Two men walk into the temple to pray—one a religious superstar, the other a despised tax collector. Only one leaves right with God.
In this message, Preaching Minister Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D., unpacks Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, showing us why grace always flows downhill—toward the humble, the broken, and the desperate.
If you’ve ever felt unqualified, underqualified, or too much of a mess for God, this sermon is for you. Because the good news of the Gospel is not about what you’ve achieved—it’s about the mercy you receive.
About the series. . .
The parables of Jesus aren’t just quaint tales—they’re divine disruptions. These simple stories carry deep truth, pulling back the curtain on the heart of God, the values of His Kingdom, and what it means to live in step with Him.
In Kingdom Stories, a new message series from Preaching Minister Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D., we’ll explore some of Jesus’ most powerful parables—stories that reveal surprising grace, upside-down values, and radical invitations to live differently. From forgiveness and faith to humility and stewardship, each parable offers a lens to see life the way God sees it.
Join us as we dive into these timeless teachings—stories that comfort, confront, and ultimately call us to walk closer with Christ.