What Now?

Philippians 4:1–7 NKJV

Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

According to the U.S. Naval Academy there are Five steps to consider after war.

Although the fight is still wages, it ay be wise for us to consider these things as we continue in the struggle.

1. Financial considerations

2. The move

3. Strategize

4. Lend a hand

5. Decision time

Evodia- Prosperous journey

Syntyche- Pleasant acquaintance

I. Be united

One minister presented a children’s sermon to all the young children. A precocious 3-year-old girl listened as he explained that God wanted them all to get along and love each other. “God wants us all to be one,” said the preacher. To which the little girl replied, “But I don’t want to be one. I want to be 4!” It does seem true that today, the church resists being one.

A. In mission

B. In the Lord

C. In labor

For many years, the state of Kentucky did not have its own flag; it simply used the U.S. flag. In 1918, the state finally adopted its own flag. With a blue background, the flag depicts two people shaking hands. One man is in buckskin, the other in a suit. It is meant to depict the need for unity between the pioneer and the landed gentry. On the flag is the state motto of Kentucky, “United we stand. Divided we fall.” What is true of a state is surely true of the church.

WHOSE NAMES ARE IN THE BOOK OF LIFE.

Is your name in the book of life?

Romans 5:15 NKJV

But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.

Revelation 3:5 ESV

The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.

II. Rejoice

The great architect Frank Lloyd Wright was fond of an incident that may have seemed insignificant at the time, but had a profound influence on the rest of his life. The winter he was 9, he went walking across a snow-covered field with his reserved, no-nonsense uncle. As the two of them reached the far end of the field, his uncle stopped him. He pointed out his own tracks in the snow, straight and true as an arrow's flight, and then young Frank's tracks meandering all over the field. "Notice how your tracks wander aimlessly from the fence to the cattle to the woods and back again," his uncle said. "And see how my tracks aim directly to my goal. There is an important lesson in that."

Years later the world-famous architect liked to tell how the experience had contributed to his philosophy in life. "I determined right then," he'd say with a twinkle in his eye, "not to miss the things in life, that my uncle had missed."

A. Object of our rejoicing

B. Endurance of rejoicing

III. Be Gracious

Ephesians 4:32 NKJV

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

A. Non retaliatory

B. Universally

IV. Remember the Lord is coming again.

Because His return is near.

A. Don’t fear

merimnao- quake with fear, worry

Psalm 55:22 ESV

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

B. Pray

Troublesome times are here, filling men's hearts with fear Freedom we all hold dear now is at stake Humbling your hearts to God saves from the chastening rod Seek the way pilgrims trod, Christians awake

Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon Many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the skies Going where no one dies, heavenward bound

Troubles will soon be o'er, happy forevermore When we meet on that shore, free from all care Rising up in the sky, telling this world goodbye Homeward we then shall fly, glory to share

Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon Many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the skies Going where no one dies, heavenward bound