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Title: Enemies of the Cross Post by: Brother Love on August 10, 2004, 04:52:20 AM Enemies of the Cross
By Paul M. Sadler Scripture Reading: "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." -- Philippians 3:18, 19 During the Apostle Paul's visits to Europe he had frequently warned the Philippians about those who were nothing more than deceivers. It is apparent that the problem in the assembly had greatly intensified for Paul writes, "I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping." These men are labeled by the apostle as "the enemies of the Cross of Christ." They may have appeared outwardly religious but in reality they were ungodly, self-seeking, arrogant, sensual men who were destitute of faith. There are three indictments that are handed down against these workers of iniquity: First, in the order of enumeration is the statement, "whose end is destruction." Surely this cannot be said of the saved. On the other hand the unsaved will experience everlasting destruction as foretold in II Thessalonians 1:7-9. Secondly, notice the object of their worship. Were they worshipping the true and living God? No! their god was their belly -- sensuality, which produced the insatiable desire to satisfy the appetites of the flesh. Thirdly, we are told they set their affections solely on worldly things such as: philosophy, intellectualism, power, popularity, fortune, etc. Little wonder Paul calls them enemies of the Cross, "they had a form of godliness, but denied the power thereof." These emissaries of Satan had no desire to understand the preaching of the Cross, whereby they could be justified from all things. Things haven't changed very much, today these imposters brazenly substitute the gospel message with the doctrine of positive thinking, which has led many to a false sense of security in thinking that they are right with God. Sad to say, that even some believers have fallen under the spell of this insidious teaching. Sir Walter Scott said of those who are given to deception: "Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive." Thankfully, even though the gospel is sometimes hindered, it continues to be the "power of God unto salvation." Beware of the enemies of the Cross, they are among us even at this hour. <:)))>< Title: Re:Enemies of the Cross Post by: Shammu on August 11, 2004, 02:01:01 AM Enemies of the Cross 2 Thumbs up Brother Love!! ;DBy Paul M. Sadler Scripture Reading: "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." -- Philippians 3:18, 19 During the Apostle Paul's visits to Europe he had frequently warned the Philippians about those who were nothing more than deceivers. It is apparent that the problem in the assembly had greatly intensified for Paul writes, "I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping." These men are labeled by the apostle as "the enemies of the Cross of Christ." They may have appeared outwardly religious but in reality they were ungodly, self-seeking, arrogant, sensual men who were destitute of faith. There are three indictments that are handed down against these workers of iniquity: First, in the order of enumeration is the statement, "whose end is destruction." Surely this cannot be said of the saved. On the other hand the unsaved will experience everlasting destruction as foretold in II Thessalonians 1:7-9. Secondly, notice the object of their worship. Were they worshipping the true and living God? No! their god was their belly -- sensuality, which produced the insatiable desire to satisfy the appetites of the flesh. Thirdly, we are told they set their affections solely on worldly things such as: philosophy, intellectualism, power, popularity, fortune, etc. Little wonder Paul calls them enemies of the Cross, "they had a form of godliness, but denied the power thereof." These emissaries of Satan had no desire to understand the preaching of the Cross, whereby they could be justified from all things. Things haven't changed very much, today these imposters brazenly substitute the gospel message with the doctrine of positive thinking, which has led many to a false sense of security in thinking that they are right with God. Sad to say, that even some believers have fallen under the spell of this insidious teaching. Sir Walter Scott said of those who are given to deception: "Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive." Thankfully, even though the gospel is sometimes hindered, it continues to be the "power of God unto salvation." Beware of the enemies of the Cross, they are among us even at this hour. <:)))>< I am almost to the point I believe that there is a few here at Christians Unite forums. Right now though till I have proof I will keep my supisions to myself, so no names. Title: Enemies of the Cross Post by: Brother Love on August 12, 2004, 04:15:56 AM Enemies of the Cross 2 Thumbs up Brother Love!! ;DBy Paul M. Sadler Scripture Reading: "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." -- Philippians 3:18, 19 During the Apostle Paul's visits to Europe he had frequently warned the Philippians about those who were nothing more than deceivers. It is apparent that the problem in the assembly had greatly intensified for Paul writes, "I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping." These men are labeled by the apostle as "the enemies of the Cross of Christ." They may have appeared outwardly religious but in reality they were ungodly, self-seeking, arrogant, sensual men who were destitute of faith. There are three indictments that are handed down against these workers of iniquity: First, in the order of enumeration is the statement, "whose end is destruction." Surely this cannot be said of the saved. On the other hand the unsaved will experience everlasting destruction as foretold in II Thessalonians 1:7-9. Secondly, notice the object of their worship. Were they worshipping the true and living God? No! their god was their belly -- sensuality, which produced the insatiable desire to satisfy the appetites of the flesh. Thirdly, we are told they set their affections solely on worldly things such as: philosophy, intellectualism, power, popularity, fortune, etc. Little wonder Paul calls them enemies of the Cross, "they had a form of godliness, but denied the power thereof." These emissaries of Satan had no desire to understand the preaching of the Cross, whereby they could be justified from all things. Things haven't changed very much, today these imposters brazenly substitute the gospel message with the doctrine of positive thinking, which has led many to a false sense of security in thinking that they are right with God. Sad to say, that even some believers have fallen under the spell of this insidious teaching. Sir Walter Scott said of those who are given to deception: "Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive." Thankfully, even though the gospel is sometimes hindered, it continues to be the "power of God unto salvation." Beware of the enemies of the Cross, they are among us even at this hour. <:)))>< I am almost to the point I believe that there is a few here at Christians Unite forums. Right now though till I have proof I will keep my supisions to myself, so no names. ;D AAAAMEN!!! Bro <:)))>< Title: SO SOON / Enemies of the Cross Post by: Brother Love on August 12, 2004, 04:18:30 AM SO SOON
By Cornelius R. Stam How highly the Galatian believers had esteemed Paul; how heartily they had loved him when he had first come to them proclaiming grace! The Apostle recalls it in Gal. 4: 13-15: "Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. "And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. "Where is then the blessedness ye spoke of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me." How happy in grace, how thoroughly blessed, had the Galatian Christians been -- when Paul was with them! But let the Apostle turn his back, as it were; let the legalizers come courting on the morrow and suddenly these same believers were ready to go back under the Law. "So soon" had they fallen from grace! The Apostle was dumbfounded! "I marvel," he says, "that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel" (Gal. 1:6). How unspeakably sad! And how natural that, hearing the news, the Apostle should sit down immediately to write them this urgent epistle, in large letters. The temptations to "fall from grace" are as great today as they ever were. It would be well, therefore, to read this letter to the Galatians often so that we might be among those who "stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free" (Gal. 5:1). <:)))>< |