Sermons on Religious Legalism:

Does ‘abandoning The Faith’ Mean Losing Your Salvation? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 16, 2015

An examination of the difficult phrase "abandoning the faith" and its proper context of legalism, not salvation.

THE MAIN QUESTION: Does “abandon[ing] the faith” mean losing your salvation? - 1 Timothy 4:1. - This is one of those passages where the wording immediately lends itself to thinking about eternal security. What does it mean that “some will abandon the faith”? Does it mean ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

If It’s Ok, Is It Ok? Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Mar 31, 2021

Marijuana. Yes, this is a message prompted by the legalization of recreational marijuana use in our state. How should a believer approach this?

Question to be asked: OK, now that marijuana has been legalized, is there anything wrong with using it? Intro: I’m driving up Perryville. There, on the right-hand side, there’s a line of people standing out in the cold. I’ve noticed them there since very early on this year, nearly every day. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2, 1 Peter 1:13, 1 Peter 5:8, 1 Corinthians 16:13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Making Of A Faithful People (Joshua 5:1-12) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 22, 2021

Joshua isn't simply about the conquest of Canaan. God is shaping his people, into truly becoming "his" people. (They'd been neglecting circumcision, and the Passover.)

Let's start today by simply reading our passage, Joshua 5:1-12: (1) And then, as soon as all the kings of the Amorites heard, who [were] on the other side of the Jordan to the west, with all the kings of the Canaanites who [were] at the sea, that Yahweh had dried up the waters of the ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 5:1-12, Genesis 17:1-14, Exodus 12:43-49, Numbers 9:1-14

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

Tax Collector And The Pharisee: Very Concise

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 9, 2019

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time - 30th Sunday, Cycle C

Narada, the Indian sage, was a devotee of God, and thought that no one loved God more than he. His self-righteousness began to lead him towards pride and arrogance. The Lord read his heart and said, “Narada, go to this town on the banks of the Ganges for a devotee of mine dwells there. Living ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Catholic

Freedom's Promise Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Nov 2, 2016

If you want to enjoy the life God has called you to live, depend on God's promise, not His law.

Just a few years ago (2010), Audi had one of the best commercials aired during the Super Bowl. It poked some fun at the imaginary “green police” out of control. Take a look. (Show Green Police Audi Ad Super Bowl 2010) Standing at the checkout counter of a store, the clerk tells a ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:15-22

Denomination: Evangelical Free

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

Our Proclamation To The World Series

Contributed by Mike Lewis on Dec 22, 2022

We are truly better together.

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION - Speak on the goodness of our being together this morning - This series called “We Are Better Together” o Intentional in pointing our minds to unity as a church family and as part of the churches of Christ. “I GOT THIS.” In August of 2018, Therra Gwyn-Jaramillo was down ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, Luke 22:14-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Stop Chasing Shadows! Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 9, 2006

Keeping religious rules and observing religious rituals in order to be close to God are only a shadow of the "real thing," a relationship with Him through Jesus.

INTRODUCTION In the time of the early church, there were people in the churches who were teaching that once you became a Christian, you still had to obey the Jewish regulations and rituals to be religiously correct. That kind of false teaching still exists in the 21st century. In this series I’m ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

Part 3 - Matthew 12:9-14 -Deformities Of The Heart And Hand Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Sep 19, 2010

The CLAWED FINGERS of their law system were DISTORTED AND MALFORMED and particularly difficult to uproot. It is not at all surprising that Jesus uses a man with a DEFORMED HAND to illustrate what needed to be done if ever they were to be healed of their D

Part 3 - Matthew 12:9-14 -DEFORMITIES OF THE HEART AND HAND Yesterday, with the encouragement of my wife, I got rid of some THORNY WEEDS growing like trees in the back garden. The thorns were now like razor sharp nails and so it was difficult to get to the roots without punctures, scratches and a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:9-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pitfall Of Pietism Series

Contributed by Chris Surber on Apr 26, 2011

We must rely on grace alone, through faith alone. Works fail, grace produces Christ life in us.

Introduction The title of this message out of Romans chapter 3 is “The Pitfall of Pietism.” For the sake of clarity and sharp delivery of this message, allow me to offer a working definition of what I mean by pietism. According to the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology pietism is: ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-28

Denomination: Christian Church

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

Not Rules And Superstition Series

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Jul 17, 2008

True spiritual life and wisdom is not found in strict adhearance to rules, or in paths that lead to pagan gods. It is only found in Jesus.

Not rules and superstition Love and Wisdom; God and You Colossians 2:6-23 The famous astronaut Buzz Aldrin faced a conflict after returning from the moon. He spiraled into a deep depression that ultimately resulted in him being hospitalized, medicated and put through a battery of psychiatric ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-23

Denomination: Mennonite

Lost Is As Lost Does Series

Contributed by Pastor Jeff Hughes on Jan 23, 2014

If you act lost, you just may well be lost if that is your modus operandi.

As I have said many times in the past, I take a real beating sometimes with people, unsaved and unfortunatly those that profess Christ as well. Why? Well, some is perhaps justified as I too am human and goof up at times (don't forget, pastors are always required to be perfect!). But usually it ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-21

Denomination: Bible Church