Sermons on Legalizers:

Man's Law Vs God's Grace PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 3, 2023

This sermon's main point is to understand that we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ, not by the works of the law, and to appreciate the power of God's grace and the limitations of legalism.

Good morning, family! Today, we're diving into the heart of Paul's letter to the Galatians, where we'll explore themes of faith, grace, and the limitations of legalism. As we set the stage, let's remember the words of A.W. Tozer, a respected Christian author, who said, "Faith, as Paul saw it, was a ...read more

Topics: Alive, Christ

Fear Not Little Flock

Contributed by Charles Scott on Jan 12, 2006

Christians have no need to attempt to vindicate themselves through scrupulous attention to legal system since in Jesus Christ are provided with righteousness and an Advocate.

EASTER III I Peter 2:19?25 John 10:1?10 PSALM 23 "Count it all joy to follow in His steps." I Peter 2:19?25 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:19-25

Denomination: Anglican

What Citizenship Is All About Series

Contributed by Greg Johnson on Sep 16, 2007

Citizenship is a hot topic today. What is a legal citizen and what is an illegal alien? Can you believe that Jesus addressed citizenship in the beatitudes?

This message is an edited version of a sermon given at Loving God Fellowship. Copyright © 2007 Loving God Fellowship, Inc. http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org . You are encouraged to share this message with those you know that are hungry for God’s Word. What Citizenship is All About The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lord Of The Sabbath

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on May 29, 2018

What does keeping the Sabbath look like?

LORD of the Sabbath Mark 2:23-3:6 Jesus’ understanding of the Sabbath embroiled Him in a great deal of controversy, especially among the Pharisees and led to many disputes. “Sabbath” is the Hebrew word for “seventh.” It goes back to the beginning of Genesis where it says that God rested from His ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus The Controversialist Series

Contributed by David Owens on Apr 17, 2023

Mark portrays Jesus as strong and bold as He dealt with spiritual controversies "head on." In this section of Mark, he grouped together four incidents that showed how Jesus faced the controversies and taught the truth. We need to ask ourselves if we are more like Jesus or the Pharisees.

A. Let me begin with a question: when you try to picture Jesus in your mind, how do you picture Him? 1. Do you picture Him being gentle, meek and loving? Certainly, He was all those things. 2. But Jesus also had other characteristics and other sides to Him. 3. When we read the Gospel accounts, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:8-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus Answering The First-Century "karens" He Encountered Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 13, 2025

All of them were survivors, in the strict sense, each party with its own quirks. The Pharisees stood behind the Law.

Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Course 2025 Have you ever wondered just why it was that the Pharisees, who seemed to be everywhere Jesus went, were such prigs? These days we might even call the “Karens,” although I’ve known real Karens and they weren’t so judgmental as the Pharisees. I think the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-8, Luke 9:3, Psalm 116:12-18, Exodus 11:10, Exodus 12:1-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Ruleigion

Contributed by David Dunn on Jan 13, 2026

Jesus confronts rule-based righteousness by restoring the heart of God’s law—mercy, life, and grace centered in Himself.

Before we turn to Matthew chapter 12, I want to share a new word with you. Are you ready? Here it is: Ruleigion. Not religion — rule-igion. I didn’t invent this word — it was coined by Joshua Harris from Covenant Reformed Church in Hagerstown, Maryland — but it names something Jesus confronts ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 6:6, Exodus 20:8-11, Deuteronomy 5:12-15, Ephesians 2:8-10

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Futility Or Fulfillment

Contributed by Sylvester Fergusson on Feb 22, 2026

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do; and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, there was no profit under the sun. kjv

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do; and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, there was no profit under the sun. kjv Then I thought about all that I had done and how hard i had worked doing it and I realized that it ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:18-22, Ecclesiastes 2:11, Luke 12:16-20, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Denomination: Adventist

Drop It Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Apr 3, 2022

I stand before you this morning a condemned man … every bit as guilty as that poor woman caught in the act of adultery. I don’t know whether or not Jesus wrote their sins in the sand but He certainly knows my many sins and I do know that my sins were swept away that day on the cross.

[Pick up little stone.] Yeah … there’s been a lot of jokes about the risk I’m taking by handing out stones before the sermon. Look at the stone in your hand. Yeah … getting hit by a rock this size could hurt … especially if it hit me in the head or hit me in the eye or something, amen? I guess ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-12, Exodus 20:14, Exodus 20:16, Matthew 5:17, Matthew 5:20, Leviticus 19:15-18, Romans 14:10-11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

Part 3 - Matthew 12:9-14 -Deformities Of The Heart And Hand Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Sep 19, 2010

The CLAWED FINGERS of their law system were DISTORTED AND MALFORMED and particularly difficult to uproot. It is not at all surprising that Jesus uses a man with a DEFORMED HAND to illustrate what needed to be done if ever they were to be healed of their D

Part 3 - Matthew 12:9-14 -DEFORMITIES OF THE HEART AND HAND Yesterday, with the encouragement of my wife, I got rid of some THORNY WEEDS growing like trees in the back garden. The thorns were now like razor sharp nails and so it was difficult to get to the roots without punctures, scratches and a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:9-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pitfall Of Pietism Series

Contributed by Chris Surber on Apr 26, 2011

We must rely on grace alone, through faith alone. Works fail, grace produces Christ life in us.

Introduction The title of this message out of Romans chapter 3 is “The Pitfall of Pietism.” For the sake of clarity and sharp delivery of this message, allow me to offer a working definition of what I mean by pietism. According to the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology pietism is: ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-28

Denomination: Christian Church

Living By Grace Is Not Freedom To Sin Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Feb 22, 2008

The doctrine of grace is not to abused by living a life of sin

Our study of Romans takes us to the opening of the sixth chapter. From Romans 3:21 through the end of chapter five, we have been studying the doctrine of justification by faith. Now Paul moves to inform the Roman believers, and all other believers of the next step in the Christian life. It is the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Not Rules And Superstition Series

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Jul 17, 2008

True spiritual life and wisdom is not found in strict adhearance to rules, or in paths that lead to pagan gods. It is only found in Jesus.

Not rules and superstition Love and Wisdom; God and You Colossians 2:6-23 The famous astronaut Buzz Aldrin faced a conflict after returning from the moon. He spiraled into a deep depression that ultimately resulted in him being hospitalized, medicated and put through a battery of psychiatric ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-23

Denomination: Mennonite

A Sabbath Parable Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Aug 31, 2011

God’s commandments aren’t to be a burden to us; they are principles help us enjoy life. And when we trust His Word, we experience His life-changing power.

INTRODUCTION For the past year we’ve been studying the Parables and Miracles of Jesus in the Gospel According to Matthew. In this passage today, we are going to consider a Sabbath parable and in the next message we’ll consider the Sabbath miracle. Many people are confused about the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Worthless Religion Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Mar 8, 2012

Don’t let anyone judge you by legalistic standards, disqualify you by mystical experiences, nor enslave you by ascetic practices, because Jesus is all you need. A warning of the false ideas of legalism, mysticism, & asceticism.

Back in 2004, when several hurricanes hit the state of Florida, it left thousands of people without electrical power. Like many Floridians, Don Aycock’s neighbor used a portable generator to supply power until the electrical lines could be repaired. It had been running for a while when the man ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-23

Denomination: Evangelical Free