Sermons on Religious Legalism:

Preparing Your Heart For Jesus Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Dec 17, 2020

What does true repentance look like? This message is based on John's ministry against a backdrop of political turmoil and religious oppression.

Introduction We’ve spent the last few months leading up to Christmas and the birth of Christ talking about how the world was being prepared by God religiously and geopolitically for the arrival of Christ. We saw prophetic fulfillment and covenantal fulfillment through the coming of Jesus Christ, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:4, Luke 15:7, John 1:12, Matthew 3:5, John 1:1, John 18:24-28, John 11:50, Matthew 14:1-13, Luke 1:75, Matthew 3:6, Luke 3:1-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren

Our Heavenly Father Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 20, 2022

Jesus shocked the religious leaders of His day by claiming that He had a Father/Son relationship with the God whose name they feared even to pronounce.

Our Heavenly Father The Old Testament provides us with many names and titles for God, the New Testament reveals Him most fully. Jesus shocked the religious leaders of His day by claiming that He had a Father/Son relationship with the God whose name they feared even to pronounce. Jesus invited His ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:49, Mark 14:36

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Biblical Warning For Evil And Wicked Priests. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Apr 8, 2024

Throughout history, the church has faced numerous challenges, including the threat of evil and wicked priests who have infiltrated the ranks of religious leadership.

The Bible warns us about these individuals, who masquerade as servants of God while perpetuating evil and leading the faithful astray. This will explore the biblical concept of evil and wicked priests, their characteristics, and the consequences of their actions. Unfortunately, many churches are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:11, Acts 5:1-11, 1 Timothy 5:17-20, Jeremiah 23:1-2

The True, Biblical Church Of God. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on May 27, 2024

In today's diverse religious Doctrines and Divisions, it's essential to understand what constitutes the true, biblical Church of God.

In today's diverse religious Doctrines and Divisions, it's essential to understand what constitutes the true, biblical Church of God. This sermon explores the Bible's teachings on the characteristics, purpose, and unity of the Church, helping us discern the authentic body of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42, Ephesians 2:20, John 17:21, Matthew 28:18-20, Revelation 3:1  (view more)  (view less)

Caught In The Act

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Apr 8, 2023

If what Peter and John and the others claim is true, what will happen to the religious establishment? They'll have to kill the movement to survive themselves.

Good morning. This is Hannah Batyoel from Inside Jerusalem, reporting on a breaking story that began late yesterday afternoon when two Galileans were arrested for creating a disturbance in the temple precincts. But first, a backgrounder from our religion correspondent, Shlomo Yehudi. Good ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-20, Acts 3:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Getting Our Hands Dirty

Contributed by John Stensrud on Apr 29, 2001

An expository message focusing on the confrontation between Jesus and an expert in the law.

Getting our Hands Dirty – Luke 10:25-37 By Pastor John Stensrud Luke 10:25 On one occasion a lawyer [stood up] to [test] Jesus. Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" 27 He answered "’Love the Lord your ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Baptist

How Were You Saved? Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jun 22, 2009

Paul has been defining & defending the true nature of the Gospel as a gospel of grace through faith. Now he turns to the problem that legalism had caused in churches of Galatia. Some believers had turned from spiritual freedom to legalistic slavery.

GALATIONS 3: 1-5 HOW WERE YOU SAVED? [Romans 8: 12-16] Paul has been defining and defending the true nature of the Gospel as a gospel of grace through faith. Now he turns to the problem that legalism had caused in churches of Galatia. Some believers had turned from spiritual freedom to ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

A Fractured Fairy Tale

Contributed by John Sears on Jul 9, 2015

If there one passage that defines this culture, it is Matthew 7:1-5. Since the Supreme Court legalized same sex marriage, this passage has been pushed to the forefront. This message examines what Jesus meant when he said, "Do not judge."

A Fractured Fairy Tale Introduction When I was growing up, there was an older cartoon show that I enjoyed watching. It was the Rocky and Bullwinkle show. And while I thought the conflict between the heroes and the villains (Boris and Natasha) was funny what I found really clever was the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-5

Denomination: Christian Church

Dispute And Debate In The Church

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jan 12, 2008

From this text, we get a few ideas of what to do whenever disputes arise in the church. 1- Legalism always leads to trouble 2- Trouble should be handled by the leaders 3- Leaders must always follow God’s Spirit

INTRO.- ILL.- A married couple were arguing with one another. The husband said, "Don’t you remember promising to love, honor and obey me?" His wife, "Yes, but what else could I do, I was in church!" ILL.- A wife said, "Dear, could I have some spending money?" Husband, "Money, money, money. If ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Marijuana Use: Willingly Walking Into Bondage

Contributed by Terry Frazier on Feb 1, 2014

What's really behind the movement in America to legalize marijuana? Why do we want to sanction people being put into bondage to a substance and in a broader sense sin? This is very troubling as Christians seem to be having a hard time standing against sin

A couple of weeks ago I preached a message on the Christian views on legalizing marijuana in America. If you’ll recall, I wasn’t very supportive of the idea. The notion that we can legalize sin and somehow make state sanctioning of sin a good thing despite the fact that legalizing ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

Pt. 1 The Anointing Breaks The Yoke Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Apr 8, 2013

The Hebrews were taught to believe that if they studied enough, followed the Law closely enough, did enough, do the right things . . . they would find rest & acceptance of God. The Pharisees, with their traditions/legalism/man-made rules had made it so ha

30 Days of Blessing Series “The Anointing Breaks the Yoke” (Part 1 of 5) Matt. 11.28-30; Isaiah 10.37 October 7, 2012 Chester FBC, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker Introduction: A 28 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.29 "Take My yoke ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Baptist

Hapy Are The Humble Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Aug 23, 2019

Do you want to be truly happy and blessed? Then be humble in your attitude towards yourself, your sin, others, and God.

Tim Keller, in his book The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness, talks about his high school days when his mother kept telling him, “You know, honey, you ought to join the chess club.” He would say, “Mom, I hate chess.” “Yes, I know,” she would say, “but it will look so good on your college ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Social Justice And Critical Theory: Biblical Justice In An Age Of Ideological Civil War

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 27, 2021

There is an ideological civil war taking place in the United States, and in western civilization overall. This is a battle that displays itself along political lines, social lines, academic lines, and along religious lines.

Proverbs 21:15 "When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers." There is an ideological civil war taking place in the United States, and in western civilization overall. This is a battle that displays itself along political lines, social lines, academic ...read more

Scripture: John 7:24, Proverbs 21:15, Proverbs 28:5, Galatians 3:26-29, Matthew 5:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

14 Symptoms Of Demonic Operation

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on May 10, 2011

14 symptoms that could possibly point to demonic operation in a person's life.

14 Symptoms of Demonic Operation A Satan uses deception. 1 The word “deceive” paints a picture of a person who believes a lie to be the truth. a The key area Satan uses to deceive people is the Word of God. b If Satan can convince a person that God is a liar...he can get that person ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Revival Must Start At Home

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 8, 2019

We long for revival, but revival seems to be delayed. Contemporary Christians must "break up the fallow ground" if we will ever experience revival.

“From the days of Gibeah, you have sinned, O Israel; there they have continued. Shall not the war against the unjust overtake them in Gibeah? When I please, I will discipline them, and nations shall be gathered against them when they are bound up for their double iniquity. “Ephraim was a ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 10:9-15

Denomination: Baptist