Hear the Word of the Lord, For the Lord Hath a Controversy With the Inhabitants of the Land Because There Is No Truth, Nor Mercy, Nor Knowledge of God in the Land - Part 1571

"For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things .. for our conversation is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself." (Philippians 3:18-21)

Even while weeping, apostle Paul is telling us to beware of the enemies of the cross of Christ. For this reason, Paul oft marveled about them who would be so soon removed from Him that calls us unto the grace of Christ unto "another" gospel, which is not another; but as Paul warned, there be some that trouble you and would pervert the gospel of Christ. What does Paul say?

"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:8)

But note that Paul does not just say this unto the churches in Galatia once but a second time. "As we said before, so say I now again - if any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:9)

Why? Because the good news gospel that apostle Paul preached was not after man, for as he said, "For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Galatians 1:11-12)

And as we know from the scriptures, Paul was jealous over the saints with godly jealousy .. "for I have espoused you to ONE husband, that I may present [you as] a chaste virgin to Christ." (II Corinthians 11:2-3)

Paul was fearful that in the same way the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, that we too should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

"For if he that comes preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with [him] ... but what I do, that will I do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we, for such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ, and no marvel; for satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore, [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." (II Corinthians 11:4-15)

"If any man teach otherwise, and consent [agree] not to wholesome words -- [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting [is obsessed] about questions and strifes over of words [arguments], whereof comes envy, strife, railings [reviling], evil surmisings [suspicions], perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself ..." (I Timothy 6:3-5)

"Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof ..." (II Timothy 3:5)

"For they that are of the flesh, do mind the things of the flesh, but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit." (Romans 8:5)

Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!no man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (Matthew 6:18-34)

There is a gospel which has been declared unto us, and established on the day of Pentecost, which also we have received, and wherein we stand. (I Corinthians 15:1) That is, Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day, according to the scriptures ... and having repented, and having been water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and having been filled with the Holy Ghost, having received His grace and love and mercy, we can be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (Acts 2:36-38; I Corinthians 15:58)

Indeed, having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of times, He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, [even] in Him -- in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His own will -- that we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ! (Ephesians 1:9-12; 2:6, 19-22; 3:3-5)

Sing praises to the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ -- our Lord and Saviour this day. For His Name is great and greatly to be praised. Stand in the offering plate.