Sermons on Matthew 5:20:

The Greater Righteousness - Matthew 5:20-21 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 3, 2024

How can Jesus say anger is equivalent to murder? Killing a human being has such greater consequences and is so much more extreme. This message will show how the two sins have the same DNA and will expose how even our best efforts to obey God’s Word can degenerate into legalism.

Matthew 5:19-26 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20-21

More Righteous Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 16, 2024

Why would Jesus seemingly praise the Pharisees saying our righteousness should exceed theirs? Why would I need to compare my righteousness to that of men that Jesus despised?

A man was telling about being a student at the University of Southern California, and he and his friends worked hard to earn their PhDs, because they wanted to be would allowed to hold the coveted title of “doctor”. Then, one day one of their professors told about a friend of his who’d called his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20-48

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Be Ye Separate

Contributed by Phillip Smith on May 4, 2024

Christians are to be readily recognizable. They are to be seperate from worldly persons. However, it is most difficult to identify one in a crowd in the modern world. Why?

In western culture and its influence upon all the rest of mankind, depicting Christians from the rest of the world is most difficult today. The only differences we see come from diverse groups who outwardly show differences in their dress and chosen culture. Outward differences among all others are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:13-16, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Matthew 5:20, 2 Corinthians 6:15-18, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12, Colossians 4:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sixth Sunday After Trinity (B C P). Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 22, 2025

Sermons upon the Bible readings of the Book of Common Prayer.

Psalm 90:12-17, Genesis 4:2-15, Romans 6:3-11, Matthew 5:20-26. A). APPLICATION OF THE TRUTH CONCERNING THE BREVITY OF LIFE. Psalm 90:12-17. Psalm 90:12. When we do reverence the LORD, we will want Him to teach us to make a right application of the truth about the brevity of our lives. We need ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 90:12-17, Genesis 4:2-15, Romans 6:3-11, Matthew 5:20-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rapture Ready--Living With Authentic Faith Matthew 23 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Sep 14, 2025

To be rapture ready, we must move from empty religion to authentic relationship with CHRIST. JESUS condemns hypocrisy and calls us to authentic faith expressed in humility, obedience, and servant leadership. Outward show can’t replace inward surrender. Be watchful. Be faithful. Be ready.

2025.09.14 Sermon. RAPTURE READY_LIVING WITH AUTHENTIC FAITH_WOE TO HYPOCRISY, YES TO HUMILITY Matthew 23 William Akehurst, HSWC Scripture Readings Matthew 23:1-39, 2 Timothy 3:5, James 1:22, Philippians 2:3, Luke 12:1, John 10:9, 1 Timothy 6:5, Micah 6:8, Matthew 15:8, 1 Samuel 16:7, Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-39, 2 Timothy 3:5, James 1:22, Philippians 2:3, Luke 12:1, John 10:9, 1 Timothy 6:5, Micah 6:8, Matthew 15:8, 1 Samuel 16:7, Matthew 5:20, Matthew 7:21-23, Revelation 3:1-3, 2 Peter 3:9, John 14:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, Matthew 24:44, Matthew 23:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:6, Matthew 23:39  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Never Knew You!

Contributed by Pastor Renji George on Jan 18, 2026

The scariest verses in the Bible are not about Satan's kingdom, hell, lake of fire or demons or the signs that are going to be there before the coming of the Lord. Is any lostness worse than remaining lost while believing you’re not lost?

Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23, Isaiah 29:8, James 2:19, 1 Corinthians 9:27, Romans 1:16, 2 Corinthians 13:5, Matthew 7:24-27, Luke 6:46, Matthew 5:20, James 1:21-22, James 2:14-26  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Salt And Light: A Sermon For The 5th Sunday After Epiphany

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jan 28, 2026

For Epiphany 5 Year A February 8, 2026

Salt and Light: A Sermon for the 5th Sunday of Epiphany Matthew 5:13–20 NKJV “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

It's What's Inside That Counts Most.

Contributed by Melvin Shelton on Jan 10, 2004

Jesus, who often fretted the Pharisees, said it’s not what is on the outside that counts, it’s the internal things that matter of the most.

It’s what’s inside that counts most. Matthew 5:20 -- 22. 01/11/04 You do not have to study the lives of the Pharisees long to realize they wanted to go through the motions of being religious. But Jesus, who often fretted the Pharisees, said it’s not what is on the outside that counts, it’s the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20-22

Denomination: Baptist

Failing With An "A"

Contributed by Stephen Windham on Aug 8, 2005

Discussing how one can do all the "right" things and still not have a personal relationship with Christ. Being good is not good enough.

The scribes and Pharisees were thought of as having arrived at the highest pitch of religion. The scribes were most noted as teachers of the law. The pharisees were most noted as celebrated professors of the law. They fasted and were unto much prayer. They tithed. They were good people. They ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20

Denomination: Baptist

Great Thoughts Of Jesus

Contributed by Charles Salmon on Aug 22, 2005

Principles that motivated the actions and words of Jesus. From Matthew’s Gospel

The Great Thoughts of Jesus INTRO.: Throughout His life on Earth, Jesus aroused amazement and interest wherever He went. People marveled at His teaching as well as His deeds. The human mind is such that when we see a strange or phenomenal Person like Jesus we want to know "what makes him tick." ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I'm Ok.

Contributed by George Crumbly on Sep 7, 2005

God looks on the inside where as man look on the outside

“I’M O.K?” by George Crumbly Matthew 5:17-20 Sunday AM July 22, 2001 Sheridan, Arkansas (This message David Rings did on a video. I have used it at least 8 times and have had a tremendous response. You will need two different colored socks with one of them having the end cut out exposing all of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Methodist

Measuring Up To God's Standard

Contributed by Greg Tabor on Oct 21, 2005

You’ve got to think that the folks listening to Jesus were hoping for a replacement for the stringent Law of God that had become even more difficult to keep under the unbearable traditions of the Pharisees. I’m sure there were some great expectations. Aft

Measuring Up to God’s Standard 7/10/05 Lighthouse Assembly of God Pastor Greg Tabor Introduction You’ve got to think that the folks listening to Jesus were hoping for a replacement for the stringent Law of God that had become even more difficult to keep under the unbearable traditions of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Jesus - The Law With Flesh On

Contributed by Glenn Newton on Jun 18, 2004

One of the Things that I love about Jesus was that when He came, it was like He turned on the Lights, so all the people who had been living in this darkness, all the sudden they could see the truth for themselves....

Jesus ~ The Law with Flesh On Pastor Glenn Newton 7-28-02 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Nazarene

You're Not Good Enough Series

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Apr 14, 2005

God demands perfection which is only found in Jesus Christ.

"For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. The Jews had a saying, "If only two people go to heaven, one will be a scribe and the other a Pharisee." Those who were there to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20

Denomination: Baptist

There's A Difference In Hear Say And Truth Series

Contributed by Tiger Gullett on Jan 26, 2004

The third message in a series from "The Sermon On The Mount" dealing with the effects of our attitudes.

INTRODUCTION: Have you ever heard something that you thought to be truth, and possibly even told someone else what you had heard, only later to find out that it wasn’t true? It was just hear say ! I remember eating pop rocks when I was a little boy. You know those little hard candies that began to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-48

Denomination: Baptist