Weekly Pulpit Philippians 4:1-3 Therefore, my brothers dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.… With a heavenly birthright in possession and a glorious resurrection in prospect, the apostle naturally follows with this exhortation. 1. The highest relationship, "brethren"; 2. In the highest degree, "beloved"; 3. Exciting the purest emotion, "longed for"; 4. Resulting in the most glorious issues, "my joy and crown," are the motives by which the exhortation is enforced. I. OUR POSITION AS CHRISTIANS IS ONE OF POSSIBLE DANGER. 1. From the sceptical tendency of the age. 2. From the habits of society. The tradesman thinks he must do as others to get a living. The follies of fashion are followed to avoid singularity. 3. From indifference to the public ordinances of religion. The same rule applies to the Christian profession as to any other. Men do not prosper who neglect their calling. 4. From want of close attention to cultivation of personal piety. II. THE ONLY POSITION OF ABSOLUTE SAFETY IS UNION WITH CHRIST. 1. This condition is one of perfect alliance between the human and the Divine. Every string of the heart is in accord with the life of Jesus. Whether we think of the wisdom which is our light, the comfort which is our solace, the will which is our guide, or the purity which is our sanctification, its source is "in the Lord." 2. Those who stand on this spiritual eminence occupy an unshaken position among men. We stand fast with His power to defend us, His Spirit to uphold us, His character to guide us. III. A STATE OF WATCHFULNESS IS NOT INCONSISTENT WITH HAPPINESS. The ocean is large enough for the biggest ships, but it is skirted with rocks. The lighthouse though itself a warning is the mariner's friend. (Weekly Pulpit.) Parallel Verses KJV: Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. |
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