Sermons on Matthew 15:1-12:

The Heart Matters Most - Lessons From Matthew 15 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Jun 12, 2025

GOD cares more about the condition of your heart than the traditions you keep. GOD desires genuine inner purity and authentic faith, not religious performance. True righteousness comes from a transformed heart, not outward tradition.

2025.06.15.Sermon Notes. The Heart Matters Most – Lessons from Matthew 15 When Religion Misses the Point William Akehurst, HSWC Reminder: It’s Father’s Day Scripture: Matthew 15:1-39, Isaiah 29:13, Psalms 51:10, Psalms 139:23-24 INTRODUCTION: JESUS confronts the religious leaders for honoring ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-39, Isaiah 29:13, Psalm 51:10, Psalm 139:23-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Inside Out Christianity

Contributed by Dwight Davis on May 17, 2024

So often, we Christians--like everyone else get caught up on the outward appearance of our physical bodies, our homes, our cars and our families. Even more dangerous than focusing on the "appearance" of these things, we quite often focus on the appearance of our Christianity.

Have you ever met someone for the first time, and you were immediately struck by how nice-looking that person was? But after spending some time with them, all of a sudden, they didn’t look that good anymore? Not that their makeup got smeared or their toupee blew off; but once you talked to them and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:25-28, Matthew 15:8-20, Jeremiah 17:9, Psalm 139:23-24, Psalm 51:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Sermon # 9 - Commandments Over Traditions Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Jun 20, 2024

Often the traditions of men have overtaken the commandments of God and thereby, many have missed the true intentions of God’s commandments. May we heed the voice of the Holy Spirit and truly honor and please God in all that we do.

We read in Matthew 15:3, He answered them, "Why do you break the commandment of God because of your traditions? (GW) As we continue to study the questions that Jesus asked, we realize that all of them were deep and thought provoking. In the above mentioned question there are two important ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-3, Deuteronomy 18:10-12, Matthew 15:4-6, Exodus 20:3-5, Matthew 15:7, Matthew 15:9, Matthew 15:14, Revelation 3:20, Psalm 51:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

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

Faith On Autopilot – Going Through The Motions Without Heart Series

Contributed by Dr. John D. Wentworth on Sep 27, 2025

There’s comfort in routine. Singing the same hymns, praying the same prayers, sitting in the same pew each Sunday—it all feels safe. But these familiar patterns can lull us into a dangerous place: performing religion instead of pursuing Jesus.

Title: Faith on Autopilot – Going Through the Motions Without Heart Text: Matt. 15:8-9 ‘This people honors me with their lips but their heart is far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ “When routine replaces relationship” Introduction: “When faith ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:8-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Heart Of The Matter: When Tradition Makes A Trespasser

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Oct 4, 2025

This sermon delivers Jesus' powerful warning that religious traditions can become a dangerous substitute for God's commands, leading to a worthless worship from a heart that is far from Him.

Introduction: The Danger of Good Habits Traditions can be wonderful things. They give us a sense of identity and rhythm. They connect us to our heritage and to our families. In the life of faith, traditions and habits—like coming to church, praying before a meal, or reading our Bibles—can be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

True Love PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2023

Explore the lessons in Matthew 15:10-28 about the power of true love, the cost of obeying God, and the blessings that come from clinging to God alone, while challenging us to examine our understanding and perception of God.

Good morning, Church! It's always a blessing to gather together on this beautiful day that the Lord has made. We're going to dive deep today into Matthew 15:10-28, and I promise you, it's going to be a journey filled with lessons about the power of true love, the cost of obeying God, and the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-28

Topics: Obeying God

The Canaanite Woman PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

This sermon's main point is to highlight the boundless mercy of Jesus, the faith of a Canaanite woman, and God's plan of salvation for all people, regardless of their status, race, or failures.

Good morning, church family. As we gather today, we are going to explore a passage from the Gospel of Matthew. In this passage, we'll see the boundless mercy of Jesus, the unshaken faith of a Canaanite woman, and most importantly, a glimpse into God's plan of salvation for all people, not just the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-28

Topics: Salvation Plan

The Power Of A Crumb PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Highlight the power of even the smallest amount of faith and God's boundless mercy and grace, as demonstrated in the story of the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:10-28.

Good morning, family! Today we're going to dig into the Word together, examining a passage that's all about the power of faith, even the smallest kind, and about the mercy and grace of our mighty God. As Corrie Ten Boom once said, "Faith is like radar that sees through the fog—the reality of things ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-28

Topics: God's Mercy, God's Grace

Celebrating God’s Watchman Because Of Their True Value

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Oct 28, 2025

We celebrate our pastors because of their vigilance as they are called to be constantly on duty and alert to dangers that could harm their flock.

Sermon: Celebrating God’s Watchman Because of Their True Value Scripture: Isaiah 21:11-12 “The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 21:11-12, Matthew 15:8

Denomination: Methodist

If You Want To Be A Real Christian. . . Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jul 23, 2022

If you want to be a real Christian... 1. Trust Jesus to help you in amazing ways (Matt 14:34-36). 2. Start obeying God's commands (Matt 15:1-6). 3. Strive to avoid hypocrisy (Matt 15:5-7). 4. Keep seeking the Lord with all your heart (Matt 15:7-8). 5. You will discover real hope (Matt 15:8-9).

If You Want to Be a Real Christian. . . The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 14:34 - Matthew 15:9 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared July 23, 2022) BACKGROUND: *Please open your Bibles to Matthew 14. The Holy Spirit led Matthew to begin this part of his Gospel by reporting on the government-approved ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:34-36, Matthew 15:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

A Great Spiritual Check-Up For Your Soul Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Aug 4, 2022

1. Are you listening to the Lord? (vs. 1-11, 14). 2. Are you aiming to please God? (vs. 12-14). 3. Are you learning from the Lord? (vs. 14-16). 4. Have you found the right help for your heart? (vs. 17-20).

A Great Spiritual Check-up for Your Soul The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 15:1-20 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared August 4, 2022) (Revised August 8, 2022 to say this was the 3rd year of Jesus' ministry) BACKGROUND: *Please open your Bibles to Matthew 15. In the previous chapter, Jesus was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Profile Of Hypocritical Religious Pharisees Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Sep 15, 2022

Religious Hypocrites are compared to whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness.

Religious Hypocrites are compared to whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. Religious People should keep themselves unstained from the world but rather they take part in the unfruitful works of darkness If any Religious ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:7-9, Matthew 23:27-28, James 1:22-23

Fake Honor

Contributed by Paul Robinson on Sep 29, 2022

There is such a thing as fake honor, a kind of honor that appears noble, but is actually disingenuous. This kind of hypocrisy is appalling to God. The Lord wants us to be genuine.

The death of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin is reputed to have been caused by a seizure suffered at a meeting of the Presidium, the Communist party executive committee. Livid with fury, Stalin leaped from his seat, only to crash to the floor unconscious. While other Presidium members stared at the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:7-9

Denomination: Baptist

After Revival

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Oct 30, 2022

Don’t let the revival simply be an “event” in your life! Let God revive your heart!

After Revival October 30, 2022 Morning Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: Don’t let the revival simply be an “event” in your life! Let God revive your heart! Focus Passage: Luke 9:57-62 Supplemental Passage: 'THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62, Matthew 15:8-9, Luke 14:27-28

Denomination: Baptist