ENEMIES
OF THE CROSS I. TEXTUAL THOUGHTS 1. Philippians 3:18 - What happened at the cross creates enemies of the cross. 2. John 3:14-21 - They become enemies because the light of the cross exposes their sin. 3. John 12:32-33 - .The cross can also attract and create friends of the cross 4. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 - People become enemies because they are looking for power and wisdom for themselves. 5. Acts 9:1-19 - Even enemies of the cross can be honestly seeking God, and He can change them! II. MAIN THEME - Enemies and friends of the cross live in observably different ways. 1. Enemies of the cross can be identified by: a. Appetites that control them so strongly they become "gods" - Philippians 3:19. b. Glorying in shameful things - Philippians 3:19, ie evil doers - 3:2. c. Minds set on earthly things - Philippians 3:19; Ephesians 4:30-32, 5:3-10. d. Putting confidence in the flesh - Philippians 3:2-3. e. Being opposed to friends of the cross - Philippians 1:28. 2. Friends of the cross can be identified by: a. Christ-like attitudes and actions - Philippians 2:5-8. b. Glorying in Christ Jesus - Philippians 3:3. c. Minds set on heavenly things - Philippians 3:20-21. d. Confidence put in Christ - Philippians 3:3-12, not in heritage, reputation, possessions, and other things of this world. e. A willingness to suffer the loss of all things - Philippians 3:8-9. f. A hope in Christ's past, present and future work - Philippians 3:9,12,21, 1:6, 2:13 3. Enemies of the cross can look forward to destruction - Philippians 1:28, 3:19. 4. Friends of the cross can look forward to: a. Being with Christ, ie being saved - Philippians 1:23, 28. b. Christ transforming our humble bodies into His glory - Philippians 3:21. c. Being lights, reflecting Christ's glory - Philippians 2:15. III. APPLICATION 1. Don't envy the enemy's successes, God will destroy them - Philippians 1:28, 3:19. 2. Don't imitate or fall under their deceptions, but rather live as friends of the cross - Philippians 3:17. 3. Rejoice and give thanks that some of what the enemies of the cross do is good, even though their motives are evil - Philippians 1:15-18. 4. Put your confidence in, and obey Christ, because of what he has done, is doing, and will do for his friends - Philippians 1:6,11, 2:7-8, 27, 3:9-12, 21, 4:5-7,13, 23. 5. Don't hate the enemies of the cross, pray for them - Luke 23:34. 6. Be alert, the enemies may come: a. From within the church - Acts 20:28-32. b. From outside the church disguised as messengers of light - 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 IV. MEMORY VERSES - Philippians 3:18-19 |