Sermons on Religious Legalism:

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

The Heart Of Religion

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Aug 19, 2021

Religious traditions and rules can be harmful, or they can provide a framework for a heart transformed. The heart is transformed by the Holy Spirit.

THE HEART OF RELIGION—Mark 7:1-23 If you would ask 100 people, maybe on a street corner of a university or in your neighborhood, “What do you think about religion?” What would you hear? Some people would politely say, “It’s not bad to be religious, if you are into that.” Some might be glad to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23, Ezekiel 11:19-20, John 7:38-39, Proverbs 4:23, Ezekiel 36:26-27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Pluralism Vs. Exclusivism

Contributed by Daniel Dennison on Oct 17, 2006

A biblical look at the ideas posed by religious pluralism and religious exclusivism.

Vespers, 1-31-06 1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God[a]; trust also in me. 2In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Denomination: Methodist

Warnings Lesson 4 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 5, 2025

God gave warnings to please God by obeying His commandments and teachings.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. The Colossian church had four problems. This chapter addresses the four problems of the church. a. Mystery religions. b. Philosophy. c. Legalism (asceticism) and d. Worship of angels (gnosticism). 2. Why God gives warnings to Christians? a. To correct Christian beliefs and ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:3, Colossians 2:17

Denomination: Baptist

False Teachings (1 Timothy 1)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 5, 2024

Are false teachings about the law still prevalent? Let's find out in 1 Timothy 1.

Paul wrote this first letter to Timothy about the church in Ephesus and false teachings there about the law. Are doctrines about the law, NOT taught by Jesus or the apostles still prevalent? Is love the most important doctrine? Is the law still a focus of many false teachers? Let’s find out in 1 ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Visible Faith

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Aug 19, 2024

People tend to think about faith as a private matter. James would argue otherwise for a visible faith.

As we’ve been studying the book of James - we have observed how he calls us to have a “spiritual wholeness” - a faith that runs throughout all that we are. A faith that is revealed in our character, exhibited in conflicts, and heard in our conversations. He calls us to… persevere amidst trials, ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26, Proverbs 3:27, Romans 3:28, Deuteronomy 6:4, Hebrews 11:19, Ephesians 5:3, Romans 12:3-8, Malachi 3:10, Nehemiah 6:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom's Promise Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Mar 5, 2009

This message encourages us to live by promise not by law. If we want to enjoy life as God intended it, then we can’t live it trying to earn God’s blessings. We must live it in light of his blessings already given.

Freedom’s Promise (Galatians 3:15-22) It was a battle, a wrestling match, a test of wills. Every day, at exactly the same time, Margaret would go to the bathroom cabinet, open it, and take out a huge bottle of castor oil. Then she would head to the kitchen to get a tablespoon. At the sound of ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:15-22

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Romans 4:13-22 Series

Contributed by George Mclaughlin Jr. on Feb 9, 2010

Scripture speaks of two diametrically opposed principles for living, and for approaching God. The one is faith, and the other is works. It is all too easy to assume that we are walking by faith, when in fact, we are living by works (legalism). In this tex

Outline for CBF August 16, 2009 Intro. What kind of faith do you have? What kind of faith would you like to have?! Proposition: A right relationship with God ... I. Comes not by Works but rather by Faith, 4:13-17 A. The example of Abraham (mentioned previously) 13. B. Works (law) and faith are ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:13-22

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Give Me A Week

Contributed by Thomas Miller on Feb 14, 2011

God wants us to stop doing what’s wrong; He gave us His Spirit to do it, but we still have a fallen nature that makes it tough. I don’t think God wants it to be easy, because He wants us to work hard to show Him how much we love Him. Sin is easy, just ask

Give Me a Week I’ve been Amazed by those that are so quick to criticize someone’s character often struggle the most with their own. One thing I’ve learned in my 29 year relationship with God is that I’m messed up, and ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Passion For God

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Mar 2, 2011

God expects us to love Him with all we have, and to love others the same way.

Focus Passage: Matthew 22:35-40 Supplemental Passage: 1 John 4:19 We love, because He first loved us. Introduction: There was a little boy who entered the family room after suppertime. Dad was weary from a hard day on the job. He had the recliner kicked back and was reading the paper. The little ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:35-40

Denomination: Baptist

A Matter Of Trust

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Mar 9, 2011

God must be Lord over every part of our lives; even our finances.

A Matter of Trust January 3, 2010 Morning Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: God must be Lord over every part of our lives; even our finances. Focus Passage: Mark 12:41-44 Introduction: In Matthew, Mark, and Luke 1 out of every 6 verses deals with money. Of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:41-44

Denomination: Baptist

Running In A Standing Position Series

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Mar 23, 2015

Consider three moves of grace. Our record is cleared of sin. Our lives are conformed to Christ. And our destiny is sealed by God.

There are three great moves that God makes on your behalf – three initiatives of grace that have to do with securing and insuring your salvation. They are, first, justification, second, sanctification, and, third, glorification. In his mercy, God justifies you – that is, he pronounces ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

~warnings Against The Philosophies Of Men ~ Series

Contributed by William D. Brown on Mar 30, 2014

Paul wants the Colossian believers and us as well, to understand the great truths in this chapter, because in doing so, we'll not be led astray by the so called up to date bible theories & teaching.

#4 ~Col.2:1-9 ~WARNINGS AGAINST THE PHILOSOPHIES OF MEN ~ 12-15-13 Paul wants the Colossian believers and us as well, to understand the great truths in this chapter, because in doing so, we'll not be led astray by the so called "up to date bible theories & teaching", fancy words and man ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Christian And The Law Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Jul 24, 2011

In Romans 6, Paul dealt with those who think they can do whatever they want now, even live sinfully. Now Paul turns to those who think they need to follow “the rules” in order to be a Christian. What we find is that our only hope for living is a relatio

The Law and the Christian The Law does not have authority over us (v. 1-6) The Law does still have purpose for us (v.7-13) The Law does not have power to change us (v.14-25) Slide Intro It has been hot out there! We have been facing extreme heat this past week. On Thursday, while driving, my car ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:1-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grace Or Law

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Feb 9, 2015

Are you living under Grace or Law or maybe a form of Graw or Lace?

The argument over Grace versus Law or a mixture like Glaw or Lace has been going on for centuries. That is to be expected because there was such a radical change between the Old and New Covenant it was bound to bring about controversy. The Jews who had been under the Old for so many centuries ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-29

Denomination: Baptist