092423...“Threats To The Gospel” Pt.1...Colossians 2:16-23

What Is The Gospel?
-By Explanation: “Gospel” comes from Greek word “euangelion” which means “good news” (1 Corinthians 15:1-6)
-By Implication: the “Gospel” radically & progressively changes the life of everyone who receives it (2 Corinthians 5:17)
-By Application: we share the “good news” with everyone! We don’t keep it to ourselves (Mark 16:15; Romans 1:16)

1 Corinthians 15:1-6..."Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you— unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared…”

Mark 16:15...“Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”

Romans 1:16...“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes”

“Key Verse” In Colossians...“I am saying this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive arguments.” -Chapter 2, verse 4

Colossians 2:8...“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”

Colossians 2:16-23...“Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— ‘Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch’ (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.”

Impediments To God’s Gospel Work In You:
-Legalism threatens gospel work
-Mysticism threatens gospel work
-Doctrinal error threatens gospel work
-Asceticism threatens gospel work

Sermon In A Sentence: Those who reject the Gospel of Christ often do so because it nullifies their human effort to earn God’s approval.

What Is Legalism?
-Legalism is “Pseudo-Spirituality”
--“Pseudo” means “false”
--So, it’s a false spirituality

-A Laymen’s Definition:
--“Legalism is a belief system that we can earn God’s attention & blessing by keeping certain rules that have no basis in Scripture.”

Legalism Threatens Gospel Work Because It:
-Empowers your flesh rather than Christ
-Focuses on the superficial; not the heart
-Offers a false sense of spiritual security
-Makes you narrow and divisive
-Alienates you from the unbelieving world