Exclusion To Celebration Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Mar 17, 2025

In the calling of Levi, Jesus reshapes what discipleship looks like and who qualifies to be a disciple. Would we invite the "Levi's" of our day to follow Him?

Introduction: Is Jesus “woke”? In other words, is He someone who is sensitive to or aware of the injustices experienced by the marginalized? If Jesus were walking on earth today, gathering disciples, would He do so along DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) ethical standards? Would he try to choose ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-39

Denomination: Baptist

Witnessing To The "Gods" Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 25, 2012

What "gods" was David witnessing to? And how can the decision he made influence our choices in how we witness for our Lord?

OPEN: A Sunday School teacher once asked her students: “What do you think God looks like?” These were some of the answers: - He looks like Billy Graham. - He’s an old man because of all the years He’s been alive. - He looks like a human being with a heart, feet, eyes like ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 138:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Coming Down The Mountain

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 15, 2020

A question asked, a healing wrought, the Cross taught, taxes paid by a miracle.

COMING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN. Matthew 17:10-27. Peter, James, and John had been in the mountain with Jesus. There they had seen Moses and Elijah, talking with our transfigured Lord (cf. Matthew 17:2-3). It is apparent from Peter’s desire to build temples that the three disciples on the mountain ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:10-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rendering Unto Caesar

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Sep 13, 2010

Jesus is showing how citizens have both civic and moral obligations; we obey secular law yet we owe everything to God, Who deserves our primary allegiance.

An IRS agent contacted a taxpayer to conduct an audit. He noted, “Our records show that you still have some money left over after paying your taxes. How do you account for that?” Another taxpayer told his attorney that when he dies, to place his ashes in an envelope and mail it to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:20-26

Denomination: Congregational

You & Your Government Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Oct 22, 2012

Being citizens of heaven doesn’t minimize our responsibilities on earth for the Christian citizen is called upon to be the best citizen. The Christian will have a high view of authority & will be submissive to it as a matter of conscience.

ROMANS 13: 1-7 YOU AND YOUR GOVERNMENT [Matthew 22:15-22] An Idaho SHEEP RANCHER was approached one day by a stranger in a suit. He said, "If I can guess how many sheep you’ve got, may I have one?" Thinking this to be near impossible the rancher agreed. The stranger then stated, "You have ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

How Not To Pray Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Jul 30, 2020

Jesus brilliantly answers their request with a prayer that helps them, and us, have a roadmap to navigate the wonders of prayer.

How Not to Pray Matthew 6:5-8 Chenoa Baptist Church Pastor Jefferson Williams 01-27-19 Our Father Many years ago, I attended a Baccalaureate service at a church in Pontiac. At one point in the service, the pastor asked us to say “The Lord’s Prayer.” I had been studying this prayer in my ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Good, The Bad, & The Snuggly

Contributed by Jonathan Meyer on Nov 1, 2016

Jesus points to our salvation by the Father's grace alone, not by our works--first through a parable, and then in action as He welcomes children (even infants).

The Word of God that engages us today is our Gospel reading from Luke 18. And in our Gospel reading, Jesus challenges the presuppositions of those around Him. Our Gospel reading is really broken down into two sections—and quite often you’ll get a sermon on one or the other, as if ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Prayer Meeting

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on Oct 21, 2016

This is a sermon calling us to repentance from a better than thou attitude of the Pharisee

When we look at the text today we see that Dr. Luke made no bones about who Jesus was addressing in this parable. Jesus was telling this parable to the high and mighty, holier than thou folks. He was addressing the religious folks that acted like they were just a little better than everyone else. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Invite Someone On The Journey

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Sep 25, 2011

Jesus invites us to follow him on the journey from life to death. This sermon compares the belief of faith in Christ for salvation as opposed to good works.

Invite Them On The Journey September 24 , 2011 Psalm 1:1-6 John 14:1-6 (Some of the concepts in this message I gleaned from Andy Stanley's message on the belief in good works as a means of salvation.) We have been preaching on the series, “Making A Difference.” We’ve ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Those Feelings Of Pride Series

Contributed by David Owens on Apr 12, 2021

God has given us the ability to feel the emotion of pride so that we can benefit from good pride and avoid the destructive nature of bad pride. It is important to know the difference between the two kinds of pride.

A. Once there was a guy named Zeke who had so much pride he could never admit he was wrong. 1. One day Zeke wandered into the blacksmith shop with sawdust all over the floor. 2. A few minutes before Zeke arrived, the blacksmith had been working on an uncooperative horseshoe, and had beat on it ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5-7, Proverbs 16:18, Proverbs 3:34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Your Attitude Is Everything

Contributed by Dan Steadman on Jul 31, 2004

Comparison of the prayers and attitudes of the publican and the Pharisee in Luke 18:9-14.

Luke 18:9-14 Your Attitude Is Everything 1/8/04 Two men went to church. One went to tell God how good he was; the other went to agree with God that he was hopeless without God. Do you know people like these men? Can you picture them in your mind? Into which group do you fall? For ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thirty-First Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year A- Hypocrites

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 8, 2023

We ask for the daily grace to walk the talk.

Have you heard the one about the priest, the minister, and the rabbi?” A rabbi and a priest were talking about the perks of each job. The priest mentioned that he gets a rectory to live in that comes with a housekeeper and a cook, all paid for by the church. The rabbi responded by asking if ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Catholic

Little Big Man Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Dec 6, 2012

A study of the Gospel of Luke chapter 10 verses 1 through 10

Luke 19: 1 – 10 Little Big Man Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. 4 So he ran ahead ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Are You One Of God’s Dependents?

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 23, 2022

Every year folks make preparations to fill out their tax returns. It is something that we are forced to do, even though many times we disagree with how our tax money is being spent.

Illus: I heard about a letter that was sent to a taxpayer from the IRS: "I'm afraid we can't allow you to deduct last year's tax as a bad investment." Illus: Much has been said about paying taxes: • April is always a difficult month for Americans. Even if your ship comes ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:14-19

Denomination: Baptist

Easter Preparations - Part 3

Contributed by Todd Blair on Apr 16, 2022

Palm Sunday Sermon

Have you ever done anything that you knew was going to be painful but would ultimately be for your benefit? Maybe you started an exercise program and you knew it would be difficult but you needed to get back in shape or lose some weight. Or maybe you underwent some surgery you knew you needed even ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible