Sermons on Avoiding Legalism:

Stumblingblock Or Steppingstone?

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 20, 2012

We can have unity without uniformity. And just because you CAN do something in your Christian liberty doesn’t mean you SHOULD.

Stumbling Block or Stepping Stone? Romans 14:13-23 Audio: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/121212.mp3 In Divisions Over Debatables we looked at gray areas of the Christian life. The discussion was about how we are to treat other Christians who see things differently than we do. We are a diverse ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:13-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Joy Of Living A Grace-Based Life

Contributed by Brandon Cox on Nov 9, 2011

Every believer in Christ has a right standing with God, and can therefore walk in spiritual confidence! We can move from living by rule-keeping to living by grace.

How Most of Us Live - Based on rules - For the approval of others - For our own version of success Romans 5:1-5 Our State vs. Our Standing John Phillips talks about the difference between our standing as believers, and our state as believers. Our standing is that we are perfect and righteous, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Religious In All Respects

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Mar 11, 2012

Religion doesn’t save you; a relationship with God through Jesus Christ saves you.

Religious in all Respects March 11, 2012 Morning Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: Religion doesn’t save you; a relationship with God through Jesus Christ saves you. Focus Passage: Acts 17:22-31 Supplemental Passage: If anyone thinks himself to be ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:22-31

Denomination: Baptist

Matthew 5 - Part 11 - Quick, I Think I Need A Lawyer! Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Dec 31, 2009

When it comes to the law, I am not merely an in-law (one whose relationship with God is based on a set of rules and regulations) or an outlaw (one who wants to live outside the law). I need a lawyer!

Matthew 5 - Part 11 - I think I need a lawyer? I once went to court on behalf of young mother with an intellectual disability. She was a difficult person and the Department of Children’s Services had decided, in their wisdom, to apply the letter of the law and take away her child. It was my task ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sorry, Mr. Goody Two Shoes! Series

Contributed by George Mclaughlin Jr. on Oct 8, 2009

Legalism is "Any attempt to gain or maintain the favor of God based upon what I do." Paul gives us four reasons to let go of the false hope of "fixing" our own lives, in order that God accept us.

Outline for CBF June 14, 2009 AM Romans 2:1-16 "Sorry Mr. Goody Two-Shoes!" Intro. Tell story of a boy when he ratted on his sister for not having her eyes closed when we were saying grace. - Definition of legalism: "Any attempt to gain or maintain the favor of God based upon what I do." - ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:1-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

#14 The Gathering Storm Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Mar 29, 2020

Jesus could have moderated his stance to protect Himself. But in Mark 3:1-6 Jesus did just the opposite. He did it to help someone with a withered hand, and to prompt the Pharisees to do their part in fulfilling the plan of redemption.

#14 The Gathering Storm Series: Mark March 29, 2020 Chuck Sligh NOTE: PowerPoint or ProPresenter presentations are available for this sermon by request at chucksligh@hotmail.com. Please mention the title of the sermon and the Bible text to help me find the sermon in my archives. TEXT: Please turn ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Free At Last Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jan 10, 2019

In Galatians 5:1-6, we see Liberty 1) Defined (Galatians 5:1) 2) Defended (Galatians 5:2-4) and 3) Described (Galatians 5:5-6)

In 1963 American civil rights proponent Martin Luther King said: "So let freedom ring. From the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire, let freedom ring. From the mighty mountains of New York, let freedom ring. From the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania, let freedom ring. But not only ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-6

Denomination: Other

Finding Religion Or Faith #3 Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Oct 3, 2019

We return to Galatians, moving into chapter three and entitling this sermon, Religion or Faith? Paul continues his rant by challenging us through a diatribe.

We return to Galatians, moving into chapter three and entitling this sermon, Religion or Faith? Paul continues his rant by challenging us through a diatribe. A diatribe is a rhetorical method often used by orators of his day which uses ironic, satirical and sometimes even abuse language to make a ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:21-27, Romans 12:9-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Interrogation Of Faith Series

Contributed by Greg Powell on Aug 19, 2020

As Paul continues to defend doctrine, he asks the Galatians 6 rapid-fire questions in 5 verses.

INTRO: These next two chapters are going to be a little complicated. The 60 verses that make up Galatians 3 and 4 are said to be some of the strongest writing that Paul ever penned. His opponents, the Judaizers, were using every possible means to enslave the believers in Galatia, and Paul was not ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Stand Fast In Liberty Part 2 Series

Contributed by Eric Hanson on Jul 21, 2015

This is the second in our series at Hosanna Church highlighting our concerns with the Hebraic Roots movement currently making its way through church circles.

Stand Fast in Liberty (part 2) Pastor Eric J. Hanson July 19, 2015 Galatians 5:1 Review of the first Message in this Series On July 5th, Pastor Dallas shared a fine sermon dealing with a current threat to genuine Christian Liberty. This is not a threat coming from outside of the Church from her ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Time To Dance

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 17, 2015

Is it okay for Christians to dance? Are rules against dancing just silly man-made rules or are they right? If dancing is okay, what kind of dancing would be right?

the Christian Church has a long history of making up rules that are not in the Bible. Is this right? Is dancing biblical or forbidden? What is the answer? Jesus criticized the Pharisees for making up religious rules that are not in the Bible. One example of this among Christians is the topic of ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:4

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom's Maturity Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Nov 17, 2016

You are adult sons of God, so don’t behave like children; behave like the adult sons you are.

Marian Obeda, from London, Ontario, talks about a time when her husband, a pastor, was asked to officiate at a lot of weddings over a short few months. During that time, they were also preparing for their son's birthday party, so Marian asked her son who he wanted to invite. He responded with a ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Triumphant Joy Defended Series

Contributed by Derrick Strickland on Mar 19, 2016

Paul reminds us that our Joy must be defended against things that rob of us of Joy.

NTRO: 1. So far Paul has taught us that it’s important for us to understand or define triumphant Joy, then he revealed to us how we can refine or develop that Joy… but tonight Paul sees it important to remind us that our joy must always be defended. 2. It may came as no surprise for ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-21

Denomination: Pentecostal

There Is A Pharisee In All Of Us

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jul 9, 2013

A sermon on Mark 7:1-23 on the teachings and traditions of the Pharisees (Material and outline taken from Dave Swavely's book, Who Are You to Judge?, chapter 7, Jesus and Legalism; HoHum from: http://www.sermons4kids.com/skin_deep.htm)

HoHum: Isn't this a beautiful apple? The skin is so red and shiny. Just look how smooth it is. It has a beautiful shape and I don't see any spots that look like the bugs or worms have eaten into it. Yes, this is a really good apple. Oh, you might be thinking, "You can't tell if an apple is good by ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Paul's Authority

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 29, 2023

Did Paul just go about his missionary work without checking with others in the broader church to make sure that his message was orthodox?

The letter to the churches in Galatia describes a problem that still exists today, how they had fallen backwards from the grace of the Gospel into outward works of the law like circumcision. Thus, the theme of Galatians is justification by faith in Christ’s death and resurrection apart from the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist