Sermons on San Lucas 5:28:

The Tax Collector Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 1, 2022

Matthew is highly regarded these days by Christians because of how powerful his gospel is. But he wasn't always loved. He had a label "tax collector" that made him hated. Why would Jesus a man like him to be a disciple?

OPEN: Back in 2002, a newspaper in Massachusetts had this classified ad: “Unknown item for sale. We know it’s valuable; we just don’t know what it is. If you can identify it, we’ll sell it for $250.” (Reader’s Digest 9/02 p. 145) The Bible is a collection of stories where God knew why people ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Showcase For Saints Or Hospital For Sinners?

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Feb 19, 2022

There is a temptation for us to put on our best front in church, a false front, and to especially welcome those who looked really good. But Jesus saw the church as especially for those who don't have it together and we will be wise to follow him.

When I was a boy, my mother used to tell us to be careful about the friends we picked. If you pick a study partner at school who doesn’t want to do school work, you won’t get much done. If you start going out at night and roving the town with kids who like to make trouble, it won’t be long before ...read more

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

Hidden Gold

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Feb 19, 2022

This sermon follows a short skit describing the reality TV show, American Pickers. They scanned junk and found value in it. Jesus did the same when he found Matthew, the hated tax collector.

Jesus was a picker. He travelled the back roads of Israel looking for rusty gold. He saw amazing things buried in people's hearts. What most people saw as junk, he saw as disciples who could change the world. Each person had a history all his or her own. There was no such thing as a nobody ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-31, Matthew 9:9-13, Mark 2:13-17

The Pre-Conditions God Sets For Us In His Mercy Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 22, 2023

God turns away from our fasting unless we are getting our behavior together

Saturday of the First Week in Lent Today’s reading from the prophet Isaiah is the second part of a very late prophecy, one that appears to have been written down years after the Babylonian exile. The prophet Zechariah tells us that in this late period, there were fasts in the fourth, fifth, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-32, Psalm 86:1-6, Isaiah 58:9-14, Zechariah 8:18

Denomination: Catholic

The Change Jesus Makes

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Apr 2, 2022

Jesus is in the business of change.

Jesus is in the business of change. No one ever left an encounter with Jesus unchanged. They either loved Him more or loved Him less—and perhaps even hated Him—but they were never indifferent to Him. And the same is true for you and me. We cannot be indifferent to Him either. So, it is my prayer ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-32

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Can You Be Righteous, And Look Down On People? (Luke 18:1-14) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Apr 3, 2022

Also, don't get discouraged, or stop praying. A look at two parables, with a trick to reading them better.

When it comes to the Bible, most of us have favorite parts. For some of you, it's maybe a book-- Psalms, or Matthew. For others, it's maybe a type of literature-- prophecy. We know the whole Bible is inspired. We know it's useful. We read it all. But some parts, we enjoy more than ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-14, Luke 5:27-32

He Taught Them Many Parables… (The Doctor And The Sick) # 23

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 14, 2022

At times, we all feel like we are misunderstood. And many times it is not a feeling, it is a reality.

For example, sometimes our dogs misunderstand some things about us. Someone suggested these are some of the misunderstandings our pet dogs have... • Getting up does NOT mean we are going for a walk • Just because I'm eating, doesn't mean you can But not only do we have misunderstandings ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-32

Denomination: Baptist

The Call Of A Disciple (Luke, Part 4) Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Feb 13, 2022

It’s critical that we see ourselves and the calling of the disciples was NO different than ours. If we will not share what we know, are we any different than the religious pharisees?

Introduction / Recap - The study of Luke is an interesting one for several reasons -- We can clearly see Luke’s genuine interest in people (career as a physician) -- We also get to experience how Jesus interacts with society; critical lesson for us - Last week, we unpacked the temptations of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11, Luke 5:27-32, Luke 9:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Seven Sins Of Not Soul Winning

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Oct 18, 2022

What have we done with what God has entrusted us to do?

Levi reacted as Jesus would want the entirety of his supporters to do, he followed his Lord promptly, and he assembled his companions to meet him as well. Levi left a worthwhile and exploitative tax-collecting business to follow Jesus. Then Levi held a gathering for his kindred collectors and other ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-32

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Hearing And Listening

Contributed by Les Buttolph on Aug 26, 2025

There's a difference between hearing and listening

A man became convinced he was losing his hearing. He went to a specialist, who gave him a thorough checkup. The doctor brought out a ticking clock, and asked, “Can you hear this ticking?” The man replied, “Of course.” The specialist walked to the door and held up the clock again. “Now can you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10, Luke 5:24-30

Denomination: Other

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

Fear Factor Series

Contributed by Patty Groot on Jun 4, 2025

Have you ever felt that twinge of nervousness when you thought about walking across the street to introduce yourself to a neighbor? That little voice in your head that says, "What if they think I'm weird?"

This morning we are in the last of a three part series on the book entitled: The Art of Neighboring. Last week we were challenged to make a block map. This week we’re challenged to go a step further. Have you ever felt that twinge of nervousness when you thought about walking across the street to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-32

Are We Guilty Of The Seven Sins Of Not Soul Winning?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Apr 27, 2024

Which of these sins are we guilty of?

Levi reacted as Jesus would want the entirety of his supporters to do, he followed his Lord promptly, and he assembled his companions to meet him as well. Levi left a worthwhile and exploitative tax-collecting business to follow Jesus. Then Levi held a gathering for his kindred collectors and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-32

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Evangelizing Levi And Us

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Jul 2, 2024

The calling of Levi in Luke's Gospel informs us of a responsibility to Jesus. "Pay it forward."

Evangelizing Levi and Us Luke 5:27-32 Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz After that He went out and noticed a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, “Follow Me.” And he left everything behind, and got up and began to follow Him. And Levi gave a big reception for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-32

Denomination: United Methodist