Sermons on Avoiding Legalism:

The Hero's Hostile Takeover Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jan 23, 2012

When it comes to living life which rules you, law or love? Jesus brought this into sharp focus when it came to healing on the Sabbath and it brings us to confront just who is actually Lord of our lives.

Jesus, our Ultimate Action Hero is waging a battle against enemies who are keeping us captive and away from a relationship with God. He is in the middle of battling the Pharisees, members of the religious establishment of the day who desired power and control. They were oh so good looking on the ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Don't Go Under The House! Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Oct 10, 2011

What do you rely on for how you behave? That might seem like a simple question but who and what influences you can mean the difference between relying on your own abilities or falling on the grace of Jesus. The answer is simple: die!

We start out so well. We come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah and we’re filled with excitement and that “first love” feeling. Once the realities of the flesh with dwell with and the world we dwell in begin to sink in—we face a fork in the road of our Christian maturity. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:1-21

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

We're All Broken Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 21, 2011

The human mind is self-rationalizing and self-deceptive. Without a guide, we have no idea what is right and good. God's Word offers that guide but it's more than just reading a guidebook and determining to do better. We need to come to grips with the brok

Today we are going look at just three verses. Normally these verses might be couched in terms of “this is really bad stuff—this is sin—don’t do it!” While that is true, I want to handle these verses a little differently. Firstly, remember that these words are written ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-22

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Riding The Fence Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 1, 2011

More times than we would probably like to admit, we slip into legalism. It can happen when God takes too long to answer a prayer, or answers in a way we don't expect. We take over the reigns, and it's a mistake!

To continue Paul’s arguments against legalism he turns again to a story in the Old Testament. This time it is the children that God promised to Abram. The issue is whether you let God fulfill His promise of righteousness in you, or whether you want to take the controls and do it yourself. ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Joy Stealers (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Jul 4, 2022

Paul warns the Colossians against legalism, mysticism, and asceticism.

Above All: A Study in Colossians Col 2:18-23 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church Cubbie Dog When I first moved to Illinois, a friend offered to take me to a Cubs game. I explained that I’m not really a baseball fan. He said, “It’s not just baseball, it's Wrigley Field.” ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:18-23

Denomination: Baptist

Modern Day Pharisees

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Sep 28, 2022

Don’t just talk the walk; walk the walk, too.

Modern Day Pharisees September 25, 2022 Morning Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: Don’t just talk the walk; walk the walk, too. Focus Passage: Matthew 23:1-12 Supplemental Passage: 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “..the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Relationship Vs. Religion Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Jul 1, 2019

Paul warns about threee subtles deceptions about living the Christian life that can cause us to get detoured from focusing on a growing love relationship with God.

Having discussed how our victory over the power of sin and the temptations to sin provided by the flesh, the world and the devil in our daily lives has been provided for through Christ death, burial and resurrection; Paul now addresses three subtle detours that can get the child of God. These ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-23

Denomination: Baptist

Learning To Dance Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Jul 15, 2020

In this intro to the book of Galatians, Paul addresses his authority and the grace that changes everything.

I Can’t Dance This may shock you but…I can’t dance. I do dance but just not well. I’m stiff, have very little rhythm, and most of the time look like I’m having some sort of fit. My father tells the story that my mother was one of the best dancers he ever knew. Sadly, I did not inherit any ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Face Off Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Jul 16, 2020

Paul and Peter were in different keys. Actually Peter was out of synch with the Gospel itself and Paul has to confront him to his face about his hypocrisy.

Learning to Dance: Face Off Galatians 2:11-14 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church 02-23-2020 Wrong Key Last Sunday was simply amazing! The “miracle man” Mark Johnson was able to worship with us and I was overjoyed to see the church respond with such love for him. And it was ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:11-14

Denomination: Baptist

Watch Jesus Poke The Bear

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Aug 30, 2018

In Mark 7 Jesus is challenge the Jewish leaders and theology ...about their false theology and prejudice. He is poking the Jewish bear... It will cost Him His life.

In Jesus Holy Name September 2, 2018 Text Mark 7:24,34 Pentecost 15 “Watch Jesus Poke the Bear” Last Sunday we did a little experiment with “hand washing”. I you missed ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24, Matthew 14:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

Be Practical, Not Legalistic Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Oct 30, 2021

Jesus taught the Pharisees how He desires sincere love for people over meaningless ritual, and how He desires grace over legalism. Those who adhere to ritual and tradition are often unable to love others or worship God.

In our message today, we will see how Jesus taught the Pharisees that forgiveness and grace toward others is a necessity before worship. The capacity to extend love and mercy is something that must be present in a person’s heart before he or she is able to worship the Lord in spirit and truth, as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Liberty In Christ

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Sep 13, 2017

We must not abuse the freedom we have in Jesus Christ.

Liberty in Christ September 10, 2017 Morning Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: We must not abuse the freedom we have in Jesus Christ. Focus Passage: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Key Passage: But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

I Am The Door (John 9-10) Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Mar 3, 2024

Week 4 of "What's in a. Name-- The 'I Am' Statements of Jesus"

What’s In a Name? Week 5: I Am the Door Good morning! Please open your Bibles to John 10. Speaking of opening, since we are talking about Jesus being the door, in preparation for this I tried to count all the doors I’ve opened so far this morning. The first door I opened today was the cabinet ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Lord Of The Sabbath Series

Contributed by Fred Sigle on May 17, 2024

This is a study of the gospel of Mark regarding the life of Jesus. It is based on my personal study and research of Scripture and many books and sermons I have read over the years.

GOSPEL OF MARK: GOD’S SERVANT IN ACTION LORD OF THE SABBATH A. Mark 2:23-24 (READ) 1. Over the years STATES and CITIES have had some very strange LAWS on their BOOKS. a. In Florida, a woman may be fined for falling asleep under a hair dryer. b. In Indiana, citizens are not allowed to attend a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:21-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Does Legalism Get Us Off-Track Spiritually?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 6, 2007

This message uses Saul’s poorly-conceived rule as an example of how our rules can create major problems.

- This was a difficult passage to find the “interpretive key” for. How Legalism Starts: He made up a rule that made him feel better. - 1 Samuel 14:24. How Those Around Him Responded: They feared the rule, so they tried to live by it. - 1 Samuel 14:26-28. - v. 26 - There was honey that they ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 14:24-45

Denomination: Baptist