Sermon Outlines

By Frederick F. Schwindt, Evangelist

UNUSUAL ENEMIES OF THE CHURCH

1. These words, dear friends, contain facts worthy of our prayerful consideration:
   1. Paul wrote while he wept.
   2. There were times in his ministry when he was excited, but we have no record that he wept during such incidents.
2. That great preacher, who possessed unusual powers to recognize the deadly dangers facing the church of God:
   1. Saw that Satan has succeeded to leaven the church with sinful characters, enemies of the cross of Christ.
   2. He knew of the harm those enemies would do to the cause of truth.
   3. It is this knowledge that causes him to weep - 2 Cor. 11:28

1. We know from history and from the study of Bible prophecy:
   1. That the church of God has, like its Head, enemies - Gen. 3:15; Rev. 12:17
   2. It began in the home - Gen. 4:8
   3. Such murders were common among God's people - Matt. 23:31, 35
2. But what gives cause for alarm is:
   1. That these enemies are in the church - Matt. 25:31-36; Acts 20:28-33
   2. They have the confidence of the brethren; that was Paul's bitterest experience -- false brethren - 2 Cor. 11:13
   3. They are hard to detect - Matt. 7:15; 2 Cor. 11:13, 14
   4. They plant the seed of discord and do great harm to the cause of God - Acts 20:29, 30
   5. It is terrifying to think that wolves, in sheep's clothing, get in among the members of the church - Mark 12:38
   6. When we think of these unusual enemies, we have reason to be deeply concerned for the safety of God's people.

1. They bring reproach to the cross of Christ:
   1. By professing Christianity, yet with their works they deny the truth - 1 Tim. 5:8
   2. They induce other members to be careless in their association with the world - 2 Cor. 6:14-17
   3. They bring in division and discord to weaken the church - Rom. 16:17; 1 Cor. 3:3
   4. They discredit the leaders, destroy the confidence in the brethren - Num. 16:1-32
2. The real sorrow is brought to the Lord and His people because:
   1. Such enemies are not detected before they have done great damage.
   2. Also, because the church does not live close enough to the Lord so that He can give them the needed warning before the damage has been done.
   3. Many of God's children are soundly asleep - Matt. 25:1-12; 2 Cor. 11:22-34
3. Seven specific marks of the enemies of the cross of Christ:
   1. Hypocrisy - Putting on a false front; hard to detect - Isa. 32:6; Matt. 23:28; Job 15:35
   2. Teaching false doctrines - 1 Tim. 4:1-8; Rev. 2:20
   3. Living in sin -- 2 Tim. 3:1-7 -- what a sad story about God's people.
   4. Dishonesty in business.
   5. Not having the Spirit of Christ.
   6. Causing discord among the brethren.
   7. Rebels against the church standards. Beware of these enemies of the cross! Do not give them room for one moment, but put them on notice that you will not have their fellowship.