I. Intro
A. Jim Elliot said, “He is no fool who give what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
B. We spend a lot of time in this life chasing things that we cannot take with us when we die
C. Paul recognizes the value of eternal rewards, and it’s a good problem to have to be conflicted between continuing to earn more, or being in heaven to enjoy what’s been won
II. There Is Joy in Faithful Service (vv.18b-20)
A. Get your eyes off the negative (v.19)
1. Remember, Paul was in prison, and he was under criticism, but his attentions were on things that bring joy (v.18b)
2. Spreading the gospel was his priority, no matter who got the credit (v.16)
a. By “my deliverance,” Paul could be referring to…
1) ?…his “ultimate” salvation (death)
2) ?…a commutation of his death sentence
3) ?…a “not guilty” verdict by the emperor
4) ?…release from prison
b. Whatever he’s talking about, he’s clearly expecting release from current troubles
B. Paul is confident and excited about Christ’s promise (v.20)
1. Do we keep the imminence of our deliverance in the front of our minds??
Does it affect our attitudes??
Does it guide our decisions??
Does it season our words?
2. He had exchanged any earthly affections for heavenly ones, seeking to glorify God in any circumstance
III. There Is Joy in Earthly Service (vv.21-24)
A. Paul views life as being summed up in Jesus; He is the reason for our being (v.21)
1. He will bring this up again in 3:12-16, in the metaphor of running the race
2. Death meant relief of earthly grief so He could fully and completely, without fleshly distraction or confusion, glorify Jesus
B. Paul wasn’t oblivious to the benefits of physical life (v.22)
1. “In the flesh”—this is about living a mortal life, not specifically about the temptations
2. The only reason we are still in this world is to point souls to Jesus
3. Both were “wins” to Paul
C. Not everything here is bad or unworthy (vv.23-24)
1. Paul was truly torn between what he wanted for himself and what he wanted on account of Jesus (v.23)
2. “Depart and be with Christ”—this is really what Paul wants; it is the greatest result
3. “More necessary for you”—Paul recognized the needs of the church were, for now, more important than his personal desires (v.24)
IV. There Is Joy in Exemplary Service (vv.25-26)
A. Being in God’s service need not be a drudgery (v.25)
1. Paul is talking about being convinced by the facts; this isn’t about some mystical revelation
2. “Progress”—this is the same term used in v.12, about an advancing army undeterred by obstacles, dangers
B. Being an example is a joy, not some onerous pressure (v.26)
1. Paul isn’t making it about himself, as if he is this great thing, but that he is a vessel for Jesus to bless others
2. “ample” really means “more abundant”—it’s not just “enough” reason to glory, it’s more than enough
3. This is all about Jesus and his worthiness, not our efforts
V. Conclusion
A. Let your service be singleminded—not so much “nose to the grindstone” and do the work to get the work done, but with your head up at a Savior worthy of the effort
B. Make Jesus your target—if He is the goal, the ultimate target of your mission, it helps you accomplish the work left for you… even as it makes you wish all the more for heaven
C. If service becomes difficult, remember that it is hard work to till soil, but there is very little that is more gratifying than watching God cause things to grow
