Sermons on Faith Vs Legalism:

Holiness Without Legalism

Contributed by Brian La Croix on May 12, 2003

A message looking to help people live a life of holiness without falling into the trap of legalism.

Holiness Without Legalism 1 Peter 1:15-16, Galatians 5:1 May 4, 2003 Introduction Have you ever seen a proud legalist? I have. They wouldn’t necessarily call themselves a legalist, but they are. They live their lives around making sure everything is just right so they don’t mess up with God or ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:15-16, Galatians 5:1

Denomination: Wesleyan

Christains Are Not Bound By Legalism Series

Contributed by William D. Brown on Mar 30, 2014

While Paul was in prison in Rome, Epaphras came too Paul as he needed Paul's help, he explained to Paul that some new doctrines were being taught in Colossi and were invading the church and creating problems.

#7~ Col.2:16-23~ CHRISTAINS ARE NOT BOUND BY LEGALIZISM~ 1-5-14 * Let's review just a little to do with of study. In 61a.d. - a devastating earthquake hit the area, destroying Colossae, Laodicea, and Heiropolis, probably just after Paul wrote his letters to the Christians of that area. ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-23

Denomination: Baptist

Christ Verses Legalism

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Apr 27, 2018

Christ has not only set us free from sin, but he has also set us free from religious rules and regulations.

CHRIST VERSES LEGALISM Text: Col. 2:16-19 Introduction 1. Illustration: "What must I forsake?" a young man asked. "Colored clothes for one thing. Get rid of everything in your wardrobe that is not white. Stop sleeping on a soft pillow. Sell your musical instruments and don't eat any more white ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-19

Denomination: Methodist

Legalism Versus Love

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

We are in a world of great religious competition. We will all tend to follow one of these two strategies: The legalistic or the loving, the rule book power, or relationship power.

We live in a world where competition is a master motive. When the news reach Russia in 1945 that the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Stalin ordered secret scientists to find a way to catch up to the U.S. Andrei Sakharov was only 24 years old then, but his brilliant mind was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20

Legalism Versus Love Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 17, 2021

We are in a world of great religious competition. We will all tend to follow one of these two strategies: The legalistic or the loving, the rule book power, or relationship power.

We live in a world where competition is a master motive. When the news reach Russia in 1945 that the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Stalin ordered secret scientists to find a way to catch up to the U.S. Andrei Sakharov was only 24 years old then, but his brilliant mind was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20

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

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

The Life Of Faith Series

Contributed by Patrick O'loughlin on Jun 4, 2008

The life of faith as demonstrated by Abraham

Text: Hebrews 11:8-19 Title: The Life of Faith Introduction Last Sunday we looked at the verse “And without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (v6) Faith is 1. Coming to God. 2. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:8-19

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Is Legalism A Bad Word?

Contributed by Patrick Nix on Jul 9, 2010

This message deals with the fact that God’s law (from Moses to Christ) is good and that its continued presence in church and culture is right, not wrong.

Too many people today, even Christians, feel like the days of grace and spiritual liberty should erase the law of God. If any minister or church preaches or teaches the laws of God as good, they are labeled as old-fashioned, cult-like, or legalistic. Since when did ‘legalism’ (the idea of abiding ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

Legal Tender, Or Counterfeit? Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Sep 30, 2016

We need to get as familiar as possible with the real God of the Bible. Then we'll find it easy to recognize the counterfeits.

Ephesians 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:14-16

Denomination: *other

Leaning Against Legalism

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jun 20, 2011

We often measure our success by how closely we stick to a set of expectations - whether on the job, at home, or in our walk with the Lord. We do good, we feel good - we do bad, we feel bad. But measuring success is really much different in a relationship

When you apply for a job you supply your resume—it’s that collection of information that tells why you are qualified for a particular position. Until not too long ago, a very important thing to have when going to a new area was a letter of recommendation. We still use them occasionally. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:1-18

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Legal Counsel For Christians Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Aug 4, 2023

Jesus provides counsel on domestic disputes, sex crimes, adultery and divorce; and He even says something that can be applied to swearing on the Bible in a court of law. Jesus, being part of the court of heaven, knows about legal matters!

I have entitled our message for this morning, “Legal Counsel for Christians.” You may not realize it, but the Bible is full of courtroom imagery. The most noteworthy example is the great white throne of judgement seen in the book of Revelation (20:11-15). Did you know that Jesus will be there ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:25-37

Denomination: Baptist

Legality Verses Liberty Series

Contributed by Ian Humphrey on Oct 31, 2025

Legality verses Liberty

Galatians 4 v 21 - 31 Legality verses Liberty The Law Confronted In Grace - 21 Tell me, In Grit - ye that desire to be under the law, In Grief - do ye not hear the law? The Law Contrasted Two Different Sons - 22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, Two Different Mothers - the one ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:21-31

Denomination: Holiness

Legalism, Mercy, Grace Series

Contributed by Doug Warren on Mar 25, 2006

The Woman caught in adultery faced leaglism but found mercy and Grace in Jesus Christ.

Intro: 1. Each segment of society has its own terminology: a. computer terms (foreign to me) b. medical terms (confusing,hard to understand) c. mechanic terms (could fool me in a minute!) 2. The church is no exception...we use terms like justification, sanctification, glorification, ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Legalism Versus Holiness Series

Contributed by Dan Borchert on Sep 23, 2004

Legalism Versus Holiness, we all want to live holy lives, but sometimes we cross the line and being to live legalistic lives, were is the line?

Romans 7:1-7:25 Getting on the Same Page As God About Legalism verse Holiness Introduction A. Close your eyes. B. Everyone’s eyes Closed? C. Do not start thinking about lunch D. Do not start thinking about that nice juicy steak you will be enjoying E. Do not start thinking about the sweet ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:1-25

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance