Sermons on Matthew 23:1-39:

Hypocrisy Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Aug 5, 2022

If Christians really love Jesus, why is there so much hurt in the church? Jesus confronted the hypocrisy of religious people and desires that his disciples walk in love.

INTRODUCTION • In our new series, Hot Topics, we will dig into six tough topics that people inside and outside the church often think about (even if we don't ask about them out loud!): • If Christians love Jesus, why is there so much hypocrisy in the church? • How can we trust the Bible? ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-36

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Being Servants And Stewards Of God Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on May 16, 2022

We can learn from the words of Paul to his accusers the perspectives we need to adopt in the face of opposition in ministry. Paul understands where his authority comes from, knows to whom he is accountable, and trusts in God's final appraisal of his works.

1 Cor 4:1-5 Being Servants and Stewards of God We have covered the first 3 chapters of 1 Corinthians over the last 10 weeks. Today is our 11th Sunday on this book. • I believe by now we have an idea of the problems the church in Corinth is facing. • Surely this is not a happy thing for Paul, who ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Matthew 6:1-6, Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 23:27-28

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Zechariah #16: Superficial Religion Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jun 27, 2022

This exposition of Zechariah 7:1-6 explores the issue of the inner motives behind our service to the Lord. How many people go to church, give their money, fast, etc. and are baffled by God's lack of response. Why is there so little power in the church? The text addresses all that.

Intro Our text today is in Zechariah 7. Last week we examined the capstone of the eight visions.i The crowning of Joshua, the High Priest, was a symbolic act prophesying Messiah. Unlike any other, Messiah would be both priest and king. All the promises of God are yea and amen in Him.ii The eight ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 7:1-14, Matthew 23:5, Colossians 3:23, Philippians 2:3, Isaiah 1:12-15, Proverbs 4:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

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

Which Shepherd Are You Choosing? (Pt. 2) Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 19, 2022

This exposition of Zechariah 11:7-17 examines Zechariah's prediction of Christ's rejection at his First Advent and the consequences of that rejection. The timeless truth taught is: when the leadership God sends is rejected, the judgment that follows is bad leadership.

Intro We concluded last week with God instructing Zechariah to take on the role of a shepherd. Follow with me as we read Zechariah 11:4. “This is what the Lord my God says: ‘Shepherd the flock marked for slaughter.”i That is the assignment God gives Zechariah. He is to represent the Lord as a good ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 11:1-17, Matthew 15:14-15, John 1:1-11, Matthew 23:1-39, Matthew 26:14-16, Matthew 27:1-10, Revelation 19:20, John 11:1-48, Galatians 5:15-23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Modern Day Pharisees

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Sep 28, 2022

Don’t just talk the walk; walk the walk, too.

Modern Day Pharisees September 25, 2022 Morning Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: Don’t just talk the walk; walk the walk, too. Focus Passage: Matthew 23:1-12 Supplemental Passage: 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “..the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Cults Series

Contributed by Dennis King on Oct 5, 2022

Cults can trick almost anyone into believing their deadly garbage. Unless an individual pays close attention to what a valid version of the Bible says and means, it is easy for a person to be led down the devil's primrose path.

Cults Right now, as you read the title of this essay, you may be saying to yourself, “Well, I would never fall for that stuff.” Beware, cults can trick almost anyone into believing their deadly garbage. Unless an individual pays close attention to what a valid version of the Bible says and means, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:9

Denomination: Baptist

"Am I One Of These?”

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Oct 13, 2022

God said, "I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them . . . Away with the noise of your songs!" What happened? Why was God so angry?

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK TEXT: Amos 5:21-24; Mark 4:15-19; Matthew 23:23; 3 John vs. 9; Hebrews 13:2; John 4:23 ILL. James Dobson ...read more

Scripture: Amos 5:21-24, Mark 4:15-19, Matthew 23:23, Hebrews 13:2, Psalm 40:2, John 4:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Best Practices Series

Contributed by John Bright on Oct 17, 2022

Working through the Gospel of Luke using consecutive expository preaching. Teaching sheet included at end of text.

"Best Practices" Luke 11:37-54 A sermon for 7/24/22 – Seventh Sunday after Pentecost Pastor John Bright Luke 11 “44 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them.” 45 Then one of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:37-54, Matthew 23:24, Philippians 2:5-8

Denomination: Methodist

I'm Glad I'm Not. . .

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Oct 27, 2022

do we pray like a Pharisee to impress God or like the tax collector to be impressed by God

God, I thank you that I am not like those conservative Episcopalians who walked away refusing to acknowledge gospel hospitality, love, and inclusiveness. God, I thank you that I am not like the agenda-driven liberal Episcopalians who neither understand nor respect the holy scriptures. God, I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14, Proverbs 16:18, Matthew 23:27, Isaiah 2:11

Denomination: Episcopal

The Dead Church

Contributed by Jeff Taylor on Jan 21, 2023

Many churches all over the world are dead churches. Why? Because they have forsaken the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They are still living on past victories and faded glory from long past. They are not living the daily life with Christ the Lord and as such, have now grown cold to the Gospel.

Please turn in your Bibles to Revelation Chapter 3, as today we are going to look at verses 1-6, Jesus’ warning to the church at Sardis. John MacArthur, in his exposition of these verses, used an illustration that has stuck with me. I would like to begin with it. He talked about the phenomenon ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:27-28, Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal