Sermons on Pharisees Fast Often:

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

The Lure And Cure Of Lust

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

It is no wonder the Pharisees wanted Him out of the picture. He just made the majority of the human race murderers by making anger equivalent to murder, and now He makes the majority adulterers by making lust equivalent to adultery.

Show me the man who has never looked at a woman with lust, and I'll show you a man with a white cane who was blind from birth. None but a blind man could get through life and not be captivated by God's crowning work of creation-woman. Anyone with an ounce of artistic appreciation knows ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-30

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

The Peril Of Inconvenience

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Sep 21, 2007

Inconvenience is often what God’s demands. If one does not embrace the inconvenience it will be a spiritual peril to him.

Acts 24:24-27 KJV And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. [25] And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this ...read more

Scripture: Acts 24:24-27

Denomination: Pentecostal

Seeking God's Approval, Not Man's. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Nov 24, 2024

As Christians, we often struggle with seeking approval from others. We desire to be liked, accepted, and praised by those around us.

As , Christians we often struggle with seeking approval from others. We desire to be liked, accepted, and praised by those around us. However, the Bible teaches us that our primary focus should be on seeking God's approval, not man's. Dangers of Seeking Man's Approval Seeking ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:25, 2 Corinthians 5:9

Using Discernment Not Judgementalism

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Apr 29, 2003

When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." (Matt. 9:10-12)

How Jesus Exercised Discerning Judgments People often misunderstand one statement that Jesus made, "Judge not less you be judged yourself." (Matthew 7:1) Actually, Jesus taught that no one should try to play God by assuming a position as the final judge of what is right. The Lord showed amazing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:10-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Testing Spirits In The World

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Oct 9, 2020

Often we are led into error by our ignorance of the Word of God and His character. Often when we hear the voices of those in authority we believe whatever they say without question. Are we armed with, "the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God?"

Testing Spirits Please stand with me as we go over our current memory Scripture: Titus 3:3-5 “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. “But when the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:54, Luke 24:1-8, Matthew 27:51, Luke 23:44-45, Matthew 27:42, James 4:6-10, James 1:2-4, Genesis 3:16, Isaiah 59:1-7, Proverbs 6:17, Deuteronomy 19:1-7, Luke 19:10, 1 John 4:1-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

It's Easier To Make A Stink Than To Create Sweetness Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Jun 22, 2009

18th in a series from Ecclesiastes. It often only takes something small to ruin something great.

When we were in Hawaii a couple of weeks ago, we watched as a couple of kids worked diligently to build a sand castle on the beach. They meticulously used their buckets and shovels to craft quite a castle, complete with sticks around the perimeter to protect it from intruders. Unfortunately for ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 10:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Silence Of The Lambs

Contributed by James May on Oct 28, 2012

We are the sheep of God's pasture, but we often have trouble hearing God because of the bleating of our own voices. How often does God say to us, "Before I can speak, or move in your midst, let there be silence among the lambs"?

Silence of the Lambs Sunday, October 21, 2012 By Pastor James May James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it ...read more

Scripture: James 3:5-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God Doesn't Expect Us To Do Everything Ourselves

Contributed by David Haun on May 16, 2004

F"olk often face the frustration of feeling they must do everything themselves and at the same time feeling that they often are the only one who can. This sermon attempts clarify leadership and our responsibility as Christ’s leaders.

GOD DOESN’T EXPECT US TO DO EVERYTHING OURSELVES Exodus 18:13-24, I Cor. 12:14-27, Matt. 9:1-38, Acts 6:1-7 Dr. David L. Haun Hope Christian Church, May 9, 2004 Have you ever had an inspector climb down from your attic or up from the foundation of your house with the dreaded news, “You’re ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:14-27, Exodus 18:13-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Know God

Contributed by Greg Smart on Nov 11, 2002

Many different ideas about God. From the atheist who believes there is no God. To the religious pharisee who would believe you’d go to hell if you don’t live a perfect life.

HOW TO KNOW GOD The fool has said in his heart there is no God. Ps 14:1. Many people today have their own ideas about God. Atheist, no God. Many people think of God as granddaddy, sit up on my lap and everthing will be alright. Religious, everything from God don’t care what we do just as long as ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Cost Of Serving Christ Series

Contributed by Larry Wilson on Jul 5, 2010

Sermon 4 in series. As Jesus’ ministry became increasingly popular with those desiring to shed the bondage of the Pharisees, many desired to follow Him. Yet Jesus is not interested in crowds. Rather, Jesus desires commitment!

Series: Things That Accompany Salvation Hebrews 6:9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. Message 4: The Cost of Serving Christ Luke 14:25-35 REVIEW: Message #1: An Argument in Eternity. Mt. 7:21-23 Many who say ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Denomination: Baptist

Sin Happens! Forgiveness: Will It Work? Have Faith

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Oct 18, 2007

Jesus confronts the Pharisees with their false theology regarding their understanding of God with parables. He then, in Luke 17 speaks to the disciples about reality. Sin happens. Forgiveness will work. It is our duty to imitae Jesus.

In Jesus Holy Name October 7, 2007 Text: Luke 17:1,3,4,10 Redeemer “Sin: It Happens! Forgiveness: Will It Work? Have Faith” Jesus was a middle-aged Rabbi. People flocked to hear him. They were fascinated. He told stories. He challenged the Pharisees who were filled with self ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Never Surrender Your Authenticity

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Apr 6, 2020

Jesus says let "yes" be yes and "no" be no. Righteousness must exceed the Pharisees. They surrendered their authenticity to appear more religious. This sermon is an encouragement to live in the opposite manner.

Never Surrender Your Authenticity Counterfeiters make over a billion dollars a year, making fake designer clothes and handbags. That billion is from the United States, not the rest of the world. These are not cheap knock offs from street vendors; they are well-made fakes. There's an ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-37

Denomination: Episcopal

Rock Solid Series

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Dec 16, 2018

The foundational principles of discipleship are discussed by Jesus with the present day attenders of the Synagogue, The Pharisees and His new Disciples. Much can be learned from these teachings of Jesus about how to conduct ourselves in hostile environments.

Lead In Scripture: Luke 6:27-49 Introduction: Re-cap last week. Share a story of God sustaining you. I. Love Your Enemies - Jesus knew that the road the disciples would travel was going to produce several enemies. Therefore, He began to teach them how to respond under attack. • Luke 6:27 MSG - ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-49, Philippians 4:8, Proverbs 4:23, Proverbs 4:24, Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Corinthians 3:11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God