{"id":5505,"date":"2023-10-15T01:58:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-15T01:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stevegrossblog.com\/?p=5505"},"modified":"2026-10-02T01:32:46","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T01:32:46","slug":"with-tears","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stevegrossblog.com\/?p=5505","title":{"rendered":"WITH TEARS"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There is so much to chew on in the latter half of the 3rd chapter of Paul’s letter to the Philippians. And it’s what I get to preach tomorrow morning.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Since I don’t get 90 minutes for my sermon, I am forcing myself to focus on verses 17 to 19:<\/p>\n\n\n

17<\/a>Join one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/a>18<\/a><\/span>For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.\u00a0<\/span><\/a>19<\/a><\/span>Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n

It took me a while to notice that when Paul speaks here of “enemies of the cross of Christ”, he is not speaking of heathens – he is actually speaking of professing Christians, and leaders at that! (It’s just that they end up looking and acting like heathens.)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

He begins verse 17 by warning the church to watch and follow Christian leaders who walk according to a particular pattern that Paul has laid out previously. The fact that he follows this up with a warning about “enemies of the cross of Christ” is what should clue us in that he is speaking about Christian leaders – ones who just don’t get the whole crucifixion thing.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

These professing Christians end up looking just like the world:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n