Sermons on Leaven Of The Pharisees:

Exceeding Expectations Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jun 16, 2023

Jesus said that our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. This means that He wants us to exceed the spiritual expectations prescribed by the Law; as we are to strive for excellence in our walk with God.

I have entitled our message, “Exceeding Expectations,” and I want to begin by sharing a true story. A contractor in Mexico was hired to build a Catholic Church, but he used cheap materials in order to make more money. He reasoned that the quality of the materials did not matter, so long as the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Portrait Of A Godly Father

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Jun 18, 2022

When we consider Jesus’ audience, there is a much deeper truth. Jesus shows the sinners, publicans, scribes and the pharisees what God is really like and he paints a picture of a Godly Father.

Sermon: The Portrait of a Godly Father Text: Luke 15: 1-24 1 Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them! 3 So Jesus told them ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-24

Denomination: Methodist

Living A Life Of Purpose.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Jun 23, 2022

Zacchaeus was despised by the Pharisees – the most orthodox faith of the Jews. Jesus was rebuked by them for even eating with tax collectors (Mt. 9:11; Mk. 2:16; Lk. 5:30).

Living A Life Of Purpose. Luke 19:1-10NLT Recently, in a Delta flight magazine, one author wrote a column about a new course at Harvard business school for business leaders. At a cost of $13,000, the executives study absolutely nothing about business. Instead, for six days they ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10, 2 Corinthians 5:17

Denomination: Pentecostal

"The Cosmic War And The Ministry Of Jesus”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Jun 3, 2021

This sermon has a quote from Leonard Sweet, and an illustration from WWII. The Pharisees challenges the power of Jesus to heal. To reject the work of the Holy Spirit, through Jesus is to reject Jesus and is unforgivable.

In Jesus Holy Name June 6, 2021 Redeemer Text: Mark 3:28-29 “The Cosmic War and the Ministry of Jesus” Today’s Gospel reading brings us to a challenge very early in the ministry of Jesus. Jesus has been baptized by John in the Jordan River and returns to his home town ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-35, Luke 11:17-22, Matthew 12:25-29

Denomination: Lutheran

Love One Another

Contributed by Craig Condon on Mar 10, 2015

The parable of the Good Samaritan is one of Jesus' most familiar stories, and the way we usually hear that parable is as Jesus' way of getting us to ask ourselves, "Am I willing, when the circumstances arise, to be a Good Samaritan to other people?"

A man approached the gates of heaven and asked to be allowed to enter. Saint Peter asked, "Tell me one good thing you did in your life." The man said, "Well, I saw a group of punks harassing an elderly lady, so I ran up and kicked their leader in the shins." Peter asked, "When did this happen?" The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Anglican

Dirt Writing Lessons

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Sep 20, 2021

This sermon is centered on the lessons we can learn when Jesus wrote in the dirt in John 7:53-8:11. Jesus teaches us lessons that that deal with the seriousness of sin and other things that can lead to living a life of salvation.

Scripture: John 7:53-8:11 Dirt Stories Theme: Lessons in Dirt Title: Dirt Writing Lessons This sermon is dedicated to the lessons we can learn when Jesus wrote in the dirt in John 7:53-8:11. Jesus teaches us lessons that that deal with the seriousness of sin and other things that can lead to ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:14, John 3:16-17

Denomination: Nazarene

Talking About Jesus

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 19, 2025

Jesus is our example of how to face opposition and temptation.

“After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand. So his brothers said to him, ‘Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. For no one works in ...read more

Scripture: John 7:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Wrong About Authority

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 14, 2024

When Jesus was challenged to name His authority to teach, he exposed His interlocutors as incapable of assessing His answer even were He to deign give it.

“When [Jesus] entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ Jesus answered them, ‘I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Dangers Of Fault Finding Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Apr 24, 2025

Fault finders usually do not see any good in the efforts of other people. They put on the air of perfection and act as if they are incapable of making mistakes. Such people easily offend others through their actions and speeches. They focus on everyone’s faults except theirs.

