Enemies of the Cross of Christ

Thesis: Paul exhorts believers to follow the example of those who follow Christ because there are others who live as enemies of Christ, walking against those who are.

1. IMITATING/EXAMPLING TRUE CHRISTIANS (v.17)

   • True believers are a family, related by adoption
   • We are to imitate the thoughts and actions of
     mature and experienced true believers
   • We are to be involved in "church" community so
     we can observe, "see" conduct of true believers

2. SOBER WARNING TO BELIEVERS (v.18-19)

   • There are those in circle of believers that are
     actually enemies of Christ - beware or them and
     pray for their repentance
   • Do we care that there are those whose eternity
     is destruction?
   • "Their god is their belly" = If not worshipping
     God, you are worshipping self
   • "They glory in their shame" = sin doesn't bother
     them
   • "with minds set on earthly things" = end ogal of
     all activity is earthly gain - don't have an
     eternal focus

3. CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP (v. 20-21)

   • We must live and labor with eternal mindset
   • What we think leads us to what we do
   • We can live with an everlasting assured hope
   • We have an eternally perfect body awaiting us