Philippians #058 - Learn the Bible Broadcast - Philippians 3:18-19
Pastor Andrew B. Ray

Antioch Baptist Church
5709 North Broadway
Knoxville, TN 37918
http://www.LearntheBible.org

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Philippians #058 - Learn the Bible Broadcast
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: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

2. The enemies to be known (Philippians 3:18-19)
a. The enemies identified (Philippians 3:18)
(1) Their number—“many”
a) This was true during our Lord’s earthly ministry (Matthew 26:59-60; Matthew 27:13; see Matthew 7:13; John 6:60-66).
b) This was true during the ministry of the apostle Paul (Acts 25:7; 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:17; Titus 1:10).
c) The Lord has promised that things will get worse (2 Timothy 3:13; 1 John 2:18; 1 John 4:1; 2 John 1:7).
(2) Their mention
a) They were mentioned frequently.
b) They were a heart wrenching conversation—“and now tell you even weeping” (see Psalm 119:136; Jeremiah 9:1; Jeremiah 13:17; Luke 19:41; Acts 20:19, 30-31; Romans 9:1-3; 2 Corinthians 2:1-4).
(3) Their opposition—“enemies of the cross of Christ”
a) Elymas was an enemy of all righteousness (Acts 13:8-10).
b) We were God’s enemies (Romans 5:8-10; Colossians 1:21).
c) Jews are enemies concerning the gospel (Romans 11:28).
d) There were many adversaries to the great door and effectual that was opened unto Paul (1 Corinthians 16:9).
e) Note: We are ambassadors sent forth for the purpose of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:16-21). This is why Paul could weep when speaking of these enemies. The reality is that these men do not oppose us. They oppose the truth, and by doing so, they oppose themselves (2 Timothy 2:25).
b. The nature of the enemies (Philippians 3:19)
(1) Their end is destruction.
a) Their end is according to their works (2 Corinthians 11:15).
b) They will be damned (2 Thessalonians 2:12; 2 Peter 2:3).
c) They bring upon themselves swift destruction (2 Peter 2:1).
d) They will find their home to be hell, only to be delivered up and cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15).
(2) Their God is their belly.
a) They serve their own belly (Romans 16:18).
b) They feed themselves without fear (Jude 1:8-13).
c) The idea is that everything in this life is self-centered and self-serving. They do whatever they want to do, desiring a favourable outcome for themselves.
d) Unfortunately, the apostle Paul seemed to deal with the same problem among believers (Philippians 2:20-21).
(3) Their glory is in their shame.
a) As believers, it is a shame for us to speak of the things done by them in secret (Ephesus 5:12).
b) For the world, shameful things are worthy of glory (2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; Jude 1:13).
c) Unfortunately, there are times when the church behaves in the same manner (1 Corinthians 5:1-6).
(4) They mind earthly things.
a) Showing that they are of the flesh (Romans 8:5-7)
b) Showing ignorance to the things of God (1 Corinthians 2:14)
c) Manifesting God’s love is not in them (1 John 2:15)
d) Showing a vast contrast to the saved (Philippians 1:27-28)
e) Unfortunately, there are times when believers fight this same temptation (2 Timothy 4:10).
(5) Carnal believers share all in common except for the end result. Surely we can have compassion on the ignorant (Hebrews 5:1-2).