Sermons on Legalist Systems:

The Wrong Way To Be Right - Philippians 3:1-10 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 27, 2022

The question of how to be a good person is one of the (few) essentials of Christianity. It begins with rejoicing.

Philippians 3:1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for those dogs, watch out for those men who do evil, watch out for the mutilation. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-10

Righteousness Plus Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 24, 2022

The law has a purpose beyond itself. The law is a tool to form a people for God.

Judicial philosophy is much in the news right now. And underlying the debates – in addition to some very important policy issues - are some very fundamental questions. Who makes the law? Where does law come from? What is law for? What can law do? What role should religion play in the formation of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Marked By Freedom Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Dec 2, 2009

Motive is what is dealt with, & the church today needs to examine the motive for our ministries. We know what we are doing, but do we know why we are doing it? Many a good work is ruined before God because of a bad motive.

GALATIANS 6: 11-18 MARKED BY FREEDOM [2 Corinthians 11:18-33] The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to add these closing words to give one more contrast between the legalists & the Spirit-led Christians. The Spirit-led live for the glory of Christ, not the praise of man. Motive is what is dealt ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:11-18

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Living By Rules Or A Relationship? Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 9, 2006

Are you still trying to obey rules and observe rituals to earn God’s favor?

INTRODUCTION During this Grace-Robbers series we have noted there are many people who are still trying to live under law instead of grace. Rules and laws can often be ridiculous, and even funny. Here is a list of ten actual laws from different states. 1. In Alabama it is illegal for a driver to ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:20-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Gospel: Opposes Legalism Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Sep 4, 2015

There is a monumental issue at stake. The Gospel of Grace is being weighed in the balance. Donft turn Christianity into a list of rules. It takes extra work to be Spirit led.

How would you like to walk up to the man who preached the Pentecost sermon, get up close to his face, (this man who walked on water), look him straight in the eye in front of a crowd of people and say, Peter my buddy, Cephas old pal, you are not preaching the true gospel. You better straiten up and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:11-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Law Enslaves The Believer Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 1, 2019

Paul had gone to great lengths as he tried to show these Galatians the foolishness of being swayed by these false teachers, who asserted that while we are saved by grace, we are still obligated to keep the Law of God perfectly or we would lose our salvation.

November 27, 2013 The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Galatians Tom Lowe Chapter IV.A.1: The Law Enslaves the Believer (5:1-2) Galatians 5.1-2 (KJV) 1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2 Behold, I ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

How The Holy Spirit Convicts Abusers Of Power

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

How to not be overcome by power abusers but to overcome with God’s goodness, love and truth

How the Holy Spirit Convicts Abusers of Power Illustration:In The Christian Leader, Don Ratzlaff retells a story Vernon Grounds came across in Ernest Gordon’s Miracle on the River Kwai. The Scottish soldiers, forced by their Japanese captors to labor on a jungle railroad, had degenerated to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Righteousness Plus

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 10, 2011

Righteousness greater than that of the Pharisees isn't about behavior: it's about bone-deep transformation.

We’ve been shocked and horrified once again this week at the shooting of children by children, from Santee CA to next door in Pennsylvania. And the commentators and pundits are asking once again what kinds of laws we should pass to keep this from happening. Most are honest enough to admit ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Clothed With Fire Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 14, 2017

There's part of this story of the fiery furnace that I'd always missed. There was one question upon which everything else hinged - not only in this story but also in our lives. Do you know what that question is?

When my sister Barbranne was in her early 20’s she left the Church and Jesus behind and went off to live the “wild life.” At age 55 she decided she’d hurt herself in that decision and started going back to church. One of the first things she did was to buy a Children’s Bible because she wanted to ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Guard Against Legalism Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Jun 6, 2016

Legalism hinders the work of the true gospel of Jesus Christ and wreaks havoc with the spiritual lives of those affected by it.

We continue on in our series of messages through the New Testament book of Titus. It’s written by the apostle Paul to his protégé whose name is (anyone?). Paul has left Titus on the isle of Crete for a reason. Titus 1:5a – The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:10-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

New Wine For New Wineskins

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Nov 4, 2005

My attempt to deal with the issue of the "newness" of Jesus compared to the "oldness" of the Law. If you think I missed it, let me know (really!).

New Wine for New Wineskins Matthew 9:14-17 October 30, 2005 Introduction If there’s one thing that is inescapable when examining the life of Jesus, it’s that he was constantly challenging the status quo of the religious mindset of his day. He was pretty much fed up with it. He regularly had to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:14-17

Denomination: Wesleyan

Keeping First Things First: Resisting Rules Series

Contributed by David Flowers on May 15, 2006

Using Colossians 2:11-17 as a basis, Dave looks into the second of three spiritual dangers, this one being religious legalism.

Keeping First Things First: Resisting Rules Jesus, Post-Resurrection part 4 Colossians 2:11-17 Wildwind Community Church May 14, 2006 In the first 10 verses of Colossians Paul confronts a danger that would keep believers from standing firm in their faith – that danger is what Paul called empty ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:11-17

Denomination: Free Methodist

Legalism Exposed Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on May 6, 2024

This exposition of Romans 4:13-16 addresses the problem of trying to attain righteousness through good works. The law was given to expose our sinfulness and lead us to Christ for salvation. The deception of legalism is a problem that must be addressed.

Intro Our text today is Romans 4:13-16: “It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-25, Genesis 17:1-14, Romans 11:1-6, Galatians 4:1-9, Romans 8:9-39, Jude 1:4, Romans 3:20-23, 2 Corinthians 5:9, Ephesians 2:8-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

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

Do You Want To Leave Too? Series

Contributed by Ron Murphy on May 21, 2007

Why do people follow Christ? If not for the right reasons, they will soon fall away.

Introduction: I. Why do people follow Christ? II. We might expect that any reason people respond to Christ would be a good reason, but that is not always the case. III. One of the more interesting facts about “church” life that I have observed is that there are many reason why people “follow” ...read more

Scripture: John 6:22-71

Denomination: Methodist