Sunday, June 17,2018 pm
STUDIES IN PHILIPPIANS (5)
To Live or Die for Christ
Philippians 1:19-26
Tonight we continue our study of Philippians.
In our last lesson we addressed Paul’s imprisonment and those who
were emboldened as a result of it.
We also noted how some preached Christ with sincere motives while
others had insincere motives. Regardless Paul rejoiced because Christ
was preached. (This implies that what was being taught was the truth.
a.
I
know this will turn out for my deliverance
– this is likely a continuation of Paul’s previous thoughts, and a
transition into his next. Deliverance means rescue
or recovery. The KJV uses
the word salvation, which is a
deliverance.
b.
Through your prayers – so
often, Paul made request that they pray for Him. 2 Corinthians 1:11,
Romans 15:30, Philemon 22, etc.
c.
And
through the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ – He supplies what we need, and here Paul acknowledges His part in
whatever happens. Consider Matthew 10:17-20 where Jesus assured His
apostles, that they would be given what they needed.
While the way He works today may be different, we still take
confidence in His work.
d.
According to the earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be
ashamed – we see Paul’s
confidence that whatever happens, his Lord will be pleased with him.
e.
But
with all boldness – we
have addressed Paul’s boldness on numerous occasions.
Paul’s desire is that in whatever happens…
f.
Christ will be magnified in his body -whether by life or in death
– here is a demonstration of what true faithfulness involves.
His goal was to magnify (make larger, to be held in greater
esteem) the Lord Jesus regardless of what happens.
This was his PURPOSE or his “one thing”.
And he was willing to accept either life or death.
a.
Which to
choose!
i.
In this
context, Paul presents two possible options concerning his future – to
live on or to die. Which
does he prefer? This is a
dilemma for Paul and he addresses it here.
ii.
Hard pressed between the two choices
– both have their strengths.
There is much to learn in this passage about our attitude toward
whatever happens – one of the points of Philippians is to remind us
of our need for a proper attitude regardless of what happens.
Philippians 4:4 – rejoice ALWAYS!
4:11 - content in whatever state I am.
How many of us struggle with
bad attitudes that rob us of joy and fulfillment in this life?
Wasn’t that one of the points Jesus was making when He taught
that we should not worry? Matthew 6:24-34, etc.
iii.
Throughout life we are presented with choices
– but often they are between good and bad.
In such situations, as Christians, we are called upon to ALWAYS
choose the good.
Here we a choice between two good options.
At times this is challenging where we have to decide between
good, better and best.
This is where maturity and wisdom help us.
BUT, do we live our lives so that such choices become a dilemma to us?
iv.
What I shall choose I cannot tell
– it is in God’s hands.
Even as our Lord said as He was dying, “Into your hands, I commit
My Spirit” (Luke 23:46).
Do we have the disposition to simply put our trust in Him regardless of
what happens? Will we ACCEPT whatever happens and make the best of it?
b.
For
to me to live Is Christ
i.
What
does Paul mean by this? Paul
knows that as a Christian he belongs to Christ.
Galatians 2:20 (Romans 6:6), Colossians 3:3 notes that we our life is
hidden in Him.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and you
are not your own.
Luke 9:23 – If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself…
ALL that we do is about Him!
Anyone who has studied the life of Paul and knows what he endured knows
how he is an example of this.
ii.
If
I live on in the flesh –
In this entire section, we find Paul putting his future in God’s hands.
Note also how Paul is making plans for whatever happens.
There is wisdom in preparation for the future.
iii.
This will mean fruit for my labors
– Paul, as he writes this has already accomplished so much.
He “tree” is by no means barren, BUT he is willing to keep
producing, if that is God’s will.
iv.
But
to remain in the flesh was more needful for them – the better option where THEY are concerned.
Paul will address in Philippians
2:3-4, etc. He is thinking
about others – a fundamental quality of Christianity.
v.
He
is confident that he will remain
– Paul used how his choices affect others as a determiner of what he
believed to be best. Paul
was willing to put aside his own desires for them.
vi.
Toward their progress and joy in the faith
– remember these brethren are hurting and paying a tremendous price for
serving Jesus. In this
letter Paul is challenging them to be joyful and upbeat, to not let
their troubles STOP them. He wants them to be optimistic.
If that means he needs to put up with some more physical
suffering, so be it!
The POINT is again, this is about them rather than his personal
pursuits.
vii.
That their rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ in his coming
again to them –
ultimately, what Paul wants is to see them again.
c.
To
die is gain
i.
What
does Paul mean by this? Paul
has an ultimate goal: To be saved! To no longer live in fear of losing
that reward (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:27).
ii.
He
desires to depart and be with the lord
– To live eternally in the presence of the Lord - 1 Thessalonians
4:17-18. That is the
ultimate motive of every true believer. Never forget that if you miss
heaven, you have missed it all!
See also 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 – while at home in this body, we are absent
from the Lord.
iii.
Which is far better – why
is this death better?
Because he is prepared, and he knows what awaits him – 2 Timothy 4:7-8,
Revelation 14:13, etc.
He also knows that in death, for the Christian, there is no more pain or
sorrow or tears or disappointments – Revelation 21:4
iv.
If
his lot is death, then Christ will be magnified (1:20)
– as a Christian, can you think of a better way to die, than for His
cause? How is Christ
magnified in this?
1.
Your
courage and faithfulness may stand as an encouragement to others
2.
You
manifest the importance of Christ and what He did.
A major proof of Christianity is the willingness of so many to
die and suffer for Christ. A skeptic has difficult answering how so many
were willing to die, if the resurrection of Christ was a fraud.
3.
Ultimately, you please Him and will thus receive your reward – 2 Timothy
4:6-8.
v.
NOTE: To die here could
mean either the cause (die the death of a martyr) or the result (we
reach the end of our life).
BOTH are true – cf. Revelation 2:10, 14:13, etc.
d.
Do we have this dilemma?
i.
Is there a
struggle within us between dying and living on?
ii.
Do we desire to live on?
Understand, it is not wrong to desire to live on – even Paul preserved
his life on more than one occasion.
His appeal to Caesar was a preservation.
Jesus Himself preserved His life until the appointed time
We are also told to take care ourselves – your body is a temple, etc.
So preservation of life is not wrong.
BUT WHY? Is it about Christ?
Is it about magnifying Christ IN others?
HOW much are we willing to sacrifice, and even suffer for His
cause? In living a little
longer, its it going to mean more spiritual fruit – both with ourselves
and those we come in contact with?
Remember that as long we live, we CANNOT retire from serving God.
iii.
Do we desire to die and be with
Christ?
This is a soul stirring question and one we need to seriously ask.
Why or why not? Are
we ready to die, should that be needed?
Why are we seeking to avoid death?
What steps are we taking to avoid it?
NOTE: We see here there is virtue in avoiding death – but we need
to understand WHY. Is it
because we are unprepared to be with the Lord?
Is it because we love this world and its ways too much?
As already noted, can you think of a better way to leave this life than
for His cause.
As of right now, it is unlikely we will suffer a martyrs death, though
it is not out of the question if things keep progressing.
But, to we keep working for Him, or are we letting up?
As one source said, we can decide that we are going to “wear out”
for Him, rather than “rust out.”
And thus we find
Paul’s encouragement to these brethren.
We can learn so much from his example BECAUSE, no matter what
happened it was going to be about magnifying Christ.
Is that our goal?
Think about it!