Sermons on Pharisee Rules:

The Prayer Of The Humble Pierces The Clouds

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Oct 21, 2022

Paul had prayed all his life, as we should. “The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds.” God always hears our prayers.

Thirtieth Sunday in Course 2022 It’s helpful for us, two thousand years since the events, to consider some background on this story, this parable, of Jesus about the Pharisee and the tax-collector, sometimes called the “publican.” The word “Pharisee” comes directly from the Greek. It means ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-18, Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Catholic

The Danger Of Comparative Righteousness Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Jun 6, 2021

Thank God I Am NOT LIKE............

February 06, 2021 The Context: “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told a story”: The Parable {Luke 18:10-14}: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Easter Preparations - Part 3

Contributed by Todd Blair on Apr 16, 2022

Palm Sunday Sermon

Have you ever done anything that you knew was going to be painful but would ultimately be for your benefit? Maybe you started an exercise program and you knew it would be difficult but you needed to get back in shape or lose some weight. Or maybe you underwent some surgery you knew you needed even ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus Is The Better Shepherd (John 10:1-21) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Feb 10, 2022

John's readers who have chosen to hear Jesus, and follow him, and become part of his flock, have upgraded their shepherd. Jesus is a better shepherd than the Pharisees.

Let's start today by simply reading John 10:1: (1) Truly, truly, I say to you, the one not entering through the gate/door into the inner courtyard of the sheep, but going up from some other place-- that one, a thief, he is, and a robber. When we read this, we should notice something, ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-21, John 9:24-41

The Christian And Fasting Series

Contributed by Grant Adams on Nov 26, 2019

Perhaps, the most misunderstood and most misapplied teaching in the Bible is the teaching of fasting.

The Christian and Fasting Matthew 6:16-18 Perhaps, the most misunderstood and most misapplied teaching in the Bible is the teaching of fasting. Down through the ages, it has been a method of displaying something on the outside that was supposed to be prevalent on the inside. It supposedly used to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

Not To Be Called Rabbi, Father Or Teacher? How's That? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 25, 2020

Not only did the Son of Man come to serve, not to be served, He insisted that the ones who follow Him take that as the pattern of life.

Tuesday of the 3rd Week in Course 2020 St. Thomas Aquinas This Gospel from a late chapter in St. Matthew’s Gospel has caused a great deal of ink to be spilled, especially in the dialogue or dispute between Catholics and Protestants. Catholics call priests “Father,” and the pope the “Holy Father.” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:8-12

Denomination: Catholic

Reaction To The Resurrection Of Lazarus Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Nov 5, 2017

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, and that miracle brought results. First of all and most important is that many believed on him. There were others that did not believe and they went back to Jerusalem to report this incident to the religious leaders.

Perea to Bethany Lesson: Reaction to the Resurrection of Lazarus John 11:45-54 (John 11:45-46) Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had ...read more

Scripture: John 11:45-54

Denomination: Baptist

Disregarding Tradition And Taboo (Matthew 15:1-39)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Aug 20, 2025

In this chapter, we read about the Lord Jesus’ encounter with the Pharisees yet again, and of His mercy to a Gentile woman whose daughter was possessed by a demon.

Coming from Jerusalem, the Pharisees asked Jesus why His disciples did not perform the traditional ritual of washing one’s hands before eating. This ceremony had been established by the “elders” and had nothing to do with hygiene alone, but was instead an elaborate ritual that involved not only ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-39, Isaiah 29:13, Mark 7:24-30, Mark 8:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

"Be On Your Guard, Don’t Be Fooled”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Nov 13, 2024

What a year we have experienced! People worried. Will there be a peace transition of power? It seems the world is on fire...wars and rumors of war. Will there be peace? In Mark 13 Jesus tells about the future destruction of Jerusalem.

In Jesus Holy Name November 17, 2024 Text: Mark 13:1-2 Pentecost XXVI Redeemer “Be On Your Guard, Don’t Be Fooled” What a week it’s been for all of us! This has been one of those rare ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:1-8, Matthew 24:1-14, Luke 21:5-36

Denomination: Lutheran

Dinner At Simon’s House (Luke 7) Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 2, 2025

A Pharisee named Simon invited Jesus to share a meal. Something out of the ordinary happened while that meal was taking place!

Dinner at Simon’s House (Luke 7) Introduction: Jesus was at Nain according to Luke 7:11. While He was there, He brought a dead man back to life and also reassured the disciples of John the Baptist that He was truly the Messiah, the One Who should come. After this, a Pharisee named Simon asked ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Baptist

A Consequential Dinner Conversation With Jesus Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Oct 6, 2025

As Jesus shares a meal with several religious leaders, He shares insights into how God's people should act with humility, express generous hospitality, and respond to the gospel call with honor.

Conversations over meals can be consequential in variety of ways. slow down and be together Share stories Get to know one another (Tell me something about you that will help me understand or truly know you better- Dobson) Teach and learn biblical truths Influence CG meals Family meals Wedding or ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:7-24, Proverbs 25:6-7, Proverbs 29:23, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 6:32-36, Acts 24:15, Revelation 20:4-5, 2 Timothy 4:8, 1 Peter 5:4, James 1:12, 1 Thessalonians 2:19, Philippians 4:1, Revelation 4:10, Matthew 6:1-4, Deuteronomy 24:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

A Day Of Judgments

Contributed by Perry Greene on Oct 6, 2025

People judged Jesus differently.

A Day of Judgments 1. Critical Churches: A Salvation Army Officer, who worked with street people, was approached by a prostitute who was in a desperate situation. He wasn’t in uniform, she didn’t know he was a Christian, she just knew him as someone who might be able to help. She described the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God’s Great Love For Humble Sinners Series

Contributed by John Bright on Jun 23, 2023

Working through the Gospel of Luke using consecutive expository preaching. Teaching sheet included at end of text.

“God’s Great Love for Humble Sinners” Luke 18:9-14 Pastor John Bright Luke 18 “9 Jesus also told this parable to some who were confident that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else. 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14, Matthew 6:5

Denomination: Methodist

Out Of Sight...

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 4, 2023

God can see us all the time, whether we acknowledge him or not.

How many of you have played peek-a-boo with a baby? Fun, isn’t it? But eventually they figure out that you can see them even when they can’t see you, and the thrill goes away. It’s a control thing, I think... they’re learning that what they do has an effect on their environment, and sometimes it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Marks Of Sinful Criticism. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Mar 4, 2024

May we use our speech to edify and save, rather than tearing down and destroying. Let us strive to be constructive critics, speaking truth in love, for the glory of God.

we are going to explore the marks of sinful criticism, which are contrasted with the characteristics of constructive counsel. Sinful criticism, also known as faultfinding, is a behavior that we must be aware of and avoid in our Christian walk. Firstly, let us examine the motives behind our words ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:10, Genesis 37:4, Job 12:1-3, 1 Corinthians 14:3