Sermons on religious legalism:

Justified By Grace Not Legalism

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 3, 2023

Are we justified by grace or lawkeeping? Do Jesus and Paul contradict each other?

Paul explained how we are justified by grace, not works of the law. How did we receive the Holy Spirit? You irrational Galatians! Who put a spell on you? Jesus Christ was put on display as crucified before your eyes! I just want to know this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Legal Tender, Or Counterfeit? Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Sep 30, 2016

We need to get as familiar as possible with the real God of the Bible. Then we'll find it easy to recognize the counterfeits.

Ephesians 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:14-16

Denomination: *other

Freedom From Legalism PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 4, 2023

Understand and appreciate the freedom and love we receive from God's grace, as explained in Paul's letter to the Galatians, rather than complicating it with legalism and rules.

Good morning, Church Family! You know, we have a tendency to complicate things that are simple. We can even turn the beautiful gift of God’s grace into a frustrating set of rules and regulations. But let’s remind ourselves of what Philip Yancey once said: “Grace means there is nothing we can do to ...read more

Topics: Frustration, Freedom

Give Me Liberty...or Give Me Legalism Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Sep 5, 2013

God's grace isn't a relic from our past, it is our daily manna.

INTRODUCTION Did you hear about the joke about the Baptist pastor who snuck out to the horse race track? He’d never bet on the horses before, so he wasn’t sure where to put his money. Before one of the races he watched as a Catholic priest pronounced a blessing on a particular horse. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Religious Party Poopers

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Jun 9, 2005

A look at hypocrisy.

In what way was Christianity new and improved from Judaism? Why is it inappropriate for Christians to boring and depressed? Why do so many people have the idea that Christians are narrow minded and uncompassionate people? How can we balance celebration in Jesus with a serious commitment? Well ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:33-39

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Are You Religious Or Not?

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 29, 2024

Jesus, in the Gospel, enumerates the evil we must avoid, or repent of if we haven’t avoided it. It’s like a to-do list from a modern person’s daily schedule, isn’t it?

Twenty-Second Sunday in Course 2024 Those who have known me as a preacher for any length of time also know that I am not a big fan of the clerics who put our Lectionary together. They tend to omit verses and paragraphs to shorten the readings at Mass. And that itself is a kind of insult to the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, Deuteronomy 4:6-8, Psalm 15:2-5, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Understanding Religious Fundamentalism

Contributed by Robert Sickler on Mar 12, 2015

The United States has a very long history of unsuccessful conflicts with Islamic fundamentalists. The reason is that the only person who can really understand the dedication of a religious fundamentalist is another religious fundamentalist.

UNDERSTANDING RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM ILLUSTRATION THE GATHERS There was a very wise man who one day decided to journey to a neighboring city with three of his followers. They were not long into their journey when they came upon a man picking berries. In his quest to get the largest and best ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-7

Denomination: Christian Church

Guilt & Hypocrisy Of The Religious Series

Contributed by Robert Simmons on Jan 1, 2014

IN ROMANS 1, PAUL SHOWS HOW SINFUL HUMANITY IS WITHOUT THE TRUTH OF SCRIPTURES. IN THIS STUDY, PAUL CONTRASTS AND SHOWS HOW SINFUL ARE THOSE WHO KNOW THE SCRIPTURE BUT ARE BOUND BY THEIR SINFUL NATURE

Romans 2:1-16—Guilt & Hypocrisy of the Religious 1. Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever you art that judges: for wherein you judges another, thou condemns yourself; for you that judges do the same things. 2. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:1-15

Denomination: Church Of God

Are You Righteous Or Religious

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Feb 28, 2021

Dr. Martin Luther King "If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living will not be in vain". Righteousness is the quality or state of being morally correct and justifiable “behavior that is morally justifiable or right.”

Are You Righteous or Religious? By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING: - A couple of weeks ago I did a message titled “What Kind of Spirit do you Have”? I love how God sends and uses confirmation. My brother Mark also has been dealing with something very similar and dealing with the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37, Micah 6:8

Denomination: Apostolic

The Anamosity Of The Religious Leaders Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 9, 2017

Peter had just been preaching the resurrection of Jesus, and “the Sadducees” saw danger arising from such teaching. Peter an John had wrought a great miracle by healing the lame man, a miracle which the Sadducees could not deny.

October 7, 2013 By: Tom Lowe Series: The Early Church Lesson II.C.3.a: The Animosity of the Religious Leaders (4.1-22) Acts 4.1-22 (KJV) 1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, 2 Being grieved that they taught the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom Letter- Avoid Legalism Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Jan 2, 2021

This is the 37th sermon in the Action Series. This series began during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study in Acts will also include the letters written to the Churches. This is the 2nd sermon from the Letter to the Galatians.

Series: Action [#37] FREEDOM LETTER- AVOID LEGALISM Galatians 2:1-10 Introduction: As you begin a New Year, how are you approaching it? I have been praying about this coming year; and I recently heard a great sermon about the New Year. As a Christian, nothing has changed in this World that ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Religious Sinner, Nicodemus Series

Contributed by Jimmy Davis on Sep 19, 2001

Picture # 3 in the series: The 14 Candid Snapshots of the Maturing Christian as found in the Gospel of John. Nicodemus, a picture of the religious sinner who sits in the pew week after week but is not saved. John 3:16, preached to a religious sinner.

Picture # 3: The Religious Sinner, Nicodemus John 3:1-21 The Surgeon General teaches us that the key to good health and physical fitness is plenty of exercise, a balanced nutritional diet, and the proper amount of rest. The Surgeon General doesn’t mention that we have a body and a soul. It’s ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-21, John 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

Building On A Religious Heritage Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Jan 4, 2001

Having a religious heritage can either help us or hinder us in cultivating an authentic relationship with God.

I grew up with no religious heritage at all. As a lot of you know, my childhood was thoroughly secularized. Although I was baptized as a baby, for the most part I lived in an entirely different universe than religion. My mom and adoptive dad believed that religion had a negative effect in people’s ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Ungratefulness Of Religious People

Contributed by Rodney Johnson Sr., on Nov 28, 2002

In this text, Jesus reveals how prevelant ungratefulness is among religious people.

Introduction: Today many people will be celebrating what is called; "Thanksgiving Day." Parade goers will fill the streets. People will fill their yards with lavish eating and drinking. The smell of barbecue sauce will permeates the air. It is a tragedy that this day like most others have ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

Religious Or Christ-Like?

Contributed by Roddy Chestnut on Oct 18, 2000

Thesis: There is a big difference between being "religious" and following Jesus Christ.

Thesis: There is a big difference between being "religious" and following Jesus Christ. Intro.: 1. When you hear someone use the word "religion" or hear someone refer to another person as "religious" what do you think of? a. Illust. Do you think of "Church Lady" on Saturday Night Live who goes ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-39