Sermons on harmony to hypocrisy:

So, You Think You're Not A Pharisee?

Contributed by Dan Funk on Aug 28, 2014

Christ directed the Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican Praying in the Temple to those who trusted in their own righteousness. We are more prone to trust in our own righteousness than we might think. This self-trust can keep us from being merciful.

Over the years, we have all heard preachers address the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican praying in the Temple. “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Anglican

Jesus Confronts Adultery Series

Contributed by Jerry Owen on Mar 30, 2017

Who is guilty of adultery? Jesus gives us the answer in the Sermon on the Mount and what He reveals might just surprise us; but, if it doesn't, it certainly ought to change our behavior.

JESUS CONFRONTS ADULTERY Matthew 5:27-32 INTRODUCTION ** We introduced this sermon with a 4 minute drama of the woman caught in adultery ** A. WHO IS AN ADULTERER? 1. Those Who Practice Wicked Deeds. Mt 5:27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; Jesus chose murder ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-32

Denomination: Baptist

The Heart Of Your Problem Is The Problem Of Your Heart Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Jan 25, 2018

The reason we like traditions, whether it’s washing your hands or dressing up for church, is that it is something we can do outwardly and feel good about ourselves.

INTRODUCTION Part of this message is about traditions. Why do we do the things we do? Sometimes we do them because we’ve always done them the same way and we never questioned the reason. Growing up, I had exactly the same breakfast every morning: two fried eggs, bacon, grits, and toast. And the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus And The Pharisee's Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jun 11, 2014

Jesus confronted the Pharisee’s with straight talk to get them to change their ways. He wanted them to see the error in their thinking, behavior and change. He wanted them to see their legalistic – non grace attitude which was driving them away from Heaven and not toward Heaven.

Video from sermon central: Shoes and Judging Theme: Let’s Talk Series 3: Straight Talk What is it? Straight talk from a redneck: 1. Darlin. You’re hotter than donut grease at a fat man convention. 2. Duct tape is like "The Force." It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

“i Do”

Contributed by David Roth on Jan 13, 2015

Proper 23 (A), 18th Sunday after Pentecost. We enter into the wedding feast of the Lamb when we believe His word of promise and come in faith, to praise and honor Him. Those who did not enter were centered on themselves instead of Christ.

J. J. May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. “I Do” “I do.” Two small little words with big impact. While they can be used on many occasions, we immediately associate them ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

The Retraction Movement (Lesson 1) Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Mar 15, 2020

To establish that the Holy Spirit predicted a “departure from the faith” that resulted in religious apostasy and the rise of denominational institutions throughout the world. This lesson describes the failures of the Reformation Movement, and the successes of the Restoration Movement.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. The Retraction Movement Remarks. 1. This is lesson one, in our sermon-series of the theme: “The Departure from the Faith.” It should be noted that Paul begins our lesson by describing “the retraction movement” or “the departure from the faith!” It should also be noted, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-5, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12, 1 Timothy 4:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus Loves Sinners Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 9, 2021

Jesus is the shepherd who loves the sheep whose performance is the worst. He loves in spite of your poor obedience, your poor performance. No one has been more inclusive of sinners than Jesus.

Jesus tells us three stories that arrives at a climax with a return of a son to his family and his father. These three stories, finding a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son, form a pyramid where the three show us the same truth but each side shows a different shade and nuance to God’s love. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Uncut

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 24, 2021

A preacher is very much like a traffic engineer. And the preachers of Jesus’ day were routing the traffic right off a washed-out bridge with no warning. For real love always stands against deception.

While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table. The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner. And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:37-54

Denomination: Baptist

The Week That Changed The World: The Day Jesus Cleaned House Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 3, 2021

The Lord Jesus arrived in Jerusalem hailed by the Jews as the Davidic king who would restore Israel. He arrived not for that purpose, but to fulfill Isaiah's prophecy of the Suffering Servant who restored all of HIs people back to God. The first step was to restore His house.

The final week of Jesus' public ministry had started with His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, being hailed as the rightful heir of David and the One who would finally drive out the hated Roman Gentile oppressors and restore the nation of Israel back to its former glory, or so the people ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-17, Mark 11:1-17, Luke 19:28-48, John 2:13-22, John 12:12-19, Psalm 118:26, Isaiah 56:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

7 Woes On Religious Leaders (Matthew 23)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 17, 2024

Why are we afraid to preach Matthew 23? Why does the Revised Common Lectionary leave it completely out? Are we afraid to let our churches know that we church leaders are weak, and fail, and also need to repent? Let's find out in Matthew 23.

Jesus warned about hypocrisy among religious leaders and accompanying woes. Have we ever heard this taught? Is it just too painful to admit that we church leaders can sometimes be just like the Pharisees? Let’s learn some hard lessons from Jesus in Matthew 23. Hypocrisy Do we practice what we ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Anonymous Apostles And The World’s Worst Traitor (Matthew 10:1-4)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Mar 9, 2025

Our look at the Twelve apostles concludes with the last four on the list - James the Less, Simon the Zealot, Jude Thaddeus, and the apostle who threw his calling away, Judas Iscariot.

When we look at the lives of the twelve men whom Jesus chose to be His apostles, we need to make a notation. None of these men would be known today except for the fact that Jesus chose to pull them out from obscurity and ordinary situations. None of them were of renown or any type of prominence. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:1-4, 2 Corinthians 12:12, John 6:70, Psalm 41:9, Luke 22:3, Acts 1:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Music Of Heaven

Contributed by Glenn Dale Pease on Aug 29, 2014

The book of Revelation has a host of happy hymns of harmony as part of the heavenly scene. Poems of praise are part of paradise. Joyful songs of jubilation to Jesus are a major part of this revelation about heaven.

THE MUSIC OF HEAVEN based on Rev.15:1-8 By Glenn Pease Most of us are not gifted in the realm of music. Many of us feel pathetic in our ability to sing, and even more so with our ability to produce music. We can easily envy those to whom it comes easy. Elizabeth Resen, at four could listen ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 15:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Shrewd As Serpents Series

Contributed by Boomer Phillips on Mar 28, 2022

“Be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves” (Mt. 10:16). This verse is not advocating hypocrisy. We are not to employ the methods of the ungodly, but we should posses a similar creative capacity. We need to be clever in our dealings.

In Matthew 10:16, Jesus advised us to “be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” Was Jesus telling believers to be two-faced hypocrites? Was He saying we need to be unjust in our daily activities and dealings, and then turn right around and act like model Christians on Sunday? No. Jesus was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Lunch With Joseph Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 27, 2020

It is a lot easier to forgive someone who has hurt you deeply when you are convinced that they have pondered the gravity of their wrong-doing.

Lunch with Joseph (Genesis 43:1-45:28) 1. “When I was a kid, my dad and I were driving somewhere on a nice, sunny afternoon…. My window was rolled down. The town we live in isn’t known to be a destination for celebs of any kind. We pull up to a light; we’re the second car from the front. A ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Sermon # 6 - United With A Purpose Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Feb 13, 2023

Only when we are united in heart, mind and purpose will the people around us know and believe in Jesus. This sermon will teach us what we should do to make this a possibility.

We read in Acts 4:32, “The whole congregation of believers was united as one — one heart, one mind!” (MSG) The testimony about the early church was that though they were numerous, they were all with one heart and one mind. When we hear such a declaration, probably the question that arises is, ‘How ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:32, Philippians 2:2, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Luke 2:13-14, Matthew 6:9, Luke 13:10-13, John 5:5-6, John 5:8-9, John 5:14, Revelation 3:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other