Yesterday, we looked at one of Paul’s three great hopes in the book of Philippians. Today we want to consider the second great hope:

We have a great hope to see Jesus return. In Philippians 3:20-21, we are reminded that our citizenship is in heaven. That is our address, our destination. And from there a Savior is coming. The one who died and rose to save us from the penalty and power of sin is coming again. And this Savior is also our Lord. He is our King whose power enables him to subject all things to himself. He is coming to reign with peace and justice and righteousness (Isaiah 9:7). Image a world with no more strife or wars or crime – a world of peace and justice and righteousness. Jesus is coming, and he will bring such a world. This is our great hope.

But until then, we must stand firm in Jesus. This is Paul’s instruction in the following verse (4:1). Because Jesus is coming, we are to stand firm in him now. As the following verses make clear, that means:

• We ought to strive for unity in the Lord (v2-3). Paul instructs two ladies to agree in the Lord. We are going to agree in heaven, we may as well start learning to agree now. Are you? Do your words and actions enhance or discourage unity in your church?

• We ought to rejoice in the Lord (v4). If our hope is found in him, then he is the place to find our joy. Are you rejoicing in the Lord? Or are you looking for joy in all the wrong places?

• We ought to point to the Lord (v5). We are to be known for our reasonableness or gentleness, our being more concerned about others than ourselves. We aren’t pointing at ourselves. And when the Lord returns, it is clear who we will be point toward. In a world where everyone is pointing at themselves, who are you pointing at?

• We ought to set our gaze on the Lord (v6-7). As we wait for him, we can bring our cares to him. We can keep our gaze set on him in the midst of the trials of life. Where is your gaze?

• We ought to think like the Lord (v8). We are to set our mind on good things – things above instead of earthly sinful things like the rest of the world (3:19). What is your mind set on? What are you putting in your mind?

• We ought to imitate the Lord (v9). Paul says to imitate him, but he can only say that because he is imitating the Lord. Are you following Christ’s example of love and humility and service and…?

We have a great hope to see Jesus return. Until then, stand firm in Jesus.