Sermons on Legalism Vs Liberty:

Religion & Relationship

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jun 10, 2007

How do we enter the Kingdom? Many who think they know, do not know.

The story of Nicodemus is one of the best known stories of the Bible, and it comes to a close with one of the most often quoted passages in the Bible, John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-16

Denomination: Methodist

Welcome To Adulthood! Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on May 20, 2005

Paul’s sequence of thought in this sermon may be summarized as follows: "Once we were slaves. Now we are sons. How, then, can we turn back to slavery?"

Scripture In the 1998 Disney movie Parent Trap, identical twins who were separated at birth by their parents’ divorce accidentally meet 11 years later at summer camp. Together the twins plan to switch identities, so each can meet the respective parent she’s never known and try to bring their ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Marks Of Freedom Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Aug 5, 2005

The legalists wanted to subject the Galatian Christians to circumcision (as a means of earning favor with God), so Paul addresses the issue one last time by relating it to the work of Christ on the cross and his own ministry.

Scripture It was Paul’s custom, after dictating a letter to an amanuensis, which is a secretary, to take a pen and write his own farewell. His standard signature was, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you” (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:17-18). But Paul is so concerned ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:11-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

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

The Just Shall Live By Faith

Contributed by Glenn Robinson on Jul 8, 2002

This is a sermon on Romans 1:17 showing how we are justified by faith apart from our works.

Let’s go on a journey back in time almost 500 years ago. Germany, a dimly lit room, a young Augistianian monk studies. He struggled with guilt, he did pilgrimages, penance, masses, prayer – if a monk could be saved by his monkery it was him. After long hours of study the truth of Scripture ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:17

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Salvation Of The Soul

Contributed by Mark Baker on Apr 25, 2007

I believe by and large Christians don’t have total understanding of what it means for our soul to prosper. Many people say the spirit and the soul are the same thing, however the Word of God differentiates them...

-- American Standard 3 John 1:2 Beloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. -- Darby’s Bible 3 John 1:2 Beloved, I desire that in all things thou shouldest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers. I have been meditating on ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:2

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Luther's Revelation

Contributed by Woodrow Freeze on Nov 23, 2006

A sermon preached at Homecoming, focusing on Martin Luther’s revelation surrounding "the just shall live by faith."

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:16-17) ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

Law Vs Grace Part 2

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Dec 21, 2012

I. EXORDIUM: Are you still under the law? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that we are under grace not law IV. TEXT: 1 Samuel 24:2 (New Living Translation, Second Edition) 2. So Saul chose 3,000 elite troops

I. EXORDIUM: Are you still under the law? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that we are under grace not law IV. TEXT: 1 Samuel 24:2 (New Living Translation, Second Edition) 2. So Saul chose 3,000 elite troops from all Israel and went to search for David and his men ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:2

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

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

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

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