Philippians 1:21-30 - The Joy of Gospel Purpose

Dismiss the children if you haven’t already

GREETINGS

Happy mother’s day! It’s good to see all the lei’s out there today. My hope is that we can make this a tradition. It is something that Vangie and I gave to the mom’s at church in Hawaii, which was a beautiful and elegant way to express love and appreciation. We appreciate you mom’s out there, we know you do a lot for us and for that we are deeply grateful to the Lord.

As we continue in our worship through the preaching of God’s Word, please grab your Bibles...

…we are in The Letter of Philippians chapter 1 this afternoon, verses 21-30—Philippians 1:21-30.

We start where we left off last time in the book of Philippians. We ended with Philippians 1:21, we will start with Philippians 1:21, so to get started, let me simply read Philippians 1:21 and then pray.

Philippians 1:21 ESV

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

The title of our sermon this afternoon is “The Joy of Gospel Purpose”

PRAY

Introduction

All it takes now-a-days is for two pink lines to change a woman’s life. Be it faint or bold, two pink lines that will change the trajectory of their life forever. In an article by Mehekk Bassi entitled “How two pink lines can change your perspective on the world” she writes, “I’m sure it is one of the most beautiful moments of life, for many parents (and people who are trying for babies), to see two pink lines that indicate a positive pregnancy test.” She goes on to write, “Once you have a baby, it takes all your time and priorities, and suddenly it becomes the most important tiny creature in your life.”

The purpose of a person’s life can change in an instance much like a pregnancy test that shows positive. There is a moment where you as a Christian can refer to when you encountered the rest of your life, the purpose of your life, in a moment when you came to faith in Jesus Christ. And much like a young lady who doesn’t quite understand that the purpose of her life just changed when she saw those two pink lines, it’s kind of like that for us who believe … little do we know that Jesus Christ just became the purpose of our life when we believe in him.

For Paul it was Acts 9 when he encountered Jesus. At first he didn’t even know who Jesus was, but he was already calling him Lord. Do you remember that?

Acts 9:3–5 ESV

3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

Fast forward to Philippians 1, Paul now knows that Jesus is the purpose of his life. Like I said we start where we left off, which is this verse in Philippians 1:21, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

This is not looking at two pink lines at this point. That was Acts 9. This is more like looking at a grown child whom you have poured so much of your life into. You are more convinced now than ever before that you as a parent have parented this child.

Paul is convinced that Christ is his life. He knows Him, He loves Him, He lives for Him.

If you recall, Paul is in prison. And in his circumstance, the gospel was spreading, in verse 12

Philippians 1:12 ESV

12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,

Anywhere and everywhere God places you is an opportunity for gospel ministry. Even though Paul is in prison, the gospel is not imprisoned. This is why in verse 13 the whole imperial guard heard the gospel. HOW? Because Paul was there and through Paul the gospel was there. There is no indication there that anyone got saved, just that God used Paul to make the gospel known. So long as Christ is made known, praise God … for Christ has been made known. This is his joy and delight at the end of verse 18.

This gospel that Paul joyfully proclaims is the very thing that brings meaning to his life which brings us to verse 21 where we see…

The Purpose of Paul’s Life — Christ

Philippians 1:21 ESV

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

To live is Christ and to die is to be with Christ … which we know because verse 23 says “My desire is to depart and be with Christ.” To part from this life is to be with Christ. To live is Christ and to die is to be with Christ. The reason why Paul so willingly and so gladly suffers for the cause of Christ is because the very expression of life is Christ. In other words, his life is unto the glory of Christ—he lives to honor Him.

And what has Paul’s life been like since following Jesus?

2 Corinthians 11:24–28 ESV

24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.

I’m sure mixed in there is also friendships, sharing meals together, and hanging out in people’s homes. It wasn’t always danger, danger, danger. I share those verses to help you understand that it’s the good and the bad, the easy and the hard, the peace and the danger … all that life brings … all of it is a life that Paul lives to the glory of Christ.

And then of course, in this letter, he’s in prison. For a guy in prison, during a time where being in prison was shameful, Paul says so what … I live for Christ’s glory not mine. I will glorify Him in my living and I will glorify Him in my dying.

What we see is…

Paul’s Philosophy of Existence

To tease this out a little, he contrasts these two aspects of life (the living and the dying) to help us see the constraints by which he lives by…that Christ really is the purpose of his life.

Philippians 1:21–24 ESV

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.

Living and dying is being contrasted here.

To live in verse 22 means fruitful labor for Paul. It means being used of God in this life. It means being instrumental in the spread of the gospel wherever God has him which of course we see has been the case in his ministry all along, even now in prison.

