Sermons on Religious Legalism:

Persecution: The Opening Salvoes

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 25, 2013

Religious opposition to the Gospel!

PERSECUTION: THE OPENING SALVOES. Acts 4:1-31; Acts 5:12-42. Soon after the early success of Pentecost, the fledgling New Testament church found herself facing persecution. This is not surprising, and quite in keeping with the pattern of the earlier ministry of Jesus. For example, Herod the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-31, Acts 5:12-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Herod And The Wise Men Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Nov 9, 2021

The wise men were religious outsiders who traveled a good distance while the religious insiders were sitting on the front porch of Bethlehem but failed to take another step. The religious insiders watched the religious outsiders pass right by them.

Today, we begin a short Christmas series entitled The Characters of Christmas. All throughout the story of Christmas, there are major and minor characters who play an important role in making the story of Christmas great theatre. Now, I love to watch a good movie, and I imagine many of you are the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Gambling – What Does One Really Stand To Lose

Contributed by Don Mcclain on Jan 22, 2003

Legalized gambling is harmful public policy that should be vigorously opposed at all levels.

INTRODUCTION A. GAMBLING DEFINED Merriam-Webster, - to play a game for money or property American Heritage® Dictionary - To bet on an uncertain outcome, as of a contest. - To play a game of chance for stakes. - To take a risk in the hope of gaining an advantage or a benefit. World Book ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:9-18, Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Judgmental Giant Series

Contributed by Richard White on May 21, 2007

This Giant beats us down with legalisms, we defeat him with LOVE. Find your Jonathan.

The Judgmental Giant. 1 Samuel 18:1-16 She is always checking her mirrors, studying the faces of the other drivers, she is keeping an eye out for him. She knows he’ll come after her again. The message on the machine “Nothing will keep you from me.” I am your husband, till death do us part ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

John 8:2-11 The Stone Dropped: How Jesus Turned A Legal Trap Into A Call For Self-Examination

Contributed by Ellick Wu on Jan 6, 2026

Now we come to study John 8:2-11. A familiar story about “The Woman Caught in Adultery” and the well-known phrase, “He who is without sin throws the first stone.” Let’s explore the Hypocrisy in the Temple that day, and challenge the judgmental spirit alive in our world today.

Imagine the scene: The temple court is quiet, filled with people eager to hear Jesus teach. But the peace is about to shatter. Suddenly, a group of powerful religious leaders storms in, dragging a terrified woman to the center. They haven't come for justice; they've come to set a trap. They ...read more

Scripture: John 8:2-11, Exodus 20:14, Leviticus 20:10

Denomination: Baptist

The Good Samaritan Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Aug 17, 2014

The parable confronts us with the demand to make a decision concerning the command just give by Jesus. Are we, or are we not, going to love our neighbor as our self.

LUKE 10: [25-] 29-37 [PARABLES IN LUKE] THE GOOD SAMARITAN [1 John 3:18] Few people really understand US Internal Revenue Service income tax regulations and for good reason. According to Forbes magazine, in 2013 tax codes surpassed four million word mark. In fact, the tax codes have become ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Baptist

Paul, The Real Deal-How Bout You?

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Sep 29, 2010

False teachers sought to undermined Paul’s Spiritual credentials, however he set out to defend his apostleship, explaining once again that he was appointed by God and not by men. Paul was an apostle, “one sent with a commission.” The apostles of Jesus Chr

Paul, the Real Deal-How Bout You? Galatians 1:11-24NKJ But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:11-24

Denomination: Pentecostal

When Is It Right To Heal The Sick Series

Contributed by Andy Moyle on Jun 15, 2016

At the leading Pharisees house Jesus deals with legalism, honour/shame and who is invited to the feast of the kingdom of God

oday's meal with Jesus is the last he has with a Pharisee - so it's fitting its a chief Pharisee. It doesn't go well for the Pharisee, but it does for a man with dropsy. Dropsy is the old-fashioned name for oedema - water retention in the body often caused by kidney failure or heart problems skin ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-24

Denomination: Charismatic

Woes To The Pharisees And Lawyers - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Aug 23, 2014

Jesus warns us of the danger of spiritual hypocrisy.

Scripture Jesus encountered growing opposition on his journey from Galilee to Jerusalem. Today’s text “contains Jesus’ most direct rebuke of the Pharisees and [lawyers], a significant portion of the Jewish religious leadership.” Let’s read about Jesus’ ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:37-44

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Free From The Law

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jul 16, 2014

This statement, "You are not under law," has been misinterpreted to free people as freedom from any obligation to the revealed law of God." Free from the law is not a license to sin but the liberty to serve and obey from love not compulsion.

Free From the Law Romans 8:1-11 Romans 6:14 contains these words "...for ye are not under the law, but under grace." This words have become, as John McArthur, points out "a sort of an open door for all kinds of misdeeds and misbehavior. This statement, "You are not under law," has been ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Is Great Enough To Sanctify (Part Two) Series

Contributed by Darrell Stetler Ii on Nov 6, 2014

There is a negative aspect of holiness/sanctification – putting off. There is a positive aspect of sanctification – putting on.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> THIS SERMON AVAILABLE WITH POWERPOINT IN RESOURCE DOWNLOAD! This sermon (and several hundred others) are available for download. > Microsoft Word > Most with handouts More info: www.sermonsubscribe.com or darrellstetler2@gmail.com >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Colossians 3:1 ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:5-17

Denomination: Holiness

Knocking Down Prison Walls Series

Contributed by Larry Turner on Sep 1, 2015

Often our spiritual battles are fought behind bars made of human reasoning. This sermon discusses breaking through that stronghold and destroying the debates of Satan.

A new soldier was on sentry duty at the main gate. Security levels were high. His orders were very clear. No car was to enter unless it had a special sticker on the windshield. A big Army car came up with a general seated in the back. The sentry said, "Halt, who goes there?" The driver, a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:3-4

Denomination: Foursquare

Lord Of The Sabbath

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on May 29, 2018

What does keeping the Sabbath look like?

LORD of the Sabbath Mark 2:23-3:6 Jesus’ understanding of the Sabbath embroiled Him in a great deal of controversy, especially among the Pharisees and led to many disputes. “Sabbath” is the Hebrew word for “seventh.” It goes back to the beginning of Genesis where it says that God rested from His ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Evidence Of Christian Unity

Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Aug 9, 2014

A sermon examining the evidence of Christian unity.

Evidence Of Christian Unity Philippians 2:2 I would like for us to walk through verse 2 of this chapter and examine “The Evidence Of Christian Unity”. In this one verse, Paul lists 4 attributes that will be seen in a Christian assembly that is unified. Because of their encouragement in ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:2

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Answering The First-Century "karens" He Encountered Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 13, 2025

All of them were survivors, in the strict sense, each party with its own quirks. The Pharisees stood behind the Law.

Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Course 2025 Have you ever wondered just why it was that the Pharisees, who seemed to be everywhere Jesus went, were such prigs? These days we might even call the “Karens,” although I’ve known real Karens and they weren’t so judgmental as the Pharisees. I think the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-8, Luke 9:3, Psalm 116:12-18, Exodus 11:10, Exodus 12:1-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic