Sermons on Avoiding Legalism:

How Free Are You? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 25, 2005

As Christians we consider ourselves to be free - but in fact we fall into slavery very easily - slavery to legalism. What is legalism and its corallary labelism?

Do you feel free? Free in Christ? Did you know that you although you may feel free you may have enslaved yourself - to what you ask? To legalism. Not possible. Yes - it’s a lot easier than you think. Winning freedom over legalism is what Galatians is all about. We’re going to learn what ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:1-24

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

True Hope And False Hope PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 3, 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

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

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

Avoiding Self-Deception Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Apr 27, 2005

Self-Deception is rooted in our thinking, and visible in our activities. Or, if we look at it in reverse – what we do, or how we act is in reality a product of our belief system – ie: what we believe. So, if our believing is wrong then our acting will b

AVOIDING SELF-DECEPTION 1 Corinthians 3:18-23 INTRODUCTION: Just recently, our area has been exposed to an unusual sight – a beluga whale. He has been meandering up and down the river, between Burlington and Trenton. Lots of people have gone to the river’s edge in hopes of catching a glimpse of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:18-23

Denomination: Baptist

How To Avoid The Axe Series

Contributed by David Elvery on Nov 27, 2005

A Message of how to avoid God’s judment

Luke 3:1- 15 – How to avoid the axe Have you every traveled on a road which is so pitted with potholes, you are forced to slow down. Some of them are so deep, particularly after rain, that you think you are going to be swallowed up. I’ve got this picture of an African pothole hanging on the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-15

Denomination: Baptist