Sermons on Avoiding Legalism:

Avoiding Spiritual Emptiness Series

Contributed by David Flowers on May 10, 2006

In part three of series Jesus, Post-Resurrection, Dave looks closely at Colossians 2:1-10. We learn how to identify an empty belief system, and how to avoid spiritual emptiness.

In 1996 I was a graduate student at Oakland University. I was doing an internship at a counseling center in Flint to finish up my Master’s degree in Counseling. I was new and very inexperienced, and was working in my office one day when the phone rang. All the “real” therapists were busy, so I ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-10

Denomination: Free Methodist

Avoiding The Mistake Of Materialism Series

Contributed by David Owens on May 8, 2007

The mistake of materialism leads to destruction. In this sermon look at what happened to four people who feel into the trap of materialism.

Introduction: A. One of the biggest mistakes we can make in life is to buy into the myth that more is better and that money and the things it can buy will make us happy. B. All he ever wanted was more. 1. He wanted more money so he turned inherited wealth into a billion dollars worth of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Legalism: Our Great Enemy Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Dec 22, 2003

Paul has been writing to the Philippian church, warning them about internal controversies that could divide them. Now Paul turns the attention of the church in Philippi away from the internal controversies and tells them to watch out for legalists.

What is your aim as a Christian? The aim of a Christian is to, or should be to, please God. Every Christian should in his heart seek to please God. So as Christians we often as that question. What can we do to please God? One person asked this question to a respected Christian institution. He ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Faith Not Legalism (Galatians 3)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 18, 2024

Did Jesus say that until heaven and earth pass away, obedience to the law remains? Did the apostles contradict Him? Let's find out in Galatians 3.

Paul explained how we are justified by grace through faith, not works of the law. How is Abraham a model for Christians? Who are the real children of Abraham? What about Christians who insist on the works of the law? Is the law continued in spirit, discontinued in the letter, and thus transformed ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Legalism Is Sin & Slavery

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 30, 2023

What did Paul teach about the law and faith? Let's look at Galatians 2.

Paul was directly taught by the resurrected Jesus, but did not act like a rebel. Instead he cooperated with the Apostles before him. Legalism is Sin & Slavery Where did Paul go to double check his teachings about the law and the Gospel? Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Legal Threats (Ezra 5)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 30, 2025

Do we quit God's work under legal threats?

Do those who oppose God’s work on earth sometimes make legal threats? Should we continue God’s work even in the face of threats or quit? Let’s begin in Ezra 5. After years of delay, did prophets encourage the people to return to rebuilding the temple? Then the prophet Haggai and the prophet ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Using Appropriate Legal Channels Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Oct 10, 2025

Acts 25:1-12 shows us how God sovereignly protects his servants in the face of hostile opposition, enabling them to proclaim the truth with unwavering conviction.

Introduction In 1999, Sonny Bharadia, a 25-year-old Indian immigrant and recent college graduate working as a convenience store clerk in Savannah, GA, was wrongfully convicted of assaulting and murdering 19-year-old Stephanie Bennett. The crime occurred in a parked car near a local park. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 25:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Grace And The Hidden Chains Of Legalism

Contributed by Antonio Manaytay on Jun 24, 2025

This sermon discusses the danger of slipping to legalism after being saved by grace.

Scripture: Galatians 5:1 (NIV) "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Grace is a glorious gift. It is the unmerited favor of God lavished upon sinners who cannot earn their way to heaven. The ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

Avoiding Sexual Temptations

Contributed by Dean Rhine on May 13, 2008

Various proverbs

Avoiding Sexual Temptations - Assorted Proverbs Turn with me if you would to the book of Proverbs, chapter 5. We have been going through the Old Testament together, and we are looking at the period of the unified kingdom: God brought the Jews as His chosen people into a land that he had prepared ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Avoiding Sexual Temptations

Contributed by Dean Rhine on Jun 19, 2018

Proverbs about Sexual Purity

Avoiding Sexual Temptations - Assorted Proverbs Turn with me if you would to the book of Proverbs, chapter 5. We have been going through the Old Testament together, and we are looking at the period of the unified kingdom: God brought the Jews as His chosen people into a land that he had prepared ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

True Hope And False Hope PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 4, 2023

This sermon explores the difference between true hope, grounded in faith, and false hope, which is superficial and hypocritical, using Matthew 23:27-28 as a guide.

Hello, family! It's a blessing to be with you all today. We're here to talk about something that we all need in our lives - hope. Now, hope can be a tricky thing, can't it? Sometimes it's a beacon in the dark, lighting our way. Other times, it seems to be just out of reach, a mirage in the desert ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:27-28

Topics: Avoid Hypocrisy

Fourteen Errors To Avoid Or How To Avoid Loving The World

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 10, 2003

The following are fourteen errors to avoid that people often fall into when they succumb to the love of the world

Marks of Worldliness (I John 2:15,16) Love not the world or the things that are in the world. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world. The following are fourteen errors to avoid that people ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Avoid The Problems Of Miscommunication

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

We ought to speak the truth we feel With careful thought for those who hear; For truth and love must try to sense What others feel, what others fear

Avoid the Problems of Miscommunication (I Thes 2:6-12) Many problems in our relationships grow out of miscommunication. Failure to communicate love, truth and relevance often leads to alienation. Many people mistakening assume they are friends but through miscommunications they have drifted in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:6-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Avoid Deterioration 

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. Billions of dollars are spent every year on anti-aging solutions.

1. Billions of dollars are spent every year on anti-aging solutions. Yesterday, CNN reported a new testosterone cr?me that guarantees men greater youthful strength in the old age. However few people take into account the reality of human deteriorating forces. Paul once wrote, "Therefore, we do not ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:39-50

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Avoiding Short Cuts Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 22, 2002

Antioch was a booming church with great potential. But they lacked one thing that would make them great.

TITLE: Avoiding Short Cuts OPEN: Several years ago the Chattanooga Free Press told the story of a woman who had decided to take a short cut to cleaning the birdcage that housed her favorite canary Chippie. Having a busy schedule that day, she decided to clean the cage with the vacuum cleaner. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