Sermons on San Mateo 23:3:

Misplaced Zeal

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Jun 16, 2011

We are impressed with zeal. Certainly the Jews of Jesus day had tremendous zeal; passion for what they believed. But zeal and passion can easily be focused on the wrong thing.

Passage: Matthew 23:1-39 Intro: We are impressed by zeal, passion 1. see our Mormon friends riding their bike es 2. on way to seminary, remember seeing a Moonie selling candy bars in the freezing rain. 3. we even have a grudging admiration for zeal that causes a radical Muslim to kill ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-39

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Missing The Mark Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Dec 17, 2012

This message series inspired by Kyle Idleman's book, "Not a Fan."

“Missing the Mark” A Fan or a Follower - #4 of 5 Jerry Watts Matthew 23 (Note: This series is inspired by Kyle Idleman’s book – “Not a Fan”) * His name was Matt Emmons. In the 2004 Olympics, he was competing in the 50-meter three-position rifle event and was one ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-39

Denomination: Baptist

A Critique Of Pharisaic Hypocrisy

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 20, 2014

To say and to do not, versus the grace of humility.

A CRITIQUE OF PHARISAIC HYPOCRISY. Matthew 23:1-12. Turning away from the Pharisees, Jesus addressed both the crowds and His own disciples (Matthew 23:1). From the outset, Jesus acknowledged the legitimacy of the Pharisees as a party within Judaism: they “sit in Moses’ seat” (Matthew 23:2). ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pharisee Or Holiness?

Contributed by Craig Benner on Oct 22, 2014

There are many who would argue that a Pharisee and one who believes in holiness are one in the same. I beg to differ. True holiness affects the external and the internal. It affects the acts and the attitude.

Are you a Pharisee or are you Holiness? Let us see if there is a difference and determine to understand why some people have trouble differentiating between the two. Pharisee = a person in the role of religious service who believes that his or her title and/or office automatically make him or her ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-33

Denomination: Pentecostal

"We Can Get So Off Base"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Nov 1, 2014

A sermon about loving mercy.

"We Can Get So Off Base" Matthew 23:1-12 Micah 6:6-8 Like most of us, John Burke (pastor of Gateway Church in Austin, Texas) assumed that he was not a judgmental person. But just in case he was wrong, he tried an experiment: for a whole week he kept track of his judgments about other people. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: United Methodist

A Reflection On Servant-Leadership Series

Contributed by Lalachan Abraham on Nov 27, 2014

Jesus said “The greatest among you must be a servant.”(Matthew 23:11)

“The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted..”(Matthew 23:11-12) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s maiden speech on the eve of India’s 68th Independence Day on 15th August 2014, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Widow's Mite Series

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Apr 30, 2018

The story of the widow's mite has been used to show Christians what their attitude toward giving should be. This message challenges that traditional and longstanding teaching.

Growing up I don’t think I heard a teaching about the widow’s mite that did not take the widow and make her the standard by which all of us are to give when it comes to our giving. “This poor widow woman came to the altar and gave her last mite. She did that for the Lord! What an example she is to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-44, Leviticus 19:17-19, Matthew 6:1-2, Luke 20:39-47, Luke 21:1-5, Matthew 22:34-46, Matthew 23:1-14, Micah 6:6-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Week That Changed The World: The Day Jesus Saw The Downfall Of Apostate Religion Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 15, 2021

Jesus finished His final day of public ministry. He taught the crowds in the Temple, confronted difficult questions, and then left for good. The Temple and its religious system was corrupt, useless, and irredeemable, and would be judged by God.

Mark 12:28-44 gives us details about the final day of Jesus' public ministry and HIs departure from the Temple. He will go to the Mount of Olives and present to His astonished disciples the reality of what is to come in the future, and it does not involve a new Israel free from Rome, nor the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-46, Mark 12:28-44, Luke 10:25-28, Luke 20:41-47, Luke 21:1-4, Matthew 23:1-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

What Kind Of Spirit Do You Have Part#2

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Feb 7, 2021

One of the greatest hindrances you will encounter in your Christian walk is that of the religious spirit. Religious spirits endeavor to interfere with the free flow of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

What Kind of Spirit Do you Have? By Bishop Melvin Maughmer Part #2 OPENING: - Last night before I went to bed, I was watching the local news and this church here in Florida received a violation for violating covid restrictions. They didn’t have a permit to have the event that had several thousand ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:6, Matthew 23:1-31

Denomination: Apostolic

The Mask Of False Love And Care

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Feb 18, 2024

Fake people are the ones those who pretend to love and care for us but lack sincerity.

People who pretend to care and love but lack sincerity in their actions.In Matthew 23:2–3, Jesus addresses the scribes and Pharisees, saying, “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:2-3

Religion Vs. Relationship

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Feb 9, 2022

This message contrasts religion and relationship, showing that religion is not to be desired. However, a relationship with Jesus is to be highly treasured. Why? Religion brings about death, but relationship brings about life.

Whenever you hear of the word “religion,” what comes to mind? Perhaps attending a church service, someone worshipping a Buddha statue, a baptismal service, someone reciting a chant or prayer, someone fasting, people praying to the east every hour, someone making an animal sacrifice, or someone ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

Living In The Kingdom Part 13 Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Feb 11, 2022

In Part 13 of this series, we examine what Jesus said about our charitable giving being private. When we give to the church or do anything for those in need it should not be publicized in a desire to receive recognition for what we have done.

Living in the Kingdom 13 Scripture: Matthew 6:1-4; 23:2-5; Exodus 13:16; Numbers 15:38 I am continuing with my series “Living in the Kingdom.” This week we will begin examining what is recorded in the first four verses of Matthew chapter six. In these verses Jesus talks about those things we do ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-4, Matthew 23:2-5, Exodus 13:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Easter Preparations - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Todd Blair on Apr 4, 2022

How not to be a Pharisee

Before I start my message this morning, I want to run something past y'all and see what you think. I'm thinking we could start a new type of ministry for our church. I'm thinking we could minister, as we do, to the poor, the addicted and the incarcerated but also add a new ministry to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

23rd Sunday After Pentecost. November 1st, 2026. Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 20, 2023

Year A, Proper 26.

Joshua 3:7-17, Psalm 107:1-7, Psalm 107:33-37, Micah 3:5-12, Psalm 43:1-5, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:1-12 A). CROSSING JORDAN. Joshua 3:7-17. JOSHUA 3:7. Transition from one ministry to another is always challenging, but if the Lord’s people recognise the new incumbent as God’s man ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 3:7-17, Psalm 107:1-7, Psalm 107:33-37, Micah 3:5-12, Psalm 43:1-5, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:1-12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thirty-First Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year A- Hypocrites

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 8, 2023

We ask for the daily grace to walk the talk.

Have you heard the one about the priest, the minister, and the rabbi?” A rabbi and a priest were talking about the perks of each job. The priest mentioned that he gets a rectory to live in that comes with a housekeeper and a cook, all paid for by the church. The rabbi responded by asking if ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Catholic