The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1914-11-13

TO Gentiles
An Appeal
1--WE stand fast in the Lord" These
words imply several things.
Cd They had enemies otherwise
they had not needed an exhortation to
steadfastness. Many seem unaware
that We wrestle against principali-
ties and powers in the heavenly
places" Even modern spiritualism.
so far as IL is not fraudulent, sug-
gests a great. shuddering world or
evil spirits about us. While we slum-
ber they restlessly oppose us, and
we need to take the whole armor OF
God IL we would stand. How befit-
ing this appeal in a day when many
are slipping from their moorings or
faith in the Word of God.
CD They would need to progress II
they were 10 stand fast. We gather
this from the use of the word so"
This seems 10 send US back TO the
previous chapter where we see Paul,
forgetting the things behind, pressing
toward the mark for the prize: so"
we are 10 stand fast. In other words,
we may not stand still If we are to
stand fast; as in riding a bicycle. the
only way TO stand is to keep NOV
ing.
t3) They had a secure position;
they were to stand fast lin the Lord"
Reader, are you not in the church
merely, but lin the Lord?" Main
tanning our position there, we are Sc
cure. Charles Simeon, the Cambridge
| scholar and saint, exerted a marvellous
| influence in his day. In the early
hours of the morning, he would be
heard walking in his study or on the
! root above it, and they knew he was
! having communion with God Main
tanning thus our position lin the
Lord" We shall be steadfast.
The Argument.
Our text begins with therefore"
! This leads us back to the verses pre-
ceding, and we find in Them high en-.
couragement to steadfastness.
Cd Our conversation (citizen-
ship. r. W is in heaven" Philippi
was a Roman colony and many of its
inhabitants were citizens OF Rome.
This honor was highly appreciated,
and they would have endured much
for sake OF it. To have our names
in the Lambs book, in the city of
God, is worth any price which stead
fastness may cost us.
(2) From whence also we look for
the Savior the Lord Jesus Christ"
The word look" indicates expect
ancy. like a garrison looking out for
re-enforcements or mother watching
for her boy. Such an attitude toward
the coming of the Savior was common
in apostolic days, but Is not so now.
Perhaps this is partly explained by
the fact that many think much OF
Christ coming as a Judge and they
are filed with terror. But the empha-
sis here is quite otherwise: we look
for 1.-The Savior. the Lord Jesus
Christ" and should not Christians de-
sire his appearing? There have been
star-gazers who neglected practical
duties. but they are no more unscrip-
tural than those who attend to other
duties. but do not look for the Lord.
"He gave to every man his work and
|
working and watching make the full
program. Since Christ is coming we
should stand fast.
(3) "Who shall change our vile
body. that it may be fashioned like
unto his glorious body?" When Arch.
bishop whateley was dying his chap
lain read this passage to him: Stop.
said the archbishop, mot vile body,
but body of humiliation Our bod
: les are not vile, but they do humble
US. The TRANSPORTATION and the 4O
DAYS after the resurrection hint the
glory that awaits us. Surely. we
> should stand fast!
(4) "He Is able even TO subdue al
things unto himself" Voices shall be
heard at least saying. "Alleluja: fol
, the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
with such a helper we need not sur
render. 80 stand fast In the Lord.
Hold the fort. for 1 am coming
Jesus signals still;
a ~. .ho anawar hack IN heaven