The last several years have provided the world, and Christians in particular, with a great chance to remind ourselves about something. Whether it’s the Left Behind book series published between 1995 and 2007, or whether it’s the numerous predictions about when the world is going to end, there is a reminder there. And that reminder is that there is an end coming. There is a Judgment Day that awaits. There is a day coming when Jesus Christ will return to this earth. Now even though we are told in numerous New Testament books about his return, we still don’t know exactly what it will look like. Why, the book of Revelation gives us a great number of details about the return of Christ and what will ensue shortly thereafter, but still there is a great deal of mystery and disagreement as to what exactly all of this will look like. And really, it doesn’t matter if we know exactly what it’s going to look like. Sure we can have our opinions and our ideas about it. I have my own opinions about it that might differ from yours and that’s okay. The important thing isn’t that we understand and know what it is going to look like, but that we understand and know that it is going to happen.
And you see, that’s one way in which many Christians today are vastly inferior to Christians of the biblical era. Jesus’ return was something that was constantly on the hearts and minds of Christians living during the time that our New Testament was written. Why, did you know that there are only 4 books in the New Testament that don’t say at least something about Jesus’ return? It’s true. Galatians, Philemon, and 2 & 3 John are the only New Testament books that say nothing about Jesus’ return; and 3 of those books are only 1 chapter long. The Apostle Paul is so mindful of Jesus’ second coming that he believes that it is eminent. Paul believes that Jesus will return during his lifetime. 1 & 2 Thessalonians speak heavily to this fact. The bottom line when it comes to New Testament era Christians is that the second coming of Jesus was something that was very real to them. It was something that very much shaped their faith and shaped who they were as Christians.
I’m not quite sure that we modern-day Christians can say the same things about ourselves. In other words, I’m not convinced that we really think about the return of Jesus at all. Yes, I know that Scripture tells us that we won’t know exactly when it is going to happen and that we shouldn’t try and predict it. I know that we’re told that it will come like a thief in the night and that no man will predict it. Matthew 24:42 says, “Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” And each of the other gospel accounts record something similar coming from the mouth of Christ. Almost every book in the New Testament records something about being awake and ready for the return of the Lord. The end of the book of Revelation, the next to last verse of our Bible, records Jesus as saying, “Surely I am coming soon” when speaking about his return.
And it’s these words that give us pause. More precisely it’s that last word: soon. Well it’s been nearly 2000 years and still no return. And this is where our hesitation comes in with regards to our thinking about Jesus’ second coming today. You see, there are many people, even many Christians, who very seriously doubt the second coming of Christ. Now sure, they may say that they believe that Christ will come again if you were to ask them about it. They will say that Scripture tells us that Christ will come again, but do they really mean it. Last Sunday, I briefly mentioned the concept that the way a person walks tells us a great deal about that person. Do you remember that? Whether a person walks with their head held high or looking down at the ground can often indicate their personality before we even speak to them. Is this jogging any memories? Well, if you will recall, the final words from last week’s sermon were, “your life is the greatest witness that you have to proclaim Christ and Christ crucified.” So you see, even though some may say that they believe that Christ will return, do they act like they believe that?
As I have told many of you before, I was a bit of a mischievous little boy while growing up in Meridian, MS. From before I can even remember, I was getting into trouble for something. And my mom tells me that every time I would get caught doing something I would just give her a big smile and go about my business as if nothing had happened. Well, apparently that trait is hereditary and has been passed on to our son Thomas. We love him dearly and wouldn’t trade him for anything in the world, but he is just like his daddy when it comes to getting into trouble. Whether it’s opening cabinets that he isn’t supposed to open, taking electrical outlet covers off to see what’s behind them, moving furniture across the room, raiding our closets for shoes to wear around the house, or any other common occurrence at our house, the kid just seems to always be into something that he knows that he isn’t supposed to be. Almost every time he does something like this he gets caught. Amy or I, and sometimes Ashby too, give him a quick, “Thomas!” He immediately straightens up, turns around, and grins at us. He gives us a great big smile. It’s one of the most infuriating things. He knows exactly what he’s doing. He knows that he’s doing something that if he gets caught doing he’s going to get into trouble, but he does it anyway.
