Sermons on Phariseeism:

Divorce-Proof Marriages

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Nov 10, 2010

We look for loopholes like the Pharisees did, but Jesus' words are striking! He wasn't interested in getting us out of marriage, but keeping us in them!

Passage: Matthew 19:1-12 Intro: Every person comes to this passage from a little different place. 1. divorced, not-divorced, considering marriage, friends or family who are divorced. 2. I did a lengthy project on this passage 30 years ago, and I did what most people do. 3. focused on verse ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Lumberjack God

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 7, 2019

John threatened the Pharisees and Sadducees that God would cut them down. We are all cut down to size from time to time, and we need it.

12.8.19 Matthew 3:10 Already the ax is ready to strike the root of the trees. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. God has compared Himself to a dove, an eagle, a lion, a tower, a fortress, a counselor and a friend. Today God puts on the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-17, Matthew 3:10

Denomination: Lutheran

"Path Of Life And Wisdom"

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 10, 2016

The Pharisees refused to repent because they thought they were doing everything correctly; if we follow them, we will ignore the most important part of being Jesus' disciples.

Thursday of Third Week in Advent 2016 Joy of the Gospel Listen once more to these words of today's Gospel: “When they heard this all the people and the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John; but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for ...read more

Denomination: Catholic

Who Is He? Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Aug 13, 2017

“Who is he?” All who encountered Jesus from the peasants of Galilee to the scribes and Pharisees of Jerusalem to the Roman soldiers were faced with the same question: Who is he?

Who is He? John 1:1-3, 14 The movie Amistad tells the story of a group of African slaves who seize control of their slave-ship and demand to be returned to their homeland. The captain instead takes them to an American seaport where they are imprisoned. As they await the judge’s verdict, one of the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Methodist

It's All About Love

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on Oct 28, 2017

This sermon is about the two greatest commandments Jesus gives the Pharisees when He is questioned. Also it calls into question whether we are a player or a spectator in our church.

Well Jesus had passed the test of the Sadducees’ and had shut them down so the Pharisees stepped up to the plate so to speak. Now the Sadducees were more of a political group but the Pharisees were the keepers of scripture and Biblical Law, there were 632 laws and rules for the practice of their ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Are We Offended? - Sermon For Proper 15 - Year A

Contributed by Ian Bullock on Aug 13, 2020

Looking at why the Pharisees were offended, and how the woman who was likened to a dog wasn't. Then thinking about why we are offended by the things of the world.

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy spirit. Amen. Over the past few weeks we have spoken about the positive aspects of being sown and planting seed within life, and as I read this week’s Gospel, I wanted to just think about one other aspect, one which perhaps we don’t often like to consider, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-28

Denomination: Anglican

Jesus The Forgiving Savior

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Mar 9, 2016

Today we focus on forgiveness as we study Simon the Pharisee and the sinful woman, found in Luke 7:36-50. Luke 7:36–50

John Newton lived from 1725-1807. He wrote what is undoubtedly the most familiar Christian hymn of all time, Amazing Grace. Newton’s testimony is equally as profound as the hymn that so beautifully depicts his faith in Christ. Newton was a young man torn between the influence of a godly ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Divisions, Sins, And Signs (Matthew 12:22-37)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Mar 26, 2025

The clash between Jesus and the Pharisees intensified during the time of His public ministry. He rebuked and condemned them for their hypocrisy and unbelief, warning them of the eternal consequences.

After healing the man with the withered hand (12:9-14), the Lord Jesus continued His work of healing the sick and teaching the Word. Now the people brought before Him a man who was not only demon-possessed but also suffered from blindness and the inability to speak. Jesus immediately cast out ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:22-42, Mark 3:22-27, Luke 11:29-32

Denomination: Baptist

Which One Am I?

Contributed by Troy Borst on May 14, 2025

Spiritual self-awareness as a believer in Jesus means living in tune with God. It does not mean seeing others with eyes, listening to others with ears, and then responding with a judgmental attitude based on what we see and hear. None of us are as righteous as we think we are.

WHICH ONE AM I? LUKE 18:9-14 #SpiritualPride INTRODUCTION I was reading and listening in the Gospel of Luke the other week and a parable of Jesus smacked me right in the heart. I am going to share the parable with you today and see if it smacks you as well. The passage comes right after a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Wrong About Religion

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 30, 2024

If we focus on our tenets to the exclusion of focusing on the will of the Lord, we are in danger of drifting into Pharisaical Religion. If we allow this to happen, we will displease the Lord and oppose Him.

“When the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

I Am The Door

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Apr 3, 2018

This is one of the seven, actually eight, I AM statements of Jesus.

I AM the Door John 10:1-10 There are seven I AM statements in the Gospel of John. They are “I AM the Bread of Life;” “I AM the Light of the World;” “I AM the Door;” I AM the Good Shepherd;” “I AM the Resurrection and the Life; “I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life” and “I AM the True Vine.” ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Rsvp Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 21, 2001

Why did Jesus heal the man with Dropsy? Was it merely a man who happened to be there at the banquet, or was there something more?

OPEN: A teacher at a privately run church school wanted to point out to her children how they should behave when they were at church. So she started out by asking the children what kind of rules that their parents might give before taking them to a nice restaurant. One second-grader excitedly ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:15-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When Your Theology Bumps Into The Facts Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 16, 2021

A lengthy story about a man born blind provides a clear picture of what happens when your theology bumps into inconvenient facts. Will you reach for God or cling to your predetermined ideas?

SEEING THE LIGHT: The man was blind but saw by believing and obeying Jesus. - John 9:1-7. a. We’ll get more into the confusion in a moment, but the disciples echo the prevailing theology of the time and presume that someone must have sinned for him to be blind. - vv. 1-2. - It was a theology ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-41

Denomination: Baptist

The Parable Of The Tenant Farmers Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Nov 26, 2014

In response to the questioning of His authority by the scribes & Pharisees after His cleansing of the Temple, Jesus tells a parable. This parable summaries the whole of biblical history including the gospel story.

LUKE 20: 9-18 [PARABLES IN LUKE] THE PARABLE OF THE TENANT FARMERS [Isaiah 5:1-7 / John 12:35-43] In response to the questioning of His authority by the scribes and Pharisees after His cleansing of the Temple, Jesus tells a parable. This parable summaries the whole of biblical history ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:9-18

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons Learned Over Dinner

Contributed by Chad Bolfa on Oct 1, 2010

Tonight I want us to learn some lessons about people, and about ourselves, as take a peek at this passage as Jesus is an invited dinner guest at Simon the Pharisees house.

Lessons learned over Dinner Luke 7:36-48 Introduction As I mentioned a couple Sunday nights ago, we expect to learn lessons from the great prophets of the Old Testament; we expect to learn lessons from the Words of Jesus; we expect to learn lessons from the writings of the Apostle Paul. But we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-48

Denomination: Baptist