A Life Worth Living
Philippians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Title: A Life Worth Living
Last Week:
Where do we find our Joy? (Philippians 1.12-18)
Paul continued his letter by telling the church at Philippi that “what has happened” to him has served to advance the gospel. After finishing Acts recently, we know that Paul’s life from Acts 22-28 (2-3 years) included many hardships and injustices because of his proclamation of the gospel of Jesus.
The whole imperial guard knows the reasoning behind his imprisonment (CHRIST) and the brothers and sisters close to Paul in Rome are now emboldened by Paul’s continued work and joy while in chains.
Paul’s main goal in life was gospel advancement.
Do we find joy in gospel growth? (v.12-14)
Do we find joy in proclaiming Jesus? (v.15-18)
This Week:
A Life Worth Living (Philippians 1.18-26)
Introduction:
Senior Year and the pressure of deciding what you want to do for a living.
What will you do? Who will you work for?
Do you prioritize enjoyment in your work or making good money?
Today I want us to consider in light of this text what we are living for in this life. Let’s examine ourselves and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to us this morning about what “A Life Worth Living” look like according to the scriptures.
PRAYER
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.
3 Exhortations for us today:
1. Have Confidence in the Work of Christ (v.18-20)
1. Have Confidence in the Work of Christ (v.18-20)
We left off last week with some of the brothers and sisters in Rome being emboldened by Paul’s imprisonment to proclaim the gospel without fear. Some did so out of love while others who were envious of Paul did so to promote themselves.
The context here does not lend us to believe that these were Judaizers like in the letter to the Galatians where Paul said they had believed a “different gospel” (Galatians 1:6-9).
Even if from selfish ambition, Paul said they proclaimed Christ.
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 11: Ephesians through Philemon (A. Paul’s Circumstances Had Advanced the Gospel in Rome (1:12–18))
With Paul, to preach “Christ” meant to proclaim the good news of salvation provided freely by God’s grace through the redemptive work of Christ and received by men through faith without “works of righteousness” of any kind.
Paul said: What then? Meaning, what does it matter? If Christ was being proclaimed truly, Paul said he rejoices.
___________
(V.18b-20)
Paul doubles down on his right to rejoice in v.18, but the repeated rejoicing shifts focus from Christ being proclaimed to Christ’s work in his present situation.
Paul speaks very confidently here multiple times in just a few short verses.
“Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know…” (v.19)
“…this will turn out…” (v.19)
“…I will not at all be ashamed…” (v.20)
“…but that with full courage now…” (v.20)
“…Christ will be honored…” (v.20)
What is Paul confident in?
Paul is confident in his deliverance!
Don’t miss Paul’s circumstances from which he is writing this letter. He is a prisoner in chains in Rome awaiting his appeal to Caesar. And yet, he confidently states in v.19 that this will turn out for his deliverance.
What Paul means here by deliverance can be understood in different ways. This Greek term for deliverance is used in different ways across the NT, and is often used to refer to specifically spiritual deliverance or salvation (being born again).
In this letter, Paul does express some sense level of confidence in his physical release from prison in Rome.
25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,
24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.
This idea of physical deliverance could be true, but the verses immediately following this in Phil 1.22-24 seem to focus more spiritual deliverance or salvation.
Regardless if it is physical or spiritual deliverance, Paul’s confidence in his deliverance was rooted in two things from v.19.
1. “…for I know that through your prayers…”
Again the focus turns to PRAYER! And Paul is confident that the prayers of the brothers and sisters in Philippi have been effective on his behalf!
This shows Paul’s confidence that their prayers, according to the will of God, are heard by God!
The Lord Knows and Hears His People
1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
Prayer According to His Will
14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
2. “…and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ...”
The Spirit of Jesus Christ is known as the Helper or the Paraclete, and He is not absent in the life of a follower of Christ. He is working!
The Work of The Spirit
12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
The Spirit works in perfect alignment with the Father’s will! Paul is confident in the prayer of the Philippians being honored in the work of the Spirit in bringing about the Lord’s will.
Paul’s Eager Expectation and Hope (v.20)
After expressing confidence in the Lord working for his deliverance, Paul continues by saying it is his eager expectation and hope that he will not be ashamed.
Paul did not know if the ruling if his case would be in favor of his release or his martyrdom. His expectation and hope was not rooted in the outcome of his trial.
“eager expectation”
The Greek term for this describes the straining of one’s neck to catch a glimpse of something that is ahead. This idea is only used twice in the NT, with the other being Romans 8.19 where creation “waits with eager longing” for the revealing of who the saints of God will be, those who have been adopted into the family of God and who await final redemption.
Paul’s eager expectation and hope is not focused on the resolution of his present situation, because we know the gospel is advancing through it! No, his hope and expectation is on Christ being honored in his life or death, whichever comes.
Paul has full courage (v.20) that now, as always since His conversion, Christ will be honored because it is the work of God by His Spirit that dwells in the apostle.
God saved Paul. God commissioned Paul. God preserved Paul throughout His ministry, and now Paul boldly proclaims again that Christ will be honored was Paul walks by the Spirit in God’s will, whether it be life or death.
We Are the Lord’s
8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.
APPLICATION:
It may sound morbid, but life or death was of less importance to Paul than Christ being honored.
Do we have confidence in the Lord’s providence in all things, or do we find ourselves questioning his purposes and motives?
If we can have full confidence in the work of God through Christ at the cross for our salvation, then may that same confidence be anchored in His providence in our day to day lives.
Let’s be confident in knowing that our God is honoring prayer according to His will, He is working by His Spirit in His church for the sake of disciples being made among the nations.
Are we confident in the work of Christ at the cross?
Are we confident in His provision in our lives?
Are you eagerly expecting Christ to be honored, regardless the cost?
2. Know that Our Goal and Prize is Christ (v.21-23)
2. Know that Our Goal and Prize is Christ (v.21-23)
Paul continues into v.21 with an often quoted verse in the church. It has been an empowering verse for believers throughout the ages as they followed in Paul’s and many others’ footsteps in being persecuted for their faith in Christ.
To Live is Christ, To Die is Gain
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.
Initially, I do not want us to misunderstand what Paul is saying to the church in Philippi and to the church today.
Paul is not promoting martyrdom here (v.21)
Paul is not saying the goal or aim of the Christian life is to be killed for your faith. If that were the case, then countless followers of Jesus have been disobedient to this. Nowhere in the scriptures do we see Christ or other prophets or apostles teaching the believer to seek out death for the sake of your faith.
Instead we are told to Love God, Love People, and to make disciples of all nations. And if we seek these things faithfully, persecution is inevitable.
Paul is also not seeking escape from life. Paul goes on to say that he“knows that his life, even in suffering, is filled with joy and fruitful labor. It’s not escape he is seeking; it’s eternal enjoyment.” - CCE of Philippians
So then what is Paul’s goal in teaching v.21?
2. Paul’s desire is for Christ to be honored and glorified in both his living and his dying, whatever may come from his present imprisonment.
Living for the sake of Christ’s name and glory, not his own, was the essence of Paul’s life , and no decision from the Roman court could alter the hope he had in Christ presently or in the future.
Paul even said back in v.20 that he will “not be ashamed” but will have full courage in Christ whether in life or death. Prison was a shameful thing at this point in history, but the shame of men could not stop God from using Paul’s situation for gospel advancement, and in this Paul rejoiced.
Paul was certainly more concerned for the reputation of the name of Christ instead of his own reputation.
Paul’s View of His Life
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Such words of wisdom from the scriptures should cause us to examine ourselves and consider our lives in light of a couple questions.
What will we live for?
I would say it is a common, good encouragement to tell someone to make wise use of their time and work hard towards accomplishing their goals. I think such an encouragement even in general crosses cultural and locational differences.
But as followers of Christ, what is our perspective on our own lives?
Paul’s perspective here and reflected in Galatians 2.20 was that his life in Christ is no longer devoted to himself, but to faith in Christ. Paul knows that such a life devoted to seeking Christ and His will means “fruitful labor” (v.22) for him. Meaning what?
The Lord’s work through gospel proclamation through follower of Christ will not return void.
