Enemies of the Cross of Christ

1. Enemies of theCross of Christ Philippians 3:18-19

2. Philippians 3:18-19 “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: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame; who set their mind on earthly things.”

3. Matthew 5:43-44 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” Enemies of Christ’s disciples had cursed, hated and abused them.

4. Matthew 13:25, 28, 39 (23), “But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.” (28), “He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’” (39), “The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels.”

5. Luke 19:27 “But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.” Parable: Those who were unwilling to submit to the rule of the noblemen. The rebellious are unwilling to submit to the rule of Christ.

6. Acts 13:8-10 “But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?” Sought to prohibit Sergius Paulus at Paphos from hearing the gospel.

7. Romans 11:28 “Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.” • These enemies (rebellious of Israel) were: • Blinded (vs. 7) • Fallen (vs. 11) • Prideful unbelievers (vs. 20)

8. Galatians 4:16 “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” If they were resentful of Paul because of his telling them the truth, it is because they are unwilling to stand for the truth.

9. Colossians 1:21-22 “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.” They had been enemies because of “wicked works.”

10. 2 Thessalonians 3:15 “And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” What would cause any to even consider a brother in Christ as an enemy? Disobedience!

11. James 4:4 “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” Anyone who is a friend of the world is an enemy to God.

12. Conclusion It may be easier to to identify the “enemies of the cross of Christ” than we think It may be easier to to be an enemy of the cross of Christ than we think! The end of the enemies of the Cross of Christ… 1 Corinthians 15:25-26

13. 1 Corinthians 15:25-26 “For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.” Any enemy of the cross of Christ will be defeated.