Intro: Paul was in prison and the Philippians were in poverty. Have you ever wondered how some face fearful times with such faith. Paul is giving clear encouragement to us today. Our faith will overcome fearful times when we discover Jesus doesn’t add to our life He is our life.
We as the church of the 21st century must realize that we can do only one thing better than the world. Preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God and His Christ. There is bad news all around us and it seems to be increasing. If we are in Christ there is good news that will shine a light in the darkness.
Have you wondered what it would take to change Immanuel? Have you wondered what it will take to change our community, our county our country? It is tied up in the Holy Spirit of God searing with Holy flames this truth in our lives. “For me to live is Christ.”
I. Paul’s personal philosophy
A) Living is belonging to Jesus (Philippians 1.21, Romans 14.7, 8)
1 Corinthians 6:20 “For you have been bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body.” The secret of a transformed life is Jesus’ possession of us
Romans 14:7, 8 “For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”
Jesus paid and purchased not just your pardon but your person. He owns us. Not only did he create us but he also bought us. The message it makes it very clear that Jesus is to be not only the ruling principle in our life but the ruling person.
Romans 16:6-9 “What’s important in all this is that if you keep a holy day, keep it for God’s sake; if you eat meat, eat it to the glory of God and thank God for prime rib; if you’re a vegetarian, eat vegetables to the glory of God and thank God for broccoli. None of us are permitted to insist on our own way in these matters. It’s God we are answerable to—all the way from life to death and everything in between—not each other. That’s why Jesus lived and died and then lived again: so that he could be our Master across the entire range of life and death, and free us from the petty tyrannies of each other.”
Peter T. Forsythe was right when he said, "The first duty of every soul is to find not its freedom but its Master". Warren W. Wiersbe, The Integrity Crisis, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1991, p. 22
In Disney's animated movie Toy Story, Woody (a plush toy cowboy) confronts Buzz Lightyear (a toy astronaut) with the fact that he is only an action figure and not really a space hero. Early in the movie Woody shouts, "You're not a space ranger! You're an action figure—a child's plaything."
Only after failing to fly, Buzz realizes the truth of Woody's statement. Grief-stricken and disillusioned, Buzz hangs his head in resignation, declaring, "I'm just a stupid, little, insignificant toy."
Woody later seeks to comfort his friend by underscoring the love of the boy who owns them both. "You must not be thinking clearly. Look, over in that house, there's a kid who thinks you're the greatest, and it's not because you're a space ranger; it's because you're his."
As Buzz lifts his foot, he sees a label affixed to the bottom of his little shoe. There in black permanent ink is the name of the little boy to whom he belongs. Seeing the image of his owner, Buzz breaks into a smile and takes on a new determination.
God has placed the same label on us it is called the image of God. Have you realized you belong to Jesus? Are you born again? Those that belong to Jesus can face anything with joy.
How do we live as though we belong to Jesus?
Galatians 5:24 “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
B) Living is being crucified with Jesus
Living is Christ! He who loses his life will find it. He who would follow me must take up his cross and follow me. The cross today seems to no longer call for the death of sinners. You must know the Apostles preached that the cross demands the death of your old sinful self.
We are not called by Jesus to be less of sinners we are called to His cross to come and die! We are not called merely to get better little by little we are called to die and be resurrected by His Holy Spirit. People both physically and spiritually mature at different rates. Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ
There’s a story told - and I take it to be a parable because I hope it’s not true - of a country church which had a creeper - perhaps an ivy plant - growing up by the porch doorway. Over the doorway was a text carved in stone, "We preach Christ crucified". Over the years the plant grew steadily and a branch gradually spread over the doorway. The first word of the text covered by the leaves of the plant was "crucified" which reduced the text to "We preach Christ". Well, we might think, that’s unfortunate but the essential part of our faith is still there. As time went on the branch spread further and covered over the word "Christ". Now, this was serious, but no-one seemed to notice, and the message of the church to the world outside was reduced to "We preach" - it had no message; the church was merely a talking shop.
The new cross of Christianity is used for comfort and convenience and escape from difficult circumstances. The old rugged cross crucifies the desires of the flesh in order to bow before Jesus as Lord.
1) Jesus’ sacrificial death has provided the power we need to be free of sins power
2) Jesus’ sovereign grace has placed the choice of which nature to submit to on us
3) Jesus’ sanctifying spirit convicts us that sin is offensive to God and empowers us to deny our old desires.
1 Peter 1:13-16 “So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.” The Message.
C) Living is being used by Jesus (Philippians 1:22)
To work for the Lord Jesus is never easy work but it is rewarding. Augustine said, “Jesus Christ is not valued at all until He is valued above all.” When Christ is valued above all then it is no longer about us or others. When we as the church value Jesus, above all, it will take care of our concerns, complaints, and demands. We cease to demand for ourselves and begin to follow the commands of Jesus. As long as we demand our way there is no way Jesus can get his.
II. Paul’s personal predicament
Paul wanted to depart and be with Jesus but was willing to stay and help develop the followers of Jesus.
A) Paul’s desire to leave
Paul desired to depart and be with Jesus. This word depart is an interesting term. It is an accounting term that means to settle up. It is a military term that means to take down your tent. It is a nautical term that means to untie your boat and set sail. Paul was clearly saying death is not something to be afraid of it is merely a doorway. You may have heard this before, “Well its better than the alternative.” What someone means is living in this sin sick world of pain, suffering and separation is better than passing through the doorway of death. I have a Greek word for you, hogwash. This life is not better than the one to come. That is why Paul was so torn, he desperately wanted to leave and be with His Lord. But Jesus had plans for Paul on this planet.
Paul’s desire was to depart. However God’s divine plan should always outweigh our desires. Paul even said “I have the desire to depart and be with Christ which is far better.”
B) God’s design to live
Paul was giving up his desire for the needs of the Philippians. This is why God leaves us here after salvation. God wants us to remain in order to display to this dirty world the love and life of Jesus. This is the true mark of a spiritual and Godly person, giving up comfort and his needs and desires for the growth of others.
III. Paul’s personal persuasion
A) His remaining should result in growth
The greatest part of God’s plan was to use Paul to minister to and encourage the Philippians growth in Jesus Christ. As they grew in the truth they would grow in Joy. If you are alive then God designed and saved you for ministry to at least one person.
B) His remaining should result in joy
It is our advancement in faith that gives us abundant joy. As we learn to trust Jesus above our circumstances and concerns joy grows.
Conclusion: How would you fill in the blank? To live is ___________? If you place anything other than Jesus in the blank you have missed the reason Jesus came to earth.
