Sermons on Pharisees Rebuked:

Clean Hands And Defiled Hearts Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Oct 18, 2017

I fear too often we major on the minor things and neglect the greater aspects of our faith and service unto the Lord. Jesus confronted the hypocrisy and neglect of the Pharisees. This passage reveals similarities to the modern church.

Clean Hands and Defiled Hearts Mark 7: 1-23 It has been a while since we’ve heard from the scribes and Pharisees, but they were a continual nuisance to the Lord as He ministered among the people. It appears they followed Jesus as often as they could, seeking any means to accuse Him and discredit ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Completely (Part One)

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Aug 22, 2021

Matt. 8:26 says that Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the waves, and it was completely calm. It wasn't just somewhat calm, but completely calm. What are some other ways the bible use the word, complete?

COMPLETELY (part one) Last week, in my sermon on sleeping in heavenly peace, I talked about the boat story, where Jesus was sleeping on a cushion while the disciples were battling the storm. Matt. 8:26 says that Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the waves, and it was completely calm. I thought ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-12, John 17:20-23, Philippians 2:1-2, Acts 20:21-24, John 4:31-34  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Church Of Sardis: A Fellowship Taken Off Life Support (Revelation 3:1-6)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jan 1, 2024

The church at Sardis received not words of commendation from the Lord Jesus Christ, but instead, rebuke and condemnation as well a warning to wake up and strengthen what remains of its effectiveness, testimony, and purpose. Does this describe the church you attend?

The fifth church mentioned in Revelation 2-3 was located in the city of Sardis, fifty miles east of Smyrna and thirty miles southeast of Thyatira. Like the other churches, it was located in western Asia Minor, now known as the nation of Turkey. Sardis was on the major commercial and trade ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:11-15, Isaiah 11:2-5, Matthew 15:8-9, Mark 7:6, Titus 1:16, Revelation 3:1-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

What Went Ye Out To See?

Contributed by Steven Cook on Feb 12, 2003

This sermon deals with the 3 questions that Jesus asked the religious pharisees and scribes that looked for fault in him. They provide us an interesting study of today’s world as well.

“What Went Ye Out for to See?” Luke 7:24-28 Dr. Steven G. Cook I. Introduction A. Read Text – Luke 7:24-28 B. Background of John the Baptist – (John 1:6-8; 15-18) (John 1:19-34) C. Concerned about the ministry of John the Baptist, the Jewish leaders sent men to investigate. D. Many today are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:24-28

Denomination: Baptist

"Who Do You Think He Is?"

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 8, 2002

Jesus draws a line in the sand, one the Pharisees couldn’t miss, and one which forces us to commit ourselves as to who we think Jesus is.

“Who Do You Think He Is?”, Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts Author Salman Rushdie authored a book critical of Islam, back in the 80’s, The Satanic Verses, and has been under a death sentence for blasphemy ever since, a judgment imposed by the Ayatola ...read more

Scripture: John 8:42-59

Denomination: Congregational

Why Jesus Taught People To Avoid Sins Of Ignorance

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Jesus knew that ignorance of the truth is no excuse for sinning. The Lord said to the Pharisees, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God." (Ten points)

Why Jesus Taught People to Avoid Sins of Ignorance (Matt 22:29-31) Illustration: always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. . --2 Timothy 3:7 When Harvard University was founded, its motto was Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae--"Truth for Christ and the Church." Its crest ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Gospel Memorial Series

Contributed by Ted Sutherland on May 29, 2001

Mary’s act of love became a world wide memorial to her. Judas act for money became an unmemorial as the Pharisees used the betrayal money to bury strangers.

One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Joey was staring up at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church. It was covered with names, and small American flags were mounted on either side of it. The seven-year-old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:6-16, John 12:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Divorce-Proof Marriages

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Nov 10, 2010

We look for loopholes like the Pharisees did, but Jesus' words are striking! He wasn't interested in getting us out of marriage, but keeping us in them!

Passage: Matthew 19:1-12 Intro: Every person comes to this passage from a little different place. 1. divorced, not-divorced, considering marriage, friends or family who are divorced. 2. I did a lengthy project on this passage 30 years ago, and I did what most people do. 3. focused on verse ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical Free

"Path Of Life And Wisdom"

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 10, 2016

The Pharisees refused to repent because they thought they were doing everything correctly; if we follow them, we will ignore the most important part of being Jesus' disciples.

Thursday of Third Week in Advent 2016 Joy of the Gospel Listen once more to these words of today's Gospel: “When they heard this all the people and the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John; but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for ...read more

Denomination: Catholic

Jesus The Forgiving Savior

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Mar 9, 2016

Today we focus on forgiveness as we study Simon the Pharisee and the sinful woman, found in Luke 7:36-50. Luke 7:36–50

John Newton lived from 1725-1807. He wrote what is undoubtedly the most familiar Christian hymn of all time, Amazing Grace. Newton’s testimony is equally as profound as the hymn that so beautifully depicts his faith in Christ. Newton was a young man torn between the influence of a godly ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Who Is He? Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Aug 13, 2017

“Who is he?” All who encountered Jesus from the peasants of Galilee to the scribes and Pharisees of Jerusalem to the Roman soldiers were faced with the same question: Who is he?

Who is He? John 1:1-3, 14 The movie Amistad tells the story of a group of African slaves who seize control of their slave-ship and demand to be returned to their homeland. The captain instead takes them to an American seaport where they are imprisoned. As they await the judge’s verdict, one of the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Methodist

It's All About Love

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on Oct 28, 2017

This sermon is about the two greatest commandments Jesus gives the Pharisees when He is questioned. Also it calls into question whether we are a player or a spectator in our church.

Well Jesus had passed the test of the Sadducees’ and had shut them down so the Pharisees stepped up to the plate so to speak. Now the Sadducees were more of a political group but the Pharisees were the keepers of scripture and Biblical Law, there were 632 laws and rules for the practice of their ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Lumberjack God

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 7, 2019

John threatened the Pharisees and Sadducees that God would cut them down. We are all cut down to size from time to time, and we need it.

12.8.19 Matthew 3:10 Already the ax is ready to strike the root of the trees. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. God has compared Himself to a dove, an eagle, a lion, a tower, a fortress, a counselor and a friend. Today God puts on the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-17, Matthew 3:10

Denomination: Lutheran

Why Are We Offended? - Sermon For Proper 15 - Year A

Contributed by Ian Bullock on Aug 13, 2020

Looking at why the Pharisees were offended, and how the woman who was likened to a dog wasn't. Then thinking about why we are offended by the things of the world.

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy spirit. Amen. Over the past few weeks we have spoken about the positive aspects of being sown and planting seed within life, and as I read this week’s Gospel, I wanted to just think about one other aspect, one which perhaps we don’t often like to consider, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-28

Denomination: Anglican