Sermons on Matthew 23:1-30:

Closing The Gates To Heaven

Contributed by David Radcliff on Mar 11, 2016

One of Christ's most scathing sermons.

CLOSING THE GATES TO HEAVEN Text: Matthew 23:13 INTRODUCTION: This chapter contains the most scathing sermon Christ ever gave. Eight times he calls them hypocrites. By their lives they were shutting up the Gates of Heaven against men. They closed the gate to heaven . . . I. BY LIP SERVICE ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:13

Denomination: Baptist

Jhhemtyd Part 6: Learning From History

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Apr 20, 2009

Part six of this series, this message based on how Israel had rejected God’s prophets and His Messiah.

Jesus Hates Hypocrisy Even More Than You Do! Part 6 – Learning from History Matthew 23:29-39 February 15, 2009 Me: One of the most frustrating parts of parenting is when your child gets hurt doing something that had already hurt them sometime before. You parents know what I’m talking about, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:29-39

Denomination: Wesleyan

Woe To The Hyprocrites!

Contributed by James Jack on Apr 11, 2009

Jesus’ stinging tirade against the hyprocrites and heretics is a righteous condemnation of false religion.

I get worked up about a lot of things. I get worked up when they change the words to old hymns that are favourites of mine. I get worked up at umpiring and refereeing decisions – perhaps not as much as St. George supporters, but worked up nonetheless. I get worked up when Damien takes the last ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-39

Denomination: Anglican

You "Are" The Salt You "Are" The Light (Short Homily)

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Mar 12, 2015

You "Are" The Salt You "Are" The Light! It does not state you could be the Salt or the light. It does not say you should be the salt and the light. It says you "are". It is a promise!

Our reading from Matthew .....is near the beginning .....of Jesus' most famous..... sermon,...... "The Sermon on the Mount." In our text, .....Jesus called his followers then...as well as us this day.....to the highest standards .....of conduct. (Pause) He challenged us .....to "turn the other ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:25-28, Matthew 5:13-20

Denomination: Anglican

A Reflection On Servant-Leadership Series

Contributed by Lalachan Abraham on Nov 27, 2014

Jesus said “The greatest among you must be a servant.”(Matthew 23:11)

“The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted..”(Matthew 23:11-12) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s maiden speech on the eve of India’s 68th Independence Day on 15th August 2014, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Weightless Faith

Contributed by Trae Durden on Dec 5, 2014

We hear Jesus say “My yoke is easy, My burden is light” (Mt. 11:30). And we choose to run with that “easy” life! We love to forget that He also said, ““If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mt. 16:24)

Weightless Faith Philippians 3:17-21 Is the Christian life only about avoiding wrong? Is an “Avoidance” lifestyle all that God expects of us or is there more? Like bringing Glory to God in faith by taking action! Serving others! We hear Jesus say “My yoke is easy, My burden is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:23-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Prayer For Saving Grace Series

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Jan 17, 2020

Greetings in the Holy Name of Jesus Yahshuah, My brothers and sisters, the love of God is with us, for without His love, there is no us.

Prayer For Saving Grace by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (January 17, 2020) “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-10, 1 John 4:7-10, Matthew 16:23, Matthew 23:1-38, Matthew 16:1-28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Friends

Not To Be Called Rabbi, Father Or Teacher? How's That? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 25, 2020

Not only did the Son of Man come to serve, not to be served, He insisted that the ones who follow Him take that as the pattern of life.

Tuesday of the 3rd Week in Course 2020 St. Thomas Aquinas This Gospel from a late chapter in St. Matthew’s Gospel has caused a great deal of ink to be spilled, especially in the dialogue or dispute between Catholics and Protestants. Catholics call priests “Father,” and the pope the “Holy Father.” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:8-12

Denomination: Catholic

The Week That Changed The World: The Day Jesus Saw The Downfall Of Apostate Religion Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 15, 2021

Jesus finished His final day of public ministry. He taught the crowds in the Temple, confronted difficult questions, and then left for good. The Temple and its religious system was corrupt, useless, and irredeemable, and would be judged by God.

Mark 12:28-44 gives us details about the final day of Jesus' public ministry and HIs departure from the Temple. He will go to the Mount of Olives and present to His astonished disciples the reality of what is to come in the future, and it does not involve a new Israel free from Rome, nor the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-46, Mark 12:28-44, Luke 10:25-28, Luke 20:41-47, Luke 21:1-4, Matthew 23:1-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Tyranny Of The Experts

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 3, 2021

A study of the danger posed when experts assume control over a society, over a community, or over a church. The message is a call to participatory Christianity.

“Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-36

Denomination: Baptist

The New Temple Really Exists Now

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 19, 2022

What we should do, routinely and habitually, is commit ourselves to acting rightly and then do not expect any reward, any promotion.

Saturday of 20th Week in Course It’s always interesting when a reading from Scripture begins with the words “afterwards. . .” or “after this. . .” because when we hear those words we ask the question “after what?” So when we go back to chapter 42 of Ezekiel, we get the answer. Ezekiel, a prophet ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12, Ezekiel 43:1-7, Psalm 85:9-13

Denomination: Catholic

Wild Waves Of The Sea Casting Up Their Own Shame – Jude 1:13 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 24, 2022

Have you ever seen a wild sea with wild waves casting up from the sea floor filth and debris and putrid things? That is the next image Jude uses to describe false teachers. That is what their doctrines and behaviour are like. We then look at wild waves in scripture.

WILD WAVES OF THE SEA CASTING UP THEIR OWN SHAME – Jude 1:13 Jude has been decrying false teachers and using quite stunning metaphors to describe them. In previous messages we did these and saw that each one paralleled what Peter also wrote, for he too, addressed those bring havoc into the ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:13, Isaiah 57:20, Matthew 23:15, Revelation 16:11, Revelation 20:14, Jeremiah 51:42, 2 Samuel 22:1-7, 2 Samuel 22:5, Psalm 42:7, Psalm 107:23-29, Psalm 65:7, Matthew 8:23-27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Satan Uses Religion

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 30, 2022

Satan uses hypocrisy, fratricide, and self righteousness to misdirect and misfocus the Christian (Adapted from a book by Joe Beam called "Seeing the Unseen")

HoHum: Does Satan go to church? I know he does. Yes, the spiritual forces of evil are here but mostly they work through people. Imagine Simon Peter’s surprise when this happened: “Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me; you do not have in mind the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:28, Matthew 12:25, Luke 18:11-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Come Home To The Lord Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Sep 12, 2022

Again, God says, “Return to me, and I will return to you.” The Lord says, “I don’t want this distance between us, RETURN, come back home!”

Consider this: An archbishop was carrying more than $460,000 across the border from Lebanon to Israel in the past month. I think immediately, “What’s a religious priest doing with that much money! How in the world did he think he was going to bring this through customs!” As the priest attempted to ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:6-12, Matthew 23:23, Leviticus 27:30-33, Deuteronomy 14:22-29

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