Sermons on Meal With A Pharisee:

Paradigm Shift

Contributed by Stephen Smarowsky on Mar 8, 2009

The Pharisees had added their own interpretations to the law. Tradition was also becoming law. Jesus teaches the original intended meaning of 7 major laws of the time.

1. Jesus Fulfillment of the Law v.17-20 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law…but to fulfill…” - The Pharisees thought that Jesus was trying to abolish the law because He freely disregarded the Pharisaic traditions. - Although they thought that Jesus was destroying the law, they were ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-48

Denomination: Baptist

Son, Come In The House

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Nov 8, 2015

To establish it is our decision as a result of God’s goodness to come into His house. This parable rebukes the Pharisees and scribes for their self-righteousness and despite for others.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. The Father’s Resilience 2. The Younger Son’s Restoration 3. The Elder Son’s Rejection Remarks. 1. In our lesson today we are going to be discussing this theme: “Son, Come in the House.” The part of Los Angeles where I was raised, we would ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-2, Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

An Example Of Genuine Worship Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Dec 14, 2017

In Luke 7 two people are in the presence of Jesus, an unnamed woman and Simon the Pharisee. Message compares their worship experience and draws key concepts for meaningful worship.

01.29.17 Intro We are pursuing a heart of worship. We are desiring to go deeper in our worship experience with God. Last week we saw that achieving this is not so much a matter of methods and techniques, as it is the condition of the heart. In His conversation with the Woman at the Well Jesus said ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Charismatic

Hard Questions, Simple Answers

Contributed by Robby And Donna Flint on Feb 8, 2023

Jesus responds to the Pharisees and Herodians, God responds to Moses. In both situations, God provided simple answers to what could have been hard questions.

Well election day is finally over, you may or may not have liked the outcome of the presidential or legislature elections and you may or may not have liked the outcome of the constitutional amendments, but I think this is a good time for us to reflect on our obligations as citizens…and specifically ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22, Exodus 33:12-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

No, Nobody Ever Spoke Like This Man

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 16, 2026

Especially in the Gospel of John, the three-year battle between Jesus and the Pharisees echoes the whole reading from Wisdom. Jesus is the sore-beset just man.

Friday of the 4th Week in Lent 2026 When we hear the quotation from our first reading, we might shiver. The Book of Wisdom, a deuterocanonical scripture from the first century before Christ, has a number of lines that remind us of nobody but Jesus. “The wicked said among themselves, thinking ...read more

Scripture: John 7:1-30, Ephesians 1:7, Psalm 34:17-22

Denomination: Catholic

Calloused Colleagues Cloud Culinary Courtesy Series

Contributed by Mack Armstrong on Aug 3, 2008

Jesus is honored by Matthew as his new Saviour. To show his acceptance of Christ as his Lord, he throws a party-a meal-in honor of Jesus. Things go well until some nay-sayes come. Jesus sets them stright and sends them packing to find the truth about Him.

MATTHEW 9:10-14 CALLOUSED COLLEAGUES CLOUD CULINARY COURTESY I. CONVIVIALITY: A. Cheerful. B. Common. C. Contagious. II. CONTROVERSY: A. Contempt. B. Confusion. C. Contamination. III. CLARIFICATION: A. Compassion. B. Contemplate. C. Commission. There is nothing quite like ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:10-14

Denomination: Methodist

Jesus Wants To Help Us Understand The Kingdom Of Heaven - Part 3 Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on May 26, 2022

Jesus wants us... 1. To get ready for His Judgment (vs. 47-50). 2. To study and share God's Word (vs. 51-52). 3. To be blessed by believing in Him (vs. 53-58).

Jesus Wants to Help Us Understand the Kingdom of Heaven - Part 3 The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 13:47-58 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared May 26, 2022) BACKGROUND: *Please open your Bibles to Matthew 13:47. In this chapter Jesus told a series of 8 parables to help us understand the Kingdom of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:47-58

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Fellowship Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on Sep 1, 2024

Fellowship was more than just an activity for the early Christians—it was a way of life that fostered deep connections, mutual support, and spiritual growth. Through fellowship, including shared meals, prayer, and encouragement, the early church thrived in unity and love.

