The Christian's Watchword

The Christian’s Watchword

Text: Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known of all men. The Lord is at hand.

Introduction:

The early Christians underwent many trials and persecution. They encouraged each other by thinking about the fact that the Lord is at hand. Here are three ways that the blessed hope, that is, the return of Jesus Christ, encouraged them. Writing from prison, Paul stated: Philippians 4:5 The Lord is at hand. He went on to say: 4:6 Be careful for nothing (careful here means full of care) but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto the Lord. Paul admonishes us to place all our cares in the Lord’s hands. He reminded us again in I Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Peter gives a similar admonition: 1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Thus, God wants us to pray and give thanks. Further, God will have us do three additional things because the Lord is at hand:

Be prayerful:?

Jesus said in the garden of Gethsemane on the night of his betrayal: Mark 13:33 Take ye heed watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. If anyone might not seem to need prayer, it would be the Lord Jesus Christ, who has all authority and power in heaven and on earth. Yet there is no one who prayed like Jesus. When he chose 12 men to be with him, he prayed all night. When facing the cross, three times he prayed submitting his will to that of the Father, praying with such intensity that great drops of blood fell from his skin. We find that after difficult days of exhausting work, he still went apart early in the morning to pray. How much more should we pray, especially as we see the day approaching.

Be patient:

As we pray, God gives peace. Philippians 4:5 The Lord is at hand. 4:6 Be careful for nothing (careful here means full of care) but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto the Lord. 7. And the peace of God, which passth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Job is a great example for all of us. James 5:10 Take, my brethren the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. 11.Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is very pitiful, and full of tender mercy.

Let us hold patience with all men. We can thank the Lord that He has been patient with us. The Lord held patience with me for 36 years until I accepted Him as my savior and Lord. He has held patience with me as I have been learning to follow Him.

Be pure:

The coming of the Lord is a tremendous encouragement to live a pure life pleasing to the Lord. I John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God; therefore, the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Titus 2:12 Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly righteously, and godly in this present world; 13. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.

This world is not our home. We are strangers to this world after salvation, and our citizenship is in heaven, where righteousness dwells. Therefore, we should live pure lives. We should exercise patience, thinking of the examples of such men as Job. We should pray without ceasing. And we should encourage others as well to accept the salvation which the Lord provides, salvation from the penalty of sin through the blood of Christ; salvation from the power of sin through the greater indwelling power of the Holy Spirit in our lives; and salvation from the very presence of sin as He returns and we shall be with Him forever.

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