Sermons on Leaven Of The Pharisees:

Divisions, Sins, And Signs (Matthew 12:22-37)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Mar 26, 2025

The clash between Jesus and the Pharisees intensified during the time of His public ministry. He rebuked and condemned them for their hypocrisy and unbelief, warning them of the eternal consequences.

After healing the man with the withered hand (12:9-14), the Lord Jesus continued His work of healing the sick and teaching the Word. Now the people brought before Him a man who was not only demon-possessed but also suffered from blindness and the inability to speak. Jesus immediately cast out ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:22-42, Mark 3:22-27, Luke 11:29-32

Denomination: Baptist

Moving To The Head Of The Line Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 14, 2010

Jesus hated pride and used the Pharisees to highlight the evils of that sin. But why would God hate pride, and how would I know if I suffer from it?

Last Sunday we introduced the “Upside Down Teachings of Jesus”. The teaching of Jesus that just don’t make sense to most people. Today’s sermon will continue that theme by focusing on Jesus’ teaching: “the Last shall be First, and the First shall be Last”. OPEN: When my dad first married my mom, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus' Sermon On The Mount

Contributed by James Williams on Jul 24, 2015

Jesus' sermon explains in what ways our righteousness must surpass that of the Scribes and the Pharisees. This is the narrow path that leads to life. This is not just saying "Lord, Lord," but doing the will of God.

How’s your righteousness? At what level is your righteousness? That’s an important question. Listen to these words of Jesus in Matthew 5:20, “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Lessons Learned Over Dinner

Contributed by Chad Bolfa on Oct 1, 2010

Tonight I want us to learn some lessons about people, and about ourselves, as take a peek at this passage as Jesus is an invited dinner guest at Simon the Pharisees house.

Lessons learned over Dinner Luke 7:36-48 Introduction As I mentioned a couple Sunday nights ago, we expect to learn lessons from the great prophets of the Old Testament; we expect to learn lessons from the Words of Jesus; we expect to learn lessons from the writings of the Apostle Paul. But we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-48

Denomination: Baptist

When Things Don’t Work Out Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Feb 7, 2016

what does Jesus have to say about divorce? In our Scripture today, the Pharisees asked Jesus, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?"

When Things Don’t Work Out Matthew 19: 1-12 Scott Grant writes about a Time Magazine article where Caitlin Flanagan observes that, while the divorce culture has become a fact of life over the past twenty-five years, the middle class has turned weddings into “overwrought exercises in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

The Parable Of The Tenant Farmers Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Nov 26, 2014

In response to the questioning of His authority by the scribes & Pharisees after His cleansing of the Temple, Jesus tells a parable. This parable summaries the whole of biblical history including the gospel story.

LUKE 20: 9-18 [PARABLES IN LUKE] THE PARABLE OF THE TENANT FARMERS [Isaiah 5:1-7 / John 12:35-43] In response to the questioning of His authority by the scribes and Pharisees after His cleansing of the Temple, Jesus tells a parable. This parable summaries the whole of biblical history ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:9-18

Denomination: Baptist

4 Hearts Of Stone And Handwashing Series

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Mar 14, 2020

Written in Midst of Coronavirus epidemic: The Pharisees criticized Jesus for not washing his hands correctly. But they had unclean hearts. In this time, what does it mean to have a clean heart

Mark 7:1-8 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) 7 Some Pharisees and some teachers of the law came from Jerusalem and gathered around Jesus. 2 They saw that some of his followers ate food with hands that were not clean, meaning that they did not wash their hands in a special way. 3 The Pharisees and all the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-8, Luke 11:37-41

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Majoring On Minors.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on May 18, 2024

As believers sometimes we get fixated on the minute. -The things that really don’t matter. We begin to major on the minors. That is actually what the Scribes and Pharisees did,

Majoring On Minors. Acts 19:1-9 As believers sometimes we get fixated on the minute. -The things that really don’t matter. We begin to major on the minors. That is actually what the Scribes and Pharisees did, they majored on the do’s and don’ts, and missed their renewal. -They majored on ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:1-9, Acts 2:1-4

Denomination: Pentecostal

Barging In

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Dec 10, 2024

A woman of a low class barges into a Pharisee's home to plead for forgiveness from Jesus. He grants her the request. It shows that the common Jews desired the Messiah!

