Philippians 3:18Enemies of the CrossEnemies of the Cross

Enemies of Jesus ChristEnemies of Jesus Christ• Jesus had his enemies among the Jews

• The Apostles who preached Jesus had their enemies among the Jews and the Gentiles

• The Lord’s archenemy is the devil who sows the seeds of destruction (Mt. 13:39; Acts 13:10)

• Paul, one of the greatest enemies of Christ, was converted and became a friend of Christ

Enemies of the CrossEnemies of the CrossPhilippians 3:17-21

17 Brethren, be ye imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk even as ye have us for an ensample.

18 For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

19 whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.

20 For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

21 who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself.

Enemies of the CrossEnemies of the Cross• Paul encouraged Christians to imitate and walk after

the Apostolic example (v. 17)

• Paul spoke “often” and “weeping” about the enemies of the cross (v. 18)

• The enemies of the cross (vv. 18-19):– “many walk” (Mt. 7:13-14)– “whose end is perdition” (2 Thess. 1:8-9)– “whose god is the belly” (2 Tim. 3:2)– “whose glory is in their shame” (Eph. 5:12)– “who mind earthly things” (Phil. 2:21)

Enemies of ChristianityEnemies of ChristianityMan-Made ReligionMan-Made Religion

• The way of Christianity is the way of a unified body – one church of Christ (Eph. 2:16; Col. 1:20; 2:14)

• All who promote a religion other than that of Jesus Christ are enemies. All world religions (Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, etc.), Protestant denominations (Baptist, Methodist, etc.), Catholicism, pagan religions (Wicca, etc.) are enemies.

• Like Paul, we must be truly converted and become a Christian, a member of the Lord’s body (Acts 26:29; Phil. 3:7-10)

Enemies of ChristianityEnemies of ChristianityFalse TeachingFalse Teaching

• The way of Christianity is the way of the NT gospel – the word of the cross (1 Cor. 1:17-18,23; Gal. 5:11; 6:12)

• All those who teach something other than the NT gospel are enemies (Rom. 16:18; 2 Cor. 4:3-4). All errors taught are enemies: m-d-r errors, plan of salvation errors, work and worship of the church errors, false science, unbelief, ignorance, etc.

• Like Paul, we must preach nothing but the NT gospel (1 Cor. 2:2)

Enemies of ChristianityEnemies of ChristianitySelfishnessSelfishness

• The way of Christianity is the way of self-denial, suffering, and sacrifice (2 Cor. 13:4; Phil. 2:8; Heb. 12:2; Mt. 10:38; 16:24; Mk. 8:34; Lk. 9:23)

• All those who are selfish are enemies (Phil. 3:19). All acts of selfishness are enemies: indifference, apathy, self-satisfaction, lukewarm, misplaced priorities, preeminence, etc.

• Like Paul, we must crucify self and act selflessly (Gal. 2:20)

Enemies of ChristianityEnemies of ChristianityWorldlinessWorldliness

• The way of Christianity is the way of separation from the world (Rom. 6:6)

• All those who are worldly are enemies (Phil. 3:19; Jas. 4:4). All acts of worldliness are enemies: lust, sexual immorality, materialism, idolatry, improper language and dress, works of the flesh, strife and division, compromise, etc.

• Like Paul, we must crucify the worldly flesh (Gal. 6:14)

Enemies of ChristianityEnemies of Christianity

The Cross of Christ

• One body (church)

• Word of the cross

• Self-denial

• Crucify the old man

Enemies of the Cross

• Man-made religion

• False teaching

• Selfishness

• Worldliness

Enemies or Friends?Enemies or Friends?• Like Paul, all are enemies of Christianity prior to

obeying the gospel (Rom. 5:10; Col. 1:21)

• All the Lord’s enemies will be put under his feet (Mt. 22:44; Mk. 12:36; Lk. 20:43; Acts 2:35; 1 Cor. 15:25; Heb. 1:13; 10:13)

• Like Paul, will you become the Lord’s friend by doing what he commands (Jn. 15:14)?