Philosophy, Science Vs. the Gospel (Col.2:8)

 

-The faithful figures of the Bible have the time of concentration upon God’s Word every day. Even though there was no change in their daily life, they continued to immerse themselves in the Word of God.

Psalms 1:1-2 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2  But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.

-Abide in the Word of God every single day! Have the time to find God’s will and plan in your life through the Word of God. You will receive the guidance of God and experience the power of the Word in your life.

-In this world, however, many pursue philosophy, science, medicine, and worldly study as their solution. What is the difference between philosophy and the Gospel concerning our fundamental problem?

 

1.Human beings depend on philosophy, science, and medicine to resolve problems

1)Philosophy is not absolute truth

-Philosophy can provide a relative truth to people. According to each philosopher, there are many different ideas concerning one thing. Philosophy is not absolute truth.

-What is the absolute truth? The unchangeable and eternal truth is the Word of God.

John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

-Jesus Christ is also eternal truth.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

2)Philosophy cannot resolve the problem of the original sin in Genesis 3.

-Philosophy can provide worldly wisdom for human life. However, it cannot understand the real and fundamental problems of human beings. Furthermore, it is unable to forgive the original sin and our consequential sins.

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.

-Philosophy is based on the world and the influence of evil spirit. Don’t be deceived!

3)Science and medicine have limitations.

-Even today, there are many incurable diseases and mental disorders. Science and medicine are not cure-all (panacea).

Mark 5:25-26 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.

4)There is no solution for the fundamental problems (sin, separation from God, slaves of Satan) in the worldly books of libraries.

-Only God’s Word can provide the solution for our fundamental problem.

 

2.The Bible alone tells the solution for the fundamental problem.

1)The Old Testament testifies the coming Messiah

-After the Fall, God promised the coming Christ to resolve our problems.

Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”

-The blood of lamb of Passover in Exodus indicates the blood of shadow of Jesus’ cross.

Exodus 12:13 Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are.And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

-Prophet Isaiah correctly delivered God’s promise of salvation through Immanuel to people.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

2)The New Testament testified the fulfillment of prophecy of the Christ.

-According to the prophecies of the Old Testament, Jesus Christ became the flesh in order to die in place of us and to save us.

Matthew 1:21-23  And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,”which is translated, “God with us.”

3)The Word of the promise sets you free from the snare, captivity, and slavery.

-People, who are separated from God, are caught up by the world and live as the slavery. They are obsessed and addicted to other things except the Gospel. There are no peace and rest in their life because they left the source of the blessing for their life. However, if they really know and have the truth, this truth, the Word of God, sets them free.

John 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free

4)The word of God is not bound.

-The word of God is not limited by your environments, situations, and problems. If we are in the Word of God, we can overcome all things with the power of God’s Word.

2 Timothy 2:9 (ESV) for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!

5)The Word of God can cast out demons

Matthew 8:16-17 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.

-Jesus showed one example to cast out evil spirits with the Word of God.

6)The Word about Christ is the Gospel

1 Peter 1:25 (ESV) but the word of the Lord remains forever.”And this word is the good news (gospel) that was preached to you.

-We should focus on the Word of Christ, the Gospel in our daily life.

 

3.Only the Gospel can save people

1)Imprint the Gospel!

-We need to imprint the gospel in our heart!

Deuteronomy 6:5-6 You shall love the  Lord  your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.

-We need to have the time to stay in God’s Word. Concentration upon the Word is the start of the imprint of the Gospel.

2)The root of the Gospel

-Repetition of meditation puts the root of the Gospel in our lives.

Colossians 2:6-7 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

-Our root must be placed in Jesus Christ. The church, pastors, lay leaders, and believers must

 preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

3)The nature of the Gospel

-If we continue to focus on God’s Word through meditation, we can have the Gospel-oriented nature. Day and night, we meditate upon God’s Word. We have the standard of the Gospel in our lives.

Psalms 119:147-148 I rise before the dawning of the morning, And cry for help; I hope in Your word. 148  My eyes are awake through the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word.

4)The establishment of the Gospel

-Finally, we are strong enough to stand alone without any help from others. We are established by the Gospel. We can nurture and raise up other disciples.

2 Timothy 2:1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

 

Conclusion

1)Confess and admit Jesus Christ is your Lord!

Philippians 2:11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.