Welcome Sunday Bible Classes Worship Wednesday Bible Classes

Welcome! Sunday Bible Classes Worship Wednesday Bible Classes 9: 30 AM 10: 30 AM 5: 30 PM 7: 00 PM Bibles and copies of sermons are available Please silence your cell phones

Serving Sunday AM Sunday PM Wednesday Usher Chad Farris Opening Prayer Ryan Sollars Curt Davis Opening/Head Chris Willis Lamar Mc. Donald Communion Curt Davis Grant Haines Michael Hetzer Song Leader Barry Root Chris Willis Rob Wade Lamar Mc. Donald Michael Hetzer Announcement Michael Hetzer Adult Class Invitation How Well Do You Sing Ryan Sollars Michael Hetzer

Psalm 105: 1 -2 Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; talk of all His wondrous works! Hymns - Invitation - -

What is Legalism?

Empty Words Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Ephesians 5: 6

Empty Words – meaningless terms Words that convey ideas that do not exist or apply by making up words to describe them

Empty Words – meaningless terms Intention: to suggest a negative condition that cannot be challenged

Empty Words – meaningless terms Intention: to change the way we think about an idea

Empty Words – meaningless terms Identification: they are usually NOT in the Bible

Empty Words Homophobic Anti Liberal/Conservative Cult Legalist

What is Legalism Literally: adherence, or the principle of strict adherence, to law Subjectively: strict, literal, or excessive conformity to the law or to a religious or moral code Usually: anyone who obeys the Bible

What is Legalism If you teach that baptism is for the remission of sins, you are a legalist If you teach Jesus’ law on marriage, divorce and remarriage, you are a legalist If you teach that we must have authority to serve God acceptably, you are a legalist

What is Legalism Jesus accused the Pharisees of Legalism Matthew 23 Paul warned against legalism 2 Corinthians 3: 6 The greatest sin against God – legalism

Problems Pharisees did NOT strictly obey Law Matthew 23: 1 -5, 23 -28 Jesus condemned lawlessness Lawlessness = Illegalism

Problems Paul insisted on legal obedience The “Law” he referred to was Mosaic Romans 8: 1 -2; Galatians 6: 1 -2

Problems Paul taught a Covenant relationship Law of Christ AND Grace of Christ A covenant is a law – Jeremiah 31: 33 A covenant is a promise – Hebrews 8: 6

Problems Jesus NEVER rebuked anyone for strict interpretation of the Law Why? He was a “Legalist”!

Jesus the Legalist "Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ” Matthew 5: 19

Jesus the Legalist "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, ' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven……I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!‘ Matthew 7: 21, 23

Paul the Legalist Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? 1 Corinthians 6: 9 a Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; Philippians 2: 12 b

John the Legalist “He who says, "I know Him, " and does not keep His commandments, is a liar”. . . . “Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God” I John 2: 4, 3: 10 “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. ” – II John 9

James the Legalist For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. James 2: 10

Moses the Legalist "in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments” Deuteronomy 30: 16 a

David the Legalist Psalm 119 Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it. (vs 34 -35)

The Error of Illegalism Jesus condemned making up laws Illegalism – going too far Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, 1 Corinthians 4: 6

The Error of Illegalism Jesus condemned not keeping God’s law Illegalism – coming short Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. Hebrews 4: 1

The Error of Illegalism If anyone adds to these God will add Jesus condemned not things, keeping God’s law to him the plagues that are written in this Illegalism – coming short book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Revelation 22: 18 -19

The Error of Illegalism People who accuse others of “legalism” are often guilty of “Illegalism” God never condemned being lawful; God condemned lawlessness

Believe in Jesus – Acts 16: 16 Romans 6: 17 Confess Jesus – Romans 10: 9 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, Repent – Acts 2: 38 yet you obeyed from the heart Be Baptized – Acts 22: 16 that form of doctrine to which Live like Jesus – II John 9 you were delivered.