Sermons on Pharisees And Scribes:

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

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

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

Mending Broken Brothers

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 19, 2016

A review of the ministry of reconciliation.

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” [1] The Ministry of Restoration is committed to ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

While We Wait

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 22, 2018

We are commanded to pray for the Master to send forth harvesters into His harvest fields while we wait for His return. The message is a call for us to fulfil His charge.

“Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38

Denomination: Baptist

Closing In On The Cross Of Jesus Christ - Part 7: God's Help For His Stumbling Saints Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Apr 24, 2023

Sometimes we are going to stumble, but God's Word shows His stumbling saints what to do. 1. Remember the ways that we can stumble. 2. Remember that the Lord sees us. 3. Remember that Jesus will steer us in the right direction.

Closing in on the Cross of Jesus Christ Part 7: God's Help for His Stumbling Saints The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:53-54; Luke 22:59-62; Acts 4:5-12 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared April 24, 2023) BACKGROUND: *Today in Matthew 26, we are less than 12 hours away from Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:53-54, Luke 22:59-62, Acts 4:5-12

Denomination: Baptist

What's Inside?

Contributed by Keith Manry on Sep 5, 2003

In a culture obsessed with diets it seems that everyone’s obsessed with what goes inside because it effects how we look on the outside. The Pharisees weren’t much different. But Jesus said it’s what’s on the inside that counts!

What’s Inside? Mark 7:1-8; 14-23 Move 1 – Swallowed Penny Story - I’ll never forget it. I might have been eight years old when one day my parents told us to sit still while they ran into the store to grab something. The same guidelines always applied when we were told to remain in the van: we were ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Methodist

Open Your Eyes And Your Ears

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jan 2, 2004

Normally when we think of spiritual blindness in the Word of God we equate it with the lost or the hypocritical Pharisees. In our text God charges His peole with unparalleled spiritual blindness. It is time for God’s people to open their eyes and see.

OPEN YOUR EYES AND YOUR EARS ISAIAH 42:14-20 INTRODUCTION: An elderly woman stood on a busy street corner, hesitant to cross because there was no traffic signal. As she waited, a gentleman came up beside her and asked, "May I cross over with you?" Relieved, she thanked him and took his arm. The ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 42:14-20

Denomination: Baptist

Where's Your Worth? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 2, 2013

Where do you find your "self-worth"? Is it in God, or in yourself? The Pharisees looked for their importance in themselves and ended up robbing God of His glory to gain their own. How can avoid the traps that ensnared these highly religious leaders?

OPEN: "Sometime, when you're feeling important Sometime, when your ego's in bloom Sometime when you take it for granted, You're the best qualified man in the room. Sometime when you feel that your going, would leave an unfillable hole, Just follow this simple instruction, and see how it humbles ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Stewardship Of A "Patchless” Life Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 3, 2010

The Pharisees lived by a "patches" theology - if they could patch over the sin in their lives, the hole didn’t exist anymore. But Christians are not called to patch our old way of life. Do you know what we’re to do instead?

OPEN: I’ve noticed over the years that kids love jokes that are plays on words. For example, when I was a kid (now I never did this myself, you understand), but I’ve known kids who would call a neighbor and ask: “Is your refrigerator running?” (pause). When the person on the other end of the line ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-39

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Be Practical, Not Legalistic Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Oct 30, 2021

Jesus taught the Pharisees how He desires sincere love for people over meaningless ritual, and how He desires grace over legalism. Those who adhere to ritual and tradition are often unable to love others or worship God.

In our message today, we will see how Jesus taught the Pharisees that forgiveness and grace toward others is a necessity before worship. The capacity to extend love and mercy is something that must be present in a person’s heart before he or she is able to worship the Lord in spirit and truth, as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

"who Do You Think You Are?" Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Aug 15, 2021

Jesus criticized the Pharisees for their inability to discern the signs of the times (Matthew 16:3). The signs of our times seem to be indicating an increasing hostility toward Christianity, which has lost its place as the nation’s primary guiding ethic.

You can run but you can’t hide. That’s certainly true today, amen? They not only know where you live and work, but probably know what kind of car you drive, when you take a shower, what’s your favorite flavor of ice cream or your favorite show on TV, what station you listen to in the car. They ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-5, 1 Corinthians 4:9-13, 2 Timothy 3:12, 2 Corinthians 12:10

Denomination: United Methodist

Amazing Grace Series

Contributed by Donald Mcculley on Mar 19, 2019

Paul went from being a blasphemer to a believer. He went from a persecutor to a preacher. He went from a maniac to a missionary. He went from a Pharisee to “now I see”. He was lost but now he’s found!

AMAZING GRACE I CORINTHIANS 15:10 INTRODUCTION: Paul went from being a blasphemer to a believer. He went from a persecutor to a preacher. He went from a maniac to a missionary. He went from a Pharisee to “now I see”. He was lost but now he’s found! Why? All because of grace. Consider ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:10

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

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