Sermons on Avoiding Legalism:

The Problem With A Religion Of Rules Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 11, 2022

Two Sabbath stories bring out some key dangers of a rules-based religion.

- We have two stories here that both look into the rules the religious leaders had back in Jesus’ day concerning the Sabbath. THE PROBLEM WITH A RELIGION OF RULES: 1. WE ARE SELECTIVE ABOUT WHICH RULES WE PAY ATTENTION TO. - Matthew 12:1-5, 9-11. - The Pharisees considered themselves to be the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Better Than Anything - Philippians 3:7-9 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 3, 2022

Why is it so evil for a person to try to make himself righteous?

Philippians 3:7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them filth, that I may gain Christ 9 and be ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-9

Our Proclamation To The World Series

Contributed by Mike Lewis on Dec 22, 2022

We are truly better together.

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION - Speak on the goodness of our being together this morning - This series called “We Are Better Together” o Intentional in pointing our minds to unity as a church family and as part of the churches of Christ. “I GOT THIS.” In August of 2018, Therra Gwyn-Jaramillo was down ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, Luke 22:14-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

People Can Stifle God's Love Series

Contributed by Paul Shafit on Dec 1, 2009

The contrast between legalism and loving obedience of God’s Word

A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and asked, "How heavy is this glass of water?" Answers called out ranging from 2 to 5 pounds. The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it." He continued, ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Righteousness Par Excellence Series

Contributed by Johann Neethling on Sep 18, 2006

What God is after is a love relationship with His people – not legalism.

RIGHTEOUSNESS PAR EXCELLENCE Matthew 5:17-20 1. I have been an “average person” much of my life. • During my school years, I was an average student in my class. I studied and worked and aimed as high as I could, but I knew there were always those other students who would consistently achieve ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: United Methodist

The Walk Of Faith Series

Contributed by Rodney Coe on Feb 12, 2015

We must lookout for spiritual pitfalls of philosophy, legalism and worldliness.

The Walk of Faith Colossians 2:1-10 As we continue on Sunday morning our series through the book of Colossians let me refresh our memories on where we are. This letter from the Apostle Paul to the church of Colossae was written while Paul was in prison. He had never been to the church but he led ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Religious Challenge

Contributed by John Knight on Apr 14, 2003

Overcoming religiosity and legalism. (a piecing together of three sermons from sermoncentral)

The Religious Challenge Mark 7:1-13 Introduction: Christmas phonies My experience with religious phonies Christian legalists made them that way I. Pharisees As Imitations Respected religious leaders Keepers (guardians) of the Law Became a members only club Jesus defines them by 7 ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-13, Mark 7:8-13

Denomination: Holiness

The Perilous Times

Contributed by Bishop Prof. Julius Soyinka on Aug 11, 2014

There is a prophecy concerning the end time that evil will be on the increase. We can see the fulfillment in our generation today indicating that the end has come.

THE PERILOUS TIMES STUDY TEXTS: 2, TIMOTHY 3:1-15, JUDE 3-5 MEMORY VERSE: 2 TIM 3:1 INTRODUCTION: The greatest threat to the kingdom of God and the church of Jesus Christ today is the carnal, compromising and worldly Christianity the devil is generating to destroy the faith that was once delivered ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-15

Denomination: Pentecostal

Rut: You Will Never Be A Butterfly?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Aug 8, 2018

Ruts of frustration will hinder God's plan for our development. Is life about the destination or how about the journey? Thorns have purposes.

YOU WILL NEVER BE A BUTTERFLY. RUTS: FRUSTRATION By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com ***RUT: a worn track by habitual usage/ passage, YOU WILL NEVER BE A BUTTERFLY? My son played little league baseball in Archer Park in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. The balls fields are in the flood ...read more

Scripture: James 3:9-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Real Reason For John's Martyrdom

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 25, 2025

Read carefully what Paul wrote to the Thessalonians

Friday of the 21st Week in Course: Memorial of Martyrdom of St. John Baptist Today’s Gospel is so widely known and so memorable that most preachers focus on that tale of the Herodian plot to murder John the Baptist, the Elijah-like saint who went before Our Lord Jesus Christ. But to do that would ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, Psalm 97:5-6, Mark 6:17-29

Denomination: Catholic

In Word, In Power And In The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 21, 2021

If we are, in the words of one of the saints, going to be a "spectacle of saints," what better time to be alive than now, when the Church is encircled by enemies from both the left and the right.

Monday of 21st week in Course This is a great time to be alive and to be a Christian. Now it’s not a very convenient time to be a Christian. In fact, with threats of terror coming from every part of the world, it’s not even a very convenient time to be alive. But greatness does not very often ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:13-22, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Denomination: Catholic

Freedom Because Of Christ Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jul 29, 2013

Because of God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness you are free from 3 things: the letter of the Law, legalism of men, lusts of this world. (Acts 15:22-29)

Freedom Because of Christ Acts 15:22-29 Introduction Church this morning is a little different; but sometimes different is good -- Sometimes we need to knock the dust and do something new -- The same old becomes a routine; and this morning is def not routine This passage is a great ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:22-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Gambling – What Does One Really Stand To Lose

Contributed by Don Mcclain on Jan 22, 2003

Legalized gambling is harmful public policy that should be vigorously opposed at all levels.

INTRODUCTION A. GAMBLING DEFINED Merriam-Webster, - to play a game for money or property American Heritage® Dictionary - To bet on an uncertain outcome, as of a contest. - To play a game of chance for stakes. - To take a risk in the hope of gaining an advantage or a benefit. World Book ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:9-18, Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Nine Errors To Avoid In Our Thinking- Matt. 19:16-30

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Sep 21, 2002

Many people are unaware of terrible consequences of wrong thinking. One man told me, "I haven’t committed any crimes and I go to church and try to follow the golden rule therefore God can’t think I am that bad." He reminded me of the poignant encounter th

Eight Errors to Avoid - Matt. 19:16-30 Introduction:Elisabeth Elliot, at Urbana 76, told of her brother Thomas Howard. Their mother let him play with paper bags she’d saved if he put them away afterwards. One day she walked into the kitchen to find them strewn all over the floor. Tom was out at ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Avoiding Costly Mistakes At All Costs - Costly Habits Part 2 Series

Contributed by Don Jones on Sep 10, 2006

This is the second in the series subtitled "Costly Habits". It gives Biblical principles for Avoiding Costly Habits

Avoiding Costly Mistakes at All Costs - Costly Habits Part 2 I Kings 20:1-35 Pastor Don Jones West Glendale Baptist Church Last Sunday we looked at the costly mistake of costly and sometimes deadly habits. King Ben-Hadad was sitting in his tent drinking with his 32 kings instead of on the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 20:1-35

Denomination: Baptist