Sermons on Legality:

Legal Tender, Or Counterfeit? Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Sep 30, 2016

We need to get as familiar as possible with the real God of the Bible. Then we'll find it easy to recognize the counterfeits.

Ephesians 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:14-16

Denomination: *other

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

New Testament Legalism Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Aug 17, 2020

Message expounds Philippians 3:1-7 explaining the problem of Legalism as defined by the New Testament. The ceremonial law in the Old Covenant was fulfilled in Christ and is not required of believers. The moral law is reiterated in the New Covenant.

We are in a study of Philippians. Our text today is Philippians 3:1-7. Last week we talked from that text about the value of warnings. God warns us because He loves us. Like a loving parent He guides us away from danger into a meaningful life of blessings. To despise God’s warnings is one of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:16-17, 1 Kings 18:28, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Revelation 21:1-8, Colossians 2:16-17, Acts 18:21, Romans 10:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Freedom From Legalism PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 3, 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

Grace And The Hidden Chains Of Legalism

Contributed by Antonio Manaytay on Jun 24, 2025

This sermon discusses the danger of slipping to legalism after being saved by grace.

Scripture: Galatians 5:1 (NIV) "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Grace is a glorious gift. It is the unmerited favor of God lavished upon sinners who cannot earn their way to heaven. The ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

Are You A Legalist? Or An Illegalist?

Contributed by Jason Smith on Sep 15, 2013

Are you a legalist, or are you an illegalist? In other words, do you follow the law of God, or do you disobey the law of God? It is not a bad thing to be labeled a legalist. Satan has used this creative title to try to deceive many people to disobey God.

Matthew 7:13-27 Who in this room would consider themselves a legalist? This is the topic that I would like to briefly talk to you about tonight: Legalism, or “The Lie of Legalism.” Since the beginning of the Lord’s church, the devil has held nothing back; He has created so many ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Bondage Of Legalism And Freedom Of True Righteousness Series

Contributed by David Taylor on Mar 6, 2014

Philippians - Manual of Joy The Bondage of Legalism and Freedom of True Righteousness

Philippians - Manual of Joy The Bondage of Legalism and Freedom of True Righteousness Philipians 3:1-11 David Taylor Legalism is as deadly as it is dangerous. It brings about spiritual bondage and frustration in the Christian life, it hampers the inner transformation that God intends; and it ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Our Freedom In Christ PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 31, 2023

This sermon explores confronting legalism, embracing Christ's liberation, and living in the freedom of God's grace as highlighted in Galatians 2:11-21.

Good morning, beloved family of God. We are gathered here today, not as mere spectators, but as active participants in the divine narrative God is writing in our lives. We are not bystanders, but rather, we are the living epistles of God’s grace, the tangible expressions of His love and mercy. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:11-21

Topics: Legalism

Legal Threats (Ezra 5)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 30, 2025

Do we quit God's work under legal threats?

Do those who oppose God’s work on earth sometimes make legal threats? Should we continue God’s work even in the face of threats or quit? Let’s begin in Ezra 5. After years of delay, did prophets encourage the people to return to rebuilding the temple? Then the prophet Haggai and the prophet ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Legalism Rears Its Ugly Head! Series

Contributed by John Hamby on May 3, 2001

Reasons why legalism must be resisted.

A Study of the Book of Acts Sermon # 22 "Legalism Rears Its Ugly Head" Acts 15:1-23 Tonight I want to speak to you on the very touchy subject of legalism. I thought, Oh well I spoke on money this morning I might as well ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Love Way And The Law Way Of Christian Living Series

Contributed by Bob Marcaurelle on Mar 8, 2016

This message reveals how seeing the Christian live as obedience to rules often makes us legalistic judgmental, and loveless like the Pharisees but love for Christ because of the grace he shows us makes us obedient because we want to please Him.

PASSING CHRISTIANITY DOWN AN EXPOSITION OF FIRST TIMOTHY Copyright 2004 by Bob Marcaurelle Revised 2016 by Bob Marcaurelle freesermons@homeorchurchbiblestudy.com web homeorchurchbiblestudy,com bob marcaurelle Anderson, sc MESSAGE 6 THE LOVE WAY AND THE LAW WAY (1 Timothy1:6-17) Legalism or ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:6-17

Denomination: Baptist

Legalism: Our Great Enemy Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Dec 22, 2003

Paul has been writing to the Philippian church, warning them about internal controversies that could divide them. Now Paul turns the attention of the church in Philippi away from the internal controversies and tells them to watch out for legalists.

What is your aim as a Christian? The aim of a Christian is to, or should be to, please God. Every Christian should in his heart seek to please God. So as Christians we often as that question. What can we do to please God? One person asked this question to a respected Christian institution. He ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Grace Living Lessens Legalism

Contributed by Paul Fritz on May 24, 2004

The Holy Spirit helps us realize that a person living according to a lawful orientation is always looking for guidelines by which everyone’s actions can be regulated. A person living by Christ’s graceful attitude looks to the Spirit and the word of God fo

Grace Living Lessens Legalism Galatians 2:16 "Yet we know that a man is justified or reckoned righteous and in right standing with God not by works of the Law but only through faith and absolute reliance to trust in Jesus the Anointed One. Therefore, even we ourselves believed on Christ ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Freedom Letter- Avoid Legalism Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Jan 2, 2021

This is the 37th sermon in the Action Series. This series began during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study in Acts will also include the letters written to the Churches. This is the 2nd sermon from the Letter to the Galatians.

Series: Action [#37] FREEDOM LETTER- AVOID LEGALISM Galatians 2:1-10 Introduction: As you begin a New Year, how are you approaching it? I have been praying about this coming year; and I recently heard a great sermon about the New Year. As a Christian, nothing has changed in this World that ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

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