DEEPER is a series designed for all ages to grow in God’s word! This cover-to-cover study of the Bible, Genesis to Revelation, is a weekly opportunity for the entire family to be encouraged, challenged, and edified.

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

Deeper has begun but please join us next week as DEEPER is a series designed for all ages to grow in God’s word! This cover-to-cover study of the Bible, Genesis to Revelation, is a weekly opportunity for the entire family to be encouraged, challenged, and edified.

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

DEEPER is a series designed for all ages to grow in God’s word! This cover-to-cover study of the Bible, Genesis to Revelation, is a weekly opportunity for the entire family to be encouraged, challenged, and edified.

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

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.

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

HAVE MERCY

Luke 18.9-14

Dr. Gordon Dabbs

Luke 18.9 (ESV) He (Jesus) also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt…

Jesus tells a fictional story, with a non-fictional point:

Luke 18.10-14 (ESV) “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Luke 19.10 (ESV) The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

Jesus wasn’t about maintaining appearances. He was about transforming hearts.

“We have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace; too proud to pray to the God that made us.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

The Pharisee prayed about himself. The tax collector prayed for himself.

The author of Hebrews invites sinners like us: Hebrews 4.16 (ESV) Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and find grace to help us when we need it most.

We come boldly—not because we’re impressive—but because Jesus is.

Paul unpacks this in Romans 3. No one is righteous by keeping the law (v 20) … All have sinned and fall short (v 23) … and are justified freely by His grace (v 24).

If you're feeling spiritually underqualified, you’re right where you need to be. Jesus came for those who know they’re a mess and are ready to cry out for mercy.

A color commentary about the parable:

• Mercy flows downhill.

• Comparison is a terrible spiritual strategy.

• You can be religious and still far from God.

• Justification isn’t achieved—it’s received.

Which is your prayer today: “God, look at all I’ve done” -or- “God, have mercy on me”? Only ONE of those changes your eternity.

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

DEEPER is a series designed for all ages to grow in God’s word! This cover-to-cover study of the Bible, Genesis to Revelation, is a weekly opportunity for the entire family to be encouraged, challenged, and edified.

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise