Sermons on Religious Legalism:

To Fast Or Not To Fast, That Is The Question Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Oct 10, 2012

A study of the Gospel of Matthew 9: 14 – 17

Matthew 9: 14 – 17 To Fast Or Not To Fast, That Is The Question 14 Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?” 15 And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:14-17

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Hireling Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Oct 11, 2012

A study of the book of Judges chapter 17

Judges 17: 1 – 13 The Hireling Now there was a man from the mountains of Ephraim, whose name was Micah. 2 And he said to his mother, “The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from you, and on which you put a curse, even saying it in my ears—here is the silver with ...read more

Scripture: Judges 17:1-13

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

A Time To Dance

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 17, 2015

Is it okay for Christians to dance? Are rules against dancing just silly man-made rules or are they right? If dancing is okay, what kind of dancing would be right?

the Christian Church has a long history of making up rules that are not in the Bible. Is this right? Is dancing biblical or forbidden? What is the answer? Jesus criticized the Pharisees for making up religious rules that are not in the Bible. One example of this among Christians is the topic of ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:4

Denomination: Baptist

Triumphant Joy Defended Series

Contributed by Derrick Strickland on Mar 19, 2016

Paul reminds us that our Joy must be defended against things that rob of us of Joy.

NTRO: 1. So far Paul has taught us that it’s important for us to understand or define triumphant Joy, then he revealed to us how we can refine or develop that Joy… but tonight Paul sees it important to remind us that our joy must always be defended. 2. It may came as no surprise for ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-21

Denomination: Pentecostal

Working On Sunday? Series

Contributed by Drew Mills on Mar 16, 2007

Our legalism vs. God’s graciousness

Theme: Book of Luke Purpose: legalism vs. God’s graciousness Almost every state in our nation still has laws on their books that would surprise most people. For instance, In Florida, a woman may be fined for falling asleep under a hair dryer. In Indiana, citizens are not allowed to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:1-11

Denomination: Wesleyan

Sorry, Mr. Goody Two Shoes! Series

Contributed by George Mclaughlin Jr. on Oct 8, 2009

Legalism is "Any attempt to gain or maintain the favor of God based upon what I do." Paul gives us four reasons to let go of the false hope of "fixing" our own lives, in order that God accept us.

Outline for CBF June 14, 2009 AM Romans 2:1-16 "Sorry Mr. Goody Two-Shoes!" Intro. Tell story of a boy when he ratted on his sister for not having her eyes closed when we were saying grace. - Definition of legalism: "Any attempt to gain or maintain the favor of God based upon what I do." - ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:1-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Learning To Love Like Dad Series

Contributed by Rick Burdette on Jun 17, 2015

Lost People, God's Heart, Rebellion, Legalism

GROWN UP CHRISTIANS – Learning to Love Like Dad (Father’s Day) Luke 15:1-3; 11-32 (pg. 729) June 21, 2015 Introduction: I’ve shared this story with you before, but on Father’s Day I’d like to share it again, and include something I haven’t shared ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Free At Last Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jan 10, 2019

In Galatians 5:1-6, we see Liberty 1) Defined (Galatians 5:1) 2) Defended (Galatians 5:2-4) and 3) Described (Galatians 5:5-6)

In 1963 American civil rights proponent Martin Luther King said: "So let freedom ring. From the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire, let freedom ring. From the mighty mountains of New York, let freedom ring. From the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania, let freedom ring. But not only ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-6

Denomination: Other

The Road To Heaven - Philippians 3:12-14 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 10, 2022

After speaking against legalism in the first half of the chapter, Paul now warns against the opposite error: quietism. Not even Paul has gotten to a place where he can coast. The race goes until you die.

Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14

Part 1 - Matthew 12:1-3 - Jesus Broke The Law! Why Can't I? Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Sep 15, 2010

In Matthew 12:1-2 isn't Jesus just IGNORING parts of the law that He doesn't like? Is He walking to the EDGE of the law to explore where the BOUNDARIES really are? Is He the kind of person who would drive past a policeman just over the SPEED LIMIT or leav

Convenience, Legalism, Stealing, Disciples, Jesus, Sabbath, Needs, Illegal, Boundaries, Purpose, Law, Matthew 12, Commandments | report PART 1 - MATTHEW 12:1-3 - JESUS BROKE THE LAW! WHY CAN'T I? Not long ago I witnessed an ACCIDENT. A car ahead of me pulled out of it's lane into a bus lane and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Matthew 5 - Part 11 - Quick, I Think I Need A Lawyer! Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Dec 31, 2009

When it comes to the law, I am not merely an in-law (one whose relationship with God is based on a set of rules and regulations) or an outlaw (one who wants to live outside the law). I need a lawyer!

Matthew 5 - Part 11 - I think I need a lawyer? I once went to court on behalf of young mother with an intellectual disability. She was a difficult person and the Department of Children’s Services had decided, in their wisdom, to apply the letter of the law and take away her child. It was my task ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Freedom's Power Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 5, 2009

This message warns us not to depend on a list of rules, which only makes things worse, but to depend on the Lord, who alone can change us from the inside out as He lives His life through us.

Freedom’s Power (Galatians 2:11-21) Several years ago, the Chicago Tribune, ran an article about the religious history of the Chicago area. It began with a paragraph about Zion, a small town north of the city: “Rev. John Alexander Dowie left little to chance a century ago, when the charismatic ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:11-21

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Law And The Christian, Part 1 Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 11, 2014

Jesus gave the ultimate commentary on the Old Testament law, yet it is not very well understood in the Christian community. In this the first of several sermons, we will explore the law and the Christian.

Intro In the sermon on the mount Jesus called us salt and light, then condemned whoever sets aside the least of God’s commands. Does that mean that Christians should put to death idolaters, Sabbath breakers, adulterers and those who dishonor their parents, sacrifices animals, be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Merciful Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 4, 2023

Most people think we should be merciful to other people. But is their understanding of mercy biblical? This message expounds the 5th Beatitude: "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."

Intro Our text today is Matthew 5:7: “Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.”i Do you need mercy from God? Do you need a lot of mercy from the Lord? Do you need contined mercy from the Lord? Our answer to those questions alerts us to the importance of this text. Jesus is giving us a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, 1 Peter 1:3, Luke 10:25-37, Matthew 9:36, Acts 3:1-10, 1 John 3:17, Proverbs 19:17, Mark 10:47, Romans 10:10-14, Matthew 18:23-35, Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 9:13, Micah 6:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Breaking Down Barriers Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Oct 24, 2020

Peter’s response to these religious rule-keepers is a model for us as we face criticism or complaints. We’ll see that Peter’s answer is more pastoral than argumentative. I see seven correctives to help us handle criticism.

This week I shared something positive on Facebook and got pulverized. The criticism came quickly and repeatedly. Normally I’m more careful about posting about controversial matters so I wasn’t prepared for all the venomous vitriol and overwhelming opposition. One person simply replied, “Oh ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Denomination: Baptist