Enemies of the Cross

In this part of the sermon: Martin introduces the sermon by setting the scene of Paul writing Philippians 3:17-4:1, imagining Paul's deep thought and tears as he pens a warning against a new group of…

Martin vividly imagines Paul's physical actions and emotional state—his deep thought, sigh, and tears—as he writes the warning in Philippians 3:17-4:1, emphasizing the profound concern behind his words.

And as we begin our study of this final paragraph of Philippians 3, I want you to imagine with me that you are standing outside a window in the room where Paul is imprisoned, at Rome, at the time that he wrote this epistle. We have watched him compose his warning against the Judaizers in verse 2 of chapter 3. We have seen something of the almost heavenly light upon his countenance and in his eye, as beginning with verse 4 he buttresses the warning with his own testimony of the grace of God to him. Then we have watched him as no doubt his brow,

0:44 - 1:29 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin explains that Paul is warning against antinomians who, in contrast to Judaizers, believe that justification by faith negates the need for good works. He uses Robert…

Martin quotes Robert Johnstone's commentary to support the identification of the 'enemies of the cross' as prominent, itinerating teachers who abused the doctrines of grace, rather than Judaizers.

And in introducing our study this morning, I believe I can do no better in the interest of accuracy and edification than simply to say, and simply to read a few of the comments of Robert Johnstone in his commentary on this epistle. And he says in the beginning of his exposition of this section, the Philippians doubtless had no difficulty in knowing to whom Paul referred in these verses. During his visits to them, he had told them often, as our passage tells us, of this class of men, and the intensity of feeling with which he writes on the subject, for he now tells them, even weeping suggests a...

8:26 - 9:10 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin delineates three marks of their character: sensuality (their 'God is the belly'), shamelessness (glorying in their shame), and worldliness (minding earthly things). He…

Martin quotes Robert Johnstone's commentary to further elaborate on 'minding earthly things,' explaining how even decent, honest people can be supremely occupied with worldly interests, neglecting God and heaven.

from the condemnation of sin. The only thoughts and concerns they had with heaven were the thoughts and concerns that would draw them enough to Christ to salve their consciences when in reality the basic minds, the basic perspective and preoccupation of the soul was earth. And he uses that word mind that he used in the previous context when he speaks of the people of God as those who are thus minded, those who think and share the perspective of the great Apostle Paul. And again, John Stone is so perceptive in his comments

21:25 - 22:10 Read in full sermon

The point: Don't grow weary of the warnings which are calculated to keep you from such influences.

Martin imagines a Philippian believer nudging another, saying, 'Oh boy, here we go again,' to illustrate the danger of growing weary of repeated warnings from God's Word.

I told you often. But now he says, and I tell you again, weeping, now imagine what it would have been like if when one of the elders or the readers stood up that morning to read this epistle, some believer sitting there at Philippi heard these words, brethren, be imitators together of me and mark those that so walk. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now I tell you again, weeping. Can you imagine if some man would have leaned over and nudged someone else and said, oh boy, here we go again.

40:18 - 40:56 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Unimpassioned preaching is a contradiction. How can a man traffic in a hell in which he believes is real with people whom he believes to be the objects of the dying love of the incarnate God?

Martin speculates whether Paul had 'Philippian scars' as a constant reminder of his ministry there, highlighting the personal cost and deep connection Paul had with the church.

Under God, the Philippians were his children. They had come to birth by his own agonizing travail. He had scars on his back as the constant reminder of his ministry at Philippi. I wonder if he had his scars named.

44:58 - 45:14 Read in full sermon

The point: Examine the kind of people you voluntarily choose to be with the most, as this is a sure index of your true spiritual state.

Martin uses the example of choosing one's companions when free to do so as a 'surest index' of a person's true spiritual state, contrasting those who seek holy fellowship with those who snicker at sin.

His true state is the kind of people he voluntarily chooses to be with the most. Now, some people, you're put next to them against your will. The boss says, you're going to work at that machine or at this desk, and you may be next to the most foul-mouthed person. But a good index of a man's character is the kind of people he chooses to be with when he's free to make the choice.

50:18 - 50:42 Read in full sermon

The point: May the warning of this passage immunize us, and for some, may it be a call from God to return from a path dangerously close to apostasy and enter the way of holiness once again.

The enemy of souls hovering over a Christian assembly like birds over a newly plowed field about to receive seed illustrates the constant threat to the reception and fruitfulness of God's Word.

Our Father, we never cease to be amazed at the freshness of Your holy word, words penned by Your aging servant hundreds of years ago. Yet they leap across the years and come to our ears and hearts as the living word of the living God. How we bless You for Your word, and we pray that this word we have contemplated this morning, will bear holy fruits in all of our hearts. Seal it to us, may not the enemy of our souls,

52:34 - 53:15 Read in full sermon