Barging in Luke 7:40-50 Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H Koplitz 40 And Jesus answered, and said to him: Simon, I have something to say to thee. He said to him: Say it, Rabbi. Jesus said to him: 41 There were two debtors to a certain creditor; the one owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:40-50

Denomination: United Methodist

True Repentance Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Mar 15, 2022

“Come, let us return to the Lord.” (Hosea 6:1) Jesus went to the house of many tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees saw this and asked why Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners. In that context Jesus Quotes Hosea 6:6 (found in Matthew 9:13).

The story of the prodigal son gives us a great picture of repentance. The prodigal has messed up big time and ended up in a terrible situation, eating pig slop just to survive. That situation made him turn back to his father. But you don’t have to wind up on skid row to need repentance. A Christian ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 6:1-11, Hosea 5:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Rest For The Weary

Contributed by Craig Condon on Apr 7, 2015

If we accept the rest Jesus offers, all we have to do is accept his teachings as well as the obligations he will lay upon us. He invites us to treat each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.

“Nothing I do is ever enough!!!” Have you ever heard someone say that? Have you ever said that or thought that yourself? Well I certainly have, especially when my father was alive. Sometimes no matter how much we do, how much we say, how much we pay, how much we save, how much we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:25-30

Denomination: Anglican

Jesus Shows Us How To Live A Holy Life Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jan 26, 2023

Jesus wants us... 1. To reject the mindset of the scribes and Pharisees (vs. 1-7). 2. To give God the reverence He deserves (vs. 8-10). 3. To follow the Lord's humble path to greatness (vs. 11-12).

Jesus Shows Us How to Live a Holy Life The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 23:1-12 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared January 26, 2023) BACKGROUND: *Please open your Bibles to Matthew 23. As you know, Jesus was in Jerusalem to die on the cross for our sins. The city and surrounding villages were crowded ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

How To Successfully Navigate Life Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Apr 19, 2021

Walking in the dark can be a dangerous thing, both physically and spiritually. Jesus explains that He is the light that shines in the darkness. How can we all appropriate that light to show the way in our own lives?

How many of you out there have ever had any experience with sleep-walking? I imagine we could all share some interesting stories about our sleep-walking experiences. But since I’ve got the floor this morning, you get to hear about mine. I have actually walked in my sleep only about three times ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12-30, Deuteronomy 17:6, Deuteronomy 19:15, Numbers 35:30, Proverbs 5:21, Proverbs 21:30  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Bible Church

Jesus Dines With Sinners Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Nov 19, 2023

Jesus showed mercy to lepers, prostitutes, adulterers and associated with people society treated as people to be avoided. Jesus sought out those who were down and out. When they met Jesus, their lives were transformed.

There is something very gratifying about being accepted by people of high social status. If I am ever with someone with high social standing or if they have lots of clout, I am right away taken in. If my friends could see me now, I am thinking. I am easily starstruck by anyone with even a little ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Endorses The Law

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 26, 2023

When Jesus endorsed the law, and said that we are to be more righteous than the Pharisees, did He mean that we are to keep all 613 Old Testament commandments more rigidly, or in a completely different manner? Let's find out in Matthew 5.

Jesus condemned whoever sets aside the least of God’s commands. Does that mean that all 613 Old Testament commandments are still in force, like circumcision, Sabbaths and sacrifices? Let’s examine salt, light and the law in Matthew 5:13-20. Salt & Light What are Christ’s disciples? You are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20

Denomination: Baptist