Sermons on Phariseeism:

Jesus Predicts His Death Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 12, 2021

Think of it: Jesus marshaled no army and He carried no weapon. Jesus never used His miraculous powers to throw the Pharisees off the nearest cliff. Yet, the threat of Jesus was so great, He often made enemies into allies:

A New York Times editorial claims that America’s views on the death penalty are changing. 35 people were put to death in 2014 which was the fewest in 20 years. And 2014 marked a nearly 40 year low in the number of new criminals placed on death row. While the method of execution may have changed, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:7-9, Luke 13:31-35

Denomination: Baptist

Apostasy Of The Christian Heart

Contributed by Stan Lobin on Oct 26, 2022

An examination of the Jesus parable of the prayers of the Pharisee and the tax collector and Christians who respond look and react to our others harshly with gossip and other negative that defy God's commandment to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

Apostasy of the Christian Heart When we become Christians, the Bible tells us that we receive Christ into our hearts. I believe that means that a Christian should possess a Christ-like heart; a heart that desires to please God and a desire to be obedient to God’s commandments and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:16-18, Luke 18:9-14, Jeremiah 14:7, 1 John 4:20

God Wants To Help Us Avoid The Unforgivable Sin Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Apr 11, 2022

How can we avoid the unforgivable sin? 1. We must respect the Holy Spirit as God (vs. 30-31). 2. We must understand blasphemy against God's Spirit (vs. 31-32). 3. We must receive God's help from the Holy Spirit (vs. 33-37).

God Wants to Help Us Avoid the Unforgivable Sin The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 12:22-37 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared April 11, 2022) BACKGROUND: *Here in Matthew 12, Jesus was in the second year of His ministry. By this time, bitter hatred had poisoned the minds of the Pharisees who rejected ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:22-37

Denomination: Baptist

The Dangers Of Fault Finding Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Apr 24, 2025

Fault finders usually do not see any good in the efforts of other people. They put on the air of perfection and act as if they are incapable of making mistakes. Such people easily offend others through their actions and speeches. They focus on everyone’s faults except theirs.

As Christians, we're called to build each other up, not tear each other down. Yet, fault finding is a subtle sin that can creep into our lives, damaging relationships and hindering our walk with God. The Pharisees: A Classic Example In John 8:3-11, the Pharisees brought a woman caught in ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:21, John 8:3-11

Love One Another

Contributed by Craig Condon on Mar 10, 2015

The parable of the Good Samaritan is one of Jesus' most familiar stories, and the way we usually hear that parable is as Jesus' way of getting us to ask ourselves, "Am I willing, when the circumstances arise, to be a Good Samaritan to other people?"

A man approached the gates of heaven and asked to be allowed to enter. Saint Peter asked, "Tell me one good thing you did in your life." The man said, "Well, I saw a group of punks harassing an elderly lady, so I ran up and kicked their leader in the shins." Peter asked, "When did this happen?" The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Anglican

Jesus' Best Joke? Series

Contributed by David Smith on Nov 2, 2010

Luke chapter 18: "Jesus told them another joke", we are told, "and He told this one to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and looked down on others." Did you hear the one about the Pharisee and the Tax Collector who wandered into the

Now I know I’m being a little free with my translation here. I know most translations say that Jesus told them a 'parable' rather than a 'joke', but I'm not the first person to suggest that 'joke' is actually a very good translation. # Did you here the one about the frog and the scorpion who were ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

“cure For An Aching Back”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Sep 26, 2013

Jesus breaks all the Jewish rules.... no wonder the Pharisees wanted him dead. He is the "cloud" of the O. T. in their midst. One Sabbath day, Jesus was teaching in a synagogue. A woman was there who was severely disabled. Her body was all bent over.”

In Jesus Holy Name August 25, 2013 Text: Luke 13:10-17 Redeemer (Note: some ideas are from Leonard Sweet & "Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes" by Kenneth Bailey “Cure for an Aching Back” It is unexpected and agonizing. You reach over to pick up a package, bend down to tie ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Sermon On The Mount - Part 9 Series

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Jun 26, 2019

This is Part 9 in a 14-part series of studies I call “The Christian Character” as described by Jesus in what is familiarly known as the “Sermon on the Mount.” In this part Jesus speaks of righteousness exceeding that of the scribes and Pharisees; murder, divorce, and oaths - and a better way.