And do you know what? He’s exactly like many people who live in this world today. He’s exactly like many Christians in this world today. He’s doing something that he thinks is fine, but he knows that if he gets caught doing it then it isn’t going to end well. Think about that for a second. How many of you know someone who lives like this? Someone who acts one way in public, but if their life that happens “behind closed doors” were exposed it would be disastrous. Imagine if everyone were treated as a modern-day celebrity; these people who are photographed every time they leave their house. Why, some of them don’t even have to leave their house. Former VP nominee Sarah Palin actually had someone buy the house next door to here in Alaska and spend the entire time taking pictures of her and her family in their own house and backyard. I know that I wouldn’t necessarily enjoy having to worry about if I left the house without my wedding ring, causing rumors to spread about my marriage. But it’s something that prominent people in our world today have to endure; the price of fame so-to-speak.
But you see, we all should be aware of this and understand that to a certain extent, Christ’s second coming will be somewhat similar to this. Not in the sense of invasion of privacy, but we very much will have to answer for what we are doing at the time of Christ’s return. As we said earlier, Jesus’ second coming will be quick; like a thief in the night. What will you be doing when he returns? Will the moment of his return be when you are in one of those “I’d rather no one know about this moments?” Will his return find you in a moment that you are proud of? You see, if all Christians truly believed the words of Scripture, that Jesus Christ will return without warning and judge all mankind, then they would act in a manner that isn’t contrary to the cross. They would act in a manner that would do nothing but bring glory to God. Things like unethical business practices, affairs, cheating, addictions, or even lying on your taxes would all be things that didn’t happen amongst Christians. The truth, however, is that they do. These types of things happen to Christians just as much as they do to non-Christians. Sin can wreak havoc on a Christian just as much as it can a non-Christian when that Christian isn’t clinging to Christ. When they aren’t spending time in his word, praying to him, giving thanks to him, growing and strengthening their faith, there is a door that is cracked for sin to enter in. If the Christian and the non-Christian are both ignoring their faith and ignoring God, then what’s the difference?
But Paul has some encouragement for us here in 4:1, “Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, STAND FIRM thus in the Lord, my beloved.” Those words “stand firm” mean everything to us. I know, last week I told you to walk a certain way and this week I’m telling you to stand a certain way, but that’s exactly what we must do. We must stand our ground as Christians. We must put our foot down, draw our line in the sand, close the gate, or any other metaphor that you can think of. We must not be moved in our faith by the things of this world. We must not give in to temptation no matter how appealing it might seem. The priorities of this world: money, fame, power, pleasure; must not be our ultimate goals. Sure some of these things may come about as a result of our actions, but they aren’t to be the goals. The original Greek text here uses a word for “stand” that carries with a certain military connotation. This is defensive warfare. This is holding the front lines on the battlefield. Paul is encouraging the Philippian Christians (and us as well) to prepare ourselves for the battle; to prepare ourselves for the impending danger. He’s telling us that we’re in for a fight; we’re in for a struggle. We have to plant our feet on the firm foundation of God’s word. We have to brace ourselves and prepare ourselves through prayer and through devotion to God the Father Almighty.
Friends, it is a truly great gift that we have in Jesus Christ. He came to this earth, taking the form of man, living a completely obedient and unblemished life, being put to death for something that he didn’t do, paying the price for you and for me, and rising from the dead after 3 days. Our Savior is real and our Savior is alive. He resides at this very moment in heaven with the Father, and He WILL come again. He will come and ring in a day of judgment. Until that day, we must continue to stand firm. We must continue to work at maintaining our Christian values in a world that doesn’t always make Christian living an easy or pleasant task. We must continue to work at strengthening our faith and helping others in their Christian walk. That is our task. That is our responsibility, until Christ comes again. But we shouldn’t stop with just our own faith. No, as Christians, as part of the Church, we are to be concerned with the faith of our brothers and sisters. We are to prepare ourselves, while also helping those in need. Whether it be an encouraging word, a helping hand, or a push in the right direction. Let’s all commit this day, to growing not only our own faith, but helping those around us in their walk with Jesus Christ, until such time as he comes to this earth again, and establishes the New Heaven and New Earth. Glory be to God; in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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