101523-“Threats To The Gospel” Pt.3...Colossians 2:16-23

In Christ Alone:
Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”-John 3:36

“But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.”-Romans 2:5

Romans 1:18...“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.”

“For I the Lord do not change” -Malachi 3:6

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”-Hebrews 13:8

“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” -Numbers 23:19

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” -Isaiah 40:8

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” -Matthew 24:35

What Is The Gospel?
-“Gospel” comes from the Greek word “euangelion” which means “good news” (1 Corinthians 15:1-6)
-The “Gospel” radically & progressively changes the life of everyone who receives it (2 Corinthians 5:17)
-The Holy Spirit uses the “Gospel” throughout the entirety of our spiritual life; both to justify us and to sanctify us

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

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 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.”

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

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 ...

“Mysticism” Defined:
-“It’s the pursuit of a deeper or higher subjective religious experience. It’s the belief that spiritual reality is perceived apart from the human intellect and natural senses. To the mystic, truth is found inside yourself; from the light arising from within.”

...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.”

That Word “Teaching” In V.21:
-It’s the word “Didaskalia” in the original Greek text
-It means: “Doctrine”
-Sound Doctrine: “the entire body of essential theological truths that define and describe the message of the true Christian faith; the fundamental truths found in the inspired text of Scripture.”

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

2 Timothy 4:3-4...“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths”

Sermon In A Sentence: Because the unbelieving world subscribes to a world view based on doctrinal error we must compare all beliefs with Scripture.

God’s Gospel Work Is Threatened By Doctrinal Error:
-The universal fatherhood of God
-That man is basically good
-Faith is based on spiritual experience
-Jesus is only a great teacher & example
-Church purpose is societal change

Is God The Father Of All Humanity?
-“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” -Genesis 1:27
-“But to all who did receive him (Jesus), who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”-John 1:12

What Does God Say About The Goodness Of Man?
-“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”-Romans 3:23
-“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”-Jeremiah 17:9
-“Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.”-Psalm 51:5
-Jesus’ words in Mark 7:21-23

Where Does God Say That Faith Must Be Based?
-“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” -John 14:6
-“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved”-Acts 4:12

Who Does God Say That Jesus Is?
-He is the Son of God
-He has the same authority as the Father
-He’s called Savior, Deliverer & Redeemer
-Scripture teaches that He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died on the cross for our sins & rose from the dead on the 3rd day
-He is called King of kings & Lord of lords
-Isaiah 9:6; John 10:30; Rom 1:4; Acts 2:36; 1 Cor. 15:14; Col 1:16,19; John 1:1; 5:24

What Is Jesus’ Purpose For His Church?
-The church is a community of redeemed people who gather together regularly to worship God
-The church studies the Scriptures together so they might mature in the faith
-The church dismisses from the gathering and enters the mission field of the world where they’re called to “make disciples”
-Matthew 16:18; 28:18-20; 1 Peter 2:9; Ephesians 4:11-15; Colossians 1:28

Sermon In A Sentence: Because the unbelieving world subscribes to a world view based on doctrinal error we must compare all beliefs with Scripture.