Sermons on Pharisee Rules:

Was Blind But Now I See

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Mar 11, 2020

There is more to sight than seeing.

Was Blind but now I See: An Exposition of John 9 John 9 is a drama presented in several scenes. It is a literal story of a man who had been born blind. It is important to see this. However, even a real story can speak beyond itself. In this way, it speaks to us in symbolic language as well. There ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-41

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Happiness Through - Humility (Beatitudes) Series

Contributed by Thomas Bartlett on Nov 2, 2020

In Jesus day, the Pharisee’s taught information without transformation, no authority. Jesus turns this upside down and speaks words that captivate the ears of the people, words that brings life. Today we will explore happiness through humility.

Happiness In An Unsettling World Steele Creek Church, Eastfield Campus Dr. Tom Bartlett – September 6, 2020 Matthew 5:3 OUTLINE Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3 (ESV) For most, happiness comes from things, but could it be the source of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3

Denomination: Other

"the Great Mercy Of God"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jul 26, 2023

A sermon about something we are all guilty of.

“The Great Mercy of God” Luke 18:9-14 Have you ever driven past another person holding a sign “will work for food” and felt a bit of disgust or even contempt in your heart toward them…kind of like a feeling of “I’m better than you”? Have you ever felt superior to a prostitute, a drug addict, an ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: United Methodist

An Outline Of Acts 15

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 9, 2022

Acts 15 is an important chapter. Once and for all, the Church, under the Holy Spirit's leadership, made it plain that Gentile believers were not to be under the Law of Moses. The chapter closes with a pair of departures.

Introduction: This chapter covers the first Church Council meeting in Jerusalem, and the decisions reached after all sides presented their statements. The result was a request for Gentile believers to stop doing four things which Jewish-background believers, and possibly unbelieving Jews, would ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

His Powerful Name; His Awesome Promise

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 5, 2023

We look forward at the end of our lives to participating in a New Creation, the very Kingdom of God and of His Christ, the Kingdom of Heaven.

Saturday of the 22nd Week in Course 2023 The overall impression one can get from this very brief Gospel from Luke is that the Pharisees have nothing better to do on the Sabbath than find fault with how other Jews keep Shabbat. In this case, it was not a violation of Torah to eat the grain on ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:21-23, Luke 6:1-5

Denomination: Catholic

Running On Empty

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Sep 13, 2023

If we are all we have, we better hang onto it. But those who are full of God can’t wait to give it away.

Show me the alley, show me the train, Show me the homeless man who sleeps out in the rain... And I’ll show you a young man with so many reasons why, There but for fortune go you or I, you or I. Show me the whiskey stains on the floor, Show me the drunkard as he stumbles out the door... And I’ll ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Something Completely Different

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Sep 17, 2023

When God intervenes to bring life out of death, we have to let him do it his way.

How many of you remember Monty Python? The British comedy group in - I think - the 70's which used to transition between their skits with “And now for something completely different....” And it always was pretty strange. Part of their appeal was that their humor was so totally off the wall, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:27-38

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Thirty-First Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year A- Hypocrites

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 8, 2023

We ask for the daily grace to walk the talk.

Have you heard the one about the priest, the minister, and the rabbi?” A rabbi and a priest were talking about the perks of each job. The priest mentioned that he gets a rectory to live in that comes with a housekeeper and a cook, all paid for by the church. The rabbi responded by asking if ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Catholic

Righteous Or Sinner?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 17, 2022

Do we use our knowledge of God's word to criticize others, or to become more and more humble about our own sins? Let’s learn that we are all still sinners and that God alone justifies. Let’s discuss self-righteousness and self-justification in Luke 18:9-14.

Do we use our knowledge of God's word to criticize others, or to become more and more humble about our own sins? Let’s learn that we are all still sinners and that God alone justifies. Let’s discuss self-righteousness and self-justification in Luke 18:9-14. Self-Righteousness “Also He spoke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

Be Faithful To The Mission To The Nations

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 22, 2023

The story of Ruth, and her place in the genealogy of the Messiah, is written testimony against a kind of closed faith and worship.

Saturday of the 20th Week in Course 2023 The story of the Moabite woman, Ruth, has come down to us because of her association with the kingly house of David. She was David’s great-great grandmother. But for both OT and NT authors, her distinction was that she was not descended from the patriarch ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 17:5, Matthew 23:1-12, Ruth 2:1-3, Ruth 2:8-11, Ruth 4:13-17, Psalm 128:1-5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Jesus Answering The First-Century "karens" He Encountered Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 13, 2025

All of them were survivors, in the strict sense, each party with its own quirks. The Pharisees stood behind the Law.

Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Course 2025 Have you ever wondered just why it was that the Pharisees, who seemed to be everywhere Jesus went, were such prigs? These days we might even call the “Karens,” although I’ve known real Karens and they weren’t so judgmental as the Pharisees. I think the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-8, Luke 9:3, Psalm 116:12-18, Exodus 11:10, Exodus 12:1-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

First Impressions

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Dec 3, 2024

Luke 7:36-39, Mary M. pours perfumed oil on Jesus' feet, is an example of how wrong one can be using only first impressions of another person.

First impressions Luke 7:36 – 39 Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz 36 Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to eat with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 aAnd there was a woman in the city who was a 1sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-39

Denomination: United Methodist

Pressing To The End PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 29, 2023

Explore the authority of Christ, the audacity of the Pharisees, and the call for believers to persist in their faith.

Good morning, Church family! I'm feeling particularly moved today as we dive into a powerful passage from the Gospel of Matthew. This passage is like a complex painting, with layers upon layers of deep, spiritual meaning. It speaks about the authority of Christ, the audacity of the Pharisees, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-32

Topics: Pressing, End

Tribute To Caesar Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 26, 2018

The Pharisees were a religious and political party in New Testament times. They were known for insisting that the law of God be observed, as the scribes interpreted it, and for their special commitment to keeping the laws of tithing and ritual purity.

May 14, 2007 -Tuesday- Jerusalem Tribute to Caesar Matthew 22:15-22 (focal passage); Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26 15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. 16 And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22, Mark 12:13-17, Luke 20:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

Coming To Terms With Reality Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Oct 6, 2021

In any game, if you don't play by the rules, you lose. We often try to change the rules in our favor. But there is One who set the rules before all time and eternity who doesn't bend the rules for anyone, but gives grace to all who come to terms with reality.

Well, it’s the middle of summer, and the nation is immersed in what has been called its favorite pastime—baseball. And the big news is that Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter became the Yankee’s first player with 3,000 hits yesterday, and he did it with a bang, with a home run, and next Tuesday is the ...read more

Scripture: John 14:4-11

Denomination: Bible Church