Sermons on Matthew 23:11-15:

Moving To The Head Of The Line Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 14, 2010

Jesus hated pride and used the Pharisees to highlight the evils of that sin. But why would God hate pride, and how would I know if I suffer from it?

Last Sunday we introduced the “Upside Down Teachings of Jesus”. The teaching of Jesus that just don’t make sense to most people. Today’s sermon will continue that theme by focusing on Jesus’ teaching: “the Last shall be First, and the First shall be Last”. OPEN: When my dad first married my mom, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Prayer Of Salvation Or Damnation

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Oct 17, 2016

Don't put that notch on your Gospel gun until you are sure you hit the target. If it is not a heart shot, a flesh wound will kill them.

"A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still." - Unknown Something to be remembered when evangelizing. Just because they say a prayer on the doorstep does not mean they are saved. They may be just trying to get you off their doorstep or saying the prayer to hedge their ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:15

Denomination: Baptist

How To Respond To Humbling Circumstances

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 26, 2017

At times God brings a Christian through humbling experiences. Why would He do that? How are we to respond when that happens? What are the benefits of responding in the right way?

1 Peter 5:6 04.26.15 A paradox is a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet perhaps true.i Jesus stated a paradox in Matt 23:12 when He said, “…whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”ii The world does not believe ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6, Matthew 23:12, Philippians 2:5-8, Isaiah 9:8-13, James 4:10, Isaiah 57:15, Luke 14:11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Defusing Duplicity Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jan 17, 2017

This is the first lesson in a series based on James MacDonald's book, Authentic. This lesson battles the problem of hypocrisy.

1. Fake Cars In the 1970’s, Bradley Automotive sold a fiberglass body kit that fit perfectly onto a VW bug chassis. The body was very modern in style and design, giving the impression that it was an expensive GT or GT2 sports car. On the outside it looked expensive, showy, and modern but on the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus’ Last Sermon Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 21, 2018

This was our Lords last public message. It is a scathing denunciation of false religion that paraded itself under the guise of truth. Some of the common people no doubt were shocked at his words, for they considered the Pharisees righteous.

-Tuesday- Jerusalem Jesus’ Last Sermon Matthew 23:1-39 (focal passage), Mark 12:38-40, Luke 20:45-4 Matthew 23:1-39 1 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-39, Mark 12:38-40

Denomination: Baptist

Beware Of Pride And Hypocrisy

Contributed by David Mende on Jul 20, 2018

The scribes were guilty of pride and hypocrisy. And there is a 'scribe' within us. We must avoid the sins of pride and hypocrisy and pursue humility and integrity. I would be delighted if you could rate this sermon and give brief feedback.

INTRODUCTION (SECURE ATTENTION) & BACKGROUND OF THE PASSAGE: PRAY before starting the sermon. ILLUSTRATION: {Few of you might recognize this man on the screen. This is Jim Jones, a self-proclaimed prophet who led a cultic church known as the Peoples Temple. He faced several allegations, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:42-45, Luke 14:7-11, Matthew 23:8-12, Mark 12:38-40

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Widow's Mite Series

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Apr 30, 2018

The story of the widow's mite has been used to show Christians what their attitude toward giving should be. This message challenges that traditional and longstanding teaching.

Growing up I don’t think I heard a teaching about the widow’s mite that did not take the widow and make her the standard by which all of us are to give when it comes to our giving. “This poor widow woman came to the altar and gave her last mite. She did that for the Lord! What an example she is to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-44, Leviticus 19:17-19, Matthew 6:1-2, Luke 20:39-47, Luke 21:1-5, Matthew 22:34-46, Matthew 23:1-14, Micah 6:6-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Woes To Unfaithful Church Leaders

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 14, 2018

Jesus’ stern warning to the Pharisees in Matthew 23:13-39 is also important for church leaders today. A Year D sermon.

It is such a privilege to be a church leader, especially in kind and loving churches. It is a grave responsibility to feed God’s sheep and guide people that we are privileged to call our friends, on their journey to eternity. Overseers of churches are far from perfect, but some mistakes are worse ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:13-39

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Warning: Pride Will Destroy Your Life

Contributed by Eduardo Quintana on Mar 10, 2020

"Warning: pride will destroy your life". We live in a nation of NO FEAR. We’ve all seen the bumper stickers, we’ve all read the T-shirts. NO FEAR! It’s not just an American slogan. It’s an American state of mind.

"Warning: pride will destroy your life". We live in a nation of NO FEAR. We’ve all seen the bumper stickers, we’ve all read the T-shirts. NO FEAR! It’s not just an American slogan. It’s an American state of mind. I would have no problem with it being the slogan of or our military. I would ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 9:19-20, Matthew 23:12, Romans 1:30, 2 Timothy 3:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Please Use The Servant Entrance

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Mar 23, 2020

We naturally want to be in control of our lives and focus on taking care of ourselves first. But Jesus set the example of being a servant.

If you were to ask me what my favorite TV show is right now, I think I would have to answer “West Wing.” I’m really enjoying the opportunity to see something of the inner workings of the white house and how policies come together. Today’s text, the story of the birth of Jesus, leaves me thinking ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20, Philippians 2:7, Matthew 20:26, Matthew 23:11

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

Witnessing To The Culture Of Death Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 7, 2020

We must work and pray, as St. Benedict told us to do. Work for the spread of the kingdom in our families and communities, and vote as a Christian must, for godly men and women who will resist the culture of death and legislate for life, peace, and goodness.

Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Lent 2020 For our first reading today, I have chosen to begin earlier in the first chapter of Isaiah than the Lectionary suggests, and to add the verses the Lectionary omits. The Lenten readings take a great deal of the very long prophecies of Isaiah, but they omit ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:10-20, Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Catholic

Sincere Faith: An Exposition Of Matthew 23:1-12

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Oct 24, 2020

It is all too easy to play the hypocrite. Sermon for Proper 26, After Pentecost, Year A

Sincere Faith: An Exposition of Matthew 23:1-12 Everyone wants to feel important. People want to display their titles and achievements. Everyone wants to have a lot of followers on social media. People want to become influencers. Not only does it bring prestige, but it can also be quite ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Humility Or Hypocrisy

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Oct 30, 2020

As followers of Christ Jesus, we should be more concerned about the orientation of our heart and lives than we are about outward appearances.

Humility or Hypocrisy Matthew 23: 1 - 12 Intro: A story is told of a Texas rancher who met up with a Wisconsin dairy farmer. The 2 men talked about their land & the dairy farmer told the rancher that he operated his farm on 125 acres. The Texan, not to be outdone said, “Yankee, that ain’t ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed