Sermons on Legal Disputes:

New Testament Obedience Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 13, 2020

This exposition of Philippians 2:12-18 focuses on what New Testament obedience looks like. The dangers of legalism and antinomianism are addressed. Preparations for an uncertain future are discussed as well.

Intro Our lives have changed significantly since the beginning of 2020. The big question is what changes lie ahead. Will things settle down and stabilize? Or will events become even more volatile? Will the coronavirus subside, or will infections escalate? Will the political divide in this country ...read more

Scripture: John 10:27, Hebrews 3:13, Matthew 12:25, Romans 8:32-33, 2 Timothy 1:7, Matthew 10:28, John 18:36, 2 Corinthians 5:10-11, Matthew 15:3-9, Colossians 2:16-21, Matthew 26:41, Hebrews 10:25, James 2:14-24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

"Bewitched" Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Sep 5, 2013

The bewitched believers in Galatia faced the danger of falling from the teaching of grace into the trap of legalism.

INTRODUCTION How many of you remember the sit-com “Bewitched” from the 1960s? When it debuted, ABC was a distant third to NBC and CBS, but the popularity of shows like the “Jetsons” and “Bewitched” moved ABC up to the same level to make the “big three ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Riding The Fence Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 1, 2011

More times than we would probably like to admit, we slip into legalism. It can happen when God takes too long to answer a prayer, or answers in a way we don't expect. We take over the reigns, and it's a mistake!

To continue Paul’s arguments against legalism he turns again to a story in the Old Testament. This time it is the children that God promised to Abram. The issue is whether you let God fulfill His promise of righteousness in you, or whether you want to take the controls and do it yourself. ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The War Within Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 7, 2011

Being human we are born with certain default settings that drive us to think in certain ways. When we become a Christian a war starts between a new nature seeking to establish a beachhead and take over and the old regime that wants to stay in control.

The human mind is self-rationalizing. In other words, we will rationalize our thoughts and actions according to ourselves, rather than to some external source. Even when we read something or hear something and alter our behavior, it is because we choose to believe that thing we read or ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-18

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

We're All Broken Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 21, 2011

The human mind is self-rationalizing and self-deceptive. Without a guide, we have no idea what is right and good. God's Word offers that guide but it's more than just reading a guidebook and determining to do better. We need to come to grips with the brok

Today we are going look at just three verses. Normally these verses might be couched in terms of “this is really bad stuff—this is sin—don’t do it!” While that is true, I want to handle these verses a little differently. Firstly, remember that these words are written ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-22

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

How Do I React To Sin? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 28, 2011

There are two seemingly automatic reactions to seeing sin in the life of someone else. One is to avoid them. The other is to judge. In Galatians 6 we begin to see a third alternative. It's harder, but much more loving and effective.

The main theme of Galatians is about whether legalism, in the form of the Jewish law, is required for a Christian. Paul’s answer is an emphatic “no!” Legalism, in general, is superimposing an external set of rules or expectations on yourself or others—even Biblical rules or ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-5

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Stark Contrast Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Dec 5, 2011

The contrast between the old nature and the new couldn't be more stark as we finish up our study in Paul's letter to the Galatians. The question we all have to face is: where is our treasure, in this legalistic age, or in God's kingdom?

Galatians is all about the contrast between the old nature and the new, legalism and Spirit-life. As we finish up the book today we’re going to see that contrast in stark relief so let’s look for it as we finish chapter 6. As we talked about the fruit of the Spirit in chapter 5, we saw ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:6-18

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Don't Go Under The House! Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Oct 10, 2011

What do you rely on for how you behave? That might seem like a simple question but who and what influences you can mean the difference between relying on your own abilities or falling on the grace of Jesus. The answer is simple: die!

We start out so well. We come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah and we’re filled with excitement and that “first love” feeling. Once the realities of the flesh with dwell with and the world we dwell in begin to sink in—we face a fork in the road of our Christian maturity. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:1-21

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Hero's Hostile Takeover Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jan 23, 2012

When it comes to living life which rules you, law or love? Jesus brought this into sharp focus when it came to healing on the Sabbath and it brings us to confront just who is actually Lord of our lives.

Jesus, our Ultimate Action Hero is waging a battle against enemies who are keeping us captive and away from a relationship with God. He is in the middle of battling the Pharisees, members of the religious establishment of the day who desired power and control. They were oh so good looking on the ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

God’s Purpose For The Law

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Jul 27, 2010

There are two very different ways of looking at the Law. Here is the one that Jesus taught.

Passage: Matthew 12:1-14 Intro: It’s hard for us to imagine the kind of conflict that trailed Jesus wherever He went. 1. hard for us, as non-Jewish people, to really understand the incredible grip that the OT Law had on people, and the radical departure from that view that Jesus brought. 2. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical Free

What Is Faith? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 2, 2012

What is the real nature of faith? We often think it is blind trust in Jesus to give us what we ask for. In reality faith means a transformation of how you think of life, needs, and your relationship with Jesus.

In this portion of Chapters 7 and 8 Jesus puts His men into several situations to show them what it means to rely on Jesus. Sadly, they don’t get it, but it gives us some great direction on how to trust Jesus in our lives. We leave a situation where Jesus encountered the Pharisees who thought ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Divine Inspired Conversation Series

Contributed by Nicolas Campbell on Jul 7, 2012

Dramatic monologue of Nicodemus talking with Joseph of Arimathea

Nicolas Campbell John 3:1-15 “Divine Inspired Conversation” Dramatic monologue 1Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-15

Denomination: Christian Church

Walking It Out Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jul 21, 2009

But as noted… we often find ourselves in tensions between two feelings … the tension between a spirit of legalism and a spirit license.

Walking in True Freedom Part 2 – Walking It Out Brad Bailey – July 15, 2007 One question I asked last week…Are you free to do anything you want (if within your means)? Yes… but somehow we sense that’s not the greatest news to hear… it helps us think about what true freedom is… spiritual ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:6-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Most Important Thing

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Aug 29, 2010

When we're tempted to focus on lesser things than the cross of Christ, Paul's closing argument in Galatians is a helpful reality check.

Yesterday 15 of us from this church gathered to pray and then to go out into the community. 12 in total went out and 3 stayed back both to pray for the teams that went out and to prepare a remarkably yummy lunch for the team on its return. We went out in teams of 2, and we went out for one reason. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:11-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Modern Day Pharisees

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Sep 28, 2022

Don’t just talk the walk; walk the walk, too.

Modern Day Pharisees September 25, 2022 Morning Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: Don’t just talk the walk; walk the walk, too. Focus Passage: Matthew 23:1-12 Supplemental Passage: 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “..the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Baptist