NO WAY TO LOSE: YOU WIN EITHER WAY Philippians 1:21-30
Proposition: A child of God knows that there is no way to lose in God’s kingdom as a committed Christian for living means Christ and to die is to be with Him for you win either way.
Objective: My purpose is to challenge people to realize that Christ can be magnified by our life or by our death.
INTRODUCTION:
Illus: Lois had just undergone cancer surgery and was alone with her thoughts. She had faced death before, or so she thought, but it had always been the death of people she had loved -- not her own. Suddenly she realized that losing someone she loved was more threatening to her than the possibility of losing her own life. She wondered why. She remembered what she had asked herself before her operation, "Am I ready to die?" Her immediate answer had been, and still was, "Yes, I am. Christ is my Lord and Savior." With her readiness for death secure, she now needed to concentrate on living. Would it be in fear or in faith? Then God seemed to say, "I have saved you from eternal death. I want to save you from living in fear." Isaiah 43:1 came to mind: "I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine." Now Lois testifies, "Yes, I am His! That’s the reality that is more important than doctors telling me I have cancer." And then she adds, "I win either way!" Lois’ insight is a convinced echo of Paul’s words in today’s text, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
Paul believes that CHRIST OFFERS MORE MEANING TO HIS PEOPLE THAN OUR LIVES CAN EVER CONTAIN. In a world where people are having difficulty finding meaning, Christ offers not only meaning but a path to a victorious life. This is what we learn from Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Paul is in prison. He is awaiting trial. A conviction could mean his death. He wants his friends to know that he is prepared either way. Thus he writes, “For to me, living means opportuni-ties for Christ, and dying--well, that’s better yet! But if living will give me more opportunities to win people to Christ, then I really don’t know which is better, to live or die! Sometimes I want to live and at other times I don’t, for I long to go and be with Christ. How much happier for me than being here! But the fact is that I can be of more help to you by staying! Yes, I am still needed down here and so I feel certain I will be staying on earth a little longer, to help you grow and become happy in your faith; my staying will make you glad and give you reason to glorify Christ Jesus for keeping me safe, when I return to visit you again.” Do you get what he is saying? In Paul’s mind, it was a win/win situation, whether he lived or died. Why? Because Christ promised him a full, rich, purposeful life either way - whether he was serving God in this world or in the world which is to come.
I. RIGHT DECISION: Living is not about me (vvs. 21a, 22) “To live is Christ”--Life is filled up with, occupied with Christ, in the sense that everything Paul does—trusts, loves, hopes, obeys, preaches, follows (Vincent), and so on—is inspired by Christ and is done for Christ."
1. The consecration (v. 21a) “To live is Christ”-- One goal for life is to honor Christ at the center of life. Christ had become for him the motive of his actions, the goal of his life and ministry, the source of his strength. The consummation of this life is stressed since there was only one purpose or goal for his life: to honor Christ as the center of life. Paul so totally wanted to glorify Christ that as long as he lived everything about him was to point people to Christ.
2. The concentration (v. 22a) “If I live on in the flesh” -- Don’t miss what he just said...spiritual work is not easy but is work and it is hard work. Epaphroditus almost died in the "work of Christ" (Phil. 2:30). Spiritual fruit may be converts to Christianity (1 Cor 16:15), deeds, praise to God (Heb13:15) -- whatever is of eternal value. That kind of fruit comes from hard work, which is the natural activity of the godly on earth.
Illus: Florence Nightingale wrote in her diary when she was 30: “Now Lord, let me think only of Thy will.” Later, she was asked the secret for her life, “Well, I can give only one explanation. I have kept nothing back from God.”
3. The consideration (v. 22b) “what I shall choose I cannot tell”-- "Choose" means to take for oneself and so to choose, elect or prefer. Paul knew that the only reason to remain in this world was to bring souls to Christ and build up believers to do the same. Paul couldn’t say what he would choose. He knew it was an issue that was in the Lord’s hands and, given the choice, couldn’t choose either heaven or earth for himself.
4. The certainty (v. 24) “Nevertheless to remain…is more needful for you”-- "Remain" means to abide, remain. Always with one eye toward heaven, Paul made the most of each day and so should we. Vine explains, "If personal advantage is the consideration it is much better to be with Christ, but if the consideration is that of obligation toward the saints in Philippi, then it is more needful to continue with them still serving the Lord." This is the mark of a spiritual man who manifests an unselfish great hearted spirit & yields his own comfort, needs & desires to meet the legitimate needs of others. Paul’s “heaven on earth” was helping others! While he longed to be with Christ, he eagerly yearned to remain and help these believers grow in Christ. Life is fruitful labor for Christ.
Illus: Henry Blackaby tells about a time that an 11 year-old girl came forward in his church. She knelt to pray, Weeping. No one joined her, so he knelt beside her. Soon, he realized that she was praying for a lost friend. God had touched her heart and he encouraged her with a deep burden for her friend. As he listened, he soon began to pray with her. He thanked God that he heard her cry and gave His Holy Spirit to help the girl speak boldly to her friend. That Sunday evening, the girl came to the front again but this time holding the hand of her friend. Both were weeping. Her friend became a Christian that night. Joy comes from sharing faith, not just keeping it.
II. RIGHT DESIRE: Death is being with Christ (vvs. 21b, 23) “to die is gain…having a desire to depart”— The word “gain,” here, means profit, advantage; there would be an advantage in dying above that of living.
1. A determination (v. 21b) “to die is gain”-- Dying is not a loss. "To die" is gain because in the absence of life’s limitations union with Christ will be completely realized and that when "the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." (2Cor. 5:1). "Gain" is any gain or profit interest on money. It describes what is in the profit column. We will gain both in what we lose (sinful body, temptation, sorrow, sufferings, enemies, etc.) and in what we gain (glorified body, personal presence with Christ, joy, reunion with departed saints, etc.).
2. A dilemma (v. 23a) “I am hard-pressed between the two”-- "I am hemmed in, as it were, a wall on this side and a wall on that" (Lightfoot) "Hard pressed" literally means hold together and is a picturesque word which serves to heighten the magnitude of Paul’s dilemma. The word means to be hemmed in on both sides and was used of a traveler in a narrow passage or gorge, with a wall of rock on either hand, unable to turn aside and able only to go straight on. Hard pressed means to be required to make a difficult decision between two possibilities—that of going home to heaven or that of remaining on earth as an apostle of Christ Jesus.
3. A departure (v. 23b) “having a desire to depart and be with
Christ”-- "My desire is to depart," says Paul. The word he uses for to depart can mean:
1). Death is a moving on. It is the word for striking camp,
loosening the tent ropes, pulling up the tent pins and moving on.
2). Death is a launching out. It is the word for loosening the
mooring ropes, pulling up the anchors and setting sail. Death is a setting sail, a departure on that voyage which leads to the everlasting haven and to God.
3). Death brings life’s solutions. It is the word for solving
problems. Death brings life’s solutions. There is some place where all earth’s questions will be answered and where those who have waited will in the end understand.
4. Death describes the setting free of a prisoner.
God’s people are in bondage because of the limitations of the body and the temptations of the flesh, but death will free them. Or they will be freed at the return of Christ (Ro. 8:18–23) if that should come first.
5. Death is a departure being a word used by the
farmers meaning “to unyoke the oxen.” Paul had taken Christ’s yoke, which is an easy yoke to bear (Mt. 11:28–30), but how many burdens he carried in his ministry! (2 Cor. 11:22–12:10.) To depart to be with Christ would mean laying aside the burdens, his earthly work complete.
Illus: A bank in Binghamton, New York, had some flowers sent to a
competitor who had recently moved into a new building. There was a mix up at the flower shop, and the card sent with the arrangement read, “With our deepest sympathy.” The florist, who was greatly embarrassed, apologized. But he was even more embarrassed when he realized that the card intended for the bank was attached to a floral arrangement sent to a funeral home in honor of a deceased person. That card read, “Congratulations on you new location!” There will be no mix up when we come to our new location into His glorious presence because we have a "hope laid up for (us) in heaven" (Col1:5).
III. REAL DELIGHT: PRAISE CHRIST REGARDLESS (vvs. 24-26) “I shall remain …with you all for your progress and joy of faith”-- Men rejoice more in recovering a thing that was lost, than they do in a continual possession of what is of much greater value.
1. The confidence (vvs. 24-25a) “being confident of this, I know”-- He is convinced that it was better for him to still be here on earth. Convinced speaks of Paul’s settled conviction which is the result of a past completed process of turning this matter over in his mind until he was persuaded of it. "Convinced" is in the perfect tense implying that Paul has been persuaded at some point in time in the past and was presently thoroughly convinced with this settled conviction.
2. The continuation (v. 25b) “I shall remain and continue with
you for all for your progress”-- He lived a crucified life, dead to self, ever setting even his legitimate desires aside in order that he might serve others. And so he tells them that he will remain on earth with them. While Paul had no active choice in the matter, yet he believed that the servant of the Lord is immortal until his work is done. "Progress" (referring to the pioneer advance of the gospel there, and here, to the Christian progress which the Philippians would make under the ministry of the apostle, a progress in new paths of Christian conduct and service which would otherwise not be possible. “Progress” pictures trail blazing so that an army can advance. Paul wanted to cut a new path for the Philippians to follow to victory.
3. The comfort (v. 26) “That your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ”-- If he was spared, his deliverance would be traced to Christ, and they would rejoice together in one who had so mercifully delivered him. Their joy would not only be that he was delivered, but that he was permitted to see them again.
Illus: Many years ago some men were panning for gold in Montana, and
one of them found an unusual stone. Breaking it open, he was excited to see that it contained gold. Working eagerly, the men soon discovered an abundance of the precious metal. Happily, they began shouting with delight, "We’ve found it! We’ve found gold! We’re rich!" They had to interrupt their celebrating, though, to go into a nearby town and stock up on supplies. Before they left camp, the men agreed not to tell a soul about their find. Indeed, no one breathed a word about it to anyone while they were in town. Much to their dismay, however, when they were ready to return, hundreds of men were prepared to follow them. Angry that one of the men had broken the pact, the leader asked: o. k., who "squealed," who told you we found gold. The reply came, "No one had to. Your faces showed it!" Do you radiate with joy
because of the riches of your faith?
