Some warnings against an Earthy, Carnal, Sensual, re-Purposed Gospel.

Opening greeting

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:2

Beginning reading

I am astounded that you are so quick to remove yourselves from me, the one who called you by the Messiah’s grace, and turn to some other supposedly “Good News,” 7 which is not good news at all! What is really happening is that certain people are pestering you and trying to pervert the genuine Good News of the Messiah. 8 But even if we — or, for that matter, an angel from heaven! — were to announce to you some so-called “Good News” contrary to the Good News we did announce to you, let him be under a curse forever! 9 We said it before, and I say it again: if anyone announces “Good News” contrary to what you received, let him be under a curse forever! Galatians 1:6

Message:

Introduction

In this letter, I desire to share with you warnings from the Bible against teachings that, though supposedly given in the name of God, are to be avoided. I will try not to comment.

Reading 1

15 “Beware of the false prophets! They come to you wearing sheep’s clothing, but underneath they are hungry wolves! 16 You will recognize them by their fruit. Can people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every healthy tree produces good fruit, but a poor tree produces bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, or a poor tree good fruit. 19 Any tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire! 20 So you will recognize them by their fruit. 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, only those who do what my Father in heaven wants. 22 On that Day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord! Didn’t we prophesy (preach) in your name? Didn’t we expel demons in your name? Didn’t we perform many miracles in your name?’ 23 Then I will tell them to their faces, ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’[a] Mathew 7:15-23

Reading 2

25 “Now, listen! I know that none of you people among whom I have gone about proclaiming the Kingdom will ever see me again. 26 Therefore, I testify on this day that I am innocent of the blood of all. 27 For I did not shrink from proclaiming to you the whole plan of God.

28 “Watch out for yourselves, and for all the flock in which the Holy Ghost has placed you as leaders, to shepherd God’s Messianic community (Church), which he won for himself at the cost of his own Son’s blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you; and they won’t spare the flock. 30 Even from among your own number, men will arise and teach perversions of the truth, in order to drag away the disciples after themselves. 31 So stay alert! Remember that for three years, night and day, with tears in my eyes, I never stopped warning you!

32 “And now I entrust you to the care of the Lord and to the message of his love and kindness, for it can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who have been set apart for God.

33 “I have not wanted for myself anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have provided not only for my own needs, but for the needs of my co-workers as well. 35 In everything I have given you an example of how, by working hard like this, you must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus himself, ‘There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.’” Acts 20: 25-33

Reading 3

14 We will then no longer be infants tossed about by the waves and blown along by every wind of teaching, at the mercy of people clever in devising ways to deceive. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in every respect grow up into him who is the head, the Messiah. Ephesians 4:14

Reading 4

1But among the people there were also false prophets, just as there will be false teachers among you. Under false pretenses they will introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and thus bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 Many will follow their debaucheries; and because of them, the true Way will be maligned. 3 In their greed they will exploit you with fabricated stories. 2 Peter 2:1-3

Reading 5

18 For many — I have told you about them often before, and even now I say it with tears — live as enemies of the Messiah’s execution-stake (cross). 19 They are headed for destruction! Their god is the belly; they are proud of what they ought to be ashamed of, since they are concerned about the things of the world. 20 But we are citizens of heaven, and it is from there that we expect a Deliverer, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will change the bodies we have in this humble state and make them like his glorious body, using the power which enables him to bring everything under his control. Philippians 3:18

Conclusion

So if you were raised along with the Messiah, then seek the things above, where the Messiah is sitting at the right hand of God.[a] 2 Focus your minds on the things above, not on things here on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God. 4 When the Messiah, who is our life, appears, then you too will appear with him in glory! Colossians 3:1-4

Invitation

37 On hearing this, they were stung in their hearts; and they said to Peter and the other emissaries (apostles), “Brothers, what should we do?” 38 Peter answered them, “Turn from sin, return to God, and each of you be immersed (baptized) on the authority of Jesus the Christ into forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost! 39 For the promise is for you, for your children, and for those far away — as many as The LORD our God may call!” Acts 2:37-39

Closing blessing

^{23 Peace} to the brothers and sisters. May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love and trust. ²⁴ Grace be to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with undying love. Ephesians 6: 23-24