𝗪𝗛𝗢 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗖𝗛𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗧?

WHO ARE THE ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST?

(A Pauline Warning in the Dispensation of Grace)

INTRODUCTION

Paul warns with tears that many walk as enemies of the cross (Phil. 3:18).
These enemies are not always atheists or persecutors—they are often religious, persuasive, and popular, yet they pervert grace, profit from piety, and place burdens where Christ removed them.
The cross offends religion because it ends human boasting.
Galatians 6:14 (KJV)

① PROFITEERS — Merchants of the Message
2 Peter 2:1–3; 1 Timothy 6:5 (KJV)

A. Peddling the Gospel – Preaching for money and gain
B. Prosperity Promises – Turning faith into a transaction
C. Perversion of Purpose – Ministry becomes a marketplace
The cross is not a business—it is a burial of pride.

② PERVERSION — Mixing Law with Grace
Galatians 2:21; Romans 11:6 (KJV)

A. Law-Grace Blend – Adding works to faith
B. Confused Salvation – Grace diluted by duty
C. Cancelled Cross – If works save, Christ died in vain
Any mixture nullifies grace.

③ PRIDE — Exalting Men, Not the Messiah
Colossians 1:18; Galatians 1:10 (KJV)

A. Personality-Driven Ministry – Following famous preachers
B. Platform Over Christ – Glory redirected to men
C. Preacher Worship – Loyalty to leaders over Lord
Where Christ is not central, the cross is opposed.

④ PRESSURE — Fear-Driven Giving
2 Corinthians 9:7; Romans 8:15 (KJV)

A. Guilt Manipulation – Threats of curses or loss
B. Fear-Based Faith – Giving replaces trusting Christ
C. Fleshly Motivation – Compulsion instead of cheer
Grace gives freely—fear gives reluctantly.

⑤ PASSIVITY — Blindly Following Men
Acts 17:11; Matthew 15:14 (KJV)

A. Unsearched Scriptures – Believing without checking
B. Unquestioned Authority – Pastors placed above the Word
C. Unstable Faith – Easily led astray
Grace teaches believers to test everything.

⑥ PERFORMANCE — Religious Living Over Redemption
Galatians 5:1; Colossians 2:20–23 (KJV)

A. Burdened Believers – Rules replace rest
B. Bondage to Rituals – Performance becomes identity
C. Broken Assurance – Peace lost through works
Religion enslaves—grace liberates.

⑦ PASSIONS — Serving the Belly
Philippians 3:19; Romans 16:18 (KJV)

A. Carnal Appetites – Money, power, fame
B. Smooth Speech – Flattery deceives the simple
C. Self-Serving Ministry – Appetite over accountability
When appetite rules, the cross is rejected.

⑧ PERSPECTIVE — Earthly-Minded, Not Eternal
Philippians 3:19–20; Colossians 3:1–3 (KJV)

A. Earthly Focus – Success measured by numbers and wealth
B. Eternal Neglect – Heaven forgotten
C. Cross Avoidance – Suffering replaced by comfort
The cross calls us upward, not inward.

⑨ PROCLAMATION — Denying the Finished Work
1 Corinthians 15:1–4; Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV)

A. Incomplete Gospel – Christ plus something else
B. Insufficient Cross – Works finish what Christ started
C. Ignored Resurrection – Power replaced by practice
The cross alone saves—nothing added, nothing removed.

CALL TO ACTION

Reject works-based religion
Rightly divide the Word of Truth
Rest fully in Christ’s finished work
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free — Galatians 5:1 (KJV)

CONCLUSION

Enemies of the cross are not always loud persecutors—they are often religious reformers who replace grace with effort.
The cross declares “It is finished”—religion replies “Do more.”
Where grace reigns, the cross is honored.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Profit corrupts preaching
Law nullifies grace
Christ alone deserves glory
Fear never produces freedom
Blind following leads to bondage
Religion burdens the soul
Carnality opposes the cross
Earthly minds miss eternal truth
The finished work is enough