IV. RIGHT DEVOTION: WALK THE TALK (vvs. 27-30)—“But whatever happens to me, remember always to live as Christians should, so that, whether I ever see you again or not, I will keep on hearing good reports that you are standing side by side with one strong purpose--to tell the Good News fearlessly, no matter what your enemies may do. We are in this fight together.” To quote Dr. Vance Havner: "We are not citizens of earth, we are citizens of heaven simply making our way through this waste-howling wilderness of a world!"
1. Proper conduct (v. 27) “This will turn out for my deliver-
ance”— Who is the gospel to be preached to? Why to a world of sinners lost and ruined by the fall. To mankind of course! And as one who has the responsibility of proclaiming, practicing and presenting the gospel, then I must live a life worthy of the gospel. In other words my testimony must be real!
1). Conviction (v. 27a) “Stand fast in one spirit”-- This "standing fast" was to be done with the same intensity of effort that is true of athletic contests.
2). Cooperation – “striving together for the faith of the gospel”-- "Striving together" is an athletic term. He is saying to the church, with such a spirit of energy and enthusiasm, maintain a united front and a united faith. A divisive spirit is contrary to God’s will (I Corinthians 1:10).
2. Proper courage (v. 28) “Not in any way terrified by your enemies”— We need courage to face the Goliaths in our lives. Re: I Samuel 17:45-47.
We need the courage of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Re: Daniel 3:18. Per-secution in the early church opened doors of opportunity. Re: Acts 8:1-4. A soldier without courage is not fit for the Lord’s army. Re: II Timothy 2:2.
3. Proper challenge (v. 29) “It has been granted to you …not only to believe…but also to suffer for His sake”-- You see, Paul looked at suffering as a privilege and an opportunity for the cause of Christ. He discounted privation, pain, prison and all manners of persecutions as anything other than an opportunity for the cause of Christ. Paul says, "It has been granted you on behalf of Christ.” In other words, it is given like a gift from God to be a testimony to Jesus Christ through every situation and circumstance of life!
4. Proper conviction (v. 30) “Having the same conflict”-- This was the conflict they had seen in him; and now they heard that he had been sent prisoner to Rome as an evil doer, and that he was at present in bonds, and shortly to be tried for his life before the Roman emperor to whom he had been obliged to appeal.
Illus: One day as a woman was crossing a street at a London station; an
old man stopped her. He said to her, "Excuse me, ma’am, but I want to thank you." She looked up and exclaimed, "Thank me?" He replied, "Yes ma’am, I used to be a ticket collector, and whenever you went by you always gave me a cheerful smile and a good morning. I knew that smile must come from inside somewhere. Then one morning I saw a little Bible in your hand. So I bought one, too, and I found Jesus.
CONCLUSION:
1. There is something to live for. For Paul to live is Christ, to die
is gain, for the simple reason that his life is centered on the Suffering Savior who died so that Paul might live. There is something to gain beyond this life.
2. There is something to gain beyond this life.
"To live is Christ, to die is gain,"
Let not this motto be in vain;
For though we stay or pass death’s vale,
God’s grace and peace will never fail!
We are not ready to live
until we are ready to die.
3. There is work to be done as long as we remain here. If
survival is all you are looking for, don’t waste time with Jesus. But if you want life that is pressed down, heaped up and running over, then there is only one place such a life can be found. That is in Him. Paul had discovered the source of real happiness, the source of real meaning, the source of real power.
Illus: D.L. Moody tells about a Christian woman who was always bright, cheerful and optimistic, even though she was confined to her room because of illness. She lived in an attic apartment on the fifth floor of an old, rundown building. A friend decided to visit her one day and brought along another woman—a person of great wealth. Since there was no elevator, the two ladies began the long climb upward. When they reached the second floor, the well-to-do woman commented, "What a dark and filthy place!" Her friend replied, "It’s better higher up." When they arrived at the third landing, the remark was made, "Things look even worse here." Again the reply, "It’s better higher up." The two women finally reached the attic level, where they found the bedridden saint of God. A smile on her face radiated the joy that filled her heart. Although the room was clean and flowers were on the window sill, the wealthy visitor could not get over the stark surroundings in which this woman lived. She blurted out, "It must be very difficult for you to be here like this!" Without a moments hesitation the shut-in responded, "It’s better higher up." She was not looking at temporal things. With the eye of faith...she was fixed on the eternal, she had found the secret of true satisfaction and contentment...It is True...life will be better Higher up...but Paul wrote the Book of Philippians to tell us that life ain’t so bad down here either...when Jesus Christ is in your life...
Prepared by: Gerald R. Steffy
6206 N. Hamilton Rd., Peoria, IL 61614
Ph: 309-691-3680 E-Mail: grsteffy@yahoo.com
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