Sermons on Legalization:

Breaking Down Barriers Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Oct 24, 2020

Peter’s response to these religious rule-keepers is a model for us as we face criticism or complaints. We’ll see that Peter’s answer is more pastoral than argumentative. I see seven correctives to help us handle criticism.

This week I shared something positive on Facebook and got pulverized. The criticism came quickly and repeatedly. Normally I’m more careful about posting about controversial matters so I wasn’t prepared for all the venomous vitriol and overwhelming opposition. One person simply replied, “Oh ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Spirit Of The Law Part 1

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 27, 2023

Who better to give a commentary on the Old Testament than it's author, Jesus? Let's look at the Spirit of the law in Matthew 5.

The best commentary on the Old Testament is by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. In each case we learn several things, 1) the Spirit of the law, 2) our utter failure to live up to it, and 3) our need for forgiveness and mercy. Let’s begin to understand the intent of the law by its author. Let’s ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-37

Denomination: Baptist

The Value Of Warnings Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Aug 9, 2020

Message demonstrates the proliferation of warnings in Scripture and addresses the value of such warnings. It is tempting to avoid giving warnings. However, people can benefit from them when given in the right spirit.

We are in a study of Philippians and our text today is found in chapter 3, verses 1-7. Follow with me as we read from the New International Version. “Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:7-9, Matthew 10:28, Matthew 7:15, Matthew 24:4, Acts 11:27-29, 2 Thessalonians 2:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Lord Of The Sabbath Series

Contributed by Timothy Mills on Oct 13, 2002

Exegetical, verse-by-verse exposition of John 5:1-17. "The only teaching more dangerous than liberalism is legalism, but Jesus is Lord. In Ch.1, Jesus is Lord of creation; in ch. 2, disciples, customs, & Temple; in ch. 3 plan of salvation; in ch. 4, gend

1) He is Lord of the Sabbath: Jesus went to an unnamed, but obligatory, feast. Jesus went to church habitually, Luke 4:16 “and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath.” His habit was to go to synagogue on the Sabbath. Worship on Sunday should be our habit as it was Jesus’. The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:16, John 5:1-17

The New Life In Christ (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Andy Payne on Nov 22, 2010

If we are trying to live our lives under our own steam then we are under legalism. Jesus has set us free from rules and regulations in how we live our life – so we can freely worship Jesus and experience freedom living for him.

Romans “The New Life in Christ” Romans 5:1-8:39 Intro: Paul’s letter to the Church in Rome addresses: 1. Who needs to be a Christian? 2. Why I need to be Christian? 3. How Can I become a Christian? 4. How does a Christian live his/her life? We have already looked to the first ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Circumcision Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 22, 2024

Using OT Scripture, Paul proves in Romans 4:9-12 that circumcision is not a prerequisite for justification. Justification is by faith alone. Vital principles applicable today are taught in this passage of Scripture.

Intro Romans 4 naturally divides into sections: 1. Justification is by faith, not by works (vv.1-8). 2. Justification by faith is not dependent on ritual (vv. 9-16). 3. The kind of faith that leads to justification is exemplified by Abraham (vv. 17-22). 4. Justification is available now for all ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-16, Genesis 15:6, Galatians 6:12, Galatians 3:28-29, Romans 11:1-36, Romans 9:6-7, Luke 3:8, 2 Corinthians 5:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

The Greater Righteousness - Matthew 5:20-21 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 3, 2024

How can Jesus say anger is equivalent to murder? Killing a human being has such greater consequences and is so much more extreme. This message will show how the two sins have the same DNA and will expose how even our best efforts to obey God’s Word can degenerate into legalism.

Matthew 5:19-26 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20-21

Why The Law Cannot Fix Us Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 11, 2020

Although ignorance is a major problem in the Christian world, our biggest issue involves being rightly related to God. Many, sadly, look to law-keeping as the way to know God or receive His forgiveness. This simply will not work; we need regeneration, the work of the Holy Spirit within us.

Why the Law Cannot Fix Us (Romans 7:1-25) 1. Happy Mother’s Day to all our moms. Moms come with all sorts of personalities and approaches toward parenting. A mother is trying to get her son to eat carrots. “Carrots are good for your eyes,” she says. “How do you know?” the boy asks. The mother ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:1-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Self-Righteousness

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 12, 2025

Self-righteousness is the deceptive belief that one is morally superior or acceptable before God based on personal works, religious activities, or outward behaviour.

SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Luke 18:9-14 Supporting Texts: Romans 10:3, Isaiah 64:6, Philippians 3:9, Matthew 23:27-28, Proverbs 16:2 INTRODUCTION: Self-righteousness is the deceptive belief that one is morally superior or acceptable before God based on personal works, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Should A Christian Keep The Law? (Pt. 2) Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 1, 2021

Why do Christians seem to keep all Ten Commandments except the Sabbath? This message addresses the difference in the way New Testament deals with Old Testament moral versus ceremonial laws.

We are answering the question: Should a Christian Keep the Law? The biblical answer is yes and no. We should keep the moral commandments that are rooted in the immutable nature of God. God is holy. God is a moral being who holds people morally accountable. God does not change. So, the moral ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:36-39, Galatians 1:6-9, Mark 7:14-23, Matthew 5:21-29, Romans 14:4-6, Hebrews 10:24, Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:1-3, Hebrews 4:1-10, Exodus 20:8-11, Genesis 2:7-18, Galatians 5:1-21, Hebrews 8:1-13, Philippians 3:1-3, Colossians 2:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Should We Change The Way We Do Church?

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jan 23, 2023

The decline in North American Christianity is prompting various efforts to revise the way we do church. Some of these efforts are clearly counterproductive. Acts 2:42-47 reveals eight practices that must be incorporated in any church model.

Should we change the way we do church? That question is being asked by a lot of people in America. Something is not working as it should. Almost everyone agrees on that. For the first time in U.S. history, church membership fell below the majority according to a Gallup poll conducted in 2020. This ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:20, Matthew 16:18, Matthew 28:18-20, Zechariah 4:6, 2 Chronicles 12:9-10, 2 Peter 2:17-21, Hebrews 10:24-25, Acts 2:42-47  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Too Good! Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 15, 2023

If you want to find real joy in the face of an uncertain future, renounce your own good and wise deeds; stop devising your own schemes. Instead, fear God and please Him through faith in His Son.

On March 19, 2003, the United States and its allies invaded Iraq to destroy Iraqi weapons of mass destruction and remove Saddam Hussein from power. A day later, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld held a news conference, where a reporter asked him “about the apparent failure to follow the war ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:15-29, Hebrews 11:6, Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Deuteronomy 28:1, Deuteronomy 28:15, James 2:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Flames Of Righteousness

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Nov 4, 2012

Four question to asks. Christ died to sin in two senses:1) In regard to sin’s penalty- He met its legal demands upon the sinner. 2) In regard to sin’s power- forever breaking its power over those who belong to Him. Paul’s point is that believers have d

Flames Of Righteousness Romans 6:9-12NKJ Over a hundred years ago, a dignitary of France visited America. Upon his return home he wrote: “I sought for the greatness of America in her harbors and rivers and fertile fields, and her mines and commerce. It was not there. Not until I went ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:9-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Life That Really Matters

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 23, 2014

These brethren from Jerusalem were strict legalists, which means they believed that the most important thing was to obey all the laws of God and to observe all the ceremonies and traditions of the Jewish church. And under grace, that’s their privilege.

5-15-04 Title: THE LIFE THAT REALLY MATTERS Text: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20). Bible ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:11-20

Denomination: Baptist

Do You Love Sinners? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 9, 2021

Think of this: what if the first person to meet the younger brother was the older brother. Think of the anger that would poured out his mouth: “You have a lot of nerve showing up here.”

Today, we complete a three-week look at one of the most famous of all of Jesus’ teachings – The Parable of the Prodigal Son. This is a story that badly needs rescuing for many, if not most, stop the story when the younger son returns. But Jesus continues the story to an unfinished conclusion. This ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-31

Denomination: Baptist