Sermons on Matthew 23:8-12:

Religion Vs. Relationship

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Feb 9, 2022

This message contrasts religion and relationship, showing that religion is not to be desired. However, a relationship with Jesus is to be highly treasured. Why? Religion brings about death, but relationship brings about life.

Whenever you hear of the word “religion,” what comes to mind? Perhaps attending a church service, someone worshipping a Buddha statue, a baptismal service, someone reciting a chant or prayer, someone fasting, people praying to the east every hour, someone making an animal sacrifice, or someone ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

Brokenness - The Road To Power

Contributed by Wilson Oshorakpor on Feb 23, 2022

The most critical need of believers today is not power, but the spirit of brokenness. If we want to partake in the power of resurrection then we must first be enveloped in the fellowship of his suffering. Meekness is the price we pay for power.

TEXT: PSALMS 34:18; 51:17 "The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." WHAT IS BROKENNESS? The most critical need ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:18, Psalm 51:17, Matthew 23:11-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Easter Preparations - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Todd Blair on Apr 4, 2022

How not to be a Pharisee

Before I start my message this morning, I want to run something past y'all and see what you think. I'm thinking we could start a new type of ministry for our church. I'm thinking we could minister, as we do, to the poor, the addicted and the incarcerated but also add a new ministry to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Don't Be A Goat Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Sep 17, 2021

If you want to stand in the judgment to come, be a sheep; don’t be a goat.

Jean Crist from Niagara Falls, New York, talks about her days in a Christian college, where the college president gave a weekly Monday morning chapel message. On one occasion, the student body settled down for another session of daydreaming as he launched into one of those messages. His pedestrian ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:40, Matthew 13:24-30, Matthew 24:14, Revelation 13:16-18, Matthew 24:9-10, James 1:27, Matthew 19:21, Matthew 6:2-3, Matthew 28:19-20, Matthew 28:10, Matthew 12:48-50, Matthew 19:28-29, Matthew 5:5, Romans 8:16-17, Revelation 20:1-6, Matthew 13:36-43, Matthew 23:8, Matthew 25:31-46  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

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

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

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

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

Be A Practicing Christian Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Apr 3, 2023

Jesus Christ spent his time during this week teaching his disciples and the crowd about certain important aspects of the pietism, true life in Christ. Preach the Word, Practice the preaching be a man of real rank.

Passion Week. Mathew 23:1-12: Be a Practicing Disciple Introduction: The Lord is good and His love endures forever. On this holy week’s meditations, we would see three chapters before the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. There are eight woes that stand in contrast to the eight beatitudes (Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

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

I Am The Path

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Nov 2, 2020

Jesus is the path to heaven not the scribes and Pharisees.

Matthew 23:1-12 “I am The Path” E. Stanley Jones tells of the missionary in the jungle. He got lost with nothing around him but bush and a few cleared places. He finally found a small village and asked one of the natives if he could lead him out of the jungle. The native said he could. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Methodist