Sermons on Phariseeism:

Straining Gnats And Swallowing Camels

Contributed by Stephan Brown on Nov 21, 2002

Shows how the Pharisees did and sometimes we do miss the harder parts of God’s plan--justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

Straining Gnats and Swallowing Camels MT 23:23 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:23-24, Hosea 2:19-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Act Three: Redefining Sin Series

Contributed by David Rumley on Oct 28, 2009

In Luke 15 Jesus redefines sin... speaking to pharisees and sinners he compels both sides with the story of not one son, but two!

ACT THREE: Redefining Sin Inspired by and parts based on Tim Kellers book “The Prodigal God” luke 15: 11 Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ’Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 "Not long after ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Message Of Matthew Series

Contributed by John Gaines on Jan 30, 2006

Matthew the tax collector was interested in following Jesus while the Pharisees saw him associating with the Lord and criticized Jesus for eating with sinners.

THE MESSAGE OF MATTHEW 1. Matthew 9:9-13 (NKJV) As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, "Follow Me." So he arose and followed Him. 10 Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Den Of Thieves And A Kosher Baptist Suit Series

Contributed by George Barton on Jan 31, 2006

Built on Mark 11, it helps people to see why Jesus was really angry with the Pharisees for what they were doing in the court of the Gentiles.

A DEN OF THIEVES AND A KOSHER BAPTIST SUIT (Mark 11:15 NIV) On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, (Mark 11:16 NIV) and would not ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:15-18

Denomination: Baptist

Open The Eyes Of My Heart Series

Contributed by Joel Preston on Jul 24, 2012

Jesus is dealing with blindness. He deals with both the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees and the disciples as well as the physical blindness of a man from Bethsaida.

The Gospel of Mark #20 – “Open the Eyes of My Heart” Mark 8:1-26 Intro – 1. VIDEO – “Field of Dreams” They really can’t see it… 2. There are some people in this world that cannot see for looking. The evidence could be as clear as the nose on ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:1-26

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Who You Gonna Call? Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Aug 12, 2014

Just as Jesus’ disciples were put on the spot by the Pharisees, the day will come when you must speak for your Savior.

Who You Gonna Call? Lent Series Pt 2 March, 23, 2014 Matthew 9:9-13 I Eyes of Reality A Truth be told then... 1 Matthew, who also went by Levi, was seen by people as an extortionist & sellout because he was a tax-collector. a The Romans occupied Israel, collected taxes from the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Denomination: Baptist

Woes To Unfaithful Church Leaders

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 14, 2018

Jesus’ stern warning to the Pharisees in Matthew 23:13-39 is also important for church leaders today. A Year D sermon.

It is such a privilege to be a church leader, especially in kind and loving churches. It is a grave responsibility to feed God’s sheep and guide people that we are privileged to call our friends, on their journey to eternity. Overseers of churches are far from perfect, but some mistakes are worse ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:13-39

Denomination: Baptist

Being Grateful When Life Happens

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Nov 27, 2017

This sermon deals with our being grateful even when life's circumstances stink. The text that is used is from the story of the Pharisee and the Prostitute.

Being Grateful When Life Happens Luke 7:36-50 Seeing that Thanksgiving is right around the corner; it might be nice to speak upon our need to be grateful to God. And so the point I want to get across is … The depth of our gratitude reveals just how much we understand our need for a Savior. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Foursquare

The Law And The Kingdom Of God Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Apr 17, 2015

The analysis of the response of Jesus to the Pharisees' ridicule in Luke 16:14-18 teaches about their misunderstanding of possessions, the kingdom of God, and the law.

Scripture Luke 16 primarily deals with the topic of possessions. There are three sections in the chapter. The first section is the parable of the dishonest manager (16:1-13). Jesus responds to the ridicule of the Pharisees in the second section (16:14-18). And the third section is about the rich ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:14-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

If Stones Could Shout

Contributed by John Newton on Apr 10, 2022

As Jesus entered Jerusalem he told the Pharisees, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

For the next few moments I want you to try to imagine what it must have been like to be among those who stood on the streets of Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday. (I’ll even let you close your eyes if you like, as long as you promise not to go to sleep!) The city would have been bustling with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-40

Denomination: Episcopal

Catching Sinners

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 19, 2023

The Mediterranean News Service interviews a Pharisee and Simon Peter to get their reactions to Jesus having called a tax collector to follow him.

RM Good morning. This is Rufus Milo of the Mediterranean News Service with a special report live from Judea. Over the past few weeks we’ve been closely following the growing controversy over Galilean rabbi Yeshua bar Joseph, whose revolutionary message continues to attract followers from all over ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Wrath Of Christ - Mark 3:1-6 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 5, 2023

The Pharisees came with the purpose of getting evidence against Jesus. He went out of his way to make a scene to challenge their attitudes.

Mark 3:1 Again he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. 2 They were watching him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. 3 Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.” 4 Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:1-6

Fully Realized Forgiveness...the Test Of Love-3 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Apr 21, 2015

3 of 5. Jesus called Simon the Pharisee to task regarding two demonstrations of love. Realized Forgiveness is reflected in a reciprocal/proportional appreciation. But Where/How is it tested? Fully Realized Forgiveness is tested in the crucible of...

REALIZED FORGIVENESS...The TEST of LOVE/Trust-III—Luke 7:36-50 Attention: Thru testing, the true identity becomes conclusive. Jesus called Simon the Pharisee to task regarding two demonstrations of love. A forgiveness that is fully Realized is reflected in a reciprocal/proportional ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Baptist

Having A Contrite Heart

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Oct 23, 2025

The parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector show us the importance of having a contrite heart that is aware of one's own sinfulness and lives in appreciation of God's mercy.

ONE OF THE CHURCH’S ANCIENT LITURGIES IS WHEN THE PRIEST STARTED MASS WITH THE PRAYER “LORD, YOU WERE SENT TO HEAL THE CONTRITE OF HEART.” THE RESPONSE OF THE PEOPLE WAS TO SAY, “LORD, HAVE MERCY.” WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE A CONTRITE HEART AND TO SEEK GOD’S MERCY? TO HAVE A CONTRITE HEART MEANS ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14, 1 Peter 5:5-6, Ezekiel 21:26, 1 Peter 1:16

Denomination: Free Methodist

Csi Jerusalem - Who Killed Jesus? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 23, 2006

Christ’s death on the cross was a crime of passion. The crime was ours... the passion was God’s.

OPEN: (began with music theme of CSI – “Who Are You”) The year was 1910. The place - Chicago, Illinois. The time - The early hours of the morning. Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Hiller were lying in bed when Mrs. Hiller sensed something was wrong. She awoke to see that the gas light outside their bedroom ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