Sermons on Pharisees Were Hypocrites:

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

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

Righteousness Plus

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 10, 2011

Righteousness greater than that of the Pharisees isn't about behavior: it's about bone-deep transformation.

We’ve been shocked and horrified once again this week at the shooting of children by children, from Santee CA to next door in Pennsylvania. And the commentators and pundits are asking once again what kinds of laws we should pass to keep this from happening. Most are honest enough to admit ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Disregarding Tradition And Taboo (Matthew 15:1-39)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Aug 20, 2025

In this chapter, we read about the Lord Jesus’ encounter with the Pharisees yet again, and of His mercy to a Gentile woman whose daughter was possessed by a demon.

Coming from Jerusalem, the Pharisees asked Jesus why His disciples did not perform the traditional ritual of washing one’s hands before eating. This ceremony had been established by the “elders” and had nothing to do with hygiene alone, but was instead an elaborate ritual that involved not only ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-39, Isaiah 29:13, Mark 7:24-30, Mark 8:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

It's All In The Approach

Contributed by Matt Hoffmann on Oct 2, 2009

In Mark 10 we learn from the Pharisees and from some kids on how we approach Jesus. Do we try to justify ourselves, or be justified by God?

Mark 10:2-13 So, usually I like to have my sermons done by Wednesday or so, and I worked very hard to get this one done on Wednesday. I wrote a sermon using the Gospel lesson that talked about marriage and divorce. And after I wrote it, I read through it before I went home and realized it was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:2-13

Denomination: Lutheran

Healing And Hypocrisy. Revised.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 2, 2023

Tradition versus Scripture.

HEALING AND HYPOCRISY. Matthew 14:34-36, Matthew 15:1-9. MATTHEW 14:34-36. It was noised abroad that, of all that ever came to Jesus, He turned none away, ‘and He healed them all’ (cf. Matthew 12:15). It is no wonder that, arriving on the other side of the Lake, Jesus found that His fame had ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:34-36, Matthew 15:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Some Profound Heresies

Contributed by John A. Peck on Jan 27, 2010

On the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, a clear look at some distorted teachings on Atonement and Salvation are presented, one by one, and a brief look at the therapeutic nature of Atonement.

Some Profound Heresies Luke 18:10-14 Today, I’m going to teach you some profound heresies! In today’s Gospel, we have two men. This is a short, but important parable. First, the Pharisee. The Pharisee begins his prayer “O God, I thank you that I am not like other ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:10-14

Denomination: Orthodox

The Problem With Religion That Looks Good Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 18, 2010

This message looks at the problems that come with living your life to impress others.

A LIFE GOAL: Live your life so that people will say good things at your funeral. - The Pharisees were doing things for an audience of people. - Key phrase is v. 5a – “done for men to see” - Three examples: a. Phylacteries and tassels. - These were things talked about in OT ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:5-7

Denomination: Baptist

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

I Saw The Light

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 20, 2002

The Pharisees tries to turn out the light. Jesus simply turned up the wattage.

Question: How many Episcopalians does it take to change a light bulb? Aswer: TWELVE - one to do the work and 11 to serve on the committee. Question: How many Church of Christ members does it take to change a light bulb? Answer: THREE - one to convince the light bulb to change and 2 to carry the ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus Was Baptized "to Fulfill All Righteousness" Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 12, 2020

We might make the mistake of thinking that Jesus stopped growing in the Spirit at His baptism.

The Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ 2020 In today’s Gospel the words of John the Baptist could just as well have begun “Jesus, this makes no sense!” He rightly senses at the Jordan River, as he did three months before he was born, when Mary visited his mother Elizabeth, that he is in the presence ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:52, Isaiah 42:1-7, Matthew 3:13-17, Matthew 5:3-4, John 19:30  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

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

Nicodemus

Contributed by Luther Sexton on Jul 21, 2021

The life of Nicodemus is slightly explored along with his visit to Jesus.

NICODEMUS I. WHO WAS NICODEMUS? Nicodemus was somebody rather special in Jewish society. He was a Pharisee, the aristocracy of Jerusalem. 70 Elders and teachers---HIGH priest was PRESIDENT He is a Pharisee, which means that he was an influential man in religious circles in Jesus’ time. He was ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:26, John 3:2-9, John 7:50, John 19:39

Denomination: Pentecostal

Who’s In Charge Here!? Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon explores the authority of Jesus as the Messiah, the pride and blindness of the Pharisees, and the call for humility and inclusivity in faith.

Welcome church! Today we’ve got an interesting passage about the authority of Jesus and the inability of the Pharisees to see Jesus for who He is. And, smack dab in the middle of it all there is a parable about 2 sons. How are these things related? Why is authority important and what role does ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-32

Topics: Jesus' Authority, Pharisees' Pride, Redemption