Sermons on Religious Legalism:

When It’s Ok To Break The Rules

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Aug 25, 2019

Jesus healed on the Sabbath, and used it to make a point: God cares deeply, there's always a critic, and we are to live free from the chains of legalism.

Luke 13:10-17 When It’s OK to Break the Rules Jesus was always getting into trouble over the “blue laws” of his day. Remember blue laws? Stores can’t open before a certain hour on Sunday, or at all? Or stores can’t serve alcohol before a certain time? I grew up in a church-attending household. On ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17, John 14:9, John 5:19, Exodus 20:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Trust Not In The Words "the Temple Of The Lord" Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 31, 2019

In Jeremiah’s words, there is murder, theft, fornication, perjury and the out-and-out worship of money. But we cannot forget the legal murder sanctioned by the Supreme Court.

Jeremiah 7: 1-15 “The Temple of the Lord. . .” We are encouraged by the Church to listen to the word of the Lord, as much as possible, with ears sensitive to their original meaning. In other words, we listen as the people of Judah, the Jews, would have heard them in the days of Jeremiah. They were ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 7:1-15, Matthew 21:13

Denomination: Catholic

Do You Want To Be Pardoned?

Contributed by Kelvin Mckisic on Dec 10, 2023

In our legal system and specifically regarding our system of incarceration of criminals we have a means of exempting a guilty person from punishment for the crimes they have committed.

“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow. “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:16-20, Matthew 6:1-6, 1 Samuel 12:24, Psalm 25:5, John 1:14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Can We Contain Our Anger, Or Should We?

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Jan 12, 2014

Why did Jesus get so angry in the temple when legal trading of animals was necessary as part of the ceremony. Look for the anger which resulted from the corruption hidden in the name of God.

Title: Can we contain our anger, or should we? Word Count: 1546 Tabs: Lent 3, Anger, Rage, Corruption Exodus 20:1-17 Psalm 19 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 John 2:13-22 Summary: Why did Jesus get so angry in the temple when legal trading of animals was necessary as part of the ceremony. ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-22

Denomination: Episcopal

Simplicity Versus Complexity

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

We need to see that the primary problem of the Pharisees was that they were too religious. Some people go bad because of their vices, and others because of their virtues.

Human nature loves to magnify the minute and give significance to the insignificant by the simple method of stretching the truth. An army cook, for example, feed a mob of men with scrambled eggs, and then he sat down and wrote to his girl friend: "Dearest, for two hours shells have been ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:33-37

Kingdom Of Heaven [part 3] Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Jul 15, 2015

As individuals and as a church where do we stand when it comes to being the leaven? Are we pursuing to build a strong communion with Jesus Christ or being lured by the leaven of legalism, liberalism and materialism?

Introduction: This passage/verse may seem tricky because that was doubtless the reaction of the disciples when they heard this little story. Our Lord arrested them with this story and shocked them somewhat. When he told them that there was a woman who hid leaven in three measures of meal they must ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lord Of The Sabbath ( Matthew 12:1-14)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Mar 23, 2025

In this chapter, Jesus teaches the true meaning of the “Sabbath” and how it is to bring glory to God, not to be used as a religious weapon. The hostility towards Jesus was starting to grow.

Before we undergo any further study of this chapter, it would be helpful to understand the concept of the “Sabbath”. According to the fourth commandment (Exodus 20:8), the Sabbath was set aside as one day in seven to cease from labor and take a rest from all unnecessary activity. Exodus 31:15 ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 31:15, Colossians 1:16-17, Hosea 6:6, Matthew 12:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

New Year 2022 Aspiring In Bleak Times Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 24, 2021

The New Year is an opportunity not only for us to improve our physical health, it is also an opportunity for us to develop our spiritual health and thus experience His joy between and around the gloom.

2022: Aspiring in Bleak Times (Psalm 16) 1. Some people observe New Year’s traditions, others do not. Joey Adams shares his blessing for the New Year with us: “May all your troubles last as long as your resolutions.” 2. Someone defined a New Year’s resolution as “something that goes in one year ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 16:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Ten Commandments - Are They For Now?

Contributed by Graham Kettle on Oct 14, 2014

We hear about the 10 Commandments. In Jesus’ day Jews had to obey these and 600+ rules. But in these days, we don't like to hear about what we should or shouldn't do. So, Christian - can you dump them as many are preaching? Grace vs Law - who wins?

We are used to hearing about the 10 Commandments. The Jews of Jesus’ day had to obey these plus over 600 more rules. In these days, we do not like to hear about what we should or should not do. We do not like being told, “Do this,” or, “Don’t do that.” Have you ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:3-17

Denomination: Church Of God

What Can't A Christian Do

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Mar 14, 2014

An analysis of the problem

A. AN ANALYSIS OF THE PROBLEM 1. It’s becoming acceptable to call some Christians legalists, because the critic disagrees with their issues of separation from the world. 2. It becomes easy to do some questionable practices because they are seen on television, movies, or seen in the lives ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-21

Denomination: Baptist

If We Are To Be Forgiving, Does This Mean We Shouldn’t Prosecute Criminals? Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 29, 2020

Are Christians free to prosecute lawbreakers?

If We Are to Be Forgiving, Does This Mean We Shouldn’t Prosecute Criminals? (topical) 1. “A man, convinced of a crime, was in court. The judge said 'Why did the police arrest you?' The man replied 'For shopping too early.' The judge said 'Well that's not a crime, how early ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-7, Genesis 9:5-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Paul's Authority (Galatians 1)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 16, 2024

From where did Paul get his authority? What about independent preachers today? Let's look at Galatians 1.

Who was Paul? Why did Peter recognize his authority? Did he contradict or complement the teachings of Jesus about the law? Is there a difference between physical and spiritual circumcision? What defines true righteousness, the letter of the law or faith? How do we receive the Holy Spirit, by doing ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Religion Without Relationship Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Aug 29, 2025

Without God’s Word, people create their own religion.

RELIGION WITHOUT RELATIONSHIP By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Judges 17 Key Verse: Judges 17:5–6 –“And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest. In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Kingdom Of Culture Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon explores the conflict between religious and political power as seen in John 18:28-39, where Pilate must decide whether to execute Jesus, a decision that pits his Roman authority against the Jewish leaders and their religious kingdom.

The year was 1776 and the American colonies were in the midst of a revolution. The colonists had declared their independence from Great Britain and were now in a fight for their freedom. John Adams was a lawyer and a politician. He was also one of the most influential people in the fight for ...read more

Scripture: John 18:28-39

Topics: Kingdom Collision, Faith And Culture, Decision Consequences

Sermon Series: King Of All Kingdoms

Table Talk Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Sep 5, 2025

If you want to gain the respect of others and even God Himself, put compassion above criticism, put others above yourself, and put giving above receiving.

The senior pastor of a large church walked into the sanctuary alone and felt an overwhelming sense of God's holiness. He went to the front, knelt down at the altar rail, and began to beat himself on the chest, crying out, “Oh Lord, I am nothing!” A few moments later, the associate pastor ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-14, Proverbs 25:6-7, Philippians 2:5-11, James 2:5, Hebrews 11:2, Hebrews 11:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free