Title: “Confidence and Indecision” Script: Phil. 1:19-26
Type: Expos. Series Where: GNBC 5-25-25
Intro: “Confidence and Indecision” go together about as well as “cats and dogs”. If the apostle was a fan of 1980’s rock music he probably would have said that strangely, “The Clash” most succinctly summarized his thoughts in this passage with the refrain of their 1982 hit single: “Should I Stay or Should I Go Now?” Should I stay or should I go now? Should I stay or should I go now? If I go there will be trouble. And if I stay it will be double. So you gotta let me know. Should I cool it or should I blow? Should I stay or should I go now? Well, Paul probably wouldn’t have been a fan of early British Punk, but he certainly was at odds when considering if he should “stay or go now” when it came to his writing in Phil.1.
Prop: In Phil. 1:19-26 we will see that Paul displayed both Godly Confidence and Indecision.
BG: 1. Paul wrote Phil, Col, Eph, and Philemon, most likely from Rome, terms such as Praetorian Guard (1:13) and “Caesar’s household” (4:22) are best understood in the context of Rome. 2. There was a deep affection between the apostle and the Philippian Church. In spite of their impoverishment, they alone financially supported him during a specific stage of his ministry (4:15). 3. 4 purposes in writing: a. Thank them for gift (4:10-19). b. explain why sending Epaphroditus back to them (2:25 ff). c. Inform them of his situation (1:12ff). d. Warn them against false teachers (3:2).
Prop: By exam. Phil 1:19-26 we’ll see that Paul displayed both goldy confidence as well as indecision.
I. The Christian’s Confidence – vv. 19-21
A. Paul had Confidence in the Plan of God. V. 19a
1. Paul begins to share the basis of his confidence.
a. Despite the trials, hardships, sufferings and setbacks the apostle had experienced throughout his ministry, the total sum of the experience had been one of joy. We know that there were false preachers who had maligned and misrepresented Paul. We know that he had been imprisoned and was now under house arrest and that he was facing possible execution for his proclamation of the Gospel. However, Paul was fully confident that the cause of Christ would be triumphant and that he could face the future, be it life or death, with equal hope and assurance.
b. Paul states that he “knows” (oida) that his present sufferings at the hands of both believers and unbelievers “would turn out for his deliverance”. That word for “know” means to know something with certainty. You know that you know that you know! Friend, we live in a word with a lot of uncertainty. May I ask you what you are building your life on that you can completely trust with all certainty? (Christ alone!)
2. God has a plan for your and my life that we can confidently trust in.
a. Illust: Was it not the same apostle who had written but a few years earlier to the church at Rome: “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purposes.” (Rom. 8:28) Paul not only wrote that marvelous truth, he lived it!
b. “deliverance” – from the GK word “soterio” – You theologians might recognize that word. The division in theology which is concerned with things pertaining to salvation is called “soteriology”. Literally Paul was saying “this shall turn out for my salvation”. Commentators are unnecessarily divided on what they believe the apostle is saying here. One camp thinks Paul is referring to his eternal security by faith in the finished work of Christ and accompanying hope for eternity. Other commentators believe that Paul was referring to what he believed would be his vindication before Caesar and his accompanying release from prison. Paul realized his present circumstance were temporary. Illust: All too often individuals get very caught up and discouraged about their “present circumstances”. Sometimes become so wrought with discouragement that make an eternal decision about that temporary problem. Rather, let’s remember that we have an Eternal God who has an eternal plan for our lives. Like Paul we can trust Him.
B. Paul had Confidence in the Prayers of Other Believers. V. 19b
1. Prayers of believers work in complete harmony with the Sovereign plan of God.
a. God’s sovereign plan incorporates the prayers of His people. Illust: Augustine said that nothing happens in this universe apart from the will of God and that, in a certain sense, God ordains everything that happens. Augustine was not attempting to absolve men of responsibility for their actions, but his teaching raises a question: If God is sovereign over the actions and intents of men, why pray at all? A secondary concern revolves around the question, ”Does prayer really change anything?” Answering the first question, the sovereign God commands by His holy Word that we pray. Prayer is not optional for the Christian; it is required.
b. Illust: In the early 1900’s Evan Roberts was a young man from a large mining family in Wales. One evening he and his best friend, Sydney Evans attended a special church meeting when preacher spoke on “How to Win Souls for Christ”. Meeting lasted 4 hrs and made a big impact on Roberts. That evening went home and began to pray. Finally fell asleep, God gave him a dream in which saw 100,000 people come to Christ in Wales. Saw Sydney next day. Told dream and asked : “Do you think it’s too much to ask God for 100k conversions in Wale?” “No! Not at all!” Began to pray. Evan Roberts would become the unquestioned leader of the revival that shook Wales 1904-1905, and saw OVER 100k saved! Did God have a plan for Wales? Yes! Did God use the prayers of His people? Yes!
