Sermons on Pharisee Rules:

Legalism Versus Love

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

We are in a world of great religious competition. We will all tend to follow one of these two strategies: The legalistic or the loving, the rule book power, or relationship power.

We live in a world where competition is a master motive. When the news reach Russia in 1945 that the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Stalin ordered secret scientists to find a way to catch up to the U.S. Andrei Sakharov was only 24 years old then, but his brilliant mind was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20

Legalism Versus Love Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 17, 2021

We are in a world of great religious competition. We will all tend to follow one of these two strategies: The legalistic or the loving, the rule book power, or relationship power.

We live in a world where competition is a master motive. When the news reach Russia in 1945 that the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Stalin ordered secret scientists to find a way to catch up to the U.S. Andrei Sakharov was only 24 years old then, but his brilliant mind was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20

Patriotic Christians #5 - For God And Country Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on Nov 1, 2020

Even though the Pharisees were trying to get Jesus in trouble, Jesus wisely gives us guidance for being good citizens and good Christians.

Patriotic Christians #5 For God and Country Theme: Even though the Pharisees were trying to get Jesus in trouble, Jesus wisely gives us guidance for being good citizens and good Christians. Introduction For God and Country. From the Latin phrase “pro Deo et Patria”, “for God and Country” has ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22, James 1:26-27, Psalm 40:10, Romans 6:12-14, Hebrews 13:15-16, Romans 12:1, 1 Corinthians 10:31  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Wash Your Hands! Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Oct 10, 2020

Everything that Jesus does, or that people do to Jesus, gives Him an opportunity to teach or preach to us hard-skulled folks.

Tuesday of the 28th Week in Course 2020 Wash Up! I’m pretty certain that somewhere in this wide Catholic world there is a smart-Alec youngster who hears this Gospel and mouths off to mom: “Jesus didn’t wash up before dinner. Why do I have to do that?” In these days of almost overdone attention to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:37-41, Galatians 5:1-6, Acts 9:1-9

Denomination: Catholic

Me, Myself And I

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Sep 6, 2008

Often unable to distinguish between our wants and our needs, our selfishness rules the day and leads to conflicts and quarrels.

Me, Myself and I TCF Sermon July 20, 2008 Think for a moment about some of those things that really annoy you. You’re in a line of cars where the road narrows down to a lane. You’ve been inching forward, but there are others, perhaps several others, who zip by you in the outside lane and move ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Sinner Came To Dinner Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Oct 11, 2022

To discuss a sinner who came to dinner while Jesus ate at a Pharisee’s house. Being reviled by all, full of remorse, she found forgiveness at Jesus’ feet while washing them with her tears and wiping them with her hair. She left restored and forgiven of her sins.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. She Came to Him Reviled 2. She Bore Her Remorse 3. She Left Him Restored Introductory Remarks. 1. Today's lesson will discuss a theme: "A Sinner Came To Dinner." This lesson deals with a woman of the city who has many sins, comes to Jesus condemned but shows ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50, Matthew 18:21-35, Ephesians 4:31-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Simplicity Versus Complexity

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

We need to see that the primary problem of the Pharisees was that they were too religious. Some people go bad because of their vices, and others because of their virtues.

Human nature loves to magnify the minute and give significance to the insignificant by the simple method of stretching the truth. An army cook, for example, feed a mob of men with scrambled eggs, and then he sat down and wrote to his girl friend: "Dearest, for two hours shells have been ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:33-37

The Threatening Baby

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Dec 6, 2002

Herod was threatened by the Baby Jesus. Are we threatened by Christ? Afraid he might rule our lives?

Matthew 2:1-12 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Islam--Submission Vs. Grace Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Aug 17, 2003

An analysis of Islam from a Christian perspective, highlighting the doctrinal contrast between rules-keeping and seeking mercy.

World Religions…Islam--Submission vs. Grace Scripture reading> Romans 5:1-9 -Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus MA Having participated in Desert Storm, I received training from the Dept of Defense in Arab culture and Muslim thought. I’ve read the Koran and have spoken ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-9

Denomination: Congregational

Which Mountain Will We Ascend?

Contributed by Robert Eggers on Feb 26, 2001

There are two kinds of Christians, those who follow rules and those who follow Chirst--which are you?

Today’s gospel is from Luke 9, the account of Jesus’ transfiguration. But I would like to juxtapose that reading with an Old Testament text from Exodus. I read the Exodus passage first: The LORD said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:27-36

Denomination: Lutheran

Injustice In The Church Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Jul 5, 2010

Why is the Church so guilty of injustice and does it rule out faith in God as a valid life choice?

This is a series based on and heavily dependent on Timothy Keller’s Best Seller "The Reason For God" for which I’m deeply grateful. It uses much of his argument though with various additions by myself or the other preachers of the series. I’m going to begin today with a short ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:1-7

Denomination: Anglican

He Will Be Great

Contributed by Charles Salmon on Dec 7, 2005

Jesus is great because of Who He is, what He has done, and the Kingdom He rules.

"He Will Be Great" Luke 1:32 Scripture reading Luke 1:26-32 INTRO.: Tell story of annunciation to Mary. John 1 speaks of the preexistence of Christ and tells us He was with the Father in the beginning and that He was the Word by which the universe was created. We are told the Word became flesh and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A New And Different Kingdom Series

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Oct 30, 2012

The kingdom of God is not a place, but rather it is a realm... "it is the invisible realm where God rules as supreme authority."

A Different Kingdom Matthew 6:24, 32-33 "For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:24, 32-33). Last week we talked about ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:24-33

Denomination: Baptist

The Good Gift

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 29, 2018

Solomon asks for the gift of wisdom so that he can rule justly and righteously over his people.

INTRODUCTION Today is Reformation Sunday. This is a Sunday when we celebrate the work and lives of Martin Luther and other reformers—saints of the Church. It is also a time when we celebrate the reforming work of the Holy Spirit in the Church and in our lives. The Holy Spirit is constantly moving. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 3:4-28

Denomination: Lutheran

(Section 5) Dreams And Visions Series

Contributed by Luther Sexton on Mar 17, 2019

God does not lead His children by any rules whatsoever. No two of his children will be led alike.

(Section 5 His Will) V. DREAMS, VISIONS, AND IMPRESSIONS A. INTRODUCTION God does not lead His children by any rules whatsoever. No two of his children will be led alike, and it is most probable that He will never lead any one of His children twice in exactly the same way. Therefore rules ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:9-10, Acts 10:9-23

Denomination: Pentecostal