Sermons on Pharisees Fast Often:

Jesus, The Rebel With A Cause Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 17, 2011

Throughout the Gospel of Mark, we see a growing opposition to Jesus from the Pharisees and the other religious leaders of the day. To understand that, we need to look at the religious landscape Jesus ministered in

Jesus, the Rebel With a Cause Throughout the Gospel of Mark, we see a growing opposition to Jesus from the Pharisees and the other religious leaders of the day. To understand that, we need to look at the religious landscape Jesus ministered in. In Jesus’ time, there were three sects of Jews ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:1-6

Denomination: Methodist

Navigating The Ebb And Flow

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Dec 24, 2024

Jesus shared words to help John's disciples navigate change, as they were dealing with the loss of their leader. He also addressed the change of grace over legalism. This passage can be applied to change within the church.

I have entitled our message this morning, “Navigating the Ebb and Flow.” The expression “ebb and flow” is an idiom used to describe periods of highs and lows, and growth and decline, just like the rising and falling of the tides. It is essentially the idea that life is not always constant, but ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

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

What Is Fasting And How To Get Started Lesson 1 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on May 6, 2019

Fasting is a non-required discipline.

A. CHRISTIAN FASTING IS A NON-REQUIRED DISCIPLINE Jesus said, “When you fast” (Matthew 6:16). Did Jesus mean you must fast, or did He give you an option? “If you fast?” Christian fasting is described: 1. Alters your diet, or 2. Eliminates food and/or drink 3. For a biblical ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

Why Did They Kill Jesus? - Mark 2:6-3:6 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 29, 2023

Mark uses five conflicts between Jesus and the religious authorities that show how the animosity began and grew.

Five Conflict Stories Does Jesus Christ strike you as a likeable guy? The type of guy most people would look up to and respect, even if they disagreed with his teachings? Most people would say “yes,” but think about how his life ended. It ended in his early 30’s with the crowds in Israel begging ...read more

Did Jesus Come To Repair The Old Way?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 13, 2014

Jesus' comment on wineskins is confusing to many. What does it mean and how does it tie into His comments right before that on fasting?

DID JESUS COME TO REPAIR THE OLD WAY? There are some of the same elements, but we need to know that this is a new thing. - Matthew 9:14, 16-17. - There will still be fasting – Jesus doesn’t dismiss it. Instead, He says it’ll happen when He is taken away from them (when the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Keeping Up Appearances (Heavenly Mrs Bucket) Series

Contributed by Thomas H on Nov 24, 2011

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Keeping up Appearances (Heavenly Mrs Bucket)

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Keeping up Appearances (Heavenly Mrs Bucket) Manuscript In the 1990s there was a TV show from Britain called “Keeping Up Appearances.” Who remembers it? The reruns are still showing if you haven’t seen it and want to. The series is about a lady called ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Secret Of Satisfaction Series

Contributed by Allen James on Sep 5, 2010

We live in a world filled with distractions which scream for our attention. Unknowingly these can diminish our desperation for God. Today we explore Matthew 6:1, 16-18, and the warning of Jesus to fast behind closed doors.

The Secret of Satisfaction • Matthew 6:1, 16-18 Introduction: We live in a world filled with DISTRACTIONS which scream for our attention. Unknowingly these can diminish our DESPERATION for God. I. Fasting is an UNFAMILIAR PATTERN. • Jesus expresses expectation that His disciples ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

How Did Jesus Remain Holy Without Acting Like The Pharisees

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

"Be holy as I am holy." Practical ways that we can be obedient to the divine command.

How to be Holy as Jesus Commands us To Be - Matt. 6:26,27 Illustration: Quarterback cum ESPN commentator Joe Theismann, allegedly explaining to his soon-to-be-ex second wife why he had an affair: "God wants Joe Theismann to be happy." Source Unknown. A holy life will make the deepest ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:26-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Hungering For Jesus Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Oct 4, 2011

The purpose of Biblical fasting is to satisfy our hunger for God.

This morning we’re going to address a topic that frankly doesn’t get as much attention in the church as it does in the outside world around us. Fasting has actually become quite popular in our culture, primarily for physical reasons like weight loss and health. In fact, this week I went ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Lord Of The Impossible

Contributed by Richard White on Feb 20, 2010

How easy is it for a cripple to get up on his own? How easy is it to love our enemies? How easy is to forgive someone who hurt us deeply? Jesus commands us to do all this.

This morning we visit a place called Bethesda. An invalid, crippled, lying on the ground waiting for the miraculous. Jesus says "Do you want to get well?" Some people do not want to get better, they like the attention they get, or possibly the thought of doing anything different scares them. ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Ayuna Series

Contributed by Wilbur Madera Rivas on Sep 26, 2009

Ora y ayuna

Buen inicio: Ayuno Intro: Imagina que tu jefe te llama a su oficina y te ofrece un ascenso en la compañía, lo único que el nuevo puesto no es aquí sino en Oaxaca e implica viajar mucho cada mes. ¿Qué haces para tomar la decisión? O bien, tal vez tu matrimonio no anda muy bien…en realidad está ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Open Reward

Contributed by Dimeji Adebayo on Feb 6, 2009

Principles that will guarantee open reward

Beloved are you looking to the Lord to prosper you in your endeavour in this year 2009; then you need to put into operation the three principles outlined by the author and the finisher of our faith. Preamble A long time ago, there was a period of boom in a particular country's economy, but ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-34

Denomination: Pentecostal

Abstaining For God

Contributed by Martin Wiles on Oct 22, 2010

Fasting is appropriate in the believer's life when mourning over sin or seeking clear direction from God.

Abstaining For God Matthew 6:16-18 INTRODUCTION A. Story of a financially depressed American couple in Switzerland. 1. Involved in program of study that lasted three years. 2. No grants or scholarships to fall back on if they ran out of money. 3. Learned of an Asian student in the theological ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Baptist