Sermons on Avoiding Legalism:

Avoid Harmful Relationships.

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Mar 10, 2024

The Bible doesn't ask us to seek out perfect people, but rather to build relationships with fellow sinners who have experienced God's transformative love. At the same time, Scripture does provide guidance on setting boundaries and being mindful of the company we keep.

2 Timothy 2:22, is a great example of this balance. It encourages us to flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, while also seeking out relationships with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. This reminds us to prioritize relationships that promote ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:1-3, Psalm 101:5, Titus 3:10, Proverbs 18:8, 1 Corinthians 15:33  (view more)  (view less)

Avoiding The Path Of Foolishness Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Dec 21, 2025

This is the 7th Sermon from the Book of Proverbs Series, "Wisdom For Life".

Series: Wisdom For Life [#7] AVOIDING THE PATH OF FOOLISHNESS Proverbs 5:1-6 Introduction: The Book of Proverbs is filled with divine wisdom, guiding us to walk in righteousness and avoid the pitfalls that lead us away from God's best for our lives. Foolishness, as described here, is not ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Avoiding Detours In Destiny Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jan 21, 2026

Destiny is preserved when believers consciously avoid wrong turns caused by disobedience, distraction, pride, and impatience.

AVOIDING DETOURS IN DESTINY By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Proverbs 3:6 Key Verse: “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:6, KJV) Supporting Texts: Hebrews 12:13; Psalm 119:67; 1 Corinthians 10:12; Genesis 13:10-11; Numbers 20:7-12; Luke ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Avoiding A Critical Spirit

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jul 19, 2023

There is a place for honestly confronting others when done in a loving and gracious way. Yet maturity means learning to guard our hearts from an unhelpful, critical spirit, as we'll learn in this story of Miriam and Aaron's criticism of Moses.

It’s summertime folks. And the heat of Texas is here. And that heat causes many to be on edge—on edge enough to gripe or complain about the smallest of things. Do we have any complainers here today? This coming November, I will have been pastor here at SEBC for 27 years. Through those years I ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 12:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Avoiding Burnout In Ministry Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 8, 2025

This message will teach us how to avoid burnout, draw strength from the Holy Spirit, and serve with joy and endurance till the very end.

AVOIDING BURNOUT IN MINISTRY By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Galatians 6:9 Supporting Texts: Exodus 18:17-23, Matthew 11:28-30, 1 Kings 19:4-8, 2 Corinthians 4:1 INTRODUCTION: Ministry is a divine calling that requires dedication, faithfulness, and spiritual strength. However, those who ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9, Exodus 18:17-23, Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How To Avoid Hell Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 4, 2023

The main idea is that hell is a real place, but we can avoid it by accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior, who offers us hope, rest, and peace for eternity.

Today, we're going to talk about a pretty intense topic: hell. I know it's not something we usually chat about, but it's important to understand because Jesus talked about it a lot. In fact, He mentioned it over 70 times in the New Testament. So, let's dive into a story Jesus told about a rich man ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Topics: Salvation, Eternal Life, Repentance, Faith In Christ

How To Avoid Hell Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 8, 2023

The sermon discusses the concept of hell, the importance of redemption through Jesus Christ to avoid it, and encourages reflection on personal perceptions of hell.

What comes to mind when you think about hell? For many of us, I imagine we think of a place in our life filled with pain, torment, or frustration. Others may only have the images in our heads that we’ve seen through movies or online… Story idea; Share here what picture or image comes to mind for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Topics: Redemption, Eternal Life, Jesus Christ

Lesson 30. The Avoidance Of Oaths James 5:12 Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 3, 2021

Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear--not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple "Yes" or "No." Otherwise you will be condemned.

Text Lesson 30. James 5:12 (NIV) Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear--not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple "Yes" or "No." Otherwise you will be condemned. Commentary on James 5:12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do ...read more

Scripture: James 5:12

Denomination: Baptist

Modern-Day Legalism (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Greg Powell on Sep 23, 2020

We have seen how legalism in Paul’s day added works to salvation, but that is largely not what modern-day legalism is in the church now. Legalism for us applies in the area of how we perceive our sanctification and how we portray our spirituality to others.

INTRO: I need to explain what is going on with the next couple of messages. We have dipped our toe in the water of legalism as it has been addressed in the book of Galatians so far. I am going to take a couple messages and jump into the entire pool of what legalism looks like for us today. We ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

Legalism Rears Its Ugly Head! Series

Contributed by John Hamby on May 3, 2001

Reasons why legalism must be resisted.

A Study of the Book of Acts Sermon # 22 "Legalism Rears Its Ugly Head" Acts 15:1-23 Tonight I want to speak to you on the very touchy subject of legalism. I thought, Oh well I spoke on money this morning I might as well ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon 7 - Believer, Beware Series

Contributed by David Owens on Oct 27, 2025

In this sermon's section from Colossians, Paul warns the Colossian Christians to avoid the false teachings of legalism, mysticism and asceticism. Christians from all times need to heed these warnings as well.

Introduction: A. One day a customer was entering a little country store and noticed a sign posted on the door warning, “Danger! Beware of dog!” 1. Inside, the customer noticed a harmless old hound dog asleep on the floor beside the cash register, and asked: “Is that the dog folks are supposed ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-23, Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Avoid Extremist's Perspectives

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

It is not uncommon for some well meaning Christians to lose his or her sense of balance in one of two directions: legalistically or traditionally.

It is not uncommon for some well meaning Christians to lose his or her sense of balance in one of two directions: legalistically or traditionally. Being very concerned about their ability to follow the scriptures down to the last letter of its truth, these conservatives insist on a strict ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:2-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Bondage Of Legalism And Freedom Of True Righteousness Series

Contributed by David Taylor on Mar 6, 2014

Philippians - Manual of Joy The Bondage of Legalism and Freedom of True Righteousness

Philippians - Manual of Joy The Bondage of Legalism and Freedom of True Righteousness Philipians 3:1-11 David Taylor Legalism is as deadly as it is dangerous. It brings about spiritual bondage and frustration in the Christian life, it hampers the inner transformation that God intends; and it ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are You A Legalist? Or An Illegalist?

Contributed by Jason Smith on Sep 15, 2013

Are you a legalist, or are you an illegalist? In other words, do you follow the law of God, or do you disobey the law of God? It is not a bad thing to be labeled a legalist. Satan has used this creative title to try to deceive many people to disobey God.

Matthew 7:13-27 Who in this room would consider themselves a legalist? This is the topic that I would like to briefly talk to you about tonight: Legalism, or “The Lie of Legalism.” Since the beginning of the Lord’s church, the devil has held nothing back; He has created so many ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Our Freedom In Christ PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 31, 2023

This sermon explores confronting legalism, embracing Christ's liberation, and living in the freedom of God's grace as highlighted in Galatians 2:11-21.

Good morning, beloved family of God. We are gathered here today, not as mere spectators, but as active participants in the divine narrative God is writing in our lives. We are not bystanders, but rather, we are the living epistles of God’s grace, the tangible expressions of His love and mercy. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:11-21

Topics: Legalism