Sermons on Tax Collectors:

#1 - A King On The Way To The Cross Series

Contributed by Darrell Stetler Ii on Mar 9, 2016

How do I know God cares? What is the difference between confession and repentance?

Luke 18:31 Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. 32 He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. 33 On the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:31-34

Denomination: Holiness

The Corrupt And Despised In Heaven

Contributed by Jason Jones on Jun 4, 2025

Today we are reminded of the eternal importance of your words matching up with you deeds, especially as it relates to internal realities.

Background to passage, Matthew 21:28-32: after the confrontation about Jesus’s authority and John the Baptist, Jesus tells a series of three parables. They have a common thread, the failure, indictment, and judgement of the Jewish leaders. This is the first - The Two Sons. Opening illustration: ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-32, Romans 7:15-25

Denomination: Baptist

"what Should We Do?"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 7, 2022

A sermon for the third Sunday of Advent.

“What Should We Do?” Luke 3:1-18 For the past two weeks, we’ve looked at the events leading up to John the Baptist’s birth. And then, Luke summarizes John’s childhood with these words: “The child grew up, becoming strong in character. He was in the wilderness until he began his public ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-18

Denomination: United Methodist

The Messiah Is Coming - What Do We Do?

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Dec 5, 2018

This sermon focuses on John's message of repentance. John answers the question - What do we do after we have repented and while we wait for the coming of the Messiah (First for them - Second for us)? John gives us some practical advice.

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:14-20; Luke 3:7-18 Theme: 3rd Sunday of Advent - Prepare the Way Title: The Messiah Is Coming - What Do We Do? This sermon focuses on John's message of repentance. What do we do after we have repented and while we wait for the coming of the Messiah (First for them ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:7-18, Zephaniah 3:14-20

Denomination: Nazarene

Zacchaeus

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 13, 2019

Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time — 31C Year C

Zacchaeus was a government contractor with the Roman Government in charge of all transported goods into Jericho, which gave him almost a license to extort money for big commissions. Luke 19:2 says he was a "chief toll collector" and that he was "wealthy," at his job at the toll ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Catholic

I Surrender...even If It Is Reluctantly

Contributed by Carl Willis on Oct 25, 2005

God is not interested in your lip service, He seeks your obedience. This message is based on the parable of the two sons.

Matthew 21:28 (NLT) "But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ’Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ Simple Instructions  God has given us simple instructions – The expectation is obedience • 1 Samuel 15:22 • Colossians 2:6 1 Samuel 15:22 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Have You Been Eating With?

Contributed by Carl Willis on Jul 18, 2005

A challenge to meet people where they are.

Who Have You Been Eating With? Luke 15:1-7 July 11, 2004 Luke 15:1 (NLT) Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. Who’s The Target Audience?  Jesus’ audience was made up of tax collectors and “sinners” – They were hungry for the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Path Of Life And Wisdom"

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 10, 2016

The Pharisees refused to repent because they thought they were doing everything correctly; if we follow them, we will ignore the most important part of being Jesus' disciples.

Thursday of Third Week in Advent 2016 Joy of the Gospel Listen once more to these words of today's Gospel: “When they heard this all the people and the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John; but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for ...read more

Denomination: Catholic

Two Sons

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Mar 29, 2011

Man has the choice of two destinies

Matthew 21:28-32-But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-32

Denomination: Baptist

Never, Never, Never Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Mar 29, 2017

Synopsis: Because we are in the Heart of God, there are certain things He does not do. Jesus never: 1. Asked for the Details of Our Sins 2. Rewards the Self-Serving 3. Turned Down an Invitation

1. “Never” has powerful implications a. Intentions of finality – “I’ll never do that again.” “Never in a million years.” b. Intentions of determination – [Winston Churchill once spoke at a commencement address several years after WWII. He walked to the podium and said, “Never, never, never give ...read more

Scripture: John 6:35-40

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Search

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 18, 2019

Though every situation is different, God wants the lost to be found; your burden is not yours alone. This message is to encourage those of us burdened for lost or straying family and dear friends.

The Search (Luke 15:1-10; Psalm 139:7-12) 1. C Ryle writes this: We may use all means, by but we cannot command success. We may teach, but we cannot convert. We may show those around us the bread and water of life, but we cannot make them eat and drink it. We may point out the way to eternal ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10, Psalm 139:7-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Little Man Meets A Big God Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 15, 2003

This morning we’re focusing on a high-ranking IRS man named Zacchaeus who cheated not on his return, but on everyone else’s. He had figured out a way to skim some money off the top and squeeze the last drop from people’s wallets. Jesus not only changed h

A Little Man Meets a Big God There’s a story about a local fitness center, which was offering $1,000 to anyone who could demonstrate that they were stronger than the owner of the place. Here’s how it worked. This muscle man would squeeze a lemon until all the juice ran into a glass, and then hand ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Jealously Provides More Grace ! Series

Contributed by John Wright on Feb 1, 2010

James teaches that God is tremendoulsy jealous over all his children and does everything possible within the confines of His righteousness to make His grace available for those that will obey Him.

INTRODUCTION #19 1. Open your bible to James 4:4-6. 2. We’ve already discussed v. 4, but it is important to read it again. It will serve as an introduction to vs. 5&6. 3. Verse 4 warns Christians against becoming friends to the world to the extent that we become guilty of committing ...read more

Scripture: James 4:5-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sermon 7 - The Necessity Of Relationships Series

Contributed by David Owens on Apr 14, 2025

It is hard to have an impact on people if we don't have a relationship with them. Jesus, Matthew and Paul show us how to have a spiritual impact through relationships.

Introduction: A. One day a rabbi and a priest got into a head on collision with each other. 1. The damage to both cars was considerable, but amazingly neither of the clerics was hurt. 2. After they crawl out of their cars, the rabbi saw the priest’s collar and said, “I see that you’re a priest, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Luke 5:31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Doing The Right Thing Is Not Always The 'done' Thing

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Nov 3, 2010

A short talking looking at how Zacchaeus and Jesus both did the right thing, even though in the eyes of those around them it was not the 'done' thing. Jesus in particular upset 'all the people' by eating a meal with Zacc. It was not the 'done' thing - but

There is a phrase from my childhood that has been rattling around in my brain this morning. Some might say it is rattling around because it is bouncing around all by itself with no other thoughts to keep it company! Yes, I know, we men are not too good at doing two things at once, but I’m ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Anglican