C. Paul had Confidence in the Holy Spirit’s Provision. V. 19c
1. Paul realized the plan of God, the prayers of believers, and the POWER of the HS always work together for the benefit of the Christian.
a. Read John 14:16-17
b. Now, I think if we look at the context of v.19, Paul is not speaking of the Spirit’s provision for salvation. Rather, he is speaking of the divine power of the HS for protection after salvation. “Provision” – epichoregia – refers to a full and bountiful supply of whatever is needed.
2. The Holy Spirit helps the Believer to Pray and know what to Pray for in difficult circumstances.
a. We know that Jesus promised the HS would lead believers in what to say when in the future would testify for their faith (Mt. 10:19ff). We know Paul said the HS sometimes prays on our behalf when we don’t even know what or how to pray (Rom. 8:26). We know that the HS is the source of power given to believers so as to be effective in life and witness (Acts 1:8). We know that the HS produces spiritual fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control”.
b. Illust: In the 1800’s Army surgeon, William Beaumont was able to see that negative emotion affected one’s digestive system. He saw this through observing a man who had an open wound called a fistula. Through the fistula he was able to see what happened inside this man’s body when he expressed anger, frustration, fear, etc. The stomach did not release gastric juices the way it was supposed to and upset the digestion process. Whether you realize it or not, your body is containing your stress. Part of truly calming your insides is not a one hour workout or run or chanting a mantra, it comes from the Holy One who resides inside you, assigned to transform by divine power not physical exertion. We are to tune into Him. He is not a temporal solution. He is a forever help, coming alongside us, advocating on our behalf in accordance to the perfect will of the Father. He is praying in us and thru us and for us.
D. Paul had Confidence in the Promises of Christ. v. 20-21
1. Paul Lived in the Confidence of the Promises of Christ.
a. Illust: Years ago a very famous pastor wrote a book entitled The Power of Positive Thinking. Dr. N.V. Peale’s book and preaching centered on the idea that positive thinking, faith, and belief in oneself could lead to personal success and fulfillment. It was Peale who opened the door of acceptance for first men like Robert Schuller from old and now, men like TD Jakes and Joel Olsteen. Thinking positively is good, but not enough. Sometimes life really stinks. Sometimes people get hurt, nay, crushed in life. Sometimes really bad things happen to really Good people. There are addictions, there are alienations, there are ailments and afflictions and not matter how “positively” I think about them, they still stink.
b. Paul had an earnest expectation and hope that were grounded in the Lord’s promises, not an individual’s wishful thinking. Paul knew that he would be vindicated before Caesar, the world, and the Church. His overriding joy and passion was to see Christ exalted in his body. Friend, never forget that your body is the temple of the HS (II Cor. 10:8). Employ healthy disciplines.
2. Paul had confidence in the Plan of God.
a. V.20 – Paul had confidence in the plan of God “whether by life or death”. Paul was convinced God’s plan was at work whether he continued to live and serve or if he would experience the final exaltation of death. V.21 highlights this. It actually contains no verb and would literally read: “to live Christ, to die gain”
b. Illust: G.K. Chesterton parable: A boy who was given the magical opportunity to become small or big. Predictably, the boy chose gigantic. Took three minutes, to stride across North America. Could kick over Mt. Everest like sand castle! Became bored in few days. Whole world felt small as backyard!. There was no one to play with and nothing to do. Had that boy instead chosen to be made small, his back yard could have been like the Amazon rain forest! We like to make ourselves big. Center of our solar system. However, we should desired to get smaller. As I get older. I want God to be bigger so I can get lost in who He is. There is a lot of superficial Christianity in America w/ Jesus is merely added to our lives. We stay at the center of the universe, and ask Jesus to orbit around us. We say, "I like Jesus; he's great. I want some Jesus, I want some Christianity, I want some church. But I'm going to stay at the center of my life.
E. Applic: Friend, Paul’s life was so intertwined with Jesus it mattered not if lived or died. Trusted Christ completely.
II. The Christian’s Joyous Indecision – v. 22-26
Illust: Indecision is usually not a cause for joy, but rather, stress. We want to know. We want assurance. We want answers.
A. Life and Death were Equally Desirable to the Apostle Paul
1. Paul’s Joyous Indecision is seen in what he says next.
a. Illust: Adoniram Judson is a name all American Christians should know. He was 1st overseas American missionary. First to India and then Burma (Mynmar), where served 4 decades. After 14 yrs had only handful of converts and had written a Burmese grammar. During those years imprisoned 1.5 years, both wife and daughter died of disease. Like Paul, he longed to go to be with the Lord, yet like the apostle, he also realized that his work for the Lord in this life was infinitely more important than what he felt was most desirable. He prayed would not die until translated the Bible and had a church of 100 souls. At his death there were 100 churches and 8k believers!
b. “gaining Christ” – I think this is a beautiful way to summarize the believer’s growth in grace and sanctification. It is “gaining Christ”. going back to the previous verse the apostle states that his life was Christ was so absorbed and consecrated in Christ’s that he looked forward to a fuller experience in Christ completely.
2. Indecision led Paul to consider between the two options.
a. V.23 – I love how the old KJV translates this: “I am in a strait betwixt two!” (What does that even mean?) NASB “I am hard-pressed from both directions…” Can better understand.
b. Illust: Francis Patton (1843-1932 Princeton), observed that whereas the high watermark of the Old Testament was Psalm 23:4, “"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me." Even in darkest times God’s presence guides and comforts in this life. Patton saw this verse as the high water mark of the NT. Whereas David was willing to go, but wanting to stay, Paul was willing to stay, but wanting to go.
B. Paul’s Spoken Preference for Death.
1.With undeniable clarity Paul speaks of his preference.
a. Faced with this uncertain future, Paul is assessing what is involved in each course, confessing that to be with Christ is far better. I want us to notice what a remarkable statement Paul is making about the death of a Christian. He teaches us first about the nature of a Christian’s death: it is “to depart”. This may be a camping metaphor from his old days as a tent maker. To depart is to strike down the tent. It might be a “weighing of the anchor”, a setting of the sail.
b. Illust: Bishop Moule wrote in 1905 “it is that delightful moment when the friendly flood heaves beneath the keel, and the prow is set straight and finally towards the shore of home. And the Pilot stands on board, at length, “face to face”. And lo, as He takes the helm, “immediately the boat reaches the land towards which they were going.” (John 6:21).
2. Paul takes the matter a step further.
a. When the Christian passes from this life to the next, all the uncertainties and dangers lie behind. All the certainties and safeties lie ahead in the presence of Christ. This is why we say that the departed Christian has “gone to be with the Lord”. Now friend, I cannot answer your every question about what takes place when one dies, however, I can speak with complete assurance on this matter, the Christian goes to be with the Lord! Paul knew this and looked with hopeful expectation.
b. Illust: William Shedd’s three-volume Dogmatic Theology contains eighty- seven pages on eternal punishment, but only two on heaven (W.G.T. Shedd, Dogmatic Theology, 3 vols.). In his nine-hundred-page theology, Great Doctrines of the Bible, Martyn Lloyd-Jones devotes less than two pages to the eternal state and the new earth (D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Great Doctrines of the Bible, vol. 3, The Church and the Last Things 246–48). Louis Berkhof’s classic Systematic Theology devotes thirty-eight pages to creation, forty pages to baptism and Communion. Yet it contains only two pages on hell and just one page on the new heavens and new earth. When all that’s said about the eternal heaven is limited to page 737 of a 737-page systematic theology like Berkhof’s it raises a question: “Are we looking forward to heaven like Paul was?” “Do we have his hopeful expectation and anticipation?
C. The Christian’s Motive for Living
1. A Driving Motivation for Christian Living is what we can do for others. v. 24 “for you”. All too often, today’s Christian is a “for me” Christian. What can the Church do “for me”? What’s in it “for me”? “Is it best for me?” “Working with X people isn’t for me.” Friend, the Apostle Paul was a “for you” Christian. Undoubtedly, heaven was the more pleasant option to the apostle…BUT, there was a Philippian Church as well as other churches who needed him.
2. I think one of the biggest lessons today’s Christian needs to learn is that the believer is to live for serving in Christ’s Church. Quit dating and go ahead and fall in love with the church! Love and serve God’s people. Commit yourself in a relationship with others. Seek their best, serve others. Illust: This is Memorial Day weekend. In every war there are stories of courage, bravery, and acts of heroism that go beyond all human limitations. Many Americans know the name Desmond Doss. He was a soldier in WW2 that came from Lynchburg, Virginia. Because of his faith tradition that prevented him from carrying a weapon, he enlisted as a medic. Doss and his company were sent to Okinawa in 1945 where they had to climb a steep cliff to meet the enemy above. As the battle raged, Desmond Doss crawled on his belly to find wounded men. Over the course of 12 hours, he pulled 75 men from the battlefield and lowered them down with a rope. All the while he prayed, “Lord, please help me get one more.” This miracle was made into the movie, “Hacksaw Ridge.” (Credit: John Bright, Sermon Central)
D. Conclusion: Christian, we do have some level of indecision in this life. We long to be with the Lord and yet we long to serve our church, family, and friends. Be assured, you can have confidence in God’s goodness and love in either outcome.
