Sermons on Legalistic:

Empty Stomachs Series

Contributed by John Harvey on May 15, 2008

Empty stomachs, legalistic worship and stubborn hearts lead to missing Christ’s work in our lives.

“Empty Stomachs, Legalistic Worship, and Stubborn Hearts” May 18, 2008 Me: Some stuff really bugs me: poor cell phone etiquette, driving with a blinker on, people writing checks at the grocery store. All this stuff just really bugs me and I have been trying to understand why. Basically what I ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

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

Legalistically Stubborn Paul Experienced Jesus For His Indwelling Lesson 4 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 13, 2023

The most defining experience of your life will be touching/encountering Jesus.

A. INTRODUCTION: SAUL PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS 1. Saul was a successful failure. He was going to top of the religious ladder. “Paul was better qualified than all the legalists ... the best of all ... born a Jew into the tribe of Benjamin, and circumcised on the eighth day. He spoke Hebrew, kept ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:6, Acts 9:22

Denomination: Baptist

Saul/Paul: The Consummate Legalist Finally Gains Perfection Lesson 11 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 5, 2025

Our new power and passion is Christ.

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: Philippians 4:13

Denomination: Baptist

A New Heart For A Fresh Start

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Feb 22, 2022

Jesus’ teaching and ministry was a way of reframing the use of Scripture. The Scribes had made notes that were superimposed on Scripture. Jesus holds before us a new way of living life. One based on mercy, grace, and love. Jesus modeled the heart and intent of God.

As a child we would attempt to salvage anything and everything. The house I remember from early childhood was an interesting building. When my mother wanted to clean the floor, she would pour water on the floor, scrub it with a broom, and the water would drain through the floor. The first home ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-28, Matthew 5:17-20, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 11:6, Matthew 11:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grace Transforms 2 Series

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Jun 6, 2011

What motivates legalistic leaders to add requirements to the gospel’s justification by grace through faith alone?

Dakota Community Church June 5, 2011 Grace Transforms 2 Ephesians 2:6-9 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Mennonite

How To Avoid Extremist's Perspectives

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

It is not uncommon for some well meaning Christians to lose his or her sense of balance in one of two directions: legalistically or traditionally.

It is not uncommon for some well meaning Christians to lose his or her sense of balance in one of two directions: legalistically or traditionally. Being very concerned about their ability to follow the scriptures down to the last letter of its truth, these conservatives insist on a strict ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:2-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Freedom's Enemies Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 15, 2009

This message encourages believers to stand firm in their freedom by staying away from the law and the legalist who would take it away

Freedom’s Enemies (Galatians 5:1-12) One morning, during an adult Sunday school class, a pastor in San Angelo, Texas, picked up the podium and walked back and forth with it. When someone asked, “What are you doing?” he replied, “Well, sometimes you just need to take a stand.” (Rebecca ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Gambling Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Oct 23, 2012

Is the prohibition of gambling in the Covenant of Christian Conduct just a legalistic rule or a natural outflow of loving God completely and love others as ourselves?

A year or so ago we took several months to review the sixteen Articles of Faith found in the Manual of the Church of The Nazarene. These subjects included what we believe about the Triune God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Scriptures, Sin, Atonement, Salvation, the Church, the Sacraments, the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:8-10

Denomination: Nazarene

The Supremacy Of Christ Is Defended Against Religious Legalism

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Oct 11, 2001

This sermon proclaims the good news that salvaion is not something we earn by adhearance to legalistic obedience to the law, but it is freely received by the work of Jesus Christ.

The Supremacy of Christ is Defended Against Religious Legalism Colossians 2:11-17 October 14, 2001 Intro: A. Last week, Bob Russell of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY began a series of sermons on the book of Colossians with these words… "Sometimes I look over this audience and ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:11-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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

When We All Get Together Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Jun 3, 2007

This sermon addresses the sometimes "sticky" topics of hand-raising and women in the church. If Paul would be "appalled" with any legalistic interpretation of his advice to Timothy.

I Timothy #2 CHCC: April 22, 2007 When We All Get Together I Timothy 2:1-15 INTRODUCTION: Last Sunday, we looked at I Timothy chapter 1 where Paul gave a young minister named Timothy direction on how to handle false teachers in the Church at Ephesus. Paul charged Timothy to defeat Legalism ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Grace And Sensitivity Part Ii Series

Contributed by Martin Wiles on Jun 13, 2011

Immature and legalistic believers can be very nitpicky, so how far does God expect us to bend when we encounter these situations?

Romans 14:11-23 Introduction: A. Where do we draw the line in being sensitive to other’s interpretations of the Bible or to their traditions when they conflict with our own? How do we handle those things the Bible is silent on? B. Do we have to change our lifestyle or beliefs on some matter ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:11-23

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus And The Pharisee's Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jun 11, 2014

Jesus confronted the Pharisee’s with straight talk to get them to change their ways. He wanted them to see the error in their thinking, behavior and change. He wanted them to see their legalistic – non grace attitude which was driving them away from Heaven and not toward Heaven.

Video from sermon central: Shoes and Judging Theme: Let’s Talk Series 3: Straight Talk What is it? Straight talk from a redneck: 1. Darlin. You’re hotter than donut grease at a fat man convention. 2. Duct tape is like "The Force." It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational