Sermons on Religious Legalism:

Listening To Unchristian America

Contributed by Jay Robison on Nov 1, 2007

Christianity has an image problem. What can we learn from how those outside the church see the church today. I use Jesus criticism of religious leaders to cause us to think.

I have used sermoncentral along with other resources in this message. James White’s Critical Times email was a starting point. I also referred to Kinnaman’s book. LISTENING TO UnCHRISTIAN AMERICA October 28, 2007 Jay Davis Robison MATTHEW 15:1-12 The Church in America HAS AN IMAGE ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Death Row

Contributed by James Tidwell on Aug 7, 2005

I would like to take a few minutes and talk to you on a subject I have entitled “Death Row.” There has been a lot of debate going on for years on the concept of the death penalty and the legality of putting someone to death for committing a violent act ca

By Rev. James Tidwell Key Text: Romans 5:12, 6:23; 5:12 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Lost

Contributed by Anoop Samuel on Feb 22, 2008

The first and most important aspect of being lost, is realizing that you are lost. If you have a GPS, it will tell, “Make a u turn if possible”. Some will tell you, “Make a legal u-turn if possible”. This would be the first indication to you that you have

If a fish in taken out of water and it would definitely feel out or place or lost. If left on land, it would die within a few minutes. There are fishes that cannot survive in salt water. Also, there are fishes that can survive in many types of waters. If you have an aquarium, you have to make sure ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

Choose Life! Series

Contributed by Tim Diack on Sep 24, 2012

This message looks at the question of "When does life begin?" A simple question whose answer has a lot of significant ramifications here in Canada where abortion is legal at any time up until a baby has fully emerged from the birth canal.

Choose Life! - Psalm 139:13-16 Series: Faith on the Frontlines #1 Friends, as we begin this morning, let me ask you a couple of questions: What would you make of a nation who offered no rights and no protection to a certain segment of their population? What would you think of a nation that ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:13-16

Denomination: *other

Do You Have A Sabbath Rest?

Contributed by Greg Nance on Jun 25, 2011

God gave us the Sabbath for our good. We need to rediscover what is lost when Sabbath is neglected or broken. There is a blessing for us that God has given when we set asside our legalism and simply hear His word on this matter.

The word “Sabbath” occurs 62 times in the New Testament in the NASV. How many times do you think it occurs in the Old Testament (which is about 3 times the length of the New)? 114 times. Most of the New Testament occurrences are in the gospels. Jesus, early on, begins facing ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It's Better To Get Ripped Off (1 Corinthians 6:1-11) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Feb 6, 2022

If your brother in Christ rips you off, eat the money. If you can't, or aren't willing, go to the elders, not the legal system. Also, a warning: the unrighteous don't inherit God's kingdom

I'd like to begin today by reading something from John G. Lake, somewhere in The Collected Writings of John G. Lake: "Beloved, there is a deep, passionate yearning in my soul that above all else this congregation may set forth, to the praise of God, such a character of righteousness in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:1-11

Serving With Integrity And Passion Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Aug 12, 2021

God placed it upon Paul's heart that the church in Crete needed to grow up to maturity. Titus had demonstrated that he was ready for the responsibility of organizing the churches in Crete; he would lead the people to avoid the Cretan worldview and the legalism of the Jews.

“Come, follow me.” The words resound with authority that could emanate only from the heart of God. My heart is tenderly touched each time I view a video clip that depicts the early disciple walking away from their known life to live according to a calling God places upon their lives. As the ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:5-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Separate Ourselves From The Sins Of The Pharisees

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jul 22, 2004

Jesus gives us a challenge He gave about the Pharisees. He wants us to show mercy and love to those who need salvation, not just go through the motions of our own religious beliefs

How to Separate Ourselves From the Sins of the Pharisees Jesus said to them, "Be careful and on your guard against the leaven (teaching, corruption, hypocrisy) of the Pharisees and Saducees." (Matthew 16:6) Jesus said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves in the eyes of men. But God ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:6-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Exposing A Myth

Contributed by Ovidiu Radulescu on Apr 9, 2004

They are many examples of myths, both scientific and otherwise. And people throughout history have believed them. While it may not seem all that critical to accept scientific myths, the acceptance of religious myths could have devastating consequences. In

Exposing a myth (can be a Power Point Presentation) 1. Exposing a myth – what are myths… Examples… 2. Myths are easily accepted as truth it they have been around a long time. Take the case of the spider. About 350 B.C., the Greek philosopher Aristotle classified the spider as having six legs. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:3

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Should You Fear God? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

We think that grace means there’s nothing to fear in our behavior. And so the sanction of judgment has no place in our lives. But God is gracious and calls us back today to fear the behavior that leads to destruction.

I heard about a young boy that went off to one of these extremely expensive universities, and the bills were coming in monthly to these parents and they were struggling to keep their head above water. One day his mother received a letter from him and he said: “Dear Mom, I’m writing to inform you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:17-21

Denomination: Baptist

Turning The Other Cheek

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

The religious leaders of the world can quote their wise and holy men in ways that show they too have many of the values of the Sermon on the Mount. But they have nothing to match the teachings of Christ on the love of one's enemies.

Almost everybody agrees with the Sermon on the Mount in general, but almost nobody can agree to the specifics of the last part of chapter 5. Even Nikita Krushev, an atheist, when he was the leader of Russia, could say he agreed with the Sermon on the Mount, for even in Russia they do not consider ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

The Pressures Off Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on May 7, 2008

2000 years ago a religious guy met Jesus and was told he was headed down the wrong road and needed to make a u-turn that led to a life where the pressure is off and was never the same again.

The Pressures Off Never The Same Again (8) I hope you are getting pumped up about taking the One Month To Live Challenge. NEXT WEEK – we will kick off the series with an Easter Message. AND THEN – things will really start to rock and roll the week of March 30th when we launch our One Month ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Pure In Heart: Defined Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 10, 2023

In this sixth beatitude, we must understand the standard Jesus is setting with the with the phrase "pure in heart.". If we set the standard too low, we fail to enter into the fullness of the blessing. If we set it too high we forsake the pursuit as futile.

Intro We are studying the Beatitudes with an interest in how to position ourselves for revival. What attitudes of heart are conducive to experiencing more of God’s grace and participating in what he is doing. The Beatitudes provide insight for participating in the kingdom of God because this is the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 5:21-28, Psalm 51:6-7, 1 John 1:7-9, Psalm 66:18, Matthew 6:1-24, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Jeremiah 17:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Are You Living By Rules Or A Relationship? Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 9, 2006

Are you still trying to obey rules and observe rituals to earn God’s favor?

INTRODUCTION During this Grace-Robbers series we have noted there are many people who are still trying to live under law instead of grace. Rules and laws can often be ridiculous, and even funny. Here is a list of ten actual laws from different states. 1. In Alabama it is illegal for a driver to ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:20-23

Denomination: Baptist

Adoption

Contributed by David Scudder on Aug 21, 2010

The word "adoption" is an action noun, so it acts like a verb, i.e. the Holy Spirit performs the act of adopting. In Roman law an adopted child had the exact same position and privileges as a natural born child, e.g. legal standing, or inheritance.

Purpose: To show what spiritual adoption is and what a great privilege it is. INTRODUCTION: ADOPTION huiothesia ^5206^, from huios, "a son," and thesis, "a placing," akin to tithemi, "to place," signifies the place and condition of a son given to one to whom it does not naturally belong. The word ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:15

Denomination: Independent/Bible