Sermons on Phariseeism:

Debate Over The Sabbath Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Apr 19, 2017

Jesus remained under attack from the Pharisees. Their demands for adherence to unbiblical standards clouded their vision and desire for Christ. Sadly these attitudes remain today. While we must adhere to doctrine, the Lord affords liberty through grace.

Debate over the Sabbath Mark 2: 23-28 Have you dealt with a season in life when others acted as if you could do nothing right? Surely we have experienced times when people criticized our efforts or challenged our motives. It seems as if everything we tried to accomplish was met with skepticism and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:23-28

Denomination: Baptist

Talking About Jesus

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 19, 2025

Jesus is our example of how to face opposition and temptation.

“After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand. So his brothers said to him, ‘Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. For no one works in ...read more

Scripture: John 7:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Mercy Instead Of Sacrifice

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 11, 2022

The Pharisees criticized Jesus for eating with tax collectors. They thought they were better than Matthew, as they went around acting holy. Outward show doesn’t determine a person’s relationship with God. It's about the heart.

This morning I am going to touch on the subject of “hypocrisy.” It’s difficult to preach on this subject matter because none of us are without some form of hypocrisy in our life. Jesus told us not to point out the splinter in our brother’s eye until we have removed the log in our own eye (Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Denomination: Baptist

Wrong About Authority

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 14, 2024

When Jesus was challenged to name His authority to teach, he exposed His interlocutors as incapable of assessing His answer even were He to deign give it.

“When [Jesus] entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ Jesus answered them, ‘I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-27

Denomination: Baptist

Hanging With The Wrong Crowd

Contributed by Raymond Dix Jr. on Mar 10, 2002

This message challenges the people of God to be willing to endure the same criticism our Lord endured from those who are modern day Pharisees - "He eats with sinners". We are challenged to touch the live of those in the "wrong crowd" with the message of

(Elab = Elaborate point) (Trans = Transition) Luke 15:1-7 15:1 Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them." 3 So He spoke this parable to them, saying: 4 "What man of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Luke 15:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

May Rupture Under Pressure Series

Contributed by Carl Willis on Jun 10, 2008

John’s followers were fasting. The Pharisees were fasting. So why weren’t Jesus’ disciples fasting. This message examines the inability of a rigid religious system to adapt to change brought about by the fullness of Jesus Christ.

May Rupture Under Pressure Mark 2:18-22 Mark 2:18 (HCSB) Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. People came and asked Him, “Why do John’s disciples and the Pharisees’ disciple fast, but Your disciples do not fast?” The Question of Fasting * John’s disciples * Fasted to show ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:18-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Miss The Intent Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Aug 28, 2007

Just like the Pharisees, so many are concerned with outward appearances but Jesus teaches us that we need to be concerned with matters of the heart and that once the heart is under control, outward appearances as well as our actions will take care of them

I. INTRODUCTION A. Examples of Common Misunderstood Intentions In a world that is so full of evil, one has to be so careful in what he says because one never knows how someone else will interpret what was said. 1. The World of EMAIL I live in the world of email & love it. I can send a message ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-48

Denomination: Baptist

Luke 15: 1- 10 ~ The Lost

Contributed by William D. Brown on Oct 29, 2012

In this chapter Jesus illustrates His love and concern for sinful men and women. The Pharisees and scribes murmured because Jesus showed such love and kindness to sinners, there's always people around that will make light of those that want to tell oth

Luke 15: 1- 10 THE LOST 10-27-12 In Luke 15: the Lord gives three parables; three stories to do with things that become lost. In this chapter Jesus illustrates His love and concern for sinful men and women. The Pharisees and scribes ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10, Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: Baptist

"God Promised A Shepherd....himself"

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Apr 24, 2018

On Easter Evening Jesus "opened the minds" of the disciples to see that He was fulfilling the O.T. prophecies. Ezekiel 34 is one of those passages.... Jesus is telling the Pharisees that He is the Lord. Some thoughts are from a sermon by John Piper

In Jesus Holy Name April 21, 2018 Text: John 10:11 Easter IV “God Promised A Shepherd…… Himself” Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! The Good news of Easter is not that Jesus lived and died but that “Jesus Died and Lives” and He will return again. ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

The Big Surprise

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 5, 2021

This Easter message focuses on the DISRUPTION that Jesus's presence brought into the lives of the selfish priests and Pharisees at His first Advent, their response to the disruption (murdering Jesus), and the SURPRISE Jesus's resurrection was to them and even to the disciples.

Today we celebrate the greatest event in the history of mankind: the resurrection of Christ. Nothing has ever happened that influences the destiny of mankind like that one event. Alexander’s defeat of the Persians changed the course of Western civilization. It was a significant turning point in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:34-36, John 3:16, Revelation 1:18, John 20:15, John 2:12-25, Matthew 27:62-66, Mark 8:34-37, John 11:47-48, Matthew 23:27, 1 Corinthians 15:1-58, 2 Corinthians 2:14, Acts 1:11, Matthew 28:1-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Lessons On The Coming Kingdom Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Nov 15, 2017

The kingdom is more than a future reality. It is already present. The Pharisees did not have to wait for it. The disciples were already part of it. Even today the kingdom as Jesus established it is present wherever people acknowledge Jesus as King.

Samaria, Galilee Lessons on the Coming Kingdom (Gen. 6-9) Luke 17:20-37 Jesus Speaks on the Spiritual Nature of God’s Kingdom (Luke 17:20-21) And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:20-37

Denomination: Baptist

Being A Radical

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Jul 26, 2022

Reform is what Jesus was looking for. He was called a radical. The Pharisees took notice of what He was doing. Corruption was destroying Judaism. Is it happening to Christianity today? When humans create an organization eventually corruption sneaks in.

Being a Radical John 4:1-6 Rev. Dr. Michael Harvey Koplitz John 4:1 And Jesus knew, that the Pharisees had heard; that he made many disciples, and baptized more than John. 2 Yet Jesus himself did not baptize but his disciples. 3 And he left Judaea, and went again into Galilee. 4 And in going, he ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-6

Denomination: United Methodist

The Humble Will Receive Grace, I Promise! Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jul 13, 2020

God hates pride, but loves humility. God's promise is that if we humble ourselves before God, He will give us His grace. This truth is clearly displayed in the story of Nebuchadnezzar, and in the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector.

A. One day a certain preacher began to pride-fully muse about what a fine preacher he had become. 1. So he said to his wife, “How many really great preachers do you think there are?” 2. His wife thought for a minute and said, “Well, I don’t know how many really great preachers there are, but ...read more

Scripture: James 4:5-10, 1 Peter 5:5, Daniel 4:10-37

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus Answers The Divorce Question Series

Contributed by David Owens on Sep 11, 2023

When Jesus returned to His public ministry in Mark 10, the Pharisees tried to trap Him with a question about divorce. Jesus dealt with their question by directing them back to God's original design and intent in creation.

A. In the last two sermons in our sermon series on the Gospel of Mark, we have been watching Jesus privately teaching His disciples some very important lessons on discipleship. 1. The topics He discussed with them were about prayer, the passion of Jesus, pride and prejudice. 2. I trust that we have ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:1-12, Deuteronomy 24:1-4, Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:26-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Arrogance Of The Ignorant

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 12, 2023

Ignorant people attempt to mask their lack of knowledge through arrogance. Jesus pierced the facade of the Sadducees by pointing to what was written in the Word of the Living God.

“Sadducees came to [Jesus], who say that there is no resurrection. And they asked him a question, saying, ‘Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. There were seven ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:18-27

Denomination: Baptist