Sermons on Leaven Of Pharisees:

Jesus Predicts His Death Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 12, 2021

Think of it: Jesus marshaled no army and He carried no weapon. Jesus never used His miraculous powers to throw the Pharisees off the nearest cliff. Yet, the threat of Jesus was so great, He often made enemies into allies:

A New York Times editorial claims that America’s views on the death penalty are changing. 35 people were put to death in 2014 which was the fewest in 20 years. And 2014 marked a nearly 40 year low in the number of new criminals placed on death row. While the method of execution may have changed, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:7-9, Luke 13:31-35

Denomination: Baptist

"who Do You Think You Are?" Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Aug 15, 2021

Jesus criticized the Pharisees for their inability to discern the signs of the times (Matthew 16:3). The signs of our times seem to be indicating an increasing hostility toward Christianity, which has lost its place as the nation’s primary guiding ethic.

You can run but you can’t hide. That’s certainly true today, amen? They not only know where you live and work, but probably know what kind of car you drive, when you take a shower, what’s your favorite flavor of ice cream or your favorite show on TV, what station you listen to in the car. They ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-5, 1 Corinthians 4:9-13, 2 Timothy 3:12, 2 Corinthians 12:10

Denomination: United Methodist

Apostasy Of The Christian Heart

Contributed by Stan Lobin on Oct 26, 2022

An examination of the Jesus parable of the prayers of the Pharisee and the tax collector and Christians who respond look and react to our others harshly with gossip and other negative that defy God's commandment to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

Apostasy of the Christian Heart When we become Christians, the Bible tells us that we receive Christ into our hearts. I believe that means that a Christian should possess a Christ-like heart; a heart that desires to please God and a desire to be obedient to God’s commandments and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:16-18, Luke 18:9-14, Jeremiah 14:7, 1 John 4:20

Be Practical, Not Legalistic Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Oct 30, 2021

Jesus taught the Pharisees how He desires sincere love for people over meaningless ritual, and how He desires grace over legalism. Those who adhere to ritual and tradition are often unable to love others or worship God.

In our message today, we will see how Jesus taught the Pharisees that forgiveness and grace toward others is a necessity before worship. The capacity to extend love and mercy is something that must be present in a person’s heart before he or she is able to worship the Lord in spirit and truth, as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Mercy Instead Of Sacrifice

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 11, 2022

The Pharisees criticized Jesus for eating with tax collectors. They thought they were better than Matthew, as they went around acting holy. Outward show doesn’t determine a person’s relationship with God. It's about the heart.

This morning I am going to touch on the subject of “hypocrisy.” It’s difficult to preach on this subject matter because none of us are without some form of hypocrisy in our life. Jesus told us not to point out the splinter in our brother’s eye until we have removed the log in our own eye (Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon # 40 - Beware Of Hypocrisy Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Jun 22, 2023

Is it permissible for a believer to lead a dichotomous life? Here’s what the word of God teaches about hypocrisy, and the kind of life that God expects us to lead as His disciples.

Jesus’ words to his disciples in Luke 12:1, “Meanwhile the people had come streaming towards Him by tens of thousands, so that they were trampling one another under foot. And now He proceeded to say to His disciples first, "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, that is to say, beware of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:1, Matthew 23:3, Matthew 23:5-6, Proverbs 29:25, Colossians 3:23-24, Matthew 23:24, Luke 18:10-12, Luke 18:14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

True Leadership

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 31, 2017

When is religious authority right and wrong? How should we behave in an imperfect church? Should we quit church and return to the devil or stay and be a force for good?

Prelude When is religious authority right and wrong? How should we behave in an imperfect church? Should we quit church and return to the devil or stay and be a force for good? Let’s look at Jesus’ blunt assessment of human religious leadership in Matthew 23:1-12 and see if we can learn a better ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

He Who Has Ears To Hear Let Him Hear

Contributed by Meshak Dayanand on Feb 21, 2021

But if you concentrate, pay attention, you will all really realise that all through these years even you failed to understand the real hidden blessings in the Bible.

