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Sermon Series

The Pharisee and Tax Collector

July 05, 2026

Sermon Series: Parables

The Pharisee and Tax Collector video cover
Jeff Manion — Teaching Pastor
Teaching Pastor:
Scripture:Luke 18:9-14

Pastor Jeff examines Jesus's parable of the Pharisee and tax collector in Luke 18, exposing the danger of self-righteous pride in the Christian life. We discover that the Pharisee's confidence in his own performance blinded him to his need for God's mercy, while the tax collector's humble confession—"God, have mercy on me, a sinner"—highlights a right posture before God. We learn that a right heart posture isn't boosted by spiritual achievements but humbled by an accurate view of our sin and God's holiness. We are challenged to examine our own hearts for self-righteousness and come before God with empty hands, ready to receive his mercy.

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Continue the conversation by exploring the Sermon Guide for reflection and practical next steps, or spend time with our Devotionals to carry God's Word with you throughout the week.

More in this Series

  • Week 1

    Parables

    Patches and Wineskins

    Pastor Jeff Manion begins our new sermon series, The Parables, by exploring the stories Jesus used to reveal deep spiritual truth. We see how Jesus used everyday images—torn garments and old wineskins—to show that his kingdom is something entirely new, not a patch on an old way of life. We discover that Jesus consistently defied expectations and called people to follow him rather than simply add him to their existing plans. This message challenges us to examine whether we've been trying to fit Jesus into our lives or truly surrender our lives to him. Following Jesus is about being transformed from the inside out.

  • Week 3

    Parables

    The Prodigal Son

    Guest Pastor Ricky Jenkins explores Jesus's parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15, revealing the Father's heart toward wayward hearts. We discover that God's compassion runs to meet us before we even finish our confession, showing that his love is never earned by good behavior or lost through failure. We learn that even though we often turn from the Father’s love like the sons in this story, we are encouraged to confess our sin honestly, and receive the Father's grace that welcomes every wandering heart home.

  • Week 4

    Parables

    The Wedding and the Thief

    Pastor Jeff explores Jesus's parable of the watchful servants in Luke 12, teaching us how to live faithfully while waiting for his return. We discover that Jesus’s promised return should help us live with purpose and hope instead of fear. We learn that our master is surprisingly a serving master, calling us to embody that same servant heart as we wait. And we are challenged to stay ready through daily confession, cultivating a servant's posture toward others, and trusting that Jesus's return will eventually make all things new.

  • Week 5

    Parables

    Pits Trees and Foundations

    Pastor Aaron Buer continues our Parables series by unpacking Jesus's closing words in the Sermon on the Plain ( Luke 6:39-49 ). Through three vivid pictures—spiritual blindness, good and bad fruit, and two houses built on different foundations—we see that Jesus calls us to more than admiring his teaching. We're challenged to examine who we are following and what's growing within us. Jesus warns that only a life built on obedience to him can withstand life’s storms. This message invites us to move from simply hearing God's truth to putting it into practice, anchoring our lives on the unshakeable foundation of Christ.

  • Week 6

    Parables

    The Parable of the Sower

    Pastor Aaron Buer explores Jesus's parable of the Sower in Luke 8, revealing four different heart responses to God's Word. We discover that some hearts are hardened like a well-traveled path, resistant to God's truth taking root at all. We learn that other hearts lack depth to sustain faith through testing, while still others allow life's worries and pleasures to choke out spiritual growth like thorns. We are challenged to become good soil—hearts that hear, retain, and persevere in God's Word, producing a harvest through daily engagement with Scripture and community with other believers.

  • Week 7

    Parables

    The Rich Fool

    Pastor Aaron Buer examines Jesus's parable of the rich fool in Luke 12 , warning against the subtle danger of greed disguised as wise planning. We discover that the rich man's fatal error wasn't wealth itself but building his entire life around self-sufficiency while giving no thought to God or others. We learn that everything we have belongs to God—we are merely stewards, not owners—and true wisdom means being "rich toward God" rather than hoarding for ourselves. We are challenged to examine what occupies our hearts, evict any idols of security or possessions, and live generously as reflections of God's own generous heart.

Previous Sermon in Series

Patches and Wineskins

Next Sermon in Series

The Prodigal Son

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