Part 9 - Righteousness exceeding that of the scribes and Pharisees; divorce, oaths Sermon on the Mount The Christian Character Matthew 5:3 - 7:27 (Cf. Luke 6:20-49) This is Part 9 in a 14-part series of studies I call “The Christian Character” as described by Jesus to a crowd of people on a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:19-20, Matthew 5:21-48, Matthew 5:23-26, Matthew 5:27, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Deuteronomy 24:1-4, Matthew 5:33-37, Deuteronomy 23:21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Measuring Up To God's Standard

Contributed by Greg Tabor on Oct 21, 2005

You’ve got to think that the folks listening to Jesus were hoping for a replacement for the stringent Law of God that had become even more difficult to keep under the unbearable traditions of the Pharisees. I’m sure there were some great expectations. Aft

Measuring Up to God’s Standard 7/10/05 Lighthouse Assembly of God Pastor Greg Tabor Introduction You’ve got to think that the folks listening to Jesus were hoping for a replacement for the stringent Law of God that had become even more difficult to keep under the unbearable traditions of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How To Avoid The Worst Woes In Life - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Feb 3, 2023

1. Don't just care how you look. Care how you live (vs. 25-28). 2. Don't compare yourself to other people. Compare yourself to God (vs. 29-32). 3. Don't be condemned. Become a child of God (vs. 33). 4. Don't reject God's Word. Receive it! (vs. 34-36).

How to Avoid the Worst Woes in Life - Part 2 The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 23:25-36 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared February 3, 2023) BACKGROUND: *In 1 John 4 the Bible tells us twice that "God is love." And thank God that's true! Our God is full of love, grace, and tender mercy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:25-36

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is On The Lord's Side? Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Apr 25, 2022

How to be on the Lord's side: 1. Avoid the danger of disbelief (vs. 1-3, 10-15). 2. Allow the Lord to teach you (vs. 9, 18). 3. Appreciate the truth God has revealed to you (vs. 10-17). 4. Apply the Lord’s truth in your life (vs. 9, 18).

Who Is on the Lord's Side? The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 13:1-23 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared April 25, 2022) BACKGROUND: *Please open your Bibles to Matthew 13. Today in vs. 1-23, we will begin to take a look at one of the Lord's parables. Remember that parables are simply earthly ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Marks Of Hypocrites Who Think They Are Saved, Holy And Godly. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Oct 10, 2022

A Good tree produces Good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A Good Tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every Tree that does NOT produce Good Fruit is chopped down and thrown into the Fire.Matt 7:15-20

1. We have to be careful and take heed that no one deceives us. 2. Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 3. We need to Beware of False Prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. 4. The Hypocrites will act religiously, but they will reject the power ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:15-20, 1 Timothy 4:2, Proverbs 26:25, Jeremiah 23:11

The Law Of Love Series

Contributed by David Smith on Nov 18, 2008

But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord you

We’re in Matthew 22, and Jesus is brawling! To be exact, we’re in the last round of a three-round brawl, where over the chapter in Matthew’s Gospel we’ve seen Jesus do battle with a group known as ‘the Herodians’, followed by a round with the Sadducees, followed by this week’s third and deciding ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

True Leadership

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 31, 2017

When is religious authority right and wrong? How should we behave in an imperfect church? Should we quit church and return to the devil or stay and be a force for good?

Prelude When is religious authority right and wrong? How should we behave in an imperfect church? Should we quit church and return to the devil or stay and be a force for good? Let’s look at Jesus’ blunt assessment of human religious leadership in Matthew 23:1-12 and see if we can learn a better ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Heart Of The Matter Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jul 17, 2005

Learn from the mistakes of the Pharisees: (1) Don’t be too caught up by the outward, it’s the heart that counts; (2) Don’t be too caught up by what man thinks; it’s what God thinks that counts.

We are all creatures of habit. We do many things over and over again. • There is nothing wrong with that. There will surely be routines in life. • But the danger comes when we get so accustomed to them, that we no longer understand the reason why we are doing them. • If fact, we may have lost its ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-9, Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Independent/Bible