Philippians 4:1-5 “The Lord is at hand”. 

Introduction: In this passage of scripture, Paul ends in vs 5 by saying “The Lord is at hand”. In other words, Jesus Christ is coming back soon for his church, the bride of Christ, that is, every believer that’s here this morning. There is no doubt that Jesus Christ is ready to come and His coming is near therefore, there are some things we should be doing as we wait on the return of Jesus Christ. Waiting on the return of the Lord Jesus Christ is something that should be done actively not just passively.

Because the return of the Lord is at hand, we should:

1. Stand Fast in the Lord– Vs 1 “stand fast in the Lord”. To stand fast is to persist, to persevere. To not give up, to not quit. A soldier is to stand fast regardless of the enemies plan, he is to refuse to give ground no matter the pressure and strength of the attack. Christian’s today are giving up the fight and are quitting on God in the last hour. The devil and your flesh want to quit, don’t do it, stand fast. 
   • If you are going to stand fast, you have to: 
     • Stay Focused- Philippians 3:12-14 Don’t stop, keep pressing toward the mark. 
     • Stay Disciplined- I Corinthians 9:25-27 This is a runner’s discipline, to keep going, you have to keep your body under.  
   • The Christian is to stand fast no matter the trial, pressure, temptation, influence, or offer of life. II Samuel 23:11-12 “But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it”. 
   • The Lord is at hand and we want to be found standing fast in the Lord. 

2. Be in Unity with the Brethren– Vs 2 “be of the same mind”. We don’t know the specifics on these two ladies, but obviously there was a quarrel and Paul pleads with them to get their mind in line with Christ.

1. • The devil wants to divide through arguing, bickering, brawling, grumbling, and criticizing. How do you continue in unity with the brethren? 
     • Defend the Gospel- Philippians 1:27 Get turned outwardly not inwardly. 
     • Esteem Others better than self- Philippians 2:3 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves”. 
     • Love each other and be of one accord- Philippians 2:1-2 
     • The Lord is at hand and we want to be found in unity with the brethren. 

3. III.Help the Gospel Laborers– Vs 3 “help those…which labored with me in the gospel”. Because Jesus is coming back soon, we should spend as much time as possible sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with a lost and dying world. If we’re not doing it, we should help support those that are. That’s why missions is a big deal here. 

1. • • How do you help the gospel laborers? 
     • You can help them physically-by visiting the mission field, by going. 
     • You can help them financially- by sending money for their needs 
     • You can help them spiritually- by praying for them and their necessities 
     • Philippians 2:25-30 In this passage of Scripture we see Epaphroditus who is a help to Paul Physically, Spiritually, and even Monetarily. We have a great opportunity to the same as we help and even participate in the sharing of the Gospel of Christ. 
     • The Lord is at hand and we want to be found helping the gospel laborers. 

4. Rejoice in the Lord– Vs 4 “Rejoice in the Lord always”. This is a constant rejoicing (always). 

1. • • Rejoice during Sorrows- II Corinthians 6:9-10 “As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things”. 
     • Rejoice when you suffer Shame- Acts 5:40-42 the apostles were beaten for teaching in the name of Christ vs 28.  
     • Rejoice when you partake of Christ Suffering- I Peter 4:12-14 “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s suffering; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy”. 
     • The Lord is at hand and we want to rejoice in the Lord always. 

5. Make our Moderation Known– Vs 5 “Let your moderation be known unto all men”. To be moderate is to hold the middle place, placed between extremes, literally limited, restrained, temperate. This moderation is to be shown to “all men”, that’s saved and lost people alike.  

1. • Temperance in eating and drinking is opposed to gluttony and drunkenness, and in other indulgences, to excess. 
   • A Christian must be moderate in all things- I Corinthians 9:25 “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things”.  We shouldn’t be given to the indulgences and appetites of this world. 
   • A Christian must walk in the Spirit to have temperance- Galatians 5:23 “the fruit of the spirit is…temperance”. When you walk in the spirit, you will be temperate and have moderation. 
   • Christians today get very passionate about certain things in life like politics, news, worldly events, football games, favorite hobby or occupation, etc., and when given the chance, that’s all they talk about. 
   • If that’s one side of you, and the other side of you is your Christianity, why not be moderate, temperate,  speak about both, not just be passionate about one or the other. 
   • The Lord is at hand and we want to make our moderation known to all men. 

Conclusion: Waiting on the Lord Jesus Christ to come back for His Church is not something done passively, but actively. We should be standing fast in the Lord, we should be in unity with other believers, we should be helping the gospel laborers, we should be rejoicing in the Lord, and making our moderation known to all men.