102223...“Threats To The Gospel” Pt.4...Colossians 2:16-23

“Salvation is by GRACE ALONE through FAITH ALONE in JESUS CHRIST ALONE”

Romans 5:1-2...“Therefore, having been justified by faith [faith alone], we have peace with God through Jesus Christ [Christ alone]. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace [grace alone] in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

”What Is Asceticism?
“Asceticism is the practice of self-denial and self-discipline, often involving the rejection of physical pleasure and comfort in order to achieve spiritual goals”

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 whomWhat 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.”

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...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?

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

What Is Asceticism?
“Asceticism is the practice of self-denial and self-discipline, often involving the rejection of physical pleasure and comfort in order to achieve spiritual goals”

Colossians 2:16-23...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:When we live in the security of our relationship with Christ, we’ll not be knocked off course by those who judge us by manmade criteria.

God’s Gospel Work Is Threatened By Asceticism Because:
-It focuses on the self rather than Christ
-It dwells on sin instead of forgiveness
-It trusts in experience more than scripture
-It produces pride rather than humility
-It enslaves rather than emancipates

John 15:4-5....“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Colossians 3:1-3...“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

Matthew 16:24...“Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’”

1 Corinthians 9:27...“But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified”

Romans 8:13...“For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live”

1 John 1:9...“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”

2 Peter 1:19...“And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts”

Sermon In A Sentence:When we live in the security of our relationship with Christ, we’ll not be knocked off course by those who judge us by manmade criteria.