Sermons on Matthew 15:4:

Spiritual Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Contributed by Brian Atwood on May 29, 2007

When our need for conforming to outward observances exceeds our regard for inward spiritual reality we need to address our spiritual obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Spiritual Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - Matthew 15:1-20 1 Some Pharisees and teachers of religious law now arrived from Jerusalem to see Jesus. They asked him, 2 “Why do your disciples disobey our age-old tradition? For they ignore our tradition of ceremonial hand washing before they eat.” 3 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Getting To The Heart Of Things – Part 1 Series

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Oct 6, 2007

In our drama today, we see it once again. This is not an authorization to blast people full-force with anger, vehemence or vitriol. It is, however, a demonstration to us that we have the biblical, God-ordained, Christian duty to be truly honest when we en

We could actually entitle this study “Jesus and the Forbidding Pharisees, Part 6”. What we encounter today is almost a continuation of our study of Matthew 12. In that series of lesson, we examined the dynamic discrepancies between what the Pharisees practiced and promoted and what God actually ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Listening To Unchristian America

Contributed by Jay Robison on Nov 1, 2007

Christianity has an image problem. What can we learn from how those outside the church see the church today. I use Jesus criticism of religious leaders to cause us to think.

I have used sermoncentral along with other resources in this message. James White’s Critical Times email was a starting point. I also referred to Kinnaman’s book. LISTENING TO UnCHRISTIAN AMERICA October 28, 2007 Jay Davis Robison MATTHEW 15:1-12 The Church in America HAS AN IMAGE ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Lent Is Not In The Bible

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Mar 31, 2009

Four reasons why the church of Jesus Christ should have nothing to do with Lent.

1. LENT PROMOTES A SALVATION OF WORKS Lent is ultimately a list of dos and don’ts. The focus is on the individual not Christ. Scripture teaches that forgiveness of sins cannot be obtained by our efforts. Titus 3:5 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-20

Lip-Service Won't Cut It!

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Feb 14, 2007

Next message through Matthew, this one dealing with Jesus’ words about actually living what we say about loving God.

Lip-Service Won’t Cut It! Matthew 15:1-9 November 19, 2006 There are a number of things in my life that I try to avoid, if at all possible. For instance, I try to avoid pot-holes in the road. I also try to avoid things like the tornado I mentioned a couple weeks ago, as well as any form of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-9

Denomination: Wesleyan

Boundaries - Jesus And The Shock-Collar

Contributed by Robert Fox on Jan 13, 2006

Uses the analogy of an "invisible fence" to explain Christian boundaries vs. spiritual freedom. Student ministry PowerPoint presentation.

[Boundaries] Slide Graphic – sign: “NO TRESPASSING. Violators will be shot. Survivors will be shot again” Slide Text – These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men (Mathew 15:8-9) (Note: I gave ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

No More Hypocrites, Please

Contributed by Dean Rhine on Jan 24, 2006

Hypocrisy

"No More Hypocrites, Please!" Matthew 15:1-20 9/21/97 Intro: We all have many traditions that we keep. We bow our heads and close our eyes when we pray. It’s not the only way to pray. The Bible gives many examples of prayer. Yet, we think this is the only way to pray. *If you don’t pray ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Word Or Ours?

Contributed by Greg Nance on Sep 11, 2010

Religious traditions are dangerous. We can easily be satisfied by them. Passified by them so that we go to sleep and do not follow God's call. May God deliver us!

Matthew 15:1-20 has been a key passage to point out the danger of vain worship by following man made traditions instead of God's word. I have often heard this passage applied to the activities that we do in our church services, but Jesus' application is actually much broader. So just what is a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Messiah Who Helps Keep Us Focused Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Oct 23, 2010

Jesus teaches us to focus on what is really important.

A Messiah Who Keeps Us Focused Text: Matt. 15:1-20 Introduction 1. Illustration: [Children have] a great need to know where behavioral boundaries are and who has the courage to enforce them. Years ago, during the early days of the progressive-education movement, an enthusiastic theorist decided ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-20

Denomination: Methodist

What Sets Christianity Apart

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Aug 3, 2010

All of the religions of the world have works at their core; all except Christianity. Here is a great story of Jesus confronting the self-righteous works righteousness of His day, and ours!

Passage: Matthew 15:1-20 Intro: Christianity is unique among the religions of the world. 1. and we are going to see why it is in this passage. 2. it is a conversation of intense conflict, so much so that it made Jesus’ disciples nervous. 3. in an atmosphere of love and grace, Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A Heart For The Lord

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Nov 16, 2011

Do the so called transparent barriers that we construct between ourselves and God’s word provide enough safety from God’s wrath?

A Heart for the Lord Readings: Matthew 15:1-20 15:1-20pp -- Mk 7:1-23 1 Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 2 "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they eat!" 3 Jesus replied, "And why do you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"Jesus Heads To East Ridge"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Aug 10, 2011

A sermon about the radical openness of God.

Matthew 15:1-3, 7-28 “Jesus Heads to East Ridge” By: Ken Sauer, Pastor of East Ridge United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN eastridgeumc.org How many of you like Winnie the Pooh? In one of his famous escapades, this loveable toy bear tries to trap an elephant—or, as he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-28

Denomination: United Methodist

Breaking The Law...for God's Sake

Contributed by David E. Watters on Aug 14, 2011

Matthew 15: 10-20 - Barclay stated that this Scripture was 'one of the supreme contests in history'. Two religious viewpoints clash with what Jesus says. Jesus again points to what is really important.

Good morning. Laws are important in any society in order to keep peace and order. But there are laws and then there are laws. Here are some laws that are still on the books in our state of Kansas. • In Derby, it is illegal to hit a vending machine that stole your money. • In Dodge ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-20, Matthew 15:1-20

Denomination: Methodist

How The Pharisees Got It Wrong

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Aug 20, 2011

In this topical sermon we are going to examine how the Pharisees missed it so badly by examining their history, their beliefs, and where they went wrong.

How the Pharisees Got it Wrong Text: Matthew 15:1-14 By: Ken McKinley (Read Text) Well we’re taking a little break from Ecclesiastes. We did last week so that I could talk to you all about how we might better serve God as a church. And tonight, I want to talk to you about how the Pharisees ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Tradition And The Tongue

Contributed by Ken Henson on Jun 27, 2012

Jesus is not interested in rules which people can point to as the outward manifestation of some arbitrary rule-driven form of righteousness. He is interested in the heart.

There are many traditions in the world. One of those traditions is to have a liturgical calendar and today, May 27 happens to be the Day of Pentecost. It is the day of the birth of the church, fifty days after the Passover. And that was the day according to Jewish tradition that Moses received ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-20

Denomination: *other