Sermons on Pharisees And Scribes:

Our Traditions Series

Contributed by Tim White on Dec 5, 2011

Jesus reveals the danger associated with traditions when they vie for a place among the sacred. In revealing the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, He clarified the lifestyle of dependence expected of His disciples.

Our Traditions Mark 7:1-23 (17-23) Why would some people buy a cat and tie it to the bedpost to show their reverence to God? Many years ago, a very poor holy man lived in a remote part of China. Every day before his time of meditation, in order to show his devotion, he put a dish of butter up on ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Attracting The Opposites

Contributed by Jody Vansickle on Mar 3, 2016

A brief message on accepting all who need Jesus

Attracting the Opposites Luke 15:1-2 I think it’s amazing when we look at the people who followed after Jesus. • I’m not talking about the disciples that He called to follow Him ~ I’m talking about the other people that we see around Him most often. • It ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-2

Denomination: Methodist

Jesus Is The Bridegroom Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Jun 8, 2013

In this sermon we analyze Jesus as the bridegroom and learn what Christianity is.

Scripture If you know anything about the life of Jesus, you know that he faced growing opposition throughout his ministry. He encountered increasing criticism during his three-year ministry to the point where his opponents eventually killed him. Luke revealed in his Gospel the growing criticism ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:33-39

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Is It Really Legalism?

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Mar 31, 2017

In many modern churches, legalism is no more than acknowledging that the Lord has given to His Church a body of legislation that He expects to be taught and obeyed.

During my decades of Christian ministry, the terms “legalism” and “legalist” have progressively been bandied-about within modern churches and their preachers/pastors. These terms have, primarily, been used to describe and condemn those Christians and churches that believe that there is more to ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:3-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Hypocritical Older Brother

Contributed by Stephen Carroll on Nov 7, 2004

A sermon calling the congregation to Love the unlovable and marginalized by the the church.

The Hypocritical Older Brother Luke 15 October 24, 2004 Captain Delia and I were away at continuing education this week and while we were there the Bible teacher reminded me something very important about studying the bible the three letters “CIE”. Remember those letters you’ll need them later. We ...read more

Denomination: Salvation Army

A New Heart For A Fresh Start

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Feb 22, 2022

Jesus’ teaching and ministry was a way of reframing the use of Scripture. The Scribes had made notes that were superimposed on Scripture. Jesus holds before us a new way of living life. One based on mercy, grace, and love. Jesus modeled the heart and intent of God.

As a child we would attempt to salvage anything and everything. The house I remember from early childhood was an interesting building. When my mother wanted to clean the floor, she would pour water on the floor, scrub it with a broom, and the water would drain through the floor. The first home ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-28, Matthew 5:17-20, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 11:6, Matthew 11:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Am Come To Fulfill

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on Jun 20, 2005

Sermon 1 of 7: Why did Jesus come?

Matthew 5:17-18 “I Am Come To Fulfill…” Woodlawn Baptist Church June 19, 2005 Introduction Why did Jesus come to earth? For the next few weeks, I would like to examine seven passages of Scripture that will answer that question. In each passage, Jesus made a statement that clearly says, “I have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-18

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

Your Righteousness Must Exceed That Of The Pharisees: Good Fruit Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Feb 2, 2008

Three primary tests we can apply in order to recognize a false prophet: 1) Character, 2) Creed, and 3) Converts.

Some high-profile leaders who have professed to be Christians, have come under fire recently for alleged misdeeds, with their stories played out prominently in the media. Richard Roberts, son of evangelist Oral Roberts, resigned recently as president of Oral Roberts University in Tulsa amid ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:16-20

Denomination: Other

What's So Bad About Pharisees Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 5, 2025

Ask yourself which of the Lenten practices holds the lowest place in your priorities. Prayer, fasting, almsgiving: surely one of these is least attractive to you. Focus your prayer this Lent on that facet,

Ash Wednesday 2025 What was the “leaven of the Pharisees”? What led Jesus, when discussing self-discipline, to call these self-described “separate ones” hypocrites when they prayed, fasted, and gave alms to the poor? They were not hypocrites because they followed the Law, Torah. What they wore on ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:12-18, 2 Corinthians 5:20, 2 Corinthians 6:2, Matthew 6:1-6, Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 16:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Searching For The Lost: An Exposition Of Luke 15

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Mar 18, 2019

What is God's attitude toward repentant sinners?

Searching for the Lost: An Exposition of Luke 15 There are three well known parables in Luke 15, the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. Parables are illustrations which use a story to shed light on spiritual truth. Jesus wasn’t the only one who taught in parables in his day, but he was a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-3, Luke 15:11-32, Luke 15:1-32, Luke 15:4-11, Luke 15:1-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Is It Really Legalism?

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Apr 8, 2016

A study which identifies the difference between true and false legalism.

During my decades of Christian ministry, the terms “legalism” and “legalist” have progressively been bandied-about within modern churches and their preachers/pastors. These terms have, primarily, been used to describe and condemn those Christians and churches that believe ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Power Of Contrast Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 25, 2016

There is nothing like a contrast to make the point; Jesus used the idea of contrast to highlight Who He is, and to distinguish external religion from true devotion.

The Power of Contrast (Mark 12:35-44) 1. Illustration … a few years ago,. Trying to tell someone about the Windfarm on I-65 in NW Indiana. This person had never seen the big windmills, and was thinking of a place with 3 tiny windmills on US 31.. or the types farmers use to pump water in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:35-44

Denomination: Independent/Bible

In The Chaos Of Life.... Hope And Direction

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Mar 11, 2010

The parable of the Lost Coin, Lost Sheep and Two Lost sons is about God’s grace. The youngest found direction in the midst of the choas of his life. Jesus is reminding the Pharisees that God does not play by their rules of acceptance.

In Jesus Holy Name March 14, 2010 Text: Luke 15:1-6 Redeemer “In the Chaos of Life…. Hope and Direction” “Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus… and the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying… This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: Lutheran

Why Do You Come To Church? Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Aug 21, 2014

Eighth in this series. The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector reveals that I either come to church to impress God or to be impressed by God.

Note: Since this message was presented in the form of a table that summarized the two reasons for coming to church some formatting may not look right. Let me begin with a question this morning. I don’t want to embarrass anyone, so I’m not going to ask you for a show of hands or ask you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist