This expository sermon was delivered at Pilgrim Baptist Church in Cookeville, TN on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at 2:00 pm. 🗡️

🔥 Are you serving God out of fear or grace? This powerful sermon exposes how tradition legalism and sanctification legalism replace the gospel with man-made rules and performance-based Christianity.

What You'll Discover:

In this eye-opening message on legalism in church, Pastor Fortunato tackles two dangerous forms of spiritual bondage that plague Independent Baptist churches and Christian communities today:

✝️ Tradition Legalism - The heart's desire to add or change scriptures with man-made rules. Learn why conformity without examination violates biblical principles found in 1 Thessalonians 5:21, 1 John 4:1, and 2 Timothy 2:15. Discover how to discern truth and avoid spiritual abuse that demands blind obedience.

✝️ Sanctification Legalism - Understanding why performance-based behavior modification cannot replace grace-based transformation. See how legalistic systems use shame, guilt, and constant surveillance to control Christians instead of trusting the sufficiency of God's grace.

Biblical Truth Covered:

• Why you must examine, prove, study, and search Scripture (not just conform)

• How shame about inherent worth maintains legalistic control

• The difference between Catholic confession and Baptist legalism (same circus, different monkeys!)

• Why time and chance happen to all - your circumstances don't determine your righteousness

• How to serve the Lord in any career without hierarchy of acceptable life choices (Colossians 3:23-24)

• Understanding that God's grace sanctifies you, not your good works (Acts 20:32)

• Freedom from spiritual burnout and fear-based living

Key Biblical Passages Preached:

2 Corinthians 12:9 - "My grace is sufficient for thee"

Galatians 1:10 - Are you pleasing men or God?

2 Timothy 2:15 - Study and rightly divide the Word of truth

This sermon on Christian legalism will help you break free from religious bondage, understand biblical sanctification, and experience the joy of grace-based Christianity. Perfect for anyone recovering from spiritual abuse, struggling with legalistic churches, or wanting to understand true biblical freedom.

God uses imperfect, struggling people. Abraham lied. Moses murdered. David committed adultery. Yet God's grace was sufficient. His grace is sufficient for you too.

📖 Ready for Biblical Truth Without Legalism?

👉 SUBSCRIBE for more expository preaching that defends the King James Bible and proclaims grace-based living

👉 LIKE if this message encouraged you to serve God from grace, not guilt

👉 COMMENT with your thoughts on legalism in Christianity

👉 SHARE with someone who needs freedom from performance-based religion

Connect With Pilgrim Baptist Church:

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.