As I was growing in the knowledge of Bible, whenever I came across this phrase I used to think Jesus used this phrase in a sarcastic way. But today when I read this phrase I really mean, that I had failed to understand the heart of Jesus in using this phrase. Today also many must be wondering why ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:9, Matthew 13:2, Matthew 13:15, John 6:2, John 6:26-27, John 6:66, John 6:47  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stretching For The Impossible

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Oct 10, 2022

This sermon focuses on the 1. The man who had the withered hand 2. His encounter with Jesus and 3. His healing. It is the micro story in the middle of a macro story about the Sabbath Day - it is how the presence of Jesus brings transformation.

Scripture: Luke 6:6-12; Psalm 27 Theme: Stretching for the Impossible This sermon focuses on the 1. The man who had the withered hand 2. His encounter with Jesus and 3. His healing. INTRO: Grace and peace this morning! Have you ever heard the phrase - “you are too close to the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:6-12

Denomination: Nazarene

Ii Lent, Year C

Contributed by Garth Wehrfritz- Hanson on Feb 24, 2001

Some Pharisees express concern over Christ’s safety and welfare. Jesus laments over all who reject him, his message and ministry. God is like a mother hen who protects her chicks under her wings.

Sermon for II Lent, Year C Based on Lk. 13:31-35 By Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson Today’s gospel is most profound! It’s like a painting bursting with a wide variety of colours, contours, moods and movements. It’s like a piece of music full of conflicting and complementary themes, melodies and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:31-35

Denomination: Lutheran

The Heart Of The Matter Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jul 17, 2005

Learn from the mistakes of the Pharisees: (1) Don’t be too caught up by the outward, it’s the heart that counts; (2) Don’t be too caught up by what man thinks; it’s what God thinks that counts.

We are all creatures of habit. We do many things over and over again. • There is nothing wrong with that. There will surely be routines in life. • But the danger comes when we get so accustomed to them, that we no longer understand the reason why we are doing them. • If fact, we may have lost its ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-9, Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Law Of Love Series

Contributed by David Smith on Nov 18, 2008

But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord you

We’re in Matthew 22, and Jesus is brawling! To be exact, we’re in the last round of a three-round brawl, where over the chapter in Matthew’s Gospel we’ve seen Jesus do battle with a group known as ‘the Herodians’, followed by a round with the Sadducees, followed by this week’s third and deciding ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Six Stages Of Spiritual Sight

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Apr 18, 2012

The blind man had been delivered from darkness and given sight by the compassion of Jesus. This formerly blind man is confronted by his neighbors, he’s confronted by the Pharisees, and by Jesus as well. We are going to concentrate on Jesus as seen by thi

The last time we were in our study in John, we looked at 9:1-7 and saw Jesus give sight to the blind man. This blind man had been delivered from darkness and given sight by the compassion of Jesus. In tonight’s study, this formerly blind man is confronted by his neighbors, he’s ...read more

Scripture: John 9:8-41

Denomination: Baptist

Soft Heart - Hard Heart Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on May 14, 2012

As humans we naturally try to do what is in our own best self interest. This doesn't always coincide with the character of God. Such is the case with divorce. Jesus shocks His men and the Pharisees with a refreshing look at relationships. As we look at th

In one of the rides at Disneyland, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, there is a holding room that resembles an archeological dig deep under a Southeast Asian jungle. A covered well sits in the center of the room with a rope extending down into the well. A sign clearly says “do not pull ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:1-16

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Pride And Promiscuity

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Jun 12, 2016

Jesus contrasts a prideful Pharisee and a formerly promiscuous sinner desperate for grace. One is changed forever and one is unchanged. The difference: pride vs. humility. We all are in need of a Savior. Sadly, some don't realize it until it is too late.

Luke 7:36-50 Pride and Promiscuity The sermon title for today’s story is in honor of my wife, who first introduced me to Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” a classic tale of two strong-willed and misunderstood personalities coming together in romantic love. But ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Baptist