Sermons on legalizers:

People Can Stifle God's Love Series

Contributed by Paul Shafit on Dec 1, 2009

The contrast between legalism and loving obedience of God’s Word

A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and asked, "How heavy is this glass of water?" Answers called out ranging from 2 to 5 pounds. The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it." He continued, ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Walk Of Faith Series

Contributed by Rodney Coe on Feb 12, 2015

We must lookout for spiritual pitfalls of philosophy, legalism and worldliness.

The Walk of Faith Colossians 2:1-10 As we continue on Sunday morning our series through the book of Colossians let me refresh our memories on where we are. This letter from the Apostle Paul to the church of Colossae was written while Paul was in prison. He had never been to the church but he led ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Do Not Go Beyond What Is Written

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jun 24, 2013

A textual sermon on 1 Corinthians 4:6 (Material taken from Dave Swavely's book, "Who Are You To Judge? The Dangers of Judging and Legalism", Chapter 5 "Two Dangers of Legalism")

HoHum: "What must I forsake to follow Christ?" a young man asked. "Colored clothes for one thing. Get rid of everything in your wardrobe that is not white. Stop sleeping on a soft pillow. Sell your musical instruments and don't eat any more white bread. You cannot, if you are sincere about obeying ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:2-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Legalistic God Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on May 7, 2017

Too often we think God has too many rules and laws and we do not embrace God because of the rules/legalism

Believing and Not Believing The God of Rules May 7, 2017 I believe there are lots of people who would love to be followers of Jesus, people who want to believe, however, something holds them back. While these people are rejecting God, I believe they are doing this because they have a distorted, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:20-23

Denomination: Baptist

Irreverence In Worship Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Nov 30, 2005

Worship is all about God, not us! So, as Paul instructs the church concerning worship, he is in reality, instructing the church to be more God centered, and less self centered. To achieve worship that is God centered, we must deal with our own attitude,

IRREVERENCE IN WORSHIP 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 INTRODUCTION: Beginning here and continuing through Chapter 14, Paul deals with issues regarding public worship. This is an important point – what Paul has to say he says in the context of public worship. Simply put, worship is aligning ourselves with ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:2-16

Denomination: Baptist

Serving Others Series

Contributed by Mark Elkins on Jan 27, 2011

How do we serve others like Jesus?

SERVING OTHERS LIKE JESUS This is the last of the series “Be the church by Loving God, others, and serving both. Let say that together. After today, my goal is for you to have a heart to serve others like Jesus. To “Be the Church” in our society we must Love Jesus, Love others, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:29-37

Denomination: Baptist

All In The Family Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Nov 5, 2010

If we want to create an atmosphere in our homes and in our churches where people want to pursue purity and follow Christ from their hearts, then we must begin with a blessing and not lay down the law.

After Helene Talbert of Wahpeton, North Dakota, completed her first semester at a Christian college, she had a lot to tell her family. Just before the end of the semester, they had an open house in her dorm – one of the few times men are allowed in the women’s rooms. When her family came to ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Romans 2:17-29 Series

Contributed by George Mclaughlin Jr. on Oct 29, 2009

There are several spiritual "games" which we play,legalistically, in an attempt to justify ourselves (look better, even before God). But only an internal, true change, counts before God.

Outline for CBF AM June 28, 2009 Intro. 2:1-16 -- the error of self-justification by performance comparison with other people. 2:17-29 -- the error of self-justification by other minor externals *** Errors I. Confidence in religious posturing, 17-20 - This includes: A. Religious affiliation, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Are You Jesus' Friend?

Contributed by Grant Sisson on Jul 28, 2009

Testing our relationship with Jesus - how do we know that we are walking with him?

We Are Jesus’ Friends 2009-07-26 Grant S. Sisson, MSCP, CI I’m not thrilled about taking tests, & I’m glad my years of schooling are behind me. The tests I take now are stress tests & EKGs & hearing & vision tests. And I don’t have to study for them. ILL. In undergraduate study in college, it ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5

Love And Law Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on May 15, 2010

If we want to make a real difference in people’s lives, then we must emphasize love, not law.

This last week, I came across a website that cataloged what they called “The Best Church Bulletin Bloopers.” They are sentences that actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services. Here are just a few of them: Bertha Belch, a missionary from Africa, will be speaking ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Law...then And Now

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Feb 2, 2009

How do the complex, often strange laws of the OT apply to today? What is the function of the law of God? And what does it mean to live lawfully when salvation is by grace?

What do we do with the Law? As we read the Law of Moses in the Old Testament, we come across some strange rules nearly no one practices today. A.J. Jacobs wrote an intriguing book, The Year of Living Biblically, a chronicle of his attempt to actually follow all the many laws of the Bible (easily ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:14-25

Denomination: Congregational

Difference Makers Settle Differences Series

Contributed by Richard White on Feb 5, 2009

There will always be disputes as long as there is sin in the world. How we handle them tells how God has influenced us.

Difference Makers Settle differences Acts 15 We live in a world that is full of disputes, whether it be about politics, religion, sports, there will always be disputes. We live in a world of dispute and debate. It’s everywhere: at home, at work, in politics, and even in the church! In this ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Beyond Strict Morality

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Apr 3, 2007

Morality is more than "strict" or "lax". It begins in the heart, develops moral principles and guidlines, and ultimately is in the context of a relationship with God who cares

Beyond Strict Mark 2:23-3:6 Illus: I placed signs on the wall on either side of the platform: "strict" and "lax", moving back and forth toward one or the other at appropriate times. How strict should you be? How strict should you be with your kids? How strict should you be ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Billboards And Contract Law Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Oct 17, 2011

If we're not supposed to follow the law to please God, then what is its purpose? Do we ignore it altogether? Paul wants the Galatians to understand the two main purposes of the law.

Driving down the freeway there are two types of signs we encounter: billboards and direction signs. Direction signs tell us of upcoming exits and towns. Billboards advertise products and services to us. It’s important that billboards use a graphic that grabs the attention and no more than ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-26

Denomination: Calvary Chapel