Rejoice He Is Coming

TITLE: Rejoice, He is Coming

INTRODUCTION:

The United States is a diverse nation, and the more we can understand its diversity, the better we can reach others for Christ.

There are people here from all over the world. That is a blessing, but it can also be a challenge. Especially when we are trying to keep the nation together. Today’s society is characterized by divisions, segregation, and disunity. These divisions are the cause for lack of peace in the hearts of people. But how can we maintain peace and joy in a world full of hatred, war and instability.

In chapter four of the letter to the Philippians the apostle Paul presents a series of exhortations to the church in Philipi, and in this chapter we find 5 counsels or lessons to the Philipians that could help us have peace and unity as wait for the second coming of Jesus.

Text: PHILIPIANS 4:1-9

Because

THEME: “The Hope in the Second Coming of Jesus Gives us Peace”

The first lesson:

1. STAND FIRM: (Persevere) Dont’t let them move you. Phil. 4:1

“Therefore, my beloved and longed_for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved”.

What does it mean to stand firm, what is Paul trying to tell this people and why is he telling them to stand firm? In chapter 1:27 he gives them the same exhortation stand firm. In other words persevere” you know the time have come in which what can be shaken will be shaken. The devil is ready to shake people out of the church. Jesus warn Peter: “the devil have asked to shake you’” but I have pray for you

Luke 22:31-31 “And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 "But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." I have been in this church for more than 30 years and I have seen a lot of beautiful people coming in and beginning the wonderful journey with Jesus. But sadly and have also seen many fall by the wayside. It never ceases to amaze me how people leave the church for the most trivial things. “I came to church and nobody said hello to me therefore I don’t belong there.”

In the book of Revelation when the six seal is open a question is asked: "For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" Rev. 6:17

Ilus/Aplication. I met a young girl who was brought up in the church, had all the advantages of christian home, loving father and mother. But she wanted to experiement the world. She wanted to have more freedom than what her parents were given her and so she came to NY and as she try to board train- subway somebody pushed into an incoming train, she felt and the tracks and was drag by the train about several yards from where she had fallen. It was a miracle that she survive, but her two legs had to be amputated and she was no able to walk again. It was an that hospital bed that she understood the love of God and the priviledge of being a Christian.

“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” Some people worried about the judgement if they are going to make through the judgement. But when you give your life to Jesus you don’t need to worry about your salvation, because:

The Hope in the Second Coming of Jesus Gives us Peace

The second lesson

2. UNITY- Agree with one another== Phil. 4:2

“I plead with Euodia and I Plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.”

I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.

The lesson here is for unity in the body. Unity amongst members. Paul is saying here please agree to agree. To be at variance with one another is incongruent with the Christian life. Christ taught his disciples about unity his pastoral prayer found in John 17 calls for his disciples to be one in the Lord. Euodia and Syntiche had a problem. I do not know what the nature of the problem was but it was serious enough to drive these two dear ladies apart. They were divided, at odds with one another. And Paul said to them, sisters this cannot be please reconcile your differences in the Lord. The name Euodia means “prosperous Journey” and Syntiche means Pleasant Acquaintance or Good luck” and so I imagine that one day Syntiche sayd to Euodia have a prosperous journey and Euodia answer back “good luck”. And so they departed from one another. Now this women were leaders in the church. They were dedicated christians they were committed to the work of the gospel, preaching with the apostol Paul and he tells them. Please Euodia and Sintiche can you please kiss and make up. Phil. 2:4. A few years ago I read an interesting story.,,,