Sermons on Pharisees And Scribes:

Is Your Prayer Good Enough?

Contributed by Sajeev Painunkal, Sj on Oct 25, 2010

The Pharisee made a show of his prayer with his arrogance. But the tax collector understood that the heart of prayer must be humility. We have something to learn before we kneel down to pray.

There was a little boy who was kneeling by his bed with his mom to say his nighttime prayers. He began to shout to the top of his lungs, “Dear God, I’ve been real good this year so please let me get a new bicycle for my birthday.” His mom said, “Johny, God is not deaf; you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Catholic

Part-Time Christians

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Nov 7, 2011

We are either born-again, or we are not; there is no in-between.

Part-time Christians November 6, 2011 Morning Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: We are either born-again, or we are not; there is no in-between. Focus Passage: Matthew 23:23-28 Supplemental Passage: But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:23-28

Denomination: Baptist

Too Full Of Yourself? Or Weighed Down By Shame?

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Feb 21, 2013

A short talk given at a baptism service. If we’re too full of ourselves then God desires humility. If we’re weighed down by sin, by shame, by guilt, and if we can pray, "God have mercy on me a sinner", God will restore us and lift us up.

Jesus told lots of challenging stories; and in the Church we tend to calls his stories parables. But why did Jesus use stories, parables, to communicate truth to his 1st century audience? Well, he used parables to paint a picture with a punchy, poignant, pertinent point. His pithy parables packed a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Anglican

The Tale Of The Two "I” Exams (Sermon Theme Adapted From John Beehler)

Contributed by Daniel Habben on May 27, 2008

The Tale of the Two “I” Exams 1) “See me, God? I’m not like him.” 2) “Save me, God! I’m not like you.”

When is the last time you had an eye exam? Eye care experts recommend that we should have our eyes checked every one to three years depending on age, risk factors, and physical condition (allaboutvision.com). Regular eye exams are important because experts estimate that one in four school-age ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Let My People Go!

Contributed by Craig Condon on Mar 13, 2016

Have you ever tried to do what God has told you to do only to run into opposition? If you have, you’re not alone. Some of the greatest heroes in the Bible ran into opposition when they did God’s work.

Have you ever tried to do what God has told you to do only to run into opposition? If you have, you’re not alone. Some of the greatest heroes in the Bible ran into opposition when they did God’s work, and we heard a good example of this a few minutes ago in the reading from Exodus ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

Love Does Not Condone But Love Loves

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jan 29, 2019

How many people will be in Hell because we chose not to win them or told them that some sin we deemed unpardonable blocked them from coming to Him?

2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:4-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Christian And Fasting Series

Contributed by Grant Adams on Nov 26, 2019

Perhaps, the most misunderstood and most misapplied teaching in the Bible is the teaching of fasting.

The Christian and Fasting Matthew 6:16-18 Perhaps, the most misunderstood and most misapplied teaching in the Bible is the teaching of fasting. Down through the ages, it has been a method of displaying something on the outside that was supposed to be prevalent on the inside. It supposedly used to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

Not To Be Called Rabbi, Father Or Teacher? How's That? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 25, 2020

Not only did the Son of Man come to serve, not to be served, He insisted that the ones who follow Him take that as the pattern of life.

Tuesday of the 3rd Week in Course 2020 St. Thomas Aquinas This Gospel from a late chapter in St. Matthew’s Gospel has caused a great deal of ink to be spilled, especially in the dialogue or dispute between Catholics and Protestants. Catholics call priests “Father,” and the pope the “Holy Father.” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:8-12

Denomination: Catholic

"the Bad Habits Of Jesus"

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on May 29, 2024

PC controls our culture, and values. Harrison Butker stood against a self righteous culture at a personal cost. Jesus confronted PC Pharisees regarding the "Sabbath" rules. quotes from Leonard Sweet, Ken Bailey (Jesus thru Middle Eastern Eyes)

In Jesus Holy Name June 2, 2024 Text: Mark 2:23-24,27-28 Pentecost II Redeemer “The Bad Habits of Jesus” Each Sunday in this liturgical calendar year our gospel readings are from the Book of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

"Be On Your Guard, Don’t Be Fooled”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Nov 13, 2024

What a year we have experienced! People worried. Will there be a peace transition of power? It seems the world is on fire...wars and rumors of war. Will there be peace? In Mark 13 Jesus tells about the future destruction of Jerusalem.

In Jesus Holy Name November 17, 2024 Text: Mark 13:1-2 Pentecost XXVI Redeemer “Be On Your Guard, Don’t Be Fooled” What a week it’s been for all of us! This has been one of those rare ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:1-8, Matthew 24:1-14, Luke 21:5-36

Denomination: Lutheran

God’s Great Love For Humble Sinners Series

Contributed by John Bright on Jun 23, 2023

Working through the Gospel of Luke using consecutive expository preaching. Teaching sheet included at end of text.

“God’s Great Love for Humble Sinners” Luke 18:9-14 Pastor John Bright Luke 18 “9 Jesus also told this parable to some who were confident that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else. 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14, Matthew 6:5

Denomination: Methodist

Out Of Sight...

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 4, 2023

God can see us all the time, whether we acknowledge him or not.

How many of you have played peek-a-boo with a baby? Fun, isn’t it? But eventually they figure out that you can see them even when they can’t see you, and the thrill goes away. It’s a control thing, I think... they’re learning that what they do has an effect on their environment, and sometimes it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Tradition! Tradition! Tradition!

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Aug 24, 2021

Does tradition have any role in the Christian life?

Tradition! Tradition! Tradition! Mark 7:1-23 I can remember many years ago seeing Fiddler on the Roof. My mind has gotten a little foggy concerning the details, but I remember a hit song which came from it called “Tradition, Tradition, Tradition. I was about an orthodox Jewish community facing the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23, Mark 7:1-8, Mark 7:14-15, Mark 7:21-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus Is The Better Shepherd (John 10:1-21) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Feb 10, 2022

John's readers who have chosen to hear Jesus, and follow him, and become part of his flock, have upgraded their shepherd. Jesus is a better shepherd than the Pharisees.

Let's start today by simply reading John 10:1: (1) Truly, truly, I say to you, the one not entering through the gate/door into the inner courtyard of the sheep, but going up from some other place-- that one, a thief, he is, and a robber. When we read this, we should notice something, ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-21, John 9:24-41

Hard To Be Humble

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Oct 20, 2022

Humility before the Lord should always be our focus.

Hard To Be Humble – Luke 18: 9 - 14 Intro: Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble When you’re perfect in every way I can’t wait to look in the mirror Cause I get better lookin’ each day To know me is to love me I must be a heck of a man Oh Lord, it’s hard to be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed