Sermons on Legalism Vs Grace:

Give Me Liberty Series

Contributed by Doyle Hayes on Jul 7, 2009

Paul’s defense against legalism.

Give Me Liberty(Outline from Matthew McKellar, used by permission) Gal 1:1-10 Peerless Jun 27, 2009 Introduction • “If we wish to be free we must fight!....I repeat it, sir we must fight! An appeal to arms, and to the God of hosts, is all that is left us. It is vain, sir, to extenuate the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Law...then And Now

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Feb 2, 2009

How do the complex, often strange laws of the OT apply to today? What is the function of the law of God? And what does it mean to live lawfully when salvation is by grace?

What do we do with the Law? As we read the Law of Moses in the Old Testament, we come across some strange rules nearly no one practices today. A.J. Jacobs wrote an intriguing book, The Year of Living Biblically, a chronicle of his attempt to actually follow all the many laws of the Bible (easily ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:14-25

Denomination: Congregational

All In The Family Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Nov 5, 2010

If we want to create an atmosphere in our homes and in our churches where people want to pursue purity and follow Christ from their hearts, then we must begin with a blessing and not lay down the law.

After Helene Talbert of Wahpeton, North Dakota, completed her first semester at a Christian college, she had a lot to tell her family. Just before the end of the semester, they had an open house in her dorm – one of the few times men are allowed in the women’s rooms. When her family came to ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Romans 2:17-29 Series

Contributed by George Mclaughlin Jr. on Oct 29, 2009

There are several spiritual "games" which we play,legalistically, in an attempt to justify ourselves (look better, even before God). But only an internal, true change, counts before God.

Outline for CBF AM June 28, 2009 Intro. 2:1-16 -- the error of self-justification by performance comparison with other people. 2:17-29 -- the error of self-justification by other minor externals *** Errors I. Confidence in religious posturing, 17-20 - This includes: A. Religious affiliation, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Gospel Freedom Series

Contributed by David Owens on May 20, 2013

In Galatians 5:1-12, Paul makes it clear that we have been set free, but all that is lost if we return to the slavery and yoke of the Law.

A. Last year, a movie called Big Miracle was released. How many of you have seen the movie? 1. It is a movie that told the true story of a 1988 international effort to free 3 gray whales trapped four miles from freedom by early ice formation in Alaska. 2. At first few bothered to notice their ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Concern About Fasting Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Apr 12, 2017

What began as a confrontation regarding the practice of fasting, turned into a lesson regarding the doctrines of salvation. Christ is the only means of salvation. We must come to Him by grace, through faith, in Christ alone.

The Concern about Fasting Mark 2: 18-22 Our text today deals with a passage that is often misunderstood, and even overlooked by many. Some argue the passage is confusing, and they fail to see the great significance it reveals. Actually Jesus revealed great doctrinal truth in this conversation with ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:18-22

Denomination: Baptist

Born (Again) Free Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Sep 5, 2013

We were all born in bondage to our sinful nature, but there is something within each one of us that longs to be free from the guilt and shame of our past.

INTRODUCTION A lot of attention was given to the death of Steve Jobs on October 5. All the attention surrounding his death probably caused most of us to miss the fact that just three days later another American creative genius also died of pancreatic cancer. His name was Roger Williams, a ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

"A New Way Of Understaning Who God Is"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jun 21, 2012

A sermon about the God of grace and compassion.

Mark 2:23-3:6 “A New Way of Understanding Who God Is” Last June, the city of Alemeda, California immediately changed its policies after its first responders stood by and watched a man drown in the San Francisco Bay. The first responders didn’t venture out into the muddy ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

Saul/Paul: The Consummate Legalist Finally Gains Perfection Lesson 10 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 19, 2023

Law keeping begins with a head issue, and following Christ begins with a heart issue.

A. SAUL’S LAW KEEPING WAS IMPERFECT 1. He was a flawed law keeper (Philippians 3:4-6). 2. He hated Christ and persecuted Christians. “Saul was consenting to his (Stephen) death … great persecution against the church … went from house to house … throwing them into prison” (Acts ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-2, Romans 7:19

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

You Don't Have To Be Perfect To Get To Heaven, But It Sure Would Be Nice

Contributed by Dean Meadows on Oct 3, 2002

A salvation message that stresses God’s grace is sufeciant for your salvation

You Don’t Need to be Perfect to get to Heaven, But it sure would be Nice 9/30/02 Have you ever known anyone to say; “Some day when I straiten up, I’m going to make things right with the Lord”? They think that is one of the qualifications of salvation. They feel with the life they are living that ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-10

Denomination: *other

Spiritual Snobbery

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Jul 25, 2012

We must live under grace, not legalism.

Spiritual Snobbery January 6, 2008 Evening Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: We must live under grace, not legalism. Focus Passage: Matthew 7:1-5 Supplemental Passage: Matthew 23:2-3 saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom Letter- Avoid Legalism Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Jan 2, 2021

This is the 37th sermon in the Action Series. This series began during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study in Acts will also include the letters written to the Churches. This is the 2nd sermon from the Letter to the Galatians.

Series: Action [#37] FREEDOM LETTER- AVOID LEGALISM Galatians 2:1-10 Introduction: As you begin a New Year, how are you approaching it? I have been praying about this coming year; and I recently heard a great sermon about the New Year. As a Christian, nothing has changed in this World that ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

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

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