Playlist: Leaven as Corrupt Doctrine (topic)
The Leavening of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herod
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingJesus warned of three varieties of leaven that we must guard against, staying aware of the pitfalls that will pull us down and corrupt us.
Influence of Leavening
Sermonette by James BeaubelleBoth the Old and New Testaments illustrate that sin is subtle, persuasive, and deeply rooted, prompting Almighty God to call His saints to come out of Babylon.
How Much Leaven Can God Take?
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughDuring the Days of Unleavened Bread, the physical effects of leaven on flour are used to portray sin's spiritual impact on a life lived. Leaven, defined as any substance added to dough that produces fermentation, acts as a fungus breaking down carbohydrates in flour, producing gas that causes the mixture to puff up. This process …
Parables of Matthew 13 (Part 2): Leaven
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe parable presents the kingdom of heaven as leaven that a woman takes and hides in three measures of meal until the whole is leavened. This image startles because Scripture consistently employs leaven as a symbol of corruption that spreads and multiplies. In every other biblical occurrence the term denotes sin, hypocrisy, …
Dominion and Leaven (Part Two)
Sermonette byIn the parable of the leaven, as recorded in Matthew 13:33, Jesus Christ spoke to the multitudes, declaring that the kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal until it was all leavened. This imagery draws from Genesis 18:6, where three measures of meal symbolized the fellowship between …
Unleavened Bread Basics
Sermon by David C. GrabbeThe Feast of Unleavened Bread serves as a profound memorial of God's deliverance, a theme central to its observance. Within this context, leaven emerges as a powerful symbol of corruption, extending beyond mere sin to encompass ideas, philosophies, and approaches that lead to spiritual bondage. As noted in I Corinthians 5:6-8, a …
Leavening: The Types
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLeaven as corrupt doctrine enters the mind through spiritual teachings absorbed before conversion from family, friends, business, and the pervasive influence of Satan as ruler of this world. Jesus warned His disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees, which they later understood as their doctrine, a form of …
The Parable of the Leaven, Expanded
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughLeaven functions as a consistent biblical symbol of the corruption of sin, and this understanding becomes essential to interpreting Jesus' Parable of the Leaven in Matthew 13:33. Since Scripture must interpret Scripture consistently, and leaven is negative everywhere else in the Bible, it cannot suddenly become a positive symbol …
What Is Christ's Hidden Treasure?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe parables of the leaven and the treasure hidden in the field show two sides of the same coin. The hidden treasure is the God-given solution to the leaven.
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe theme of leaven as corrupt doctrine emerges directly from Jesus' warning in Matthew 16:6, 11-12, where He cautions His disciples to beware not of literal bread but of "the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees"—that is, their false teachings. Though these two groups held some truth, their overall doctrinal …
Why Many Do Not Understand
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe parable of the leaven, found among the eight parables of Matthew 13, illustrates how spiritual symbols in Scripture must be interpreted consistently rather than physically. Since leaven is never portrayed as a positive symbol anywhere in the Bible, it cannot suddenly represent something good within this parable. God's use of …
Freedom and Unleavened Bread
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLeaven, as developed here, symbolizes the corruption of doctrine and, more broadly, the corrupting principle of sin that infects, spreads, and changes something from its original pure state into something else. This is established directly through Christ's warning in Matthew 16:6 and 12, where "the leaven of the Pharisees and …
Matthew (Part Twenty-One)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe Pharisees and Sadducees, who normally opposed each other, joined forces against their common enemy, Jesus. They should have recognized Him as the Messiah.
The Unleavened Life Is a Happy Life!
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Days of Unleavened Bread define our responsibility in God's plan to purge out habits, attitudes, and teachings that do not conform to God's way.
Unleavened Bread and Hope
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAfter we purge the corruption from our lives, we must replace it with the anti-leaven of truth and sincerity, or our last state will be worse than the first.
The Sacrifices of Leviticus (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe meal offering represents the second Great Commandment, love toward fellow man. Our service to others requires much grinding self-sacrifice and surrender.
Amos (Part Seven)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughGod, through His prophets, warns that He will chasten His people with increasing severity until they repent and begin to reflect His characteristics.
Government (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOnly those who are governable will be allowed to govern with God. No government will work without each individual submitting in his area of responsibility.
The Eyes of the Blind Shall Be Opened
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe warning Jesus gave His disciples while crossing the sea forms a pivotal element in understanding spiritual blindness and the necessity of doctrinal clarity. After the disciples forgot to bring bread and had only one loaf in the boat, Jesus said to them, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the leaven of …
Purpose-Driven Churches (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOutcome-based religion holds large membership as its measure of success, believing that the ends justify the means. It avoids doctrine that might divide.