Enemies of the Cross: A Call to Examine Our Focus

Devotional

Day 1: The Danger of Appetites as Deities

When individuals allow their desires and appetites to rule their lives, they replace God with their own cravings, leading to spiritual destruction. This is what is meant by the phrase "their God is their belly." It signifies a life where personal desires become the highest authority, overshadowing the divine. Such a life is marked by a constant pursuit of satisfaction through worldly means, whether it be through food, pleasure, or the approval of others. This misplaced worship results in a life that is ultimately empty and unfulfilled, as it is disconnected from the true source of life and purpose. [04:39]

1 Corinthians 6:12-13 (ESV): "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be dominated by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food"—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.

Reflection: What is one desire or appetite in your life that you have allowed to take precedence over your relationship with God? How can you begin to realign this area with His will today?

Day 2: Inversion of Values

Glorifying in shameful behaviors is a sign of misplaced worship. When individuals celebrate what is inherently disgraceful, they reveal a heart that has turned away from God and embraced the world. This inversion of values is a clear indication of spiritual decay, where what was once considered shameful is now seen as a mark of strength or uniqueness. It is a dangerous path that leads to a life devoid of true joy and fulfillment, as it is rooted in the temporary and fleeting rather than the eternal and steadfast. [05:26]

Isaiah 5:20 (ESV): Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

Reflection: Can you identify an area in your life where you have begun to celebrate something that is inherently shameful? What steps can you take to realign your values with God's truth?

Day 3: Earthly Focus and Spiritual Void

A mindset focused on earthly things indicates a life where God is absent. This worldly focus creates a void that is filled with ungodly desires, leading to a life that is ultimately destructive. When God is removed from the picture, the world becomes the primary focus, and desires become the new deity. This shift in focus leads to a new form of worship, where individuals boast in behaviors that satisfy their appetites, even if those behaviors are shameful. [09:20]

Colossians 3:2-3 (ESV): Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Reflection: What is one earthly focus that has taken precedence in your life? How can you shift your mindset to prioritize heavenly things today?

Day 4: The Worship of Shameful Behaviors

The absence of God in one's life leads to a new form of worship, where shameful behaviors are celebrated. This inversion of values is a clear indication of spiritual decay. When individuals replace God with worldly desires, they begin to boast in behaviors that satisfy their appetites, even if those behaviors are inherently disgraceful. This lifestyle is marked by a celebration of what is shameful, revealing a heart that has turned away from God and embraced the world. [07:59]

Ephesians 4:17-19 (ESV): Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.

Reflection: Reflect on a behavior you have celebrated that may not align with God's values. How can you begin to shift your focus and celebrate what is truly honorable in God's eyes?

Day 5: The Consequence of Living as an Enemy of the Cross

The ultimate consequence of living as an enemy of the cross is eternal separation from God. This passage serves as a warning to examine our lives and ensure that our focus remains on God, not on worldly desires. When individuals allow their appetites to become their god, they are on a path that leads to destruction. It is a sobering reminder of the importance of keeping our focus on God and not allowing our desires to rule our lives. [10:52]

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 (ESV): in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.

Reflection: Consider the areas of your life where you may be living as an enemy of the cross. What steps can you take today to realign your life with God's will and avoid the path of destruction?

Sermon Summary

In this session, we delve into Philippians 3:18-21, focusing on the characteristics of those who are described as enemies of the cross of Christ. These individuals are marked by three distinct traits: their God is their belly, they glory in their shame, and their minds are set on earthly things. These traits lead to their ultimate destruction, which is the wrath of God and eternal separation from Him. The passage challenges us to examine these characteristics closely and understand their implications.

Firstly, the phrase "their God is their belly" suggests that these individuals are ruled by their appetites and desires. Instead of God being their highest authority and treasure, they are governed by their cravings, whether they be for food, pleasure, or approval. This misplaced worship leads them to glorify behaviors that are inherently shameful. What was once considered disgraceful is now celebrated as a mark of strength and uniqueness. This inversion of values is a clear indication of their spiritual state.

Secondly, their mindset is fixated on earthly things. This worldly focus means that God is absent from their lives, creating a void that is filled with ungodly appetites. When God is removed from the picture, the world becomes their primary focus, and their desires become their new deity. This shift in focus leads to a new form of worship, where they boast in behaviors that satisfy their appetites, even if those behaviors are shameful.

The passage warns that such a lifestyle leads to destruction. When God is replaced by worldly desires, the ultimate consequence is eternal separation from Him. This is a sobering reminder of the importance of keeping our focus on God and not allowing our appetites to become our god.

Key Takeaways

1. The phrase "their God is their belly" highlights the danger of allowing our desires and appetites to rule our lives. When our cravings become our highest authority, we replace God with our own desires, leading to spiritual destruction. [04:39]
2. Glorifying in shameful behaviors is a sign of misplaced worship. When we celebrate what is inherently disgraceful, we reveal a heart that has turned away from God and embraced the world. [05:26]
3. A mindset focused on earthly things indicates a life where God is absent. This worldly focus creates a void that is filled with ungodly desires, leading to a life that is ultimately destructive. [09:20]
4. The absence of God in one's life leads to a new form of worship, where shameful behaviors are celebrated. This inversion of values is a clear indication of spiritual decay. [07:59]
5. The ultimate consequence of living as an enemy of the cross is eternal separation from God. This passage serves as a warning to examine our lives and ensure that our focus remains on God, not on worldly desires. [10:52]
** [10:52]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:18] - Introduction to Philippians 3:18-21
[00:39] - Understanding Enemies of the Cross
[01:00] - Characteristics of Destruction
[01:24] - Heavenly vs. Earthly Focus
[02:10] - Defining the Three Traits
[03:10] - Belly as God
[04:39] - Authority and Treasure
[05:26] - Glory in Shame
[06:19] - Worldly Mindset
[07:15] - Worship of Appetites
[08:17] - Consequences of Misplaced Worship
[09:20] - Life Focus and Void
[10:15] - Eternal Destruction
[11:39] - Next Steps and Reflection

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Philippians 3:18-21
- 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9

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Observation Questions:

What are the three characteristics mentioned in Philippians 3:19 that define those who are enemies of the cross of Christ? How do these characteristics relate to their ultimate destruction? [01:00]
According to the sermon, what does it mean when it says "their God is their belly"? How does this phrase reflect their priorities and values? [04:39]
How does the sermon describe the mindset of those who glory in their shame? What does this reveal about their spiritual condition? [05:26]
What is the significance of having a mindset focused on earthly things, as mentioned in the sermon? How does this focus impact one's relationship with God? [09:20]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the sermon explain the relationship between having God as one's highest authority and the concept of worship? What happens when appetites replace God in this role? [07:15]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that glorifying shameful behaviors is a form of misplaced worship? How does this inversion of values indicate spiritual decay? [07:59]
How does the absence of God in one's life lead to a new form of worship, according to the sermon? What are the consequences of this shift in focus? [09:40]
How does 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 relate to the ultimate consequence of living as an enemy of the cross, as discussed in the sermon? What does this passage add to our understanding of eternal separation from God? [10:52]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your own life: Are there any areas where your desires or appetites have taken precedence over your relationship with God? How can you realign your priorities this week? [04:39]
Consider a behavior or attitude you once viewed as shameful but now find yourself justifying or celebrating. What steps can you take to address this inversion of values in your life? [05:26]
Identify a specific earthly focus or distraction that has been pulling your attention away from God. What practical steps can you take to minimize this distraction and refocus on your spiritual growth? [09:20]
How can you ensure that your worship and values are aligned with God's teachings rather than being influenced by worldly desires? What changes might you need to make in your daily routine to support this alignment? [07:15]
Reflect on the concept of eternal separation from God as a consequence of misplaced worship. How does this understanding impact your view of your current spiritual journey and the choices you make? [10:52]
Think of a time when you allowed your appetites to dictate your actions. How did it affect your relationship with God and others? What can you learn from that experience to prevent it from happening again? [08:17]
How can you actively cultivate a mindset that prioritizes heavenly values over earthly ones? What specific practices or habits can you incorporate into your life to support this shift in focus? [09:40]

Sermon Clips

Their God is their belly means they are ruled a patrol here by their appetites or their the greatest treasure is satisfying their appetites then I'm gonna go to shame and the word shame means that there are there are acts that are known to be by most people and maybe these people formerly known to be disgraceful or dishonorable. [00:04:35]

Glory would be they are there they're praising them they think they're great that this is this is the mark of our our strength and our our beauty we are we are boasting in these things now we used to think they were shameful now we think doing them is what makes us special and marvelous and avant-garde and better glorious and everybody knows their shameful. [00:05:15]

The world is the magnet of their mind when their mind goes into neutral oops mind mean mind when their mind goes into neutral here it's just it's just food can you see me jerking that over there it's like a magnet that just zips over to the world and fastens on the latest video and the latest technology. [00:06:00]

God has got to get out of the picture because he just gets in the way of all that the world is offering for the the preoccupation of this mindset okay so that's my best effort to think I just start putting in my own words what these may stand for and if you have time you can look them all up in other places. [00:06:34]

The fact that he would use the word God here in the word glory here suggests that the belly has become their God and this has become their worship God God has to be worshipped right and the way they worship is that this God demands these behaviors these appetites these sexual appetites say or or this this appetite for overeating. [00:07:06]

Appetite for the the attention and approval of other people are demanding disgraceful behaviors but you can't call them disgraceful because that would be blasphemy to your God right so you have to glory in them so when it went when your God ceases to be God and becomes the appetite then worship becomes the praise of the wicked behaviors. [00:07:41]

The belly is God it it demands behaviors that are shameful whether it's eating a whole pack of Oreo cookies or whether it's homosexual behavior or fornication or whether it's utter ridiculous self exaltation at the office that desperately tries to get other people to praise you or is shameful it's gonna be your glory now. [00:08:17]

When God drops out of your life and when your life is focus uh turley on the world and and God has to be removed from it there's a void that's got to be filled because we're made for God it's filled with appetites and belly and worship has to be made up and the worship becomes our glorying in the kind of behaviors that the new God demands. [00:09:18]

God goes away out of this picture we are utterly ravished by the world the world has no God in it you've got to have a God the God becomes your belly a new worship emerges and you are therefore going to hell this kind of person goes to hell isn't it remarkable over here in 2nd Thessalonians 1:7 the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven. [00:09:56]

They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction and then he defines it like this a way a way from the presence of the Lord and the glory of his might you you have chosen a new glory for yourself a new Lord for yourself and therefore you will have it forever only it will be shown to be your shame. [00:10:44]

All that you thought was a new God with wonderful pay off in the satisfactions of the belly is going to be reversed and it will be called destruction so that's why these people are going to end up in destruction and the question left for us is in what sense then are they enemies of the cross and who are they anyway. [00:11:16]

Are they the dogs of verse 2 are they people who are boasting in religious rigor or are they some other group that's next time. [00:11:47]

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Enemies of the Cross: A Call to Examine Our Focus

Devotional

Day 1: The Danger of Appetites as Deities

Day 2: Inversion of Values

Day 3: Earthly Focus and Spiritual Void

Day 4: The Worship of Shameful Behaviors

Day 5: The Consequence of Living as an Enemy of the Cross

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Enemies of the Cross: A Call to Examine Our Focus

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