Sermons on religious legalism:

Legalism Is Sin & Slavery

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 30, 2023

What did Paul teach about the law and faith? Let's look at Galatians 2.

Paul was directly taught by the resurrected Jesus, but did not act like a rebel. Instead he cooperated with the Apostles before him. Legalism is Sin & Slavery Where did Paul go to double check his teachings about the law and the Gospel? Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Faith Not Legalism (Galatians 3)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 18, 2024

Did Jesus say that until heaven and earth pass away, obedience to the law remains? Did the apostles contradict Him? Let's find out in Galatians 3.

Paul explained how we are justified by grace through faith, not works of the law. How is Abraham a model for Christians? Who are the real children of Abraham? What about Christians who insist on the works of the law? Is the law continued in spirit, discontinued in the letter, and thus transformed ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God Encounters: Ezekiel (Religious Experience Vs. Religious Action) Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Jul 24, 2004

This is about Ezekiel’s God encounter. It explores the difference between religious experience and religious action. Religious EXPERIENCE means nothing without ACTION.

Read Ezekiel 1:4-3:15. This is a bizarre vision. Not all God encounters are alike. We see here two things: Religious Experience (ch. 1) and Religious Action (chs. 2 & 3). What is the difference between the two? * Religious Experience is… In chapter 1, we see Ezekiel’s strange religious ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Tyranny Of Tradition

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Oct 4, 2019

Jesus dealt with wrong ideas about tradition

The Tyranny of Tradition - Mark 2-13-28 1. The Problem of religious exclusivity v. 13-17 2. The Problem of religious exercise v. 18-22 3. The Problem of religious enlightenment v. 23-28 ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:13-28

Denomination: Baptist

The Forecast For Religious Unbelief-2

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jan 30, 2012

2 of 3. The author of Hebrews laid out the unavoidable forecast for religious unbelief(willful sin). Such unbelief warrants an unavoidable forecast(consequences). But What is that forecast? An unavoidable forecast for religious unbelief is...

The FORECAST For RELIGIOUS UNBELIEF-II—Hebrews 10:26-31 The author of Hebrews laid out the unavoidable forecast for willful sin. Religious unbelief(willful sin) warrants unavoidable forecast/merit(consequences). What is the unavoidable forecast/merits(consequences) of Religious unbelief(willful ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:26-31

Denomination: Baptist

Adultery Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 11, 2022

Adultery is extramarital sex considered objectionable on social, religious, moral, or legal grounds. Although the sexual activities that constitute adultery vary, as well as the social, religious, and legal consequences, the concept exists in many cultures.

Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5:27-30 (Adultery) Jesus states, "Whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery." Adultery Matthew 5:27–30 — The New International Version (NIV) 27 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-30

Denomination: Baptist

Lacking Love (Religious Leaders) Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on Apr 19, 2011

#1 in series, about religious leaders who followed the Law but did it without love.

Matthew 27:32-43 – Were You There? #1 – Lacking Love (Religious Leaders) This morning, as a build-up to Resurrection Day on April 24, I am beginning a series called Were You There? These messages will cause us to look at the witnesses of Jesus’ crucifixion, and hopefully see ourselves in their ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:32-43

Denomination: Baptist

Religious Rebels (Joseph And Nicodemus) Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on Apr 19, 2011

#2 in series, about 2 guys who broke free from religion’s rules and traditions, to serve Jesus.

John 19:38-42 – Were You There? #2 – Religious Rebels (Joe and Nick) As we continue through our pre-Resurrection series, or our Passion series, we come to 2 unlikely heroes in the mix. Last week, we examined the lives of the religious leaders, and how their adherence to the rules combined with ...read more

Scripture: John 19:38-42

Denomination: Baptist

Are You A Legalist? Or An Illegalist?

Contributed by Jason Smith on Sep 15, 2013

Are you a legalist, or are you an illegalist? In other words, do you follow the law of God, or do you disobey the law of God? It is not a bad thing to be labeled a legalist. Satan has used this creative title to try to deceive many people to disobey God.

Matthew 7:13-27 Who in this room would consider themselves a legalist? This is the topic that I would like to briefly talk to you about tonight: Legalism, or “The Lie of Legalism.” Since the beginning of the Lord’s church, the devil has held nothing back; He has created so many ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Our Freedom In Christ PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 1, 2023

This sermon explores confronting legalism, embracing Christ's liberation, and living in the freedom of God's grace as highlighted in Galatians 2:11-21.

Good morning, beloved family of God. We are gathered here today, not as mere spectators, but as active participants in the divine narrative God is writing in our lives. We are not bystanders, but rather, we are the living epistles of God’s grace, the tangible expressions of His love and mercy. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:11-21

Topics: Legalism

Rejection! Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Sep 7, 2009

Why would the religious leaders of Jesus’ day want to kill Him? For the same reasons that we reject Him today.

What a wonderful time of the year! The feel of fall is in the air. We often think of spring as the time of new beginnings—and it is. But so is fall. This morning we mark the beginning of a new Sunday school year. As part of that, many people moved up into new classes. That’s a new beginning. ...read more

Scripture: John 5:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

Knocking Off The Training Wheels Of Legalism

Contributed by Andy Atkins on Jan 5, 2001

Where does the Law cross the line into legalism? Paul told the Colossians the answer.

Colossians 2:11-17 Knocking Off the Training Wheels of Legalism My bicycle never had training wheels. I came from the school that said, “Take the plunge!” and “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” When my dad put my bicycle together for me, I was six years old. I was eight ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:11-17

Denomination: Baptist

How To Avoid The Seductive Trap Of Legalism Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

“If your religion hasn’t changed your life, you’d better change your religion, because Jesus will make a bad man good and a good man better.”

Welcome and thank you for worshipping with us this morning on this Memorial Day weekend. Keep Colossians 2 open before you, will you? It’s good to see many of you for the first time in months! And we are grateful for those of you continuing to worship with us online as well. Please text the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:16-23

Denomination: Baptist

Therefore Don't Let Anyone Judge You (Lessons On Colossians) Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 23, 2019

Somehow, adhering to the religious routine inflates the ego and makes a person content in his self-righteousness.

11/16/18 Tom Lowe IVB3: Therefore Don't Let Anyone Judge You In Regards To Food, Festivals, Or Sabbath Days (Col 2:16-17) • “Special Notes” and “Scripture” appear as endnotes. • NIV Bible is used throughout unless noted otherwise. Colossians 2:16-17 (NIV) (16) Therefore do not let anyone ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

"Living Up To Religious Expectations.”

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Dec 16, 2001

Year A Third Sunday in Advent December 16th, 2001 Matthew 11: 1-11 Heavenly Father empower us to accept Jesus on his terms and not expect him to change to fit our preconceptions of God. Amen.

Year A Third Sunday in Advent December 16th, 2001 Matthew 11: 1-11 Heavenly Father empower us to accept Jesus on his terms and not expect him to change to fit our preconceptions of God. Amen. Title: “Living up to religious expectations.” The Baptist, in prison, sends his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran