Enemies on SermonAudio

In "Obadiah: Who Will Bring Me Down?" Charles Sebold walks through the shortest book of the Old Testament, a single twenty-one-verse oracle against Edom, the descendants of Esau. After tracing the long rivalry of the two brothers from Rebekah's womb through Edom's refusal of passage in Numbers 20 and Moses' charge, "You shall not abhor an Edomite, for he is your brother," he shows that the indictment rests on family: Edom wronged its brother Jacob. Edom's sin began with pride. Secure in the clefts of the rock, it asked, "Who will bring me down?" and God answered, "From there I will bring you down." Its allies, its wise men, and its warriors would all fail. Then comes the charge: on the day Babylon sacked Jerusalem, Edom stood aloof and was "like one of them." The eight "do not" commands of verses 12 to 14 trace a slippery slope of sin, from gloating to looting to handing over survivors. Watching came first, and the rest followed. Because the day of the Lord is near, "as you have done, it shall be done to you." God remembers wrongs done to His people, and His judgment fits the deed exactly. Yet Proverbs 24 forbids God's people the same gloating, and Romans 12:19 reminds us that vengeance belongs to the Lord, which is exactly why we need not take it ourselves. History confirms the word: Edom vanished. The book closes on Mount Zion, with a remnant that escapes, a restored land, and the promise that "the kingdom shall be the Lord's." The lesson calls believers to love brother, neighbor, and enemy, to glory in God's justice rather than in anyone's ruin, and to refuse to stand aside when evil falls on others.

This sermon examines the spiritual opposition faced by the returning exiles in Ezra 4, highlighting the inevitability of satanic attacks when God's people seek to build His house. The central message warns that the enemy often employs subtle, deceptive tactics, such as false fellowship, to infiltrate and discourage the church before resorting to overt hostility. The preacher emphasizes the critical need for discerning leadership and the congregation to recognize these covert threats, noting that the greatest danger to the church is not external persecution but internal compromise and the mixing of light with darkness. The discourse further illustrates how discouragement can paralyze spiritual progress, leading to apathy and a cessation of God's work, as seen in the eighteen-year halt of the temple construction. Finally, the sermon calls for a robust response to spiritual weariness through urgent, collective prayer, urging believers to rely on God's strength rather than yielding to fatigue or defeat.

Berean Adult Sunday School class. A verse-by-verse study through the books of the minor prophets

Paul expresses his deep heart's desire and prayer for the salvation of his fellow Jews, who possess genuine religious zeal yet lack the true knowledge of God's righteousness in Christ. The sermon calls believers to persistent prayer for the lost (including enemies), to recognize that the victory has already been won at the cross, and to pursue a zeal that submits to the finished work of Christ rather than self-righteous effort.

God created man to serve as a priest-king, ruling in righteousness while worshiping and submitting to the Lord. Yet Genesis 14 reveals the consequences of abandoning that priestly calling, as nine wicked kings pursue power, domination, and autonomy from God. In contrast, Abram demonstrates the character of a righteous priest-king, motivated by love and justice to rescue the innocent rather than seeking power or personal gain. His remarkable victory over the kings of the east reveals the power and faithfulness of God Most High. Upon his return, Abram encounters two contrasting kings: Melchizedek, the righteous priest-king of Salem, and the wicked king of Sodom. By honoring Melchizedek and rejecting Sodom's riches, Abram demonstrates his allegiance to righteousness and his refusal to compromise with evil. Yet even Abram acknowledges a king greater than himself, foreshadowing the coming of Jesus Christ, the perfect and eternal Priest-King who triumphs over every enemy and grants His righteousness to His people. The passage calls believers to reject the temptation of worldly power, act courageously against injustice, refuse ungodly alliances, and treasure the eternal riches of Christ above the fleeting rewards of this world.

Sunday Morning Service – October 18, 2026 – Pastor Rhon Roberts Sermon: Satan is the Enemy of your Soul Scripture: Mark 9: 17-29 Offertory: "Amazing Grace" Lyrics by John Newton; Arranged by David Miney; Copyright 1991 by Jantz Music Publications. Hymns used from the following: Great Hymns of the Faith Brentwood Benson Publishing - CCLI License for live streaming Soul Stirring Songs and Hymns - Sword of the Lord Publishers - permission granted by publisher From the Media Ministry of Mukwonago Baptist Church 1610 Honeywell Road Mukwonago, WI 53149 www.mukwonagobaptist.org 262-363-4197

In this text, the perennial enemy of Israel is promised to be an eternal friend.