As Christians, we're called to build each other up, not tear each other down. Yet, fault finding is a subtle sin that can creep into our lives, damaging relationships and hindering our walk with God. The Pharisees: A Classic Example In John 8:3-11, the Pharisees brought a woman caught in ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:21, John 8:3-11

God Wants To Help Us Avoid The Unforgivable Sin Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Apr 11, 2022

How can we avoid the unforgivable sin? 1. We must respect the Holy Spirit as God (vs. 30-31). 2. We must understand blasphemy against God's Spirit (vs. 31-32). 3. We must receive God's help from the Holy Spirit (vs. 33-37).

God Wants to Help Us Avoid the Unforgivable Sin The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 12:22-37 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared April 11, 2022) BACKGROUND: *Here in Matthew 12, Jesus was in the second year of His ministry. By this time, bitter hatred had poisoned the minds of the Pharisees who rejected ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:22-37

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Wants To Help Us Understand The Kingdom Of Heaven - Part 3 Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on May 26, 2022

Jesus wants us... 1. To get ready for His Judgment (vs. 47-50). 2. To study and share God's Word (vs. 51-52). 3. To be blessed by believing in Him (vs. 53-58).

Jesus Wants to Help Us Understand the Kingdom of Heaven - Part 3 The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 13:47-58 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared May 26, 2022) BACKGROUND: *Please open your Bibles to Matthew 13:47. In this chapter Jesus told a series of 8 parables to help us understand the Kingdom of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:47-58

Denomination: Baptist

Great Reasons To Rejoice In The Lord Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Apr 6, 2022

1. Rejoice in the strength of our Savior (vs. 22-23, 29). 2. Rejoice in the mind of Christ (vs. 23-27). 3. Rejoice in the work of God's Holy Spirit (vs. 28).

Great Reasons to Rejoice in the Lord The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 12:22-29 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared April 6, 2022) BACKGROUND: *Remember that here in Matthew 12, Jesus was in the second year of His ministry. This chapter reveals the vicious hatred that had poisoned the minds of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:22-29

Denomination: Baptist

The Best Is Yet To Come

Contributed by Pat Cook on Aug 31, 2004

Easter morning message showing that the Pharisees believed Jesus’ words perhaps more than His disciples did. God has more in store for us than we can possibly imagine.

John 20:9 – The Best is Yet to Come The Call to Worship had just been pronounced starting Easter Sunday Morning service in an East Texas church. The choir started its processional, singing "Up from the Grave He Arose" as they marched in perfect step down the center aisle to the front of the ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Get Sidetracked

Contributed by Sherman Gordon on Aug 30, 2008

LIFE WILL THROW MANY CHALLENGES OUR WAY, BUT THE TASK AT HAND IS TO NOT GET SIDETRACKED. JESUS WAS CONFRONTED BY A GROUP OF PHARISEES TRYING TO DERAIL HIM OF HIS PURPOSE, BUT HE EXEMPLIFIES HOW TO PRESS FORWARD.

DON’T GET SIDETRACKED MATTHEW 12:1-13 FEW WEEKS – LESSONS OF PERSEVERANCE OLYMPICS – MICHAEL PHELPHS SHAWN JOHNSON REBECCA SONI (HEART SURGERY) DNC – SENATOR BARACK OBAMA . . . RNC – SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN/GOV. SARAH PALIN (PAY-LIN) . . . LONG BEFORE THERE WAS A SEASONED JOHN MCCAIN LONG ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-13, Matthew 12:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Kingdom Within

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Dec 17, 2006

We are a people who have been guilty of looking for the anointing on the outside, but outward appearances can deceive. The Pharisees were great preachers, and keepers of the law, but they looked at Jesus and called Him “Beelzebub.”

The Kingdom Within! Text: Romans 14: 17-18 (What I’m speaking about this morning, the devil doesn’t want you to ever grasp because he understands that if you do, he will loss his grip on your life.) 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:17-18

Denomination: Pentecostal