SUBSTANCE AND SUBSTITUTES

1
SUBSTANCE AND SUBSTITUTES Colossians 216 - 23
2
the religion of human achievement. It argues
that spirituality is based on Christ plus human
works. It makes conformity to man-made rules the
measure of spirituality
- John MacArthur, Colossians and Philemon, page
116
3
Anything we view as a means to or a measure of
spirituality besides Christ alone and the clearly
stated principles of Scripture becomes an idol
and a form of religion that replaces Christ and
his sufficiency.
4
THE SUBSTANCE IS CHRIST
The substance belongs to Christ
- Colossians 216
5
THE SUBSTITUTES
Rules and Regulations
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
- Colossians 216 17
6
THE SUBSTITUTES
Rules and Regulations
Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse
off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do
- I Corinthians 88
7
THE SUBSTITUTES
Rules and Regulations
There is nothing outside a person that by going
into him can defile him, but the things that come
out of a person are what defile him.  And when
he had entered the house and left the people, his
disciples asked him about the parable. And he
said to them
8
THE SUBSTITUTES
Rules and Regulations
Then are you also without understanding? Do
you not see that whatever goes into a person from
outside cannot defile him, since it enters not
his heart but his stomach, is expelled? (Thus
he declared all foods clean.)
- Mark 714 - 19
9
THE SUBSTITUTES
Mystic and Deeper Experiences
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
- Colossians 218 - 19
10
THE SUBSTITUTES
Mystic and Deeper Experiences
His divine power has granted to us all things
that pertain to life and godliness, through the
knowledge of him who called us to his own glory
and excellence, by which he has granted to us his
precious and very great promises, so that through
them you may become partakers of the divine ...
11
THE SUBSTITUTES
Mystic and Deeper Experiences
nature, having escaped from the corruption that
is in the world because of sinful desire.  For
this very reason, make every effort to supplement
your faith with virtue, and virtue with
knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and
self-control with steadfastness steadfastness
with
12
THE SUBSTITUTES
Mystic and Deeper Experiences
godliness, and godliness with brotherly
affection, and brotherly affection with love.
 For if these qualities are yours and are
increasing, they keep you from being ineffective
or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ.  For whoever lacks these qualities is so
nearsighted that he is
13
THE SUBSTITUTES
Mystic and Deeper Experiences
blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed
from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all
the more diligent to make your calling and
election sure, for if you practice these
qualities you will never fall. For in this way
there will be richly ...
14
THE SUBSTITUTES
Ascetic Practices of Self-Denial
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
15
THE SUBSTITUTES
Ascetic Practices of Self-Denial
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
- Colossians 220 - 23
16
In essentials, unity in
non-essentials, liberty in all
things, charity.