Philippians 4:1-5

Introduction: Have you ever heard of a “Perfect Church”? I haven’t either. It seems that people (CHRISTians) sometimes forget the old saying, “To live with saints above, that will be glory! But to live with the saints here below, that’s a different story.” While in prison, Paul wrote to a Church he helped establish in Philippi (Acts 16)…..there were women (Lydia) praying by a river. After his commendation in Philippian’s Chapter 1, his explanation of the deity of Jesus Christ (Phil 2), and his own personal pedigree that he counted as dung (Phil 3), the Holy Spirit led him to remind the Church that the “day of the Lord” was near. Therefore, four (4) admonitions were given for that Church back then, as well as New Rocky Creek and others today.

1. Don’t be DEFEATED! (Phil 4:1)

“1Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.”

2. Don’t be DIVISIVE! (Phil 4:2, 3)

“2I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. 3And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.”

• United we Stand!
• Divided we Fall!

3. Don’t be DISCOURAGED! (Phil 4:4)

“4Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice”

• It’s Amazing what Praising can do!
• To Blessed to be stressed!

4. Don’t be DECEIVED! (Phil 4:5)

“5Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.”

• Attitude of gratitude!
• Jesus is Coming again!

Conclusion: The Church is made up of redeemed people who do not have fully glorified (bodies). That means a lot of Our Lord’s UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, Amazing GRACE, and FORGIVENESS is greatly needed. When extended and utilized in the body of Christ, this will build it UP instead of tearing it DOWN! Why is this important? Because “The Lord is at hand”!

Get ready.
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese