Sermons on Matthew 23:1-23:

Religious Or Christ-Like?

Contributed by Roddy Chestnut on Oct 18, 2000

Thesis: There is a big difference between being "religious" and following Jesus Christ.

Thesis: There is a big difference between being "religious" and following Jesus Christ. Intro.: 1. When you hear someone use the word "religion" or hear someone refer to another person as "religious" what do you think of? a. Illust. Do you think of "Church Lady" on Saturday Night Live who goes ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-39

How To Have Integrity

Contributed by Bradley White-Findeisen on Oct 18, 2000

Jesus did two things that turned the major institutions of his day against him: First, he pointed to the real condition of the institutions of his time: In Matthew 23:13-32 he says, "How terrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees! You are hypocrites! You travel across land and sea to fi

Jesus did two things that turned the major institutions of his day against him: First, he pointed to the real condition of the institutions of his time: In Matthew 23:13-32 he says, "How terrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees! You are hypocrites! You travel across land and sea to find ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:13-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Weightier Matters

Contributed by Roddy Chestnut on Oct 18, 2000

Intro.: 1.

Intro.: 1. Book in my library entitled, THE COLUMBUS CHICKEN STATUTE; AND MORE BONEHEAD LEGISLATION. a. Humorous collection of outdated laws: 1) Columbus, GA--letting a chicken's head dangle--$25.00. 2) Baltimore, MD--Bowled since 1833 you must pay $2.00 fine. 3) Hartford, CT--Theater owners ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:23-24

Why Jesus Wants Us To Identify Complainers

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. Jesus knew from His experiences with the Pharisees how complainers work to hinder the growth of the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

1. Jesus knew from His experiences with the Pharisees how complainers work to hinder the growth of the kingdom of God and His righteousness. The Lord always considered the source of the criticism. Jesus said, "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:2-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Are The Real Heroes?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Jesus said, "Whoever would be great let him become a servant to all." Matt 23:11 Most of us would like to do something noble or great. Perhaps have our names in lights... Outstanding speakers, renowned scientists, business tycoons, and athletes who seem t

Jesus said, "Whoever would be great let him become a servant to all." Matt 23:11 The Lord evaluates us on the basis of how well we are serving Him, His purposes and His kingdom’s expansion and righteousness. However: Most of us would like to do something noble or great. Perhaps have our names in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:11-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Blessings By Obedience

Contributed by Greg Newton on Feb 27, 2004

God desires to bless those who will walk in obedience to His word and the promises that He has given us. Living in the Blessings, means to walk in obedience

“Blessing by obedience” Intro: As difficult it may seem for people to receive the truth, our finances generally mark the position of our spiritual walk with God. If we cannot learn to trust in the Lord for our finances then what makes us believe that we can trust Him for the rest of our life, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-7, Matthew 23:23

Denomination: Pentecostal

Let God See The Plumbing

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Oct 21, 2002

When it comes down to it, do you let God in on the inside of you - or do you hold Him at arms length? Take a lesson from the religious establishment of Jesus’ day - let God into the ugly inner parts of your life, and let the Great Plumber heal you.

A few years back I did a remodeling project at my house - the carpenter did much of the work but I cut costs by doing the plumbing myself. After putting in a bathroom over our garage the area was covered up by sheetrock. One day as I was walking to my car I felt a drop of water hit my eye. I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-30

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

There's Always Room For One More

Contributed by John Beehler on Oct 29, 2002

Hey, peacock, how broad are your phylacteries and how long are your fringes?

There’s Always Room for One More A Texas rancher met up with a Wisconsin dairy farmer. The two men began talking about their land and the milkman told the cattleman that he operated his business on 125 acres. The Texan scoffed at such a small parcel of land. He said, "Yankee, that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Straining Gnats And Swallowing Camels

Contributed by Stephan Brown on Nov 21, 2002

Shows how the Pharisees did and sometimes we do miss the harder parts of God’s plan--justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

Straining Gnats and Swallowing Camels MT 23:23 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:23-24, Hosea 2:19-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Keeping Up Appearances

Contributed by Paul Cull on Jan 3, 2005

The danger of the Pharisee tendency today

Matthew 23 Keeping Up Appearances Introduction We all know Hyacinth Bucket from the television sitcom ‘Keeping up Appearances’. Now although it may not be politically correct to make judgements about people, we all know that we all do it. And we can all make a judgement about the character. For ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-39

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Snare Of Hypocrisy

Contributed by Dean Rhine on Jan 11, 2005

How hypocrisy ensnares our lives

Intro: We have spent the last few months considering times when failure in the eyes of the world, can really be a success in the eyes of God. However, we want to spend the next few weeks looking at snares that lead to failure, even in the lives of those who are otherwise successful. Even ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are You Living Like A Hypocrite

Contributed by Wendell Blackburn on Feb 16, 2005

Asking if you are living like a hypocrite

Are You Living Like a Hypocrit? Matthew Chap. 23 Back in the day I just dearly loved Andy Griffith And Barney Fiffe And John Wayne And Hoss Cartwright & Little Joe And today its Mel Gibson and Brad Pitt Bruce Willis - and I don’t know many! What are these people?? What do they do?? They’re ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-28

Denomination: Pentecostal

Part 4: When Your Pride Is Showing Series

Contributed by Brad Froese on Aug 30, 2004

As sanctified vessels we all have days we just don’t hold our “holy water” very well. One of our major faults is the life-altering sin called pride.

Last week we learned that as Christians, we’re all like vases: vessels designed to be used in the house of God, and as vessels we’re called to be sanctified: set aside as holy vessels, for noble use in the house of God… To be used for God’s purposes, in His Kingdom. Unfortunately, all of us ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What Really Matters Series

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Nov 9, 2004

This sermon discusses two core values that God wants us to have... substance and faith.These two are important in understanding His heart.

What God Values Matthew 23:23,25 Are you familiar with the term: Values Clarification? It is a process in which individuals, groups and corporations engage, in order to discover what are the basic, fundamental, bedrock beliefs and values on which they are built. It is a process that helps you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:23-25

Denomination: Baptist

"Could I Be A Pharisee?

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Nov 10, 2004

The Church of the 21st century needs to evaluate itself in terms of Christ’s judgments and demands.

Matthew 23:1-4, 23-28, 33 “Could I Be A Pharisee?” By: Rev. Kenneth Sauer, Pastor of Parkview UMC, www.parkview-umc.org When Ben was a lot younger, he asked me an intriguing theological question—to which I had no answer. “Why,” he asked, “did God create chiggers, ticks, and gnats?” Anyhow, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-33

Denomination: United Methodist