Introduction Video Ill.: Community — Church Fuel 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2, NIV1984) The unity that was present in the early church puts our world today to shame. Political Opponents Finish Debate ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47, Romans 12:10-13, Matthew 18:20, Acts 12:12-17, Hebrews 10:24-25, Galatians 6:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Dining With The Divine Series

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Apr 2, 2023

In 2016, an anonymous bidder paid $3.46 million to have lunch with billionaire investor Warren Buffet. This individual spent on one lunch what it would cost to purchase nearly a million Happy Meals from McDonald’s!

In 2016, an anonymous bidder paid $3.46 million to have lunch with billionaire investor Warren Buffet. This individual spent on one lunch what it would cost to purchase nearly a million Happy Meals from McDonald’s! How many Happy Meals is lunch with Kyler Murphy or Taylor Swift worth to you? Would ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

"eat My Flesh” Literal Or Symbolic? John 6

Contributed by Barnabas Park on Mar 6, 2026

By using the imagery of a meal, eating his flesh and drinking his blood, and connecting it to the Passover, Jesus establishes a new memorial that points to his saving work. In this way, the act of remembering becomes an active expression of faith in Christ’s sacrifice.

Of all the things Jesus ever said, there is one statement that immediately stops you in your tracks. It is provocative, intense, and it has sparked centuries of debate. Jesus said, “Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no life in you.” At first hearing, the words sound shocking and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Deuteronomy 16:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Beware Of Hypocrisy Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Aug 25, 2025

In His encounter with Pharisees and Scribes, Jesus discusses the characteristics of hypocrisy. To His disciples He notes the promises of hypocrisy with a stern warning. And yet, in the gospel, we find great hope for hypocrites.

It seems like nearly every month (maybe even more frequently if we look hard enough), we receive news about some Christian leader who fails morally, gets caught, and is removed from ministry. Whether it’s pastors, professors, performers, or politicians - failure happens. We see hypocrisy ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 24:20-21, Galatians 5:1, James 5:16, Philippians 2:12-13, Romans 8:1, Romans 5:1, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Isaiah 53:4, Proverbs 10:9, Revelation 20:11-14, Hosea 6:6, Psalm 32:1-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

20/20 Vision And Blind As Bats Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Jul 12, 2004

1st of 4 messages on spiritual shepherds. The story of Jesus mixing mud with spit and giving sight to a man in John 9 is not really about the blind man. It’s more about the Pharisees...

A Shepherd’s Heart 20/20 Vision and Still Blind as Bats The story of Jesus mixing mud with spit and giving sight to a man in John 9 is not really about the blind man. It’s more about the Pharisees who were spiritually blind to God, to the people in their world, and finally (and this is the most ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-41

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why Jesus Taught People To Avoid Sins Of Ignorance

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Jesus knew that ignorance of the truth is no excuse for sinning. The Lord said to the Pharisees, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God." (Ten points)

Why Jesus Taught People to Avoid Sins of Ignorance (Matt 22:29-31) Illustration: always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. . --2 Timothy 3:7 When Harvard University was founded, its motto was Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae--"Truth for Christ and the Church." Its crest ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Runaway Lad And The Waiting Dad - Which Way Will You Run? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 26, 2005

The pharisees and the teachers of the law had a warped view of God... and many today have the same problem. What did Jesus mean to teach about the Father in this parable?

OPEN: (It is best to memorize the following illustration to allow for optimum delivery) “Feeling footloose and frisky, a featherbrained fellow forced his fond father to fork over the farthings and flew far to foreign fields and frittered his fortune, feasting fabulously with faithless friends. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24, Luke 15:11-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Went Ye Out To See?

Contributed by Steven Cook on Feb 12, 2003

This sermon deals with the 3 questions that Jesus asked the religious pharisees and scribes that looked for fault in him. They provide us an interesting study of today’s world as well.

“What Went Ye Out for to See?” Luke 7:24-28 Dr. Steven G. Cook I. Introduction A. Read Text – Luke 7:24-28 B. Background of John the Baptist – (John 1:6-8; 15-18) (John 1:19-34) C. Concerned about the ministry of John the Baptist, the Jewish leaders sent men to investigate. D. Many today are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:24-28

Denomination: Baptist