Sermons on Religious Legalism:

Jesus & The Traditions Of The Elders

Contributed by John Gaston on Aug 25, 2021

Jesus regularly received criticism from the religious authorities who were seeking to discredit Him. He turned it around as an opportunity to teach us that we need a new heart.

JESUS & THE TRADITIONS OF THE ELDERS Mark 7:1-23 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: GETTING IT WRONG 1. Back in the cowboy days, a westbound wagon train was lost and low on food. At last they saw an old Jewish Rabbi, sitting beneath a tree. 2. The leader rushed to him and said, "We're lost ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Call Of A Disciple (Luke, Part 4) Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Feb 13, 2022

It’s critical that we see ourselves and the calling of the disciples was NO different than ours. If we will not share what we know, are we any different than the religious pharisees?

Introduction / Recap - The study of Luke is an interesting one for several reasons -- We can clearly see Luke’s genuine interest in people (career as a physician) -- We also get to experience how Jesus interacts with society; critical lesson for us - Last week, we unpacked the temptations of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11, Luke 5:27-32, Luke 9:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Healing In The Synagogue Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 22, 2025

Jesus saw a man whose right hand was withered and then, in the synagogue, healed him. Some of the religious leaders were there, too, and were furious with Jesus because of this.

A Healing in the Synagogue Introduction: Jesus healed people in different places at different times. One of the more unusual healings took place when four men carried a paralyzed man to a house but couldn’t enter. They didn’t stop, though: they carried the man up to the roof, opened a hole in the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:6-11

Denomination: Baptist

True Conversion Demonstrated Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Aug 24, 2020

This message is an exposition of Philippians 3:7-11. Here Paul offers himself as an example of the changes that occur when a person is truly born again: (1) A Change in Values (2) A Change in Righteousness (3) A Change in Life Goals.

We are in a study of Philippians. Our text today is found in Philippians 3:7-11. We will begin by reading that from the New International Version. “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-11, John 7:22-23, Matthew 13:44, Matthew 16:24-26, Romans 8:28-29, Isaiah 64:6, Matthew 4:18-22, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Peter 2:19-21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Land Of Liberty

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 12, 2021

The Christians who came to America to enjoy liberty did not come here to escape the bondage of atheists or humanists, but of other Christians. In our Western history it has been Christians who have been the greatest opponents of religious liberty.

Liberty is America's second name. We have such national symbols as the Statue Of Liberty, the Liberty Bell, and the songs of liberty like My Country Tis Of Thee-sweet land of liberty, of thee of I sing. The Preamble to our Constitution says, "We the people...in order to establish ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 34:8-22

Pigheaded Pigpen Living

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Aug 13, 2018

God has given us spiritual teachers, but we don't always listen. When we go our own way, we are being pigheaded. Also a discussion of the legalistic pouty older brother.

Luke 15:18 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, For years I have mentored people in the faith. I have always taken joy in teaching others, even long before I was saved, so mentoring kind of came naturally to me. But ...read more

Denomination: Charismatic

A Better Way To Live, Part 1 Series

Contributed by Chris Anderson on Mar 11, 2023

Message 3 in an expositional series through Paul's "second" letter to the church in the ancient Greek city of Corinth where he defends his apostleship and corrects serious doctrinal errors within this young church.

Most of you know that I grew up as a pastor’s kid (for some of you, that explains everything). And my dad became an expert over the years at helping wounded churches become healthy…today we call that revitalization. And during the time that I lived at home, he pastored three different churches…and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:7-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Curse Of The Law

Contributed by John Lowe on May 18, 2016

Salvation could never come by obedience to the Law, because the Law brings a curse, not a blessing. The Law demands obedience, and this means obedience in all things. The Law is not a “religious cafeteria” where people can pick and choose.

Tom Lowe 5/17/16 The Curse of the Law (3.10-12) Galatians 3.10-12 (KJV) 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Getting To The Heart Of Things – Part 2 Series

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Oct 6, 2007

Jesus never liked bullies - still doesn’t either. Today we get a look at how Jesus dealt with the religious bullies of His time, the very people who would soon be His worst enemies.

Have you ever heard somebody let somebody else “have it” and feel a sense of glee over it? Ever seen someone let a bully “have it” and felt a sense of awed relief that bordered on giddiness? I can remember an incident back in my early youth when a bully who had been picking on a friend of mine and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Blind And Toothless Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 31, 2017

Why can't a Christian sue another Christian? And can a Christian take a non-Christian to court? And how should a lawyer who is Christian handle lawsuits?

In 1910, a man named Olaf Olavson was desperate for cash, so he sold his body to an institute in Sweden to be used for medical research after he died. But in 1911, he unexpectedly inherited a fortune and decided to "buy himself back." To his surprise, the institute wouldn't cooperate. Shocked by ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Beware Of False Prophets A Biblical Warning Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on May 22, 2025

Let's explore the biblical warnings about such false prophets, fake Christians and examine examples from Scripture.

In the midst of a world filled with spiritual deception, it's crucial for Christians to be discerning and cautious. Some individuals claiming to be Christians may falsely declare that they have received a vision or revelation from God about our relationships or other aspects of our lives. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:15-20

Sermon # 8 - Love Like Jesus Loves Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Jun 19, 2024

So many relationships are broken or splintered because of un-forgiveness. God’s mandate for His children is that we should love and forgive others the way He loves and forgives us. This love and forgiveness was perfectly exemplified by Jesus throughout His life and even at the point of death.

Jesus said in Luke 6:32, "If you love only the people who love you, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners love those who love them! (GNT) As we continue to meditate on the questions that Jesus asked, we find these questions are relevant and life-giving even today. Most of us in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:32, John 13:34, Matthew 26:49-50, John 13:5, John 13:11, Luke 23:34, Matthew 27:20, Matthew 27:18, Luke 23:35  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

I Belong To God

Contributed by Larry Grant on Mar 25, 2023

This letter teaches us that as we grow in Christ, we need to be liberated from the legalism of rules and learn to apply Godly principles every day, that we might know how to live, without God treating us like infants. The ability to make decisions wisely is a mark of maturity!

1 Corinthians 6:12-14 (NKJV) “I Belong to God” March 26, 2023 In this first letter to the Corinthians, Paul was writing to immature believers and he asks the question: “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?” Paul was simply declaring that before we were saved, we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

First Appearance Before Pilate Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jan 12, 2020

Jesus has been taken to Pilate’s palace by the religious leaders. They need Pilate to give Jesus the death sentence, since the Jews no longer have that authority. Pilate interviews Christ and announces that he is innocent.

HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS (31) First Appearance Before Pilate Scripture: Matthew 27:2,11-14; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:1-7; John 18:28-38 (focal passage) Tom Lowe 2/13/2008 Time: Friday of Jesus’ Final Week Place: Jerusalem Jesus has been taken to Pilate’s palace by the religious leaders. They ...read more

Scripture: John 18:28-38

Denomination: Baptist

What Do We Do With The Weeds?"

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 21, 2000

When the end comes, it will become clear who those people are whose faith is truly in Jesus, and it will become clear who those are who have been just playing a religious game.

When I was a kid, weeding the garden was one of my least favorite activities. It was often hot out there and my back would hurt from bending over. Worst of all, I thought it was monotonous work, so often I did not pay real close attention to what I was doing. And, sure enough, I would sometimes ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30, Matthew 13:36-43, Luke 9:62

Denomination: Baptist