Sermons on Yeast Of The Pharisees:

"Before Abraham Was” Series

Contributed by John Newton on Jun 4, 2023

Jesus’ controversy with the Pharisees concludes with the most amazing claim.

For those of you who are old enough to have watched the Seinfeld show on TV, you may recall an episode from twenty-five years ago entitled “The Comeback”. It all revolved around a conversation in the opening scene between George Costanza and a co-worker named Reilly. The two are taking a snack ...read more

Scripture: John 8:48-59

Denomination: Episcopal

Jesus Gives Sight, To Those Who Want It (John 9:1-41) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Feb 8, 2022

Jesus gives physical sight, and spiritual sight. By chapter's end, the only blind ones left are the Pharisees. Have to be open-minded, and know what you don't know.

At this point in the gospel of John, some of you are maybe feeling a little confused. John is not a very easy book. Jesus' words seem complicated-- they are "from above," as he is from above, and we struggle to climb up, and view things from above, and understand them from ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-41

I'm Glad I'm Not. . .

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Oct 27, 2022

do we pray like a Pharisee to impress God or like the tax collector to be impressed by God

God, I thank you that I am not like those conservative Episcopalians who walked away refusing to acknowledge gospel hospitality, love, and inclusiveness. God, I thank you that I am not like the agenda-driven liberal Episcopalians who neither understand nor respect the holy scriptures. God, I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14, Proverbs 16:18, Matthew 23:27, Isaiah 2:11

Denomination: Episcopal

Rivers Of Living Water (John 7)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 29, 2025

Why do people either love or hate Jesus? Let's look at John 7.

What kind of teacher was Jesus, cautious and weak or bold and confronting? Let’s look at John 7. Did members of Jesus’ own family believe in Him? Do we have doubters in our families? After this, Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, because he didn’t want to travel in Judea, since the Jewish leaders ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Good Shepherd (John 10)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 31, 2025

Who is the good shepherd and why? Let's look at John 10.

Why is Jesus the good shepherd? How is he the gate to the sheep pen? Why did people not believe and falsely accuse Him? Let’s look at John 10. Did people understand Jesus telling a parable about sheep and their shepherd? Do we recognize Jesus’ voice? Jesus said: I tell you for certain only ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Nicodemus At Night

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jul 24, 2023

We all need to grow & deepen our understanding of the great passages of scripture. The 3rd chapter of John is one of the greatest. It tells us of a man named Nicodemus.

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK NICODEMUS AT NIGHT TEXT: John 3:1-17; Rev. 22:5; John 1:4-5; Romans 6:4-6; Acts 2:37-41 (This ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17, Revelation 22:5, John 1:4-5, Romans 6:4-6, Acts 2:37-41  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Is There A Doctor In The House

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Aug 3, 2023

We need more men with calloused knees than degrees.

Amos 8:11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: 12 And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word ...read more

Scripture: Amos 8:11-12

Denomination: Baptist

Asking, Seeking, Knocking (Luke 11)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 1, 2024

What is the importance of asking, seeking and knocking in prayer? Let's look at Luke 11.

What does prayer have to do with asking, seeking and knocking? Do we gather with Jesus or scatter? What woes can religious leaders face? Let’s look at Luke 11. What are the important topics to pray about that Jesus addressed? It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, when He ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Finicky Faith Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Apr 28, 2025

John, while in prison, sent representatives to Jesus to ascertain whether or not he is the one - Jesus provided proof and then affirmed John’s ministry, sinners repented, Pharisees rejected/scoffed, Jesus confronted the finicky faith of the generation

During World War II, a congregation in London faced bombings nightly. In the midst of fear, their pastor encouraged them to gather for prayer. One night, after a particularly intense bombing, he found a soldier praying with fervor. When asked why he prayed amidst such chaos, the soldier replied, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:18-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Wrong Way To Try To Impress God Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 12, 2026

We learn here what impresses God and what doesn't.

THE WRONG WAY TO TRY TO IMPRESS GOD: We will not be justified by our resume but by our repentance. - Luke 18:9-14. - There are a variety of ways that we could classify the Pharisee and the tax collector. I’m going to choose a way that I hope is memorable: the Pharisee is trying to be justified by ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Father Recognizes

Contributed by Darren Sirmans on Aug 10, 2012

The Father warned Jesus about how the Pharisees added words to what he was doing. The Pharisees were lying out their teeth.

Our Father, whose thrown is all around us in heaven, knows everything. When I say everything, I mean nothing has happen or will happen without him knowing about it. Yes the Father has power unlike anyone else. He can stop or allow anything from happening whether good or bad. Today, I want you to ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

One Line Parables

Contributed by Paul Zwarich on Jul 25, 2008

Even though the rich blessings God intends for us may appear to be of no more value than a seed or a handful of yeast we should not deceive ourselves.

Lectionary 17 A Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 This morning we heard a number of “One – Line Parables” that Jesus used to describe the Kingdom of God to illustrate how God’s power and authority is visible and expressed in our world. Unlike the longer “Story Parables” like the Good Samaritan or the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-52

Denomination: Lutheran

Turning Hearts Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Sep 1, 2015

The idea of the sermon is the see the contrast between our tendencies to be self-serving or self-promoting versus having the humble spirit that promotes God. The Pharisee and Tax Collector in the parable of Luke 18.9-14 are the examples we will consider.

1. Self Esteem and Funeral Director A mild mannered young man came into a counselor's office ready for a divorce. He complained that his wife was so bossy that she was driving him off the wall. He wanted things to change, immediately. The counselor gave him a book on assertiveness. He was so ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Theproblemwiththephariseeswhopouted,whinedaboutthepeoplewhopraisedwithpalms Series

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Apr 11, 2003

This sermon compares and contrasts the Pharisees and the palm worshippers and encourages us all to not be like the Pharisees but to worship Jesus with enthusiasm like the palm worshippers.

The Problem With the Pharisees Who Pouted and Whined About the People Who Praised With Palms Luke 19:28-48 April 13, 2003 (Palm Sunday) Intro: A. [Enthusiastic Worship, Citation: Per Nilsen, Burnsville, Minnesota] Per Nilson tells the story of Nisswa, Minnesota, where they hold the popular ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-48

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Father Is Still Working

Contributed by Mike Turner on Oct 22, 2003

The Pharisees revile the Lord after his healing of the lame man at the pool. This sermon is based on his response to the Pharisees. The Father is still working !!

My Father Is Always Working ! John 5:1-18 1. After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3. In these lay a great multitude of impotent ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-18

Denomination: Baptist