Sermons on Religious Legalism:

The 7 Churches + Ephesus Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Jan 19, 2024

Chapters 2 and 3 focus on the Lampstands concerning “what is now” (1:19). Each church represents one of the positions of the Lampstands.

January 20, 2024 In the 1st chapter of Revelation, the focus of the vision was entirely on the Being walking in the midst of the Lampstands and not on the Lampstands themselves. Chapters 2 and 3 focus on the Lampstands concerning “what is now” (1:19). Each church represents one of the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7, Ephesians 1:15

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Faith, Filth And The Human Heart

Contributed by Craig Condon on Apr 14, 2015

The marginal people storm into the church, insisting that the church should live up to the pattern offered by Jesus. They rock the boat, and in so doing they force the church to remember its reason for being.

There is a story of a group of the very pious who are waiting in heaven for judgment. As they are waiting and complaining about the wait, they begin to see some of the “sinners” they knew on earth coming into the waiting room: a corrupt politician, an itinerant woman who had been ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-28

Denomination: Anglican

Stand Fast In Liberty Part 2 Series

Contributed by Eric Hanson on Jul 21, 2015

This is the second in our series at Hosanna Church highlighting our concerns with the Hebraic Roots movement currently making its way through church circles.

Stand Fast in Liberty (part 2) Pastor Eric J. Hanson July 19, 2015 Galatians 5:1 Review of the first Message in this Series On July 5th, Pastor Dallas shared a fine sermon dealing with a current threat to genuine Christian Liberty. This is not a threat coming from outside of the Church from her ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Philippians And Stress 4: Performance-Driven Stress Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Mar 26, 2020

Performance-driven stress is overcome by a clearer focus on Christ. Not pressure to perform, but passion to take hold of the prize.

PHILIPPIANS AND STRESS: PERFORMANCE-BASED STRESS—Philippians 3:1-21 As we read Philippians, we have been focusing on how to handle stress. One of the biggest sources of stress is pressure to perform. It starts with children: “Be a good boy.” “Be a nice girl.” “Make Dad proud.” “Don’t make us ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Called To Freedom

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 4, 2010

The message explores some of the implications of our freedom in Christ, encouraging believers to walk as free people.

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. “Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Legalistically Stubborn Paul Experienced Jesus For His Indwelling Lesson 4 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 13, 2023

The most defining experience of your life will be touching/encountering Jesus.

A. INTRODUCTION: SAUL PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS 1. Saul was a successful failure. He was going to top of the religious ladder. “Paul was better qualified than all the legalists ... the best of all ... born a Jew into the tribe of Benjamin, and circumcised on the eighth day. He spoke Hebrew, kept ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:6, Acts 9:22

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon 7 - Believer, Beware Series

Contributed by David Owens on Oct 27, 2025

In this sermon's section from Colossians, Paul warns the Colossian Christians to avoid the false teachings of legalism, mysticism and asceticism. Christians from all times need to heed these warnings as well.

Introduction: A. One day a customer was entering a little country store and noticed a sign posted on the door warning, “Danger! Beware of dog!” 1. Inside, the customer noticed a harmless old hound dog asleep on the floor beside the cash register, and asked: “Is that the dog folks are supposed ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-23, Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Saved By Christ. Not By You.

Contributed by Lewis Roe on Oct 20, 2018

Legalism or did Jesus do it all?

Colossians 2:16-23 16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-23

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

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

Made For Life, Not Legalism: Following Jesus Into True Rest - Mark 2:27 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 3, 2026

We live in an age obsessed with performance. We measure our worth by what we do, how busy we are, and how well we keep up. And tragically, that same spirit can creep into our faith.

Made for Life, Not Legalism: Following Jesus into True Rest - Mark 2:27 Introduction: When Rules Replace Relationship We live in an age obsessed with performance. Targets, metrics, productivity, image, hustle. Even rest has become something we feel guilty about. We measure our worth by what we ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:27-28, Genesis 2:2-3, Exodus 20:8-10, Hosea 6:6, Colossians 2:16-17, Matthew 11:28-30, Hebrews 4:9-10, Romans 5:1, Hebrews 13:20-21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal