Sermons on Legality:

A Dream Of Freedom Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 4, 2010

What did Joseph’s dreams mean for him? For others? For Israel? And did God give our nation’s founders a similar dream for America?

OPEN: A lot of important things can happen to a person while they sleep. For example: 1. Genesis 2:21 tells of someone who had surgery performed on him while he slept. Who was that? (Adam) 2. Genesis 28:11-15 tells of a man who slept at Bethel and dreamed about angels. Who was that? ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Pigheaded Pigpen Living

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Aug 13, 2018

God has given us spiritual teachers, but we don't always listen. When we go our own way, we are being pigheaded. Also a discussion of the legalistic pouty older brother.

Luke 15:18 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, For years I have mentored people in the faith. I have always taken joy in teaching others, even long before I was saved, so mentoring kind of came naturally to me. But ...read more

Denomination: Charismatic

Hapy Are The Humble Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Aug 23, 2019

Do you want to be truly happy and blessed? Then be humble in your attitude towards yourself, your sin, others, and God.

Tim Keller, in his book The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness, talks about his high school days when his mother kept telling him, “You know, honey, you ought to join the chess club.” He would say, “Mom, I hate chess.” “Yes, I know,” she would say, “but it will look so good on your college ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Should You Fear God? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

We think that grace means there’s nothing to fear in our behavior. And so the sanction of judgment has no place in our lives. But God is gracious and calls us back today to fear the behavior that leads to destruction.

I heard about a young boy that went off to one of these extremely expensive universities, and the bills were coming in monthly to these parents and they were struggling to keep their head above water. One day his mother received a letter from him and he said: “Dear Mom, I’m writing to inform you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:17-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Merciful Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 4, 2023

Most people think we should be merciful to other people. But is their understanding of mercy biblical? This message expounds the 5th Beatitude: "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."

Intro Our text today is Matthew 5:7: “Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.”i Do you need mercy from God? Do you need a lot of mercy from the Lord? Do you need contined mercy from the Lord? Our answer to those questions alerts us to the importance of this text. Jesus is giving us a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, 1 Peter 1:3, Luke 10:25-37, Matthew 9:36, Acts 3:1-10, 1 John 3:17, Proverbs 19:17, Mark 10:47, Romans 10:10-14, Matthew 18:23-35, Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 9:13, Micah 6:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Pure In Heart: Defined Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 10, 2023

In this sixth beatitude, we must understand the standard Jesus is setting with the with the phrase "pure in heart.". If we set the standard too low, we fail to enter into the fullness of the blessing. If we set it too high we forsake the pursuit as futile.

Intro We are studying the Beatitudes with an interest in how to position ourselves for revival. What attitudes of heart are conducive to experiencing more of God’s grace and participating in what he is doing. The Beatitudes provide insight for participating in the kingdom of God because this is the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 5:21-28, Psalm 51:6-7, 1 John 1:7-9, Psalm 66:18, Matthew 6:1-24, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Jeremiah 17:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

What The World Needs Now Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Mar 31, 2021

What the World Needs Now "is love, sweet, love." But what does that kind of love look like, especially in the context of the great sin? Jesus provides us with a powerful lesson about the kind of love we need to receive and offer to others.

Most of us here are familiar with that hit song written by Burt Bacharach, “What the World Needs Now.” And of course, as bad as I am with notes, I’m even worse with lyrics, but in this case, I do remember the next few words—“Is love, sweet, love.” And admittedly, the song strikes a chord with ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11, Deuteronomy 17:6-7

Denomination: Bible Church

True Conversion Demonstrated Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Aug 24, 2020

This message is an exposition of Philippians 3:7-11. Here Paul offers himself as an example of the changes that occur when a person is truly born again: (1) A Change in Values (2) A Change in Righteousness (3) A Change in Life Goals.

We are in a study of Philippians. Our text today is found in Philippians 3:7-11. We will begin by reading that from the New International Version. “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-11, John 7:22-23, Matthew 13:44, Matthew 16:24-26, Romans 8:28-29, Isaiah 64:6, Matthew 4:18-22, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Peter 2:19-21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

La Verdadera Conversión Demostrada Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Dec 21, 2024

Este mensaje es una exposición de Filipenses 3:7-11. En él, Pablo se ofrece como ejemplo de los cambios que ocurren cuando una persona verdaderamente nace de nuevo: (1) Un cambio en valores (2) Un cambio en rectitud (3) Un cambio en metas de vida.

Estamos estudiando Filipenses. Nuestro texto de hoy se encuentra en Filipenses 3:7-11. “Pero cuantas cosas eran para mí ganancia, las he estimado como pérdida por amor de Cristo. 8 Y ciertamente, aun estimo todas las cosas como pérdida por la excelencia del conocimiento de Cristo ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-11, John 7:22-23, Matthew 13:44, Matthew 16:24-26, Romans 8:28-29, Isaiah 64:6, Matthew 4:18-22, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Peter 2:19-21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Jesus And The Law

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 5, 2022

Jesus condemned whoever sets aside the least of God’s commands. Let’s examine Jesus’ commentary on the law in the sermon on the mount and understand the spirit of the law.

Jesus condemned whoever sets aside the least of God’s commands. Let’s examine Jesus’ commentary on the law in the sermon on the mount and understand the spirit of the law. You ARE Salt and Light “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how will it become salty again? It’s ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Psalm 2 Series

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Feb 25, 2020

The first two psalms are often considered to be designed as a pair serving as an introduction to the 150-psalm collection. The first psalm describes the difference between the blessed man and the evil man, and Psalm 2 is about triumph over the forces that oppose the faith.

For Sermon Central researchers: I have posted a series of 15 sermons on the Psalms. In recent personal studies I have found the psalms to be richer and more thought-provoking than I had fully appreciated. I had too often swept swiftly through psalms without slowing down to inquire as thoroughly as ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 2:1-12, Acts 4:27-28, Hebrews 1:6, Daniel 7:13-14, Psalm 86:15, Psalm 103:8, Psalm 145:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Walking In The Spirit Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Dec 17, 2023

Believers are commanded to walk in the Spirit, but what does that mean? This message explores how the human spirit is to operate in relationship to the believer's soul. With instruction from Galatians 5 the difference between walking in the Spirit versus the flesh is examined.

Intro We are investigating the function or operation of the human spirit in relationship to God and the person’s soul. In Proverbs 20:27 we are told: “The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the inner depths of his heart.” i What is this saying about the human spirit? It is the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16-23, Proverbs 20:27, John 1:1-9, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 1 Corinthians 6:17, Hebrews 12:14, Luke 6:43-44, Matthew 16:24-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Faith Or Works? Series

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Sep 12, 2018

In James 2, we see one of the most challenging passages of Scripture. However, when seen in context, James' point becomes clear and understood.

The English language can be a very challenging language to learn. Part of that is because many ordinary words that we use in everyday conversation can have many different meanings. Take the word “run,” for example, which according to dictionary.com, has over 179 different meanings for the word. ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-18, James 2:1-26, James 2:15-26, James 2:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Why Ask?

Contributed by Mark Baker on Sep 28, 2005

Why Ask? Matthew 6:7 "But when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8. "Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask

Matthew 6:7 "But when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8. "Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. Here Jesus was teaching on the subject of prayer. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:7-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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