Abbeville progress., 1914-11-14

iAaaA--s=-s2z4-- y NzzA Joy and crown"
Indeed, Paul was
imprisoned as result OF his service
to Gentiles.
An Appeal.
we stand fast IN the Lord" These
words imply several things.
Q) They had enemies, otherwise
they had not needed All exhortatlon to
steadfastness. Many seem unaware
that We wrestle against principali-
ties and powers in the heavenly
places" Even modern spiritualism,
so far as it is not fraudulent, sug-
gests great. shuddering world or
evil spirits about us. While we slum-
Der they restlessly oppose US. and
we need to take the whole armor of
God II We would stand. How befit-
ing this sn"eai in a day when many
are slipping .-.u their mOOrings Of
faltl iG The Word OF cod
(2) They would need tu progress If
they were to stand fast. We Gather
this from the use Of the word so
This seems to 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 to stand fast. In other words.
we may not stand still II we are to
stand fast as in riding bicycle. the
only way to stand is to keep NOV
ing.
(3) They had a secure position;
they were to stand fast lin the Lord"
Reader, are you not in the church
merely, but 'in the Lord7" 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
roof above it, and they knew he was
having communion with God. MaA
tanning thus our position in tA
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.
O) Our conversation (citizen-
ship, r. W IL in heaven" Philippi
was 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 1t. 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 a 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-gaz 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
commanded the porter to watch; q"
working and watching make the full
program. Since Christ Is coming we
should stand fast.
go "Who shall change our vile
body, that 1t 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 40
DAYS after the resurrection hint the
glory that awaits US. Surely. we
should stand fast!
(D "He is able even to subdue all
things unto himself" Voices shall be
heard at least saying. "Alleluja; fol-
the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
With such helper we need not sur
! render. so stand fast In the Lord.
Hold the fort, for am coming"
Jesus signals still;
Wave the answer back to heaven,
by thy grace We wil''