To die in verse 23 means to depart from this life and to be with Christ. Same language in 2 Corinthians 5:8, “away from the body…home with the Lord.” Some people say that death is terminal, that it’s the final outcome of life … but that’s not necessarily true. It does terminate their life here on earth, but it is not the end of their soul. You will either be with God in heaven or you will be apart from God in a place called hell … a place biblically where the worm never dies meaning that it is a place of eternal torment (cf. Mark 9:48; Isaiah 66:24). But for the believer, “away from the body … home with the Lord.” … “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Paul says, “I am hard pressed between the two.” (v. 23) They’re both good aren’t they? Depending on how you look at it, one seems better than the other!

From the perspective of Paul, to be with Christ is far better (v. 23). Of course that’s better. But better than what? Fruitful labor (v. 22)! ME being with Christ is so much better than ME having fruit.

But because Christ is his life, he understands that this life is not about ME. This life is not about ‘ME and my fruit’ or ‘ME and my eternity.’ Not that those things are not important, but what I mean is that this life does not center on me. I am not the center of my fruit, Christ is the center of my fruit. I am not the center of my eternity, Christ is the center of my eternity. For me to live is Christ and to die is gain … to die is to be with Christ. It is Christ, Christ, Christ!!

AND because it centers all around Him and not me, he must concede. Even though he uses language like “I am hard pressed between the two” or “yet which I shall choose I cannot tell” … even though he sees himself as suspended between these two good things, he must concede. This life is not about ‘ME and my fruit’ or ‘ME and my eternity.’ Because it’s about Christ, then he must concede in verse 24, “…to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.”

Our life has meaning as Christians in Gospel Ministry that says Christ is worth living for in this life.  It puts a priority in what's necessary for you (which is your progress and joy in the faith) over what's better for me (which is to be with Christ). 

God wants us to bless others with the gospel of Christ before we enter into the bliss of being with Christ. 

What is necessary for you must precede what is better for me.  As ministers of the gospel, the Joy of Gospel Purpose, shows us how to live and die well to the glory of God. This life and the life to come.

Which leads us to…

Paul’s Pledge of Edification

Philippians 1:25–26 ESV

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.

Because Christ is the center of his living and his dying, the center of thiiiis life aaaand the next, he, Paul, will do that which is necessary for the Philippian church. So long as Paul has breath, he will live to serve for their good. In so doing he becomes instrumental in helping others to glorify Christ just like he glorifies Christ.

He contributes to the “progress” of their faith - that is their maturity in the faith. Their growth in Christ, their becoming more like Christ, their sanctification. His commitment to serve them becomes a vehicle through which God’s grace reaches the church so that the growth that God intends can actually takes place in their life.

Did you know that that’s actually God’s design in the church—that you would grow through the collective ministries of those around you. Ephesians 4:16 says, “when each part is working properly” meaning when everyone in the church is doing what their supposed to in ministry to each other, it goes on to say, “[it] makes the body grow” that’s the church “so that it builds itself up in love.”

Paul is saying that he is committed to the church like that.

He contributes to the “joy” of their faith - meaning that in this life they would be a rejoicing people. That in this life, they will be glad.

So we can’t say in the church, “I’m not here to make you happy”, because in a sense we kind of are. We labor and strive to bring each other joy. It’s not just me bringing you joy, but also you bringing me joy.

Notice how Paul does this … how he contributes to the progress of their faith and the joy of their faith. He simply says, “I will remain and continue with you”. He is committing to being present with them. There’s nothing magical about that is there?

It reminds me of 2 Timothy 2:22

2 Timothy 2:22 ESV

22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Notice those words “along with.” The way we flee sin and pursue righteousness is “along with” our brothers and sisters in Christ. We actually have to be present in each other’s lives. So we don’t want to do online church and neither do we want to ONLY see each other on Sundays.

God wants you dear church to be well and happy … and by design you’re going to need each other to get there.

This to Paul is the worthy life, the life worth living. For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. It has Christ in mind, but it also has you in mind too doesn’t it? So ask yourself, What are you living for? How much of ME is in there? And how much of God’s people is in there?

Does it help to know Christian, that in Paul’s “Philosophy of Existence” and his “Pledge of Edifying the church” allows him to get the two things he was struggling with in the first place. Do you remember what that was? Let me read it to you again.

Philippians 1:23–24 ESV

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.

Paul is no longer with us. Today Paul is with Christ. But back then Paul stuck with the church. He actually did both. And so must you…

The Purpose of the Church’s Life — Christ

Which involves…

Living According to the Gospel of Christ

Philippians 1:27 ESV

27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

Just as Paul is not the center of his life, he is not the center of the church’s life. With or without Paul, the church must let their manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ. It does not depend on Paul.

That word for manner of life means to be a citizen. Because he is referencing the gospel of Christ, the scope of that citizenship is a heavenly citizenship. It hearkens to Philippians 3:20 which says…

Philippians 3:20