Sermons on Matthew 23:13-28:

Invitation To A Table For Two In The Wilderness

Contributed by Ian Johnson on Feb 19, 2013

The call to come inward to the table is often ignored because many don’t see the value of such fellowship; their aim is to be doing where as the aim of the table for two is simply “Being” in His presence.

The Christian faith is about relationship it’s not about religion or outward displays of Church life that are just mere forms of religious expression. Jesus spoke very firmly to the religious of the day, who felt they were doing the right thing in preserving religious tradition but ignoring ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:13-25

Denomination: Pentecostal

"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

Getting To The Heart

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Nov 13, 2022

Religion is about keeping and maintaining laws and traditions, but Jesus nullifies these rules and regulations in favor of a relationship, and within that relationship all the laws of God are contained and worked out. It is through this relationship that we can get to the heart of God.

Getting To The Heart Watch on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4o5NlL02LPU There is a popular phrase that is used when we want to get to the bottom of something, or of our need to get to the most important aspect of something. We say that we need to get to the heart of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:23, Matthew 22:37-39

Denomination: Foursquare

Giving By Faith Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Mar 8, 2023

Our giving, when in the right attitude brings us closer to God. We worship when we give our gifts to God.

God desires us to give our best. This is called giving the first fruits. This means the first agricultural produce of a season, especially when given as an offering to God. It applies to more than agriculture but giving our first and best to God. The idea that God wants us to give Him our best ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-16, Hebrews 11:4, Matthew 23:25, Luke 11:51, Jude 1:11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

What Jesus’ Grief Over Jerusalem Reveals Series

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Mar 30, 2023

The reasons for grief are many, such as the loss of a loved one, the loss of health, or the letting go of a long-held dream. Dealing with a significant loss can be one of the most difficult times in a person's life. Jesus sees God’s dream for Jerusalem slipping away.

Sermon: What Jesus’ Grief over Jerusalem Reveals Matthew 23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. 38 And now, look, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-36, Matthew 23:37-39, Acts 7:51-53, Proverbs 29:1-2

Denomination: Methodist

Don't Overthink Truth

Contributed by Don Campbell on Apr 20, 2023

Overthinking the truth can result in the paralysis of analysis or it can result in distorted truths that are torn from the context in which they were spoken and made to serve as handmaidens for many false doctrines.

DON’T OVERTHINK TRUTH “Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?” (Eccl 7:16) INTRODUCTION A. Solomon is not suggesting a lukewarm relationship with God nor a lackadaisical pursuit of knowledge or wisdom, but we can overthink the truth, resulting ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:23-34, Matthew 23:23-38

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Are We Crying Wolf?

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on May 2, 2023

Have we numbed the lost with our fixation on the End Times?

2 Peter 3:1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: 3 Knowing this ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1-13, Matthew 24:6, Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Matthew 12:39-40, Hebrews 10:24-25, Matthew 23:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Return Of Evil Spirits Unto This Wicked Generation

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on May 7, 2023

We don’t need to have a Christian nation, government, educational system or culture to stand for holiness and thrive spiritually. Let’s stand for holiness not being conformed to the ideologies and modern day thinking of this wicked generation.

The Return of Evil Spirits Unto this Wicked Generation By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING: - Nelson Mandela once said “You speak a language people know you speak to their head. You speak a language people understand you speak to their hearts”. It is my desire to speak to your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:43-45, Matthew 13:10-13, Romans 1:21-32, Matthew 23:27-28, Isaiah 29:13, Leviticus 10:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Apostolic

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

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