Sermons on Religious Legalism:

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

The Concern About Fasting Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Apr 12, 2017

What began as a confrontation regarding the practice of fasting, turned into a lesson regarding the doctrines of salvation. Christ is the only means of salvation. We must come to Him by grace, through faith, in Christ alone.

The Concern about Fasting Mark 2: 18-22 Our text today deals with a passage that is often misunderstood, and even overlooked by many. Some argue the passage is confusing, and they fail to see the great significance it reveals. Actually Jesus revealed great doctrinal truth in this conversation with ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:18-22

Denomination: Baptist

When You Can’t Draw Near - Mark 7:1-13 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 23, 2023

Legalism is an insidious problem because it allows your heart to drift far from God while making you think you’re doing great spiritually.

Mark 7:1 The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and 2 saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were “unclean,” that is, unwashed. 3 (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-13, Matthew 15:1-9

Joy Stealers Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Jun 6, 2022

Paul warns the Colossian believers to not let anyone steal their joy by putting them under a yoke of legalism

Above All: A Study in Colossians Colossians 2:16-23 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church 6-05-2022 Add One Egg A company that made cake mixes had a genius idea. It was an easy recipe cake mix. All the person had to do was to add water. They introduced the product and waited ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

#30 The Problem Is The Heart Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Oct 12, 2020

The Pharisees and scribes were all wrapped up in rules and externals.

#30 The Problem Is the Heart Series: Mark Chuck Sligh October 13, 2020 The Pharisees and scribes were all wrapped up in rules and externals. In Mark 7:1-23, Jesus taught that what pleases Him most is worship from the HEART. NOTE: PowerPoint or ProPresenter presentations are available for this ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

"A New Way Of Understaning Who God Is"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jun 21, 2012

A sermon about the God of grace and compassion.

Mark 2:23-3:6 “A New Way of Understanding Who God Is” Last June, the city of Alemeda, California immediately changed its policies after its first responders stood by and watched a man drown in the San Francisco Bay. The first responders didn’t venture out into the muddy ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

#13 Silly Sabbath Rules Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Mar 22, 2020

The Pharisees thought religion was about rules and regulations. Jesus taught that it was about worshipping God from the heart and meeting human needs. This sermon looks at the Pharisees silly Sabbath rules and Jesus’ correction of their false teachings, and a startling statement of His deity.

#13 Silly Sabbath Rules Series: Mark March 22, 2020 Chuck Sligh NOTE: A PowerPoint presentation is available for this sermon by request at chucksligh@hotmail.com. Please mention the title of the sermon and the Bible text to help me find the sermon in my archives TEXT: Mark 2:23-28 – "And no ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:23-28

Denomination: Baptist

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

The Opinions Of Churchianity

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Mar 15, 2015

There is no room in the Church for legalism. In love, we must get along with (and be more understanding of) fellow believers since we are all at different levels of understanding in our faith journey.

WHEN IT COMES TO LEGALISM, I LIKE WHAT AUTHOR, MAX LUCADO, WROTE WHEN HE SAID, “LEGALISM HAS NO PITY ON PEOPLE. LEGALISM MAKES MY OPINIONYOUR BURDEN, MAKES MY OPINION YOUR BOUNDARY, MAKES MY OPINION YOUR OBLIGATION.” I LIKE THAT! WE HAVE ALL BEEN, AT SOME POINT, NOT ONLY A WITNESS TO, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-12

Denomination: Free Methodist

Give Me That Old Time Legalistic Religion

Contributed by Bobby Brewer on Oct 10, 2021

Jesus and Paul experienced opposition from the legalists of their day, as will you and I. None of us are completely immune from its’ affects and we too must guard our hearts from presenting a message and lifestyle that God never intended

Series: We’re on a Mission from God Message: Give Me that Old Time Legalistic Religion Text: Acts 22:22 Big Idea: Jesus had numerous confrontations with the legalists, who among other reasons, sought to kill Him for healing on the Sabbath (Mt. 13:14). Paul also experienced opposition from the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 22:20-22, Acts 22:22

When Grace Battles Legalism -- Grace Wins Every Time

Contributed by Howard Mcglamery on Jul 4, 2003

Jesus Christ is the Lord of Liberty. Whatever your bondage is, He can set you free. He takes your slavery and exchanges it for freedom

When Grace battles Legalism .. Grace wins every time! Galatians 2:1-21 Intro: Join me tonight in Galatians chapter two where Paul continues his defense of grace! Just put it down somewhere: Jesus Christ is the Lord of Liberty! He sets the prisoner free! And I don’t know what has you in ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

How Does Legalism Get Us Off-Track Spiritually?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 6, 2007

This message uses Saul’s poorly-conceived rule as an example of how our rules can create major problems.

- This was a difficult passage to find the “interpretive key” for. How Legalism Starts: He made up a rule that made him feel better. - 1 Samuel 14:24. How Those Around Him Responded: They feared the rule, so they tried to live by it. - 1 Samuel 14:26-28. - v. 26 - There was honey that they ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 14:24-45

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom Day

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Sep 5, 2023

All our days were given by God and belong to God; but on the Sabbath day he gives us freedom as well.

Leah didn’t know why she kept coming to the synagogue. She counted the days up in her head... every seven days for eighteen years, it had to be at least 400 times, she thought. At first people were sorry for her, and someone would take her arm to help her up the steps to section reserved for the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

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

Defection, Deception & Destruction Of The Gospel Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Aug 11, 2018

In Galatians 1:6–9 we see the dangers of: 1) Defection (Galatians 1:6), 2) Deception (Galatians 1:7), and 3) Destruction (Galatians 1:8-9) of those who would pervert the Gospel of Grace.

Every culture has unique expressions that can seem foreign to others. For one who is astonished, the British have the expression that one is “gob-smacked.” “Gob” is slang for “mouth.” To be smacked is to be slapped with an open hand. So someone who is “gob-smacked” opens his mouth, claps his hand ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:6-9

Denomination: Other