Sermons on Twenty Percent Tax:

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

What Does It Take To Give Birth To Your 'vision?' Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Nov 18, 2005

Joseph and Mary had to be taxed, be at the right place at the right time to give birth to Jesus (their vision / mission).

Subject: Why did Joseph and Mary travel from Galilee to Judea when Jesus was to be born? Complement: To be registered / taxed and to be at the right place at the right time to give birth to Jesus. Idea: Joseph and Mary traveled from Galilee to Judea to be registered / taxed and to be at the right ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Critical Age Anniversary Service At Faith Baptist Wallaceburg

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Mar 3, 2014

Acting the part of St. Paul I spoke frankly to the church that I had a hand in planting twenty years ago

A Critical Age - Numbers 11-4-25 the Message Bible It is strange for me today to be a guest speaker in what is my home church. I can’t help but think of St. Paul who planted churches and then when he had opportunity or God’s calling he would visit them to look in on their ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 11:4-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Acts Of The Apostles (36 Of 39)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 14, 2022

In chapter twenty-four Tertullus, the Roman lawyer that represented the Jews that wanted to kill Paul, stated to Felix these opening remarks

in Acts 24:2, “And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,” As we stated previously, those were nice words, but none of them were true, they were simply ...read more

Scripture: Acts 25:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Death Conqueror

Contributed by Dennis Deese on Aug 25, 2003

The world’s mortality rate for the year 2000 was .9 percent. This means that 1 out of every 111 people in the world died last year. On average, 1.76 people die every second.

“THE DEATH CONQUEROR” By: Dr. Dennis Deese - www.dennisdeese.com John 20:1-18 The world’s mortality rate for the year 2000 was .9 percent. This means that 1 out of every 111 people in the world died last year. On average, 1.76 people die every second. Based on this rate, here ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

He Cares!

Contributed by Bala Samson on Sep 3, 2013

I did not doubt the promise of God when He said, ‘cast all your care upon Him, who cares for you!’ I believed them one hundred percent!

He cares! 1 Peter 5:6”Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” As I was pacing the terrace up and down with angst, the above scripture popped in front of my mind and I tell ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6-7

Denomination: Pentecostal

"The Corruption Of Marriage”

Contributed by Dennis Deese on Jul 22, 2009

Sixty percent of American children born today will see their parents divorced by the time they are 18. Of those children who have suffered this pain of divorce, half of them will see a second divorce before they are 18.

“THE CORRUPTION OF MARRIAGE” Dr. Dennis Deese - www.dennisdeese.com MALACHI 2:10-16 Perhaps the best ideas about what keeps a marriage alive through thick and thin come from couples who, after decades of marriage, bask in blissful unions. Berkeley psychologist Robert Levenson is now in the ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 2:10-16

True Repentance

Contributed by William Baeta on Sep 22, 2011

“Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the Kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him: but tax collectors and harlots believed him: and when you saw it, you did not after

Theme: True Repentance Text: Ez. 18:1-4, 25-32; Phil. 2:1-13; Matt. 21:23-32 Many people today think that by saying they believe in Christ and go to Church makes them a Christian. But as the saying goes sleeping in a garage does not make you a car. To become a Christian you need to repent and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-32

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

True Repentance Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Mar 15, 2022

“Come, let us return to the Lord.” (Hosea 6:1) Jesus went to the house of many tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees saw this and asked why Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners. In that context Jesus Quotes Hosea 6:6 (found in Matthew 9:13).

The story of the prodigal son gives us a great picture of repentance. The prodigal has messed up big time and ended up in a terrible situation, eating pig slop just to survive. That situation made him turn back to his father. But you don’t have to wind up on skid row to need repentance. A Christian ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 6:1-11, Hosea 5:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Joy To The World! Why God’s Glory Demands A Global Choir - Psalm 67 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 16, 2025

You pay taxes because you have to. You eat banana splits because you want to. Make it your goal to make your commitment to missions more like your commitment to banana splits than like your commitment to paying taxes.

Introduction: Making missions a delight I am on a quest in my spiritual life at this time to convert more and more of the things I do from mere discipline to the expression of or pursuit of joy. The man who can’t stand being around his wife but who forces himself to take her out on dates anyway ...read more

Twenty-Third Sunday In Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 23rd Sunday, Year A --The Matthew 18 Process

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jun 17, 2020

Avoidance of conflict prevents persons from discovering God's will in their personal and institutional lives.

Palmer Chinchen tells of the time when he went whitewater rafting down the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe. The guide gave them some very important instructions after they put on all their safety gear. He began with “When the raft flips.” Notice the guide didn’t say “if the raft flips.” “When the raft ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20, Ezekiel 33:7-9

Denomination: Catholic

Twenty-Sixth Sunday In Ordinary Time—b ; 26th Sunday B-- Lessons From Lizards

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Sep 24, 2021

According to the artist "the Thinker" is sitting in mute amazement as he contemplates lost people in hell.

Lizards scatter when they perceive a threat, and they will self-amputate their tail if a predator seizes it. It will leave its tail behind and run but with modified locomotor performance and mechanics. The lizard says to itself: 'It's better to lose my tail than to lose my ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:38-48

Denomination: Catholic

Twenty-Ninth Sunday In Ordinary Time; 29th Sunday B -- Can You Drink The Cup?

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 18, 2021

For training purposes, the supervisor suddenly handed the nurse a wine glass that happened to be on a nearby shelf. The "director" asked the nurse to "lose" her thumbs by tucking them into her palms. It was uncomfortable and difficult to hold the glass.

Jesus asked James and John, “Can you drink the cup that I drink?” To answer, One can use Theology as Drama. e.g. A supervisor and a nurse did a re-enactment when a patient was going to have an operation on her thumbs the following day. The nurse asked, "Why? What's the matter with ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:42-45

Denomination: Catholic

Twenty-Eighth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year C-- The Perfect Thank You Has Four Parts

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 10, 2025

Start with “thank you;” Recognize the Gift; Why you’re grateful, Tell that person what they mean to you.

John Kralik, a lawyer, found his life at a terrible, frightening low at age 53. He was twice-divorced, out of shape, had money troubles, and he had grown distant from his two older children and was afraid he might lose contact with his young daughter. But during his tough circumstances, an idea ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Catholic

Twenty-Second Sunday In Ordinary Time, Cycle Or Year C-- Table Talk: Take The Lowest Place

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jul 30, 2022

It’s easier to ignore people at rectangular tables.

Recently there was a man from Ireland who became an internet sensation for a silly mistake he made while on vacation. This gentleman was visiting Las Vegas for the first time. So he borrowed his son’s GoPro camera, put it on a stick, and walked all over the Las Vegas Strip. He was filming all the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-14

Denomination: Catholic