To Live is Christ
Philippians 1:21-30
Introduction
Our series is called FUEL FOR YOUR FAITH and we are listening to God through Paul’s letter to the Philippians. First lesson was Focus on the Finish Line - Jesus is coming! Second Lesson was Advancing Through the Challenges of Life. This message centers on one of Paul’s well known statements.
Commentator calls vs 21 the ‘heart of the book of Philippians’. (Roper).
Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
AMP For to me, to live is Christ [He is my source of joy, my reason to live] and to die is gain [for I will be with Him in eternity].
NCV To me the only important thing about living is Christ, and dying would be profit for me.
Here Paul contemplates his life - the uncertainty of days ahead.
Philippians 1:22b-23 Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; …
Swindoll: “If Paul were to depart, he would be with Christ immediately .… No longer would he endure stonings, beatings, imprisonments, perils, hunger, or restless nights …The nagging ‘thorn in the flesh’ that had dogged him every day would be gone. Instead, he would experience rest and repose in the presence of Christ (2 Cor. 5:8).”
In contemplating life and death, Paul reveals his confidence that Christ has saved him and death holds no fear for him. But Paul also reveals his love for the church and his desire to live the Jesus life as long as he can. What does it mean … For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain?
To live is Christ means to…
1. Live In Service
Philippians 1:22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. ...
AMP this will mean useful and productive service
Paul has suffered much for Christ, but he is still looking for opportunities to be productive for the Lord.
For Paul, his whole existence revolves around Christ. what he does, he does for Christ. He is inspired by Christ; he works for Christ; his sole focus in life is Christ. He is a man with a single, all-consuming passion. (CSB)
When we talk about ‘fruitful labor’ / Service - that could take the shape of many things we do for God.
The power of service is its connection with Christ. Service is measured by the strength of Christ at work in our lives. What we are doing specifically for Christ? He is at work in those efforts.
Colossians 1:29 …I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.
Psalm 84:7 “They will go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.”
Christ provides the energy and strength - what will I do with it?
2. Live in Growth
Philippians 1:25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,
Paul’s ongoing influence would help them to grow in two essential areas:
Joy - Paul’s major theme in Philippians - and the natural result of having Christ at the center of our lives.
Faith - - the truth of the Gospel that feeds our trust in God.
1 Peter 1:8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.
What efforts are we making specifically to grow in our faith?
3. Live in Worthiness
Philippians 1:27a Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
CEV Above all else, you must live in a way that brings honor to the good news about Christ.
Paul is not just concerned about us knowing the right things, He is concerned that the life of Jesus is demonstrated in every area of the believer’s life. Above all else / Only - strong word. “Nothing else must distract or excuse them from this great objective; it must be their all-embracing occupation…” (Motyer via Roper).
Conduct Yourselves as Good Citizens!
Swindoll: ‘Conduct yourselves,’ has the sense of behaving as a proper citizen.'
Philippians 3:20 Our citizenship is in heaven…
Obeying the laws of the land makes one a good citizen - we are citizens of the Kingdom of heaven - and as such our lives reflect kingdom values.
Worthy of the Gospel (is anyone worthy? or are we living as people who are worthy?)
2 Thessalonians 1:11 …We constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.
4. Live in Commitment
Philippians 1:27b-28 I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.
Commitment to Unity / one another - Standing firm in One Spirit. Swindoll: “We’re to be the vaccine to
discord and the antidote to schism, promoting peace and health in the body of Christ rather than debilitating it with poison.”
Commitment to the Gospel - Striving together as One for the faith of the gospel
Swindoll: “…brings to mind the image of struggling side by side in a battle like gladiators or soldiers.”
Not only are we refusing to give up our commitment, we are helping one another be strong and faithful.
Commitment to Courage - Not intimidated by enemies (Frightened - the Greek word is only used here. Its original
reference was to horses that were timid and which shied easily. CSB)
Committed through the hard times (1:29-30) Fee: A crucified Lord produces disciples who themselves take up a cross as they follow him.
Conclusion
Only when I live for Christ can I believe to die is gain!
To live is Christ … live in service, growth, worthiness, and commitment.
Swindoll: “The last thing you should do is worry about when you’ll die; instead, you should focus on how you’ll live. If Christ is the center, it doesn’t matter whether we live long or short lives, whether we die sooner or later. What matters is that we love him, serve Him, and rejoice in His salvation today. Christ will take care of our tomorrows.”
To live is Christ, to die is gain. Are you ready to embrace this view of life? Can you face death with confidence? Jesus died on the cross, arose from the dead so that we wouldn’t have to wonder about our salvation!
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Video of this message is available on our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/ForsytheChurchofChrist
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Discussion Questions for Philippians 1:21-30
1. Paul talked about the ‘fruitful labor’ in his life in vs. 21. What ‘fruitful labor’ can you identify in Paul’s life? How would you describe the kind of ‘fruitful labor’ you see around you or in your own life in the church today?
2. In verses 21-26 Paul seems to wrestle with going on in life or facing death. Imprisoned unjustly, perhaps he thought his end might be near. What is the issue for Paul when it comes to choosing between life or death? How can we arrived at a place in life where "to die is gain" seems reasonable?
3. What does it mean to live your life worthy of the Gospel? What do you gather about the worthy life from these three writings of Paul: Ephesians 4:1; Colossians 1:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:11
4. Why is it important for a Christian’s public life to match up to the gospel?
5. The urgent plea for being united is a theme in Philippians. It is not just unity for unity’s sake. What is unique about the unity of Christians?
6. In 27-29, what do you think is Paul’s greatest concern for these Philippians? What is he worried might happen to their attitude?
7. Can you think of some reasons why it is important that Paul reminds them about the suffering for God that is coming their way?
8. Paul repeats a few ideas throughout this section: advancing the Gospel, suffering for Christ, rejoicing in all circumstances. Which of these impacts you the most today, and how?
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Resources
Barclay, William. Daily Bible Study Series: The Letters to the Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. Westminster Press, 1959.
Christian Standard Bible, Life Connections Study Bible, Holman Bible Publishers, 2019.
Fee, Gordon D. The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: Philippians. IVPress, 1999.
Holladay, Tom. Philippians: The Eight Places Joy is Won or Lost. Pastors.com, 2015.
Roper, David and Jay Lockhart. Truth for Today Commentary: Ephesians and Philippians. Resource Publications, 2009.
Swindoll, Charles R. Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentary, Volume 9. Tyndale, 2017.
Williams, Dan. Heart to Heart, Verse by Verse. Great Commission Resources, 2001.
