TEXT: Philippians 1:19-30 (CSB) – “because I know this will lead to my salvation through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. I am torn between the two. I long to depart and be with Christ—which is far better—but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that, because of my coming to you again, your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound. Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel, not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your salvation—and this is from God. For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are engaged in the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.”
We are considering that we live in a time that boasts through advertising and education that we KNOW how to live.
· Television shows us how.
· Magazines are written to show us how.
· Books are turned out in abundance on how to live.
And -- -- we are the most stressed out, miserable, depression-prone age yet.
Why? People are searching for purpose in life – and with it real joy in their life.
We have considered the purpose of life and the person of life in this passage, and today we will consider Paul’s statement –
“TO DIE IS GAIN”
Gain means to get more of the same thing. To die as Paul would die means to go and be with Jesus for eternity.
As Christians, we have a purpose and joy in life – and we have a hope and joy for death.
Paul said to die was something great for a Christian.
Is Paul telling us to seek death? Absolutely Not. Paul goes on to say in Philippians 1:24 – “but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.”
I want to hang around. I want to live life to the fullest as long as God lets me. This makes me think of a story of church service.
The Preacher asked, “How many want to go to Heaven?”
All hands went up except one little boy
The preacher asked him – “Son, when you die don’t you want to go to Heaven?”
The boy replied – “When I die?! I sure do! I thought you were getting a group together to go tonight.”
To live Christ – to die gain! “For living to me means simply ‘Christ,’ and if I die I should merely gain more of Him.” (Phillips Translation)
We have a purpose in life – “To live is Christ.” We have a hope in death – “ To die is gain.”
We have:
· Rest in God’s Security
· Rejoicing in Suffering
· Remaining glad in Service
· We have this in the person of Life – Jesus Christ.
Do you have a purpose in your life? Do you have joy in your life?
1 Peter 2:21 – “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
“To live is Christ” a challenge from God to us –
WWJD? (What Would Jesus Do?)
What are you going to do?
As we move into chapter 2 tomorrow, we will see how Paul teaches us about – Consolation, Comfort, and Koinonia.
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