Sermons on Legalizers:

Facing Up To Legalism Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Jan 30, 2007

# 15 in series. “One of the most serious problems facing the orthodox Christian church today is the problem of legalism."

A Study of the Book of John “That You May Believe” Sermon # 15 “Facing Up To Legalism” (John 5:9-13,15, Gal 1:6-10, 2:1-5, 11-14) The subject that I want to talk to you about this morning is legalism. You know it’s kind of odd but, I ...read more

Scripture: John 5:9-15

Denomination: Baptist

Liberalism Vs Legalism

Contributed by Thomas Miller on Feb 27, 2007

Many want to clean the outside of the believer, when the inside is what Jesus put the most emphasis on. I call it visual sins.

Liberalism VS Legalism Two of the Deadliest Sins A Church received a resume for a Pastor’s position. While reading up on his history they noticed that he had a record. He had been arrested, his doctrine was considered very controversial and on occasions he was run out of town. Fights erupted ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:12-14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Why Legalism Stinks Series

Contributed by Larry Osborne on Jun 13, 2007

Having a clear understanding of God’s law can help us avoid the trap of legalism. King David, the apostle Paul and Jesus can each give us a healthy perspective on God’s law.

1 Timothy: Doing Church God’s Way North Coast Church Message #5 August 12-13, 2006 Dr. Larry Osborne Why Legalism Stinks 1 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Legalism, Lordship, Love

Contributed by Mike Cleveland on Mar 30, 2008

3 Relationships, 3 Lessons to Learn

22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized. 24 (This was before John was put in ...read more

Scripture: John 3:22-36

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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

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 Nov 1, 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

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

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 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

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

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

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