Fruitful Ministry in Christ
10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
The Work of God by His Spirit is evident in the life of the believer. Paul has been living according to his commission back in Acts 9 for many years now, and from obedience to Christ’s commands Paul has seen much fruit in God building His church.
APPLICATION
What are we living for? Can we confidently join Paul in his declaration that our sole purpose in this life is to make much of Christ?
Are we heeding Christ’s commandment to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him? (Matthew 16.24)
If we are not, then we are not seeking the life our Lord desires for us to live.
What will we die for?
This may sound somewhat of a morbid thing to discuss, but it is consistent throughout history people will live for many things, but will rarely die for something they do not believe in completely.
Take the Apostles for example. All but john were martyred for proclaiming Christ. Some claim they were delusional and what they proclaimed regarding Christ was a lie.
People do not die for what they know to be a lie.
And here, Paul says he is hard pressed between the two possibilities: Departing to be with Christ in death or remaining to continue the mission.
Don’t think of this as the Lord asking Paul what he wants to pick, but more considering what would be revealed by the Lord .
Paul is considering what would bring the most glory to God, even though his personal desire is to be with Christ!
Robert P. Lightner, “Philippians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
“Paul’s main purpose in living was to glorify Christ. Christ was the essence of his life. Yet Paul knew that if he were martyred, Christ would be glorified through the promotion of the gospel which would result from his testimony in death. And Paul himself would benefit, for death would result in his being with Christ (v. 23). The words to die suggest the act of dying, not the state of death.”
APPLICATION
Paul’s whole combined statement here in v.21-23 is also reflected in Philippians 3 where Paul reflects on the eternal worth of knowing Christ compared to his worthless achievements in the religion of his people.
Paul desires to know Christ and the power of his resurrection, and from here Paul reveals the purpose of life in Christ now and forever.
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Our Goal and Prize is Christ
GOSPEL
3. Build Up One Another in Christ (v.24-26)
3. Build Up One Another in Christ (v.24-26)
Paul comes to the conclusion, whether by the Lord’s revelation or the Spirit’s guidance, that for him to remain in the flesh and continue in his ministry is necessary for the sake of the Philippian church and others he is discipling.
He knew that the Philippians needed him. God has designed His church for relationships such as this, where brothers and sisters put one another’s needs before theirs.
Paul did know that the case against him since Acts 22 was unfounded and weak at best. Thus, he expresses here a renewed hope in his release which will benefit the Philippians in the progress and joy in the faith (v.25).
Paul finished in v.26 by saying that his coming to the Church at Philippi again would give them great cause to glory in Christ.
Homer A. Kent Jr., “Philippians,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians through Philemon,
“Evidence from the pastoral Epistles, confirmed by considerable early historical testimony, indicates that Paul was released from this first Roman imprisonment and had opportunity for travel, including a trip through Macedonia (and presumably Philippi), before being reimprisoned and suffering a martyr’s death.”
What can we learn from Paul’s perspective in v.24-26?
Paul valued the continued spiritual growth of his brothers and sisters in Christ. He was convinced that is what more necessary for him to remain in the flesh, regardless of what he truly desired.
This selfless approach and perspective is what we all need to embrace in ministry.
APPLICATION
My presence and your presence at Sunday gatherings, Community Groups, Family Groups, and Discipling Relationships is much more important than we often think.
We see here from Paul: His continued presence with them was focused on their spiritual growth, not his own.
Consider Others More Significant Than Yourselves
1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
What would COTV and other church bodies in this community look like if we considered others more significant than ourselves?
Would we see greater gospel growth here and among the nations if we considered others more significant than ourselves?
Final Thoughts
Paul knew his continued presence with them, teaching to them, encouragement of them, and prayer for them would yield greater joy in them and produce boldness in them for the sake of gospel advancement through them to one another, to their neighbors and to the nations.
This is the Life Worth Living
Rejoice in the work of Christ for your salvation, and seek that Christ would be honored above all things.
Keep Christ as your Goal in the flesh and Prize for all eternity. Be obedient to Christ’s commands knowing it will mean fruitful labor in this life.
Consider others more significant than yourself and labor to serve them well in building them up for the work of the ministry and the advancement of the gospel.