Sermons on Matthew 23:2-12:

Moving Past Religion That Weighs You Down Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 18, 2010

This message looks at the burdensome approach to religion that the Pharisees had and what Jesus offers instead.

PHARISEE RELIGION: “Got-to’s” and guilt lead to a heavy burden. - Matthew 23:4. - Cf. v. 3 – The Pharisees don’t practice what they preach, so they’re putting out a standard, but the “unwashed masses” don’t know how to avoid the guilt. In the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:4

Denomination: Baptist

The Problem With Religion That Looks Good Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 18, 2010

This message looks at the problems that come with living your life to impress others.

A LIFE GOAL: Live your life so that people will say good things at your funeral. - The Pharisees were doing things for an audience of people. - Key phrase is v. 5a – “done for men to see” - Three examples: a. Phylacteries and tassels. - These were things talked about in OT ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:5-7

Denomination: Baptist

Where's Your Worth? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 2, 2013

Where do you find your "self-worth"? Is it in God, or in yourself? The Pharisees looked for their importance in themselves and ended up robbing God of His glory to gain their own. How can avoid the traps that ensnared these highly religious leaders?

OPEN: "Sometime, when you're feeling important Sometime, when your ego's in bloom Sometime when you take it for granted, You're the best qualified man in the room. Sometime when you feel that your going, would leave an unfillable hole, Just follow this simple instruction, and see how it humbles ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Idol Worship Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Aug 12, 2014

Idols we worship. Part 3 of 3.

Idols - part 3 Matthew 23:1-28 July 20, 2014 Well, today, we are going to end our 3 week look at the idols we have in our lives. Of course you don’t need to be reminder what today is. It’s Selfie Sunday! You need to know what I look like, just on the happenstance that you forgot! ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

A Critique Of Pharisaic Hypocrisy

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 20, 2014

To say and to do not, versus the grace of humility.

A CRITIQUE OF PHARISAIC HYPOCRISY. Matthew 23:1-12. Turning away from the Pharisees, Jesus addressed both the crowds and His own disciples (Matthew 23:1). From the outset, Jesus acknowledged the legitimacy of the Pharisees as a party within Judaism: they “sit in Moses’ seat” (Matthew 23:2). ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pharisee Or Holiness?

Contributed by Craig Benner on Oct 22, 2014

There are many who would argue that a Pharisee and one who believes in holiness are one in the same. I beg to differ. True holiness affects the external and the internal. It affects the acts and the attitude.

Are you a Pharisee or are you Holiness? Let us see if there is a difference and determine to understand why some people have trouble differentiating between the two. Pharisee = a person in the role of religious service who believes that his or her title and/or office automatically make him or her ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-33

Denomination: Pentecostal

Matthew 23 - Call No Man Father

Contributed by Lay Man on May 29, 2015

And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. - Matthew 23:9 Leaving a Presbyterian Church today at the end of the service we sang 3 amens, which is typical in many reformed churches dating back to the time ...

And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. - Matthew 23:9 Leaving a Presbyterian Church today at the end of the service we sang 3 amens, which is typical in many reformed churches dating back to the times of Luther, Calvin and others. This ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"We Can Get So Off Base"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Nov 1, 2014

A sermon about loving mercy.

"We Can Get So Off Base" Matthew 23:1-12 Micah 6:6-8 Like most of us, John Burke (pastor of Gateway Church in Austin, Texas) assumed that he was not a judgmental person. But just in case he was wrong, he tried an experiment: for a whole week he kept track of his judgments about other people. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: United Methodist

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

Making Christianity A Burden To Others Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Aug 1, 2008

Jesus gives us insite in Matthew 23 as how not to conduct ourselves. This messages explores how we can make Christianity a burden instead of a blessing.

INTRODUCTION • OPEN WITH VIDEO • SLIDE #1 • That guy had gone a little off course didn’t he? I hope that we do not become “Fat Christian” as we saw in our video! • If we are not cautious, we can gradually slip away from what God wants us to do with our lives. • Many times we subtly slip into ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Living For Your Own Glory Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Aug 8, 2008

Living for our own glory will hurt our ability to reach people.

INTRODUCTION • ME CHURCH VIDEO • SLIDE #1 • That is some kind of church! • Can you imagine what kind of church we would have if we all had that type mentality. WOW! • Today we are going to look at the second of 8 things that we can do to be a bad Christian. • I believe we can easily forget why we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:5-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

The Measure Of Our Commitment

Contributed by Tony Abram on Jun 11, 2007

THE MEASURE OF OUR COMMITMENT BEFORE THE LORD FOR OUR OWN PERSONAL MINISTRY!The foundation of our commitment to ministry is CHARACTER AND CALLING. Every believer has a divine calling on their lives.

THE MEASURE OF OUR COMMITMENT BEFORE THE LORD FOR OUR OWN PERSONAL MINISTRY! I. The foundation of our commitment to ministry is CHARACTER AND CALLING. A. The calling of God is forever. (Rom 11:29 KJV) For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. B. God can use anyone. He even used a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:11, Matthew 23:43

In A Kingdom Church Series

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Jul 1, 2007

Why doesn’t the church look anything like the Kingdom Jesus spoke about? Here are a few things that need to change.

Dakota Community Church July 1, 2007 Kingdom of God IV In A Kingdom Church This morning I want to continue our series of messages about the differences between the “Kingdom of God” and its citizens and the “Kingdoms of this world” and their citizens. The focus this week will be on the local ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:5-12

Denomination: Mennonite

Serve To Seen (What Not To Do)

Contributed by Spencer Homan on Dec 15, 2008

This is a sermon that focuses on what NOT to do as a Christian

Matthew 23:5-12 Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:5-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed