Sermons on Grace Versus Works:

The Divine Partnership: Working Out What God Worked In Series

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Dec 9, 2025

Paul resolves the tension between faith and works by reminding us that our effort to live a holy life is only possible because God is already powerfully at work within our hearts.

Introduction: One of the greatest theological tensions in the Christian life is the balance between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. We often swing between two extremes. On one side, there is the "Let go and let God" mentality, where we become passive, waiting for God to zap us ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Jews, The Law And God Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Mar 4, 2002

Jews have an advantage in that they have God’s law in written form and were the first to receive God’s grace but it doesn’t help since they’re unable to keep the law.

There is no doubt in Paul’s mind as he writes to the Church at Rome, that the Jews are pre-eminent in God’s sight. He makes it clear in 1:16 that the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Mind you he uses the same hierarchy in ch ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

God Is At Work In Our World - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jan 16, 2018

God is always at work in our world: 1. Choosing His people (vs.17). 2. Protecting His people (vs. 17). 3. Patiently leading His people (vs. 18-21). 4. Righteously judging all people (vs. 19-22). 5. Passionately seeking for His people (vs. 22).

God Is at Work in Our World - Part 1 Series: The Book of Acts - Part 43 Acts 13:13-22 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - May 25, 2014 BACKGROUND: *Church, we have started to follow the first missionary journey of Barnabas and Paul. And in tonight's Scripture John Mark leaves the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:13-22

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom In Christ (Part Two) Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Jul 8, 2005

This is the second part of a message dealing with freedom in Christ. Having discussed the consequences of embracing works, Paul now concludes this section by asking some questions of those who have "fallen away from grace."

Scripture “Paul’s doctrine of grace is dangerous!” cried the false teachers in Galatia. “It replaces law with license. Why, if we do away with our rules and abandon our high standards, the churches will fall apart.” Those first century false teachers, known as Judaizers or legalists, were not the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:7-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Matter Of Priorities Series

Contributed by Rick Burdette on Oct 9, 2018

Only God Can Forgive Sins, Physical vs. Spiritual

JAIL BREAK (Breaking the Chains of Unforgiveness) - A Matter of Priorities October 14, 2018 Mark 2:1-12 (p. 700) Introduction: One of my favorite stories of all time is found in Mike Yaconelli’s book “Messy Spirituality.” Chapter two is called, “The Place Our Messiness ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Healing And Hypocrisy. Revised.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 2, 2023

Tradition versus Scripture.

HEALING AND HYPOCRISY. Matthew 14:34-36, Matthew 15:1-9. MATTHEW 14:34-36. It was noised abroad that, of all that ever came to Jesus, He turned none away, ‘and He healed them all’ (cf. Matthew 12:15). It is no wonder that, arriving on the other side of the Lake, Jesus found that His fame had ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:34-36, Matthew 15:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pitfall Of Pietism Series

Contributed by Chris Surber on Apr 26, 2011

We must rely on grace alone, through faith alone. Works fail, grace produces Christ life in us.

Introduction The title of this message out of Romans chapter 3 is “The Pitfall of Pietism.” For the sake of clarity and sharp delivery of this message, allow me to offer a working definition of what I mean by pietism. According to the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology pietism is: ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-28

Denomination: Christian Church

How Justification Works Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Nov 21, 2007

This sermon looks at the definition of justification.

Scripture Last week we resumed our study in “Romans: The Good News of God.” However, I did not finish my sermon, and so I plan to finish it today. The issue that the Apostle Paul is dealing with in his letter to the Roman Church is how God saves sinners. The most important question that anyone ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:24-26

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Working On Your Walk Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on May 6, 2019

Paul commends and counsels the Colossians on spiritual maturity.

Last time, we made saw how Paul wrote to the Colossians to counter an error promoted by false teachers who denied the deity of Jesus. Paul describes Jesus with some of the loftiest language used in the New Testament, emphasizing His preeminence in all things. Because He is Lord over all, the life ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:3-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Preserving Work Of God

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Oct 24, 2021

The Father had a significant role in the past aspect of our salvation. Christ had the prominent role in our present salvation, and the Spirit holds the primary role in the future aspect of our salvation – sealing and preserving believers.

The Preserving work of God Ephesians 1: 11-14 Over the past couple weeks, we have been discussing the role of the Trinity regarding our salvation. We have considered the sovereign work of God the Father and the redeeming work of Christ the Son. As we conclude this powerful passage, we will examine ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:11-14

Denomination: Baptist

Prepared For Good Works

Contributed by Gary Griffith on Sep 27, 2001

How do we prepare ourselves to do good works?

Prepared for Good Works Text: Titus 3:3-8 Proposition: The Christian must be ready at all times to do good works. While serving in the Persian Gulf, our entire battalion discovered that we were unprepared because of deficient gas masks. I believe that many believers are like that, unprepared ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:3-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Gospel At Work In You

Contributed by Lewis Martin on Jun 22, 2025

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your faith, stalled in your growth, or just unsure of where you stand with God, Paul has a word for you today: The Gospel isn’t just how you begin—it’s how you keep going. And it’s how you’ll finish.

“The Gospel at Work in You” Philippians 1:1–11 Ok, I can be honest with myself: I need to lose weight. This isn’t about vanity—it’s about health. I’ve felt it in my energy levels, my sleep, and the way my clothes fit. I remember back in December thinking, “I really need to get serious about ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:6

Denomination: Nazarene

How Faith Works Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Feb 28, 2015

Paul and James agree. Faith works. How? Here's where we need both of these to help us understand.

Romans 3:21-28 Ephesians 2:1-10 James 2:14-26 What is going on here? Are Paul and James contradicting one another? Does James hold a gospel that teaches justification by faith with works while Paul’s gospel teaches justification by faith without works? Because James is so strong on works ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26, Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

My Life Work Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Jul 9, 2007

20th in a series from Epehsians. Paul helps us understand our life work.

Let me ask you a question this morning: What would you say is your life work? While you’re thinking about the answer to that question, let me share with you how several people answered that question: Bruce Wagman, a San Francisco attorney: I think the animals in society deserve a level of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:7-9

Denomination: Baptist

Work Hard Serving Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

Christians are to display a willingness to be offended, disadvantaged, even abused without making a return, without requiring vengeance, without demanding an accounting – whether an apology, or punishment, or a repayment of some kind.

Today’s Big Idea: God Works Diligently on Our Behalf. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10-11, Psalm 121:1-8

Denomination: Baptist