Sermons on Legalization:

Using Appropriate Legal Channels Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Oct 10, 2025

Acts 25:1-12 shows us how God sovereignly protects his servants in the face of hostile opposition, enabling them to proclaim the truth with unwavering conviction.

Introduction In 1999, Sonny Bharadia, a 25-year-old Indian immigrant and recent college graduate working as a convenience store clerk in Savannah, GA, was wrongfully convicted of assaulting and murdering 19-year-old Stephanie Bennett. The crime occurred in a parked car near a local park. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 25:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Faith Not Legalism (Galatians 3)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 18, 2024

Did Jesus say that until heaven and earth pass away, obedience to the law remains? Did the apostles contradict Him? Let's find out in Galatians 3.

Paul explained how we are justified by grace through faith, not works of the law. How is Abraham a model for Christians? Who are the real children of Abraham? What about Christians who insist on the works of the law? Is the law continued in spirit, discontinued in the letter, and thus transformed ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Modern-Day Legalism (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Greg Powell on Sep 23, 2020

We have seen how legalism in Paul’s day added works to salvation, but that is largely not what modern-day legalism is in the church now. Legalism for us applies in the area of how we perceive our sanctification and how we portray our spirituality to others.

INTRO: I need to explain what is going on with the next couple of messages. We have dipped our toe in the water of legalism as it has been addressed in the book of Galatians so far. I am going to take a couple messages and jump into the entire pool of what legalism looks like for us today. We ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Pharisee In Me Series

Contributed by Michael Monica on Jan 1, 2023

Legalism

Matthew 23:1-7 [Introduction] - It is unknown exactly where they came from – separated from and exactly what their name means however the Hebrew root term means to ‘separate.’ From the world – to the LAW. [The Pharisee In Me] 1) Do you preach what you practice? (verse 3-4) a. What Jesus was ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Modern-Day Legalism (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Greg Powell on Sep 23, 2020

Legalism is potentially such a damaging, deceitful, and depressing way to view the Christian life.

INTRO: I’ve tried to be very clear and practical at each point in this topic about what legalism is, what it does, and what it looks like. We spent the last message covering the statements a legalist might say, the specifics of legalism as far as the actual fundamental definitions of this way of ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:8-20, Colossians 2:16-23

Denomination: Baptist

Knocking Off The Training Wheels Of Legalism

Contributed by Andy Atkins on Jan 5, 2001

Where does the Law cross the line into legalism? Paul told the Colossians the answer.

Colossians 2:11-17 Knocking Off the Training Wheels of Legalism My bicycle never had training wheels. I came from the school that said, “Take the plunge!” and “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” When my dad put my bicycle together for me, I was six years old. I was eight ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:11-17

Denomination: Baptist

Beware Of The Legalist Series

Contributed by Rodney Coe on Feb 12, 2015

Legalism has and is harming our churches. How do we avoid it in our church?

Beware of the Legalist Colossians 2:11-23 As we continue our Sunday morning tour of the book of Colossians we have to remember where we are and what the theme is. Last week we learned that philosophy or better said knowledge apart from Christ is empty. Andy teaching that takes away or adds to the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:11-23

Denomination: Baptist

Why The Old Testament Law Cannot Save A Person?

Contributed by Jesse Roncales on Mar 30, 2010

The Law of Moses, no matter how good, holy, and righteous, cannot bring salvation to anyone!

Introduction Religiosity is marked with legalism. One of the most serious problems facing many so-called Christians today is the problem of legalism. Legalism puts off the joy of the Lord in the life of those who believe. Nothing is left but fear and guilt that haunt a person all the days of his ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:1-13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"The Legalist” Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Mar 5, 2018

Jesus gives us the profile of a legalist.

Last time, we looked at verses 37-44 at the profile of a hypocrite given by Jesus in response to a criticism from a Pharisee. After Jesus finished addressing the Pharisee, the scribes pointed out He had also insulted them. Jesus basically responded by saying, “If the shoe fits wear it!” Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:37-54

Denomination: Baptist

The Pharisees- No Heart Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Oct 12, 2018

If one is not careful, one's heart can drift so far away from God that we end up with no heart.

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • Today we are going to examine a unique group of people as we continue with our A Drifting Heart series. • Today we will see how the scribes and Pharisees ended up with the worst-case scenario when it comes to a drifting heart, a heart that drifts so far from God that one ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:23-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Free At Last Series

Contributed by Donald Mcculley on Aug 7, 2019

Let’s study three things that Paul lists as great perils or dangers to Christian freedom.

FREE AT LAST GALATIANS 5:1-15 INTRODUCTION: Picture me in handcuffs or sitting in a jail cell. Now, picture me unshackled or walking about freely. I think I might use the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Fee at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, I’m free at last.” That’s the story and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Good News - The End Of Rules Series

Contributed by Adrian Warnock on Feb 14, 2007

How to defeat legalism

Audio at http://www.adrian.warnock.info/2005/10/good-news-end-of-rules-blogging.htm Good News- the end of rules Religions the world over have one thing in common: rules If we are honest rules both attract us with their ability to give us certainty about what we should do and repel us because we ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Liberty In Christ

Contributed by John Mccormack on Aug 28, 2012

LEGALISM PRODUCES BONDAGE

LIBERTY IN CHRIST THE LETTER TO THE GALATIAN CHURCH WAS IN DEFENSE OF THE TRUTH OF GOD’S GRACE OPPOSED THE RIGID TEACHINGS OF LEGALISM. IT IS WISE TO MEASURE ANY TEACHING BY THE TRUTH OF THE APOSTOLIC TEACHINGS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. CLEARLY, MUCH HEARTACHE CAN BE AVERTED. MOST SCHOLARS ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1

Denomination: Baptist

How To Avoid The Seductive Trap Of Legalism Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

“If your religion hasn’t changed your life, you’d better change your religion, because Jesus will make a bad man good and a good man better.”

Welcome and thank you for worshipping with us this morning on this Memorial Day weekend. Keep Colossians 2 open before you, will you? It’s good to see many of you for the first time in months! And we are grateful for those of you continuing to worship with us online as well. Please text the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:16-23

Denomination: Baptist

My Journey Down Legality Lane

Contributed by Charles Clary on Apr 29, 2004

This sermon will reflect my deliverance from a legalistic upbringing.

I call your attention to the last words of the text. It reads, "For the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life." I am not an angry preacher. I heard many of them as a boy growing up in the church. They usually spew their venom out on the congregation as they tell about how some board or ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:6

Denomination: Pentecostal