Dying to Live Text: Philippians 1: 21
21For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Introduction: Death is a great loss to a carnal, worldly man, for he loses all his earthly comforts and all his hopes; but to a true believer it is gain, for it is the end of all his weakness and misery. It delivers him from all the evils of life, and brings him to possess the chief good. C.T. Studd, the famous English man and member of the English cricket team, gave away his vast wealth and became a missionary a century ago. His slogan was, "If Jesus Christ be God, and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for him.
I. Remember, Jesus was committed for our sake! He knew of our sins, so He willingly went to the cross! He willingly died a murderer’s death. Christ became as a slaughtered sheep for our sake!
A. I John 2:15-17 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
B. Paul really lived for a cause that was larger than him; therefore, he could die for that same cause! (Because he was doing the will of God.)Paul made a proclamation from the very beginning. Paul said in I Cor. 15:31 I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
C. As Jesus rode on the young colt through the streets of Jericho how many people really understood His mission as they laid down their clothes and waved praises to Him? What if Jesus would had stopped, gotten off the colt, and said “come die with me?”
D. Paul proclaimed time and time again “I die daily!” Jesus said in Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
E. Listen, millions loss their souls over travail worldly goods and matters that will make no difference 70 years from now!
F. In this 21st century no one wants to hear anything about suffering, and trails! Jesus said in John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
G. John said, “I must decrease that he may increase. Does Jesus mean enough to you that you would lay down your life for Him?”
H. Do you have a faith worth living for? The word tells us that we should die daily. This simply means to die to the flesh and its worldly desires that lure us away from the savior!
I. Today I am giving you a very unpopular message, but how can someone say, “They are ready to go to heaven when they aren’t ready to really live with Him?”
J. A recent survey showed this fact. People dislike church and Christianity • Do not see demonstration of power • Do not see changed lives• Do not see a different belief system. The conclusion is that Christians do not believe that their faith is worth a change in lifestyle or a deep commitment.
K. Paul say’s in Phil. 1: 22-25 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,
L. You are here to help others. You are here to become more like Christ. You are here to really live your faith daily. You are here to really live, so you can really die daily!
