LEGALISM on SermonAudio

Dr. Schmidt examines the apostle Paul's admonition for Christian's to guard against getting caught up in useless legalism and false pride in a false attempt to impress God.

Romans 3:20-28 answers how a sinner can stand righteous before a holy God. This Reformation Day sermon explains that justification in this passage is a legal verdict. God, the judge in the courtroom of heaven, declares a person righteous, and that verdict stands outside the believer, distinct from the inner renewal of sanctification. It rejects three unbiblical views: legalism, which trusts in our own law-keeping; universalism, which expects God to save everyone; and the Roman Catholic teaching that God infuses grace into the soul so that the believer can merit justifying righteousness. Paul teaches instead that God gives his righteousness in Christ as a gift, which the sinner receives by faith apart from works of the law. Christ's blood satisfied God's wrath, so God remains just when he justifies believers, and all boasting falls away.

Mark 9:1 was first and most immediately fulfilled in the Transfiguration, when Peter, James, and John went up the mountain and received a stunning, firsthand preview of Jesus's divine glory. But the promise goes even deeper—the kingdom of God was decisively, legally, and officially established at the resurrection, which was God's public declaration that Jesus is the rightful King who has conquered sin and death. Today, we see this kingdom actively at work through the global spread of the church, powered by the Holy Spirit just as we read about in the book of Acts. It helps to think of the kingdom as something that is fully present in power right now, even though we are still looking forward to the beautiful day when Christ returns to bring it to its final, glorious completion.

Sermon | Esther 9:1-16 | Sunday Evening Service, October 18 2026. Preacher: Rocky Stevenson The sermon explores the dual themes of divine reversal and human restraint found in Esther 9, highlighting how God flips the fate of His people from destruction to victory. It connects this event to the historical disobedience of King Saul in 1 Samuel 15, arguing that the Jews' refusal to plunder their enemies, despite having legal right to do so, completes a cycle of obedience that was failed five centuries prior. Ps Rocky emphasizes that God's covenant faithfulness remains irrevocable even amidst Israel's disobedience, using this narrative to illustrate the broader theological truth that God's grace is displayed against the backdrop of human sin. By referencing Romans 11 and 12, the message concludes that the appropriate response to God's mercy is not entitlement or greed, but a transformed life characterized by holy restraint and gratitude. #reversal #restraint #obedience #covenant #grace Visit Benoni Bible Church: www.benonibiblechurch.co.za Address: 149 President Brand Rd, Rynfield, Benoni - view on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/oag383xq3U2b7RQN6 Copyright © 2026, Benoni Bible Church. All rights reserved.

This sermon explores the foundational, motivational, and missional aspects of the gospel as presented in 2 Corinthians 5. It begins by establishing that salvation is the bedrock of the believer's identity, citing Colossians to illustrate how Christ removed the legal record of debt that separated humanity from God. The message then shifts to the internal motivation of the believer, arguing that the constraining love of Christ drives sanctification and a life lived for Him rather than for self. Finally, the sermon defines the believer's role as an ambassador for Christ, emphasizing that this role requires faithfully conveying the unaltered message of the gospel and maintaining honorable conduct that reflects the character of the King. The tone is pastoral and instructional, urging believers to remember the transaction of salvation to fuel their daily witness and ethical behavior.

The sermon explores the divine establishment and enduring nature of the New Testament church, anchored in Jesus Christ's declaration that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. It examines the theological foundation of the church as a body of believers united by the revelation of Christ, emphasizing that its survival is guaranteed by God rather than human effort. The message details the practical implications of this divine authority, including the church's responsibility to maintain doctrinal purity, exercise mutual accountability, and address sin through a structured process of discipline. By contrasting the humility of the early church with the dangers of individualism and legalism, the preacher urges believers to value their local congregation as a vital community of support and truth. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a life of submission to Christ and active participation in the church, trusting that God will preserve His witness until the end of the age.

This sermon examines Jude 1:4, warning believers about false teachers who have infiltrated the church and pervert the grace of God into license for sin. The message distinguishes between genuine faith, which produces obedience and holiness, and antinomianism, which rejects Christ's lordship while claiming His salvation. By referencing historical examples of rebellion and the Battle of the Bulge, the text illustrates the need for spiritual discernment to identify wolves in sheep's clothing. The preacher emphasizes that while salvation is by grace alone, true believers are motivated by love to keep God's commandments, avoiding the extremes of legalism and antinomianism. The central call is to earnestly contend for the faith by examining one's life for the fruit of righteousness and remaining vigilant against deceptive doctrines. Questions: What is antinomianism? Does being saved by grace mean I can live however I want? Can Jesus be my Savior without being my Lord? What is the difference between legalism and antinomianism? If Christians are saved by grace and not works, why does obedience matter? Does once saved, always saved mean it doesn't matter how I live? How can I tell the difference between a struggling Christian and a false believer?

The sermon concludes the exegesis of Romans 16 by examining Paul's warnings against false teachers and his benediction, which highlights the revelation of the mystery of the church. The speaker transitions to a systematic overview of the epistle, outlining its structure from condemnation to justification, sanctification, and glorification. This framework is used to distinguish the Protestant view of salvation, where justification is a past legal declaration, from the Roman Catholic view that treats it as a process. The teaching emphasizes that believers are simultaneously righteous and sinners, relying on faith for both justification and the ongoing process of sanctification. Finally, the sermon sets the stage for a deeper study of human depravity in Romans 1-3, contrasting Arminian and Calvinist perspectives to establish a biblically faithful understanding of God's grace.