Sermons on faith vs legalism:

Useless Faith Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 25, 2008

Faith is so much more than a passive agreement to a set of doctrines. Saving faith transforms the one who believes. Without this transformation, how will anyone know whether we are saved, or merely pretending to be a follower of Christ?

JAMES 2:20-26 USELESS FAITH “Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; ...read more

Scripture: James 2:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

Faith That Works Series

Contributed by Archie Norman on Oct 27, 2014

study in James

Faith that Works James 2:14-26 1. The evidence of faith - vs. 14-16 *Profession is not faith 2. The element of faith - v. 17 *life and works 3. The explanation of faith - vs. 18-19 A. Faith is not mental assent B. Faith is not emotional assent C. Faith is not ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom From Legalism PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 4, 2023

Understand and appreciate the freedom and love we receive from God's grace, as explained in Paul's letter to the Galatians, rather than complicating it with legalism and rules.

Good morning, Church Family! You know, we have a tendency to complicate things that are simple. We can even turn the beautiful gift of God’s grace into a frustrating set of rules and regulations. But let’s remind ourselves of what Philip Yancey once said: “Grace means there is nothing we can do to ...read more

Topics: Frustration, Freedom

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

Faith That Works Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Aug 10, 2011

What you believe governs what you do; if you don't do what Jesus commands, you don't really believe what he says. Or some other belief is stronger.

As many of you know, my mother is coming to visit me in a couple of weeks. As a matter of fact, she'll be playing for the Sunday service on the 23rd. And guess what? I'm going to finish emptying out my boxes before she arrives. This is because I know my mother, and I know she'll be here. ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Visible Faith

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Aug 19, 2024

People tend to think about faith as a private matter. James would argue otherwise for a visible faith.

As we’ve been studying the book of James - we have observed how he calls us to have a “spiritual wholeness” - a faith that runs throughout all that we are. A faith that is revealed in our character, exhibited in conflicts, and heard in our conversations. He calls us to… persevere amidst trials, ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26, Proverbs 3:27, Romans 3:28, Deuteronomy 6:4, Hebrews 11:19, Ephesians 5:3, Romans 12:3-8, Malachi 3:10, Nehemiah 6:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Abraham: Justified By Faith Or By Works? Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Apr 22, 2005

Paul turns to Abraham to show that he too was justified before God by faith and not by works.

Scripture When asked about Christianity, actress Sophia Loren was reported as saying several years ago in the USA Today, “I’m not a practicant, but I pray. I read the Bible. It’s the most beautiful book ever written. I should go to heaven; otherwise it’s not nice. I haven’t done anything wrong. My ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:6-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Stand Fast In The Liberty Of Faith Series

Contributed by Michael Martin on Apr 8, 2006

Series on the Book of Galatians - Part 4 of 8

Galatians The Galatian churches included those in the cities of Lystra, Iconium, Antioch of Pisidia, and Derbe which were established on Paul’s first missionary journey and revisited on his subsequent missionary trips. The six chapters of this epistle are divided into three main sections of ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-26

Denomination: Baptist

Saved By Good Works Or By Faith? Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Jan 5, 2008

This sermon answers the question, "Are we saved by good works or by faith?"

Scripture The October 22, 1996 headlines of The Times of London cried: Lost Forever: A Nation’s Heritage Looted By Its Own People. Afghanistan’s National Museum in Kabul is rubble, said the newspaper. It once held one of the world’s greatest multicultural antique collections: Persian, Indian, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-5

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Reliable Evidences Of Saving Faith Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Dec 7, 2007

In this sermon we examine some reliable evidences of saving faith.

Scripture In our study of Romans we have observed that Paul has emphatically insisted that we come into a right relationship with God only by his grace and not through our own effort. We deserve God’s wrath. We deserve God’s condemnation. We deserve God’s sentence of hell. But, God extends ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:27-28

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Speaking The Legal Truth Series

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Mar 16, 2004

How the officials accused Jesus of deserving to die for breaking the law - and how the law ended up stating that very thing - but a different law.

March 17, 2004 John 19:4-7 Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.” 5 When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” 6 As soon as the ...read more

Scripture: John 19:4-7

Denomination: Lutheran

Abraham As An Example Of Salvation Through Faith Series

Contributed by Andy Flowers on Jan 28, 2008

Series in Romans

Text: Romans 4:1-25 Title: Abraham as an Example of Salvation through Faith Romans 4:1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

Moses Vs. Pharaoh Series

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Dec 3, 2008

God’s way isn’t always the easy way, but it’s always the best way.

[If you would like to receive free weekly sermons by email, please contact pastorjonathan@fhfbc.org] For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and out a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV). Fear is the opposite of faith. 24By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

Dark Vs. Light

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Mar 15, 2012

Sermon for the fourth Sunday in Lent, Year B.

John 3: 14 – 21 / Dark Vs. Light Intro: I want to take a survey this morning. I’m going to appoint someone to count for me. If you like milk chocolate, raise your hand. --- If you like dark chocolate, raise your hand. --- If you don’t like chocolate, raise your hand. --- ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Justified By Grace Not Legalism

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 3, 2023

Are we justified by grace or lawkeeping? Do Jesus and Paul contradict each other?

Paul explained how we are justified by grace, not works of the law. How did we receive the Holy Spirit? You irrational Galatians! Who put a spell on you? Jesus Christ was put on display as crucified before your eyes! I just want to know this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible