Sermons on Simon The Pharisee:

Exceeding Expectations Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jun 16, 2023

Jesus said that our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. This means that He wants us to exceed the spiritual expectations prescribed by the Law; as we are to strive for excellence in our walk with God.

I have entitled our message, “Exceeding Expectations,” and I want to begin by sharing a true story. A contractor in Mexico was hired to build a Catholic Church, but he used cheap materials in order to make more money. He reasoned that the quality of the materials did not matter, so long as the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Portrait Of A Godly Father

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Jun 18, 2022

When we consider Jesus’ audience, there is a much deeper truth. Jesus shows the sinners, publicans, scribes and the pharisees what God is really like and he paints a picture of a Godly Father.

Sermon: The Portrait of a Godly Father Text: Luke 15: 1-24 1 Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them! 3 So Jesus told them ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-24

Denomination: Methodist

The Prayer That Was Filled With Pride

Contributed by Evie Megginson on Oct 18, 2000

Luke 18:11-12 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

Luke 18:11-12 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. We have the blessed promise in God’s Word that He will ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:11-12, Luke 18:11

Denomination: Baptist

How Jesus' Life And Ministry Contrasted With The Pharisaical Religious Leaders

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Jesus’ values were based on loving the Lord with all of one’s heart, soul, strength and mind. (Luke 10:27) The Pharisees’ values were rooted in their traditions and their religious laws

How Jesus’ Life and Ministry Contrasted With the Pharisaical Religious Leaders Illustration:The trouble oftentimes with religious people is that they try to be more spiritual than God himself. Frederick Buechner. 1. Jesus’ values were based on loving the Lord with all of one’s heart, soul, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:12-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Beware Of Hypocrisy Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Aug 25, 2025

In His encounter with Pharisees and Scribes, Jesus discusses the characteristics of hypocrisy. To His disciples He notes the promises of hypocrisy with a stern warning. And yet, in the gospel, we find great hope for hypocrites.

It seems like nearly every month (maybe even more frequently if we look hard enough), we receive news about some Christian leader who fails morally, gets caught, and is removed from ministry. Whether it’s pastors, professors, performers, or politicians - failure happens. We see hypocrisy ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 24:20-21, Galatians 5:1, James 5:16, Philippians 2:12-13, Romans 8:1, Romans 5:1, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Isaiah 53:4, Proverbs 10:9, Revelation 20:11-14, Hosea 6:6, Psalm 32:1-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

What Were You Doing When Jesus Passed By? Series

Contributed by Scott Bradford on Mar 16, 2007

This sermon raises the question about what the Pharisees were doing when jesus passed by? And then consequently asks, what were we doing when Jesus came near to us!

I. (1) An old Jewish story tells of the reaction of a learned rabbi to the excited announcement by a member of his congregation: "The Messiah has come! He is in our city now!" "Really?," mused the rabbi. Going to the window, the rabbi looked out on the city and observed: "I see no difference!" You ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-17

Denomination: United Methodist

A Parable Of Two Sons

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 6, 2008

In this parable Jesus is comparing the younger son to the tax collectors and sinners who came to Jesus. The elder son represented the Pharisees and religious rulers who continually found fault with the teachings of Jesus.

A Parable of Two Sons Luke 15:1-2, 11-32 “Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisaical teachers of religious law complain that Jesus was associating with such despicable people – even eating with them.” Luke 15:1-2 The Pharisees and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: Free Methodist

Clashes Of Power Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Feb 28, 2005

The series of clashes with the Pharisees reveal their blindness - blinded to (1) the true identity of Jesus and (2) the needs of man. Learn therefore that the power of life is in Jesus, and the focus of life ought to be the needs of others.

The 5 clashes Jesus had with the Pharisees: Mark 2:7 "Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone? - Jesus has authority on earth to forgive sins! Mark 2:17 "Why does he eat with tax collectors and ’sinners’?" - Jesus has come to save ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:13-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Pushing Their Buttons

Contributed by Matthew Blau on Mar 21, 2013

Palm Sunday was the beginning of Jesus Plan to take our place on the cross. He knew how the pharisees would react and he came to push their buttons so that we could be saved. .

Pushing Their Buttons For three years Jesus has been teaching. And now He has set his eye on Jerusalem. It is the seat of power for the Jewish church. And there are several people in powerful positions in the church who want Jesus to disappear. Matthew chapter 16, Jesus tells Peter He is headed to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-40

Denomination: Methodist

Doing The Right Thing The Wrong Way Part 6 Series

Contributed by David Diyanni on Oct 9, 2014

Today we are going to read the story about when the Pharisees caught a lady committing adultery and brought her to Jesus to see what He would do about this sinful situation.

Right thing the wrong way Pt 6 Why religious people are dangerous Introduction A. Today we are going to finish our sermon series on ‘Doing the right thing the wrong way.” This has been an incredible sermon series and has really affected me and the way I go about representing God and ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Vineyard

Great Reasons To Rejoice In The Lord Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Apr 6, 2022

1. Rejoice in the strength of our Savior (vs. 22-23, 29). 2. Rejoice in the mind of Christ (vs. 23-27). 3. Rejoice in the work of God's Holy Spirit (vs. 28).

Great Reasons to Rejoice in the Lord The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 12:22-29 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared April 6, 2022) BACKGROUND: *Remember that here in Matthew 12, Jesus was in the second year of His ministry. This chapter reveals the vicious hatred that had poisoned the minds of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:22-29

Denomination: Baptist

God Wants To Help Us Avoid The Unforgivable Sin Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Apr 11, 2022

How can we avoid the unforgivable sin? 1. We must respect the Holy Spirit as God (vs. 30-31). 2. We must understand blasphemy against God's Spirit (vs. 31-32). 3. We must receive God's help from the Holy Spirit (vs. 33-37).

God Wants to Help Us Avoid the Unforgivable Sin The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 12:22-37 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared April 11, 2022) BACKGROUND: *Here in Matthew 12, Jesus was in the second year of His ministry. By this time, bitter hatred had poisoned the minds of the Pharisees who rejected ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:22-37

Denomination: Baptist

Dirt Writing Lessons

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Sep 20, 2021

This sermon is centered on the lessons we can learn when Jesus wrote in the dirt in John 7:53-8:11. Jesus teaches us lessons that that deal with the seriousness of sin and other things that can lead to living a life of salvation.

Scripture: John 7:53-8:11 Dirt Stories Theme: Lessons in Dirt Title: Dirt Writing Lessons This sermon is dedicated to the lessons we can learn when Jesus wrote in the dirt in John 7:53-8:11. Jesus teaches us lessons that that deal with the seriousness of sin and other things that can lead to ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:14, John 3:16-17

Denomination: Nazarene

Wrong About Authority

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 14, 2024

When Jesus was challenged to name His authority to teach, he exposed His interlocutors as incapable of assessing His answer even were He to deign give it.

“When [Jesus] entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ Jesus answered them, ‘I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Dangers Of Fault Finding Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Apr 24, 2025

Fault finders usually do not see any good in the efforts of other people. They put on the air of perfection and act as if they are incapable of making mistakes. Such people easily offend others through their actions and speeches. They focus on everyone’s faults except theirs.

As Christians, we're called to build each other up, not tear each other down. Yet, fault finding is a subtle sin that can creep into our lives, damaging relationships and hindering our walk with God. The Pharisees: A Classic Example In John 8:3-11, the Pharisees brought a woman caught in ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:21, John 8:3-11