Sermons on legalism vs liberty:

Author Of Liberty

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Feb 7, 2025

Why do you suppose it is that people find it so difficult to understand that real freedom only comes when we obey God?

It’s a risky thing to mix politics and religion. It’s too easy to confuse the two. And if I remember correctly, one of the major bones of contention during my predecessor’s tenure was over that very thing: whether or not it was proper to have the American flag in the sanctuary. Many people do ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:11-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

You Can't Outsmart Jesus

Contributed by Curtis E. Nester on Jul 6, 2016

When a lawyer tries to entrap Jesus, he falls into his own trap.

TITLE: You Can't Outsmart Jesus TEXT: Luke 10:25-37 INTRO: Again, we look at another passage contained only in Luke. Remember, this incident took place on the other side of the cross, before coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. So it was during the Dispensation of the Law, not of Grace. The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Baptist

Called To Freedom

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 4, 2010

The message explores some of the implications of our freedom in Christ, encouraging believers to walk as free people.

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. “Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom: Let It Ring Again!

Contributed by Dave Kinney on Jul 5, 2008

Thomas Jefferson said, “Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure, when we have removed their only firm basis - a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God?” Learn how important freedom is as a gift from God t

Erma Bombeck – “You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 25:10

Denomination: Baptist

Joy Contest: God Vs. World - Psalm 4:2-8 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 6, 2025

David gets more joy from the smile of God than unbelievers would have even if they got everything they desire.

Psalm 4:1-8 For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David. Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God (lit God of my righteousness). Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. 2 How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame? How long ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 4:2-8

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

Living Free.

Contributed by Melvin Shelton on Jan 15, 2005

Paul has laid forth the truth in the book of Galatians of liberty in the Lord Jesus. When we receive Jesus as our personal savior, we are set free from the bondage of sin.

Living free. Galatians at 5:7 -- 15. 01/16/05 Paul has laid forth the truth in the book of Galatians of liberty in the Lord Jesus. When we receive Jesus as our personal savior, we are set free from the bondage of sin. But there were those who came into Galata teaching heresy. They were saying ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:7-15

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom From Legalism PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 4, 2023

Understand and appreciate the freedom and love we receive from God's grace, as explained in Paul's letter to the Galatians, rather than complicating it with legalism and rules.

Good morning, Church Family! You know, we have a tendency to complicate things that are simple. We can even turn the beautiful gift of God’s grace into a frustrating set of rules and regulations. But let’s remind ourselves of what Philip Yancey once said: “Grace means there is nothing we can do to ...read more

Topics: Frustration, Freedom

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

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

Speaking The Legal Truth Series

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Mar 16, 2004

How the officials accused Jesus of deserving to die for breaking the law - and how the law ended up stating that very thing - but a different law.

March 17, 2004 John 19:4-7 Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.” 5 When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” 6 As soon as the ...read more

Scripture: John 19:4-7

Denomination: Lutheran

Man's Law Vs God's Grace PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 4, 2023

This sermon's main point is to understand that we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ, not by the works of the law, and to appreciate the power of God's grace and the limitations of legalism.

Good morning, family! Today, we're diving into the heart of Paul's letter to the Galatians, where we'll explore themes of faith, grace, and the limitations of legalism. As we set the stage, let's remember the words of A.W. Tozer, a respected Christian author, who said, "Faith, as Paul saw it, was a ...read more

Topics: Alive, Christ

Helping The Fallen Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 25, 2005

What happens when you sin? Legalism tells us to look down on that brother because they "failed." But in Galatians, Paul gives us a new way to help those who have fallen.

We left off last week by comparing the acts of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit. Though we all want the latter, we often act in the former. Finding freedom from legalism and the condemnation it brings doesn’t mean you immediately cease from sin. Our goal is still to be like Christ - and we ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-18

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Article 21 Christian Liberty And Liberty Of Conscience Series

Contributed by Aubrey Vaughan on Jan 24, 2010

Christian liberty how can we ever go back when we have recieved so much in Him?

ARTICLE 21. CHRISTIAN LIBERTY AND LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE TODAY WERE LOOKING AT THE CHRISTIAN LIBERTY IN LIFE CONSCIENCE AND CONDUCT AS FOUND IN ARTICLE 21 OF THE BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH 1689. OUR CHRISTIAN LIBERTY IS CENTRED UPON CHRIST AND IS EFFECTIVE THROUGH THE PERSON AND WORK OF ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom's Power Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Oct 12, 2016

If you want to be a better person, don't depend on a list; depend on the Lord.

A couple of years ago (2014), Lowe's produced a commercial that shows a proud do-it-yourselfer installing a new ceiling fan in his family's living room. Take a look (show Lowe’s Commercial, Ceiling Fan, 2014) After he proudly gives the fan one last little turn, climbs off the aluminum ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:11-21

Denomination: Evangelical Free