A Win-Win Situation

Intro

Win-Win, Lose-Lose

Artic Ship story, lose lose situation

Common Opinion

Life is a Win-Lose

Christianity is a Lose-Win

Scripture Reading

Philippians 1:18–26 ESV

18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

Main Point

Today, we see Paul’s understanding of life and death so that you might see the win-win attitude of the believer.

Paul Rejoices

Philippians 1:18–20 (ESV)

18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

Look down at the second half of 18 Yes, and I will rejoice19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ 19 this will turn out for my deliverance

Option Here:

Salvation

Deliverance from Prison

Theme of Joy

God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in him. - John Piper

Look down in the verse 18, does Paul say, I am suffering because God wants me to?

I am friends with you because I feel bad for you that you cannot make other friends, and I am being nice. I am friends with you because I am having a better time when you are around.

When you live, when you go to youth group, when you go to church, when you read your bible, you are as a Christian called to be doing so because of you love to do it.

I would rather you read one verse a day and truly be joyful in doing it, than read the entire bible this next year out of forcing yourself to do so.

I am not saying you should not push through your negative emotions and read your bible when you don’t feel like it.

The goal is not just to obey or suffer for God, the goal is to do it with joy

Look at verse 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

Hope

This imprisonment will not be wasted

To live and To Die

Philippians 1:21–23 (ESV)

Look down at the win-win situation verse 21

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Two Options Given for the Believer

Life

Dedicated to Christ

Painful, but fruitful

Death

Much Better

Look down at this explanation verse 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two.

Look down at the second half of 23 My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) (Chapter 1)

The state of the believer after death is both different and better than what we experience in this life, though not as different or as blessed as it will be in the final resurrection. In the intermediate state we will enjoy the continuity of conscious personal existence in the presence of Christ.

Mankind’s probation ends at death. Our ultimate destiny is decided when we die. There is no hope of a second chance of repentance after death, and there is no place of purging such as purgatory to improve our future condition. For the believer, death is immediate emancipation from the conflict and turmoil of this life as we enter into our state of blessedness.

Paul Continues

Philippians 1:24–26 (ESV)

Look down verse 24

24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.

25 What will he do, verse 25. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,

What is the reason? Verse 26 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

While he was suffering in prison Adoniram had said to a fellow prisoner:

“It is possible my life will be spared; if so, with what ardor shall I pursue my work! If not—his will be done. The door will be opened for others who would do the work better.”

Conclusion

Consider Joy

Consider the Win - Win of a Christian

Consider your life as being given for the building up of other believers