Jesus & the Pharisees (Dealing with the Pharisee in me) - Dave Webster

·42 min·4 clips

Dave Webster says if the Bible doesn't offend you, you're reading it wrong, and reveals the Pharisee in all of us.

Dave Webster opens the sermon with worship and announcements about Easter services, expecting over 6,000 attendees. He introduces the 'Jesus and' series, focusing on the Pharisees as a mirror for self-reflection. Webster reads Luke 5 about new wine in new wineskins and Acts 7:51 on resisting the Holy Spirit. He challenges listeners to embrace offence from God's Word for change, stating that if the Bible doesn't offend, it's being read wrong. Webster explains the historical context of the Pharisees, a religious sect formed during exile to teach God's law, but they missed Jesus due to pride. He lists ingredients of Pharisaism, such as a need to be right and justifying actions with shame. Webster emphasizes that Jesus loved the Pharisees but opposed their pride, using harsh language to provoke humility. He discusses James 4:6-10 on God opposing the proud. The sermon analyzes three Luke passages: Jesus healing a paralyzed man and forgiving his sins, showing forgiveness offends pride; Jesus calling Levi the tax collector, demonstrating welcome for outcasts; and Jesus healing a man with a shriveled hand on the Sabbath, illustrating empowerment where sin weakens. Webster connects forgiveness to healing, sharing ministry anecdotes. He highlights that Pharisees sat when they should stand, blocking healing, and urges listeners to stop judging. The sermon concludes with an altar call for salvation and repentance, praying for revival. Webster mentions upcoming guest Pastor Lane Krantz and closes with a prayer.

As heard by us

A roof-breaking healing story becomes a searching sermon on forgiveness, authority, and pride.

The sermon frames the healing of the paralysed man lowered through the roof as more than a miracle story. Its focus lands on pride, authority, and the surprise of Jesus first saying that the man's sins are forgiven.

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Why you'd press play

You want a roof-rattling Bible story and a sermon that asks where pride lives in you.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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