Sermons on Pharisees:

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

"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

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

The Lord Of The Sabbath Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 18, 2025

On one Sabbath, Jesus and the disciples ate some raw grain as they traveled. Some Pharisees objected to this but Jesus had something interesting to say when He replied to them!

The Lord of the Sabbath Introduction: Maybe it happened more than once, but there was at least one time when Jesus and the twelve disciples were so hungry they found some raw grain for their meal! Even though this was permitted under the Law of Moses (Deut. 23:25), some of the religious leaders ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

A Consequential Dinner Conversation With Jesus Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Oct 6, 2025

As Jesus shares a meal with several religious leaders, He shares insights into how God's people should act with humility, express generous hospitality, and respond to the gospel call with honor.

Conversations over meals can be consequential in variety of ways. slow down and be together Share stories Get to know one another (Tell me something about you that will help me understand or truly know you better- Dobson) Teach and learn biblical truths Influence CG meals Family meals Wedding or ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:7-24, Proverbs 25:6-7, Proverbs 29:23, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 6:32-36, Acts 24:15, Revelation 20:4-5, 2 Timothy 4:8, 1 Peter 5:4, James 1:12, 1 Thessalonians 2:19, Philippians 4:1, Revelation 4:10, Matthew 6:1-4, Deuteronomy 24:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

A Day Of Judgments

Contributed by Perry Greene on Oct 6, 2025

People judged Jesus differently.

A Day of Judgments 1. Critical Churches: A Salvation Army Officer, who worked with street people, was approached by a prostitute who was in a desperate situation. He wasn’t in uniform, she didn’t know he was a Christian, she just knew him as someone who might be able to help. She described the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Marks Of Sinful Criticism. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Mar 4, 2024

May we use our speech to edify and save, rather than tearing down and destroying. Let us strive to be constructive critics, speaking truth in love, for the glory of God.

we are going to explore the marks of sinful criticism, which are contrasted with the characteristics of constructive counsel. Sinful criticism, also known as faultfinding, is a behavior that we must be aware of and avoid in our Christian walk. Firstly, let us examine the motives behind our words ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:10, Genesis 37:4, Job 12:1-3, 1 Corinthians 14:3

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 Prayer Of The Humble Pierces The Clouds

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Oct 21, 2022

Paul had prayed all his life, as we should. “The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds.” God always hears our prayers.

Thirtieth Sunday in Course 2022 It’s helpful for us, two thousand years since the events, to consider some background on this story, this parable, of Jesus about the Pharisee and the tax-collector, sometimes called the “publican.” The word “Pharisee” comes directly from the Greek. It means ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-18, Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Catholic

Easter Preparations - Part 3

Contributed by Todd Blair on Apr 16, 2022

Palm Sunday Sermon

Have you ever done anything that you knew was going to be painful but would ultimately be for your benefit? Maybe you started an exercise program and you knew it would be difficult but you needed to get back in shape or lose some weight. Or maybe you underwent some surgery you knew you needed even ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

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

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

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

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

"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