Sermons on Matthew 23:8-12:

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

Call No One Father.

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Sep 29, 2017

Yet Paul refers to himself as a spiritual father.

31A Best-selling author Liz Curtis Higgs tells about a lady from Texas named Mae who confessed to doing something that was quite embarrassing. She says that a few years ago she and her husband invited a couple to their home for dinner. The couple brought a pot of tulips as a gift. She says the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Catholic

La Integridad

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Sep 29, 2017

Esa pequeña área que tú piensas que la tienes controlada eventualmente te hundirá

31A Una señora de Texas cuenta que unos pocos años atrás ella y su esposo invitaron a un matrimonio amigo a su casa para cenar. Los invitados les llevaron de regalo una maceta con tulipanes. La señora no pensó que los tulipanes fueran realmente bonitos y le pareció feo el color de los mismos, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Catholic

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

Live For Others: Have A Servant Heart! Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 30, 2017

Don’t just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as Christ’s servants doing what God wants you to do. And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you’re really serving God.

Live for Others: Have a Servant Heart! We are continuing in our series on Discovering our destiny and this week we are going to be thinking about what it means to live for others. This morning we are considering what it means to have a servant heart. To focus our thoughts, listen to the words of ...read more

Scripture: John 17:14-16, Romans 12:1-2, Philippians 2:1-5, Matthew 23:11-12, John 13:12-16, Colossians 3:23-24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

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

Be Humble Or Stumble (Borrowed From A Quote By Rick Warren)

Contributed by Howard Gunter on Oct 31, 2017

Be humble Be a servant

“Be Humble or Stumble” (Borrowed from a quote by Rick Warren) Matthew 23:1-12 Three more quotes and we’ll move on: “What kills a skunk is the publicity it gives itself.” ~ Abraham Lincoln “Swallow your pride occasionally, it’s non-fattening” ~ Anonymous : There are two circumstances that lead ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:25-28, Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

True Leadership

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 31, 2017

When is religious authority right and wrong? How should we behave in an imperfect church? Should we quit church and return to the devil or stay and be a force for good?

Prelude When is religious authority right and wrong? How should we behave in an imperfect church? Should we quit church and return to the devil or stay and be a force for good? Let’s look at Jesus’ blunt assessment of human religious leadership in Matthew 23:1-12 and see if we can learn a better ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Source Of Self-Worth

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Nov 4, 2017

Jesus teaches three ways NOT to go after self-worth, and then concludes with the only truly lasting and meaningful way to find one's worth. Not only that, but he models that true way for us.

Matthew 23:1-12 The Source of Self-worth Do you ever wonder why some people are such jerks? Sometimes people can be so cruel to others! And yet, behind the facade of the bully lies a deep insecurity, a fear of rejection. Our bookstores are full of books about self-worth. I did a quick search on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12, James 1:22-25, Matthew 20:26-28

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons In Humility

Contributed by Ezekiel Ette on Nov 4, 2017

The exaggerated sense of self interferes with serving God and each other

Matt 23 : 1 – 12 There are many stories from someone named Aesop. No one knows if he/she actually lived but is said to have been a story teller who told stories and solved problems. The stories are still, to this day, used as lessons in morality. Some said that he/she was a slave who loved to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: United Methodist

Neighborhater - Pt. 4 - Room In The Pool Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Jan 17, 2019

Neighbors. There are good ones and then those we wished would move. Have we become Neighborhaters? Can’t we get along?

Mr. Rogers Sound Track plays in dark - Lights Come on Pastor Enters from Stage Door and lip syncs to track Room in the Pool I. Introduction Nostalgia. Fond childhood memories. Wholesome. Meek. Soft spoken. A super hero in disguise. His uniform was colorful sweaters and sneakers. He used his ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-8, Mark 12:30-31, Matthew 23:11, John 13:4-5, John 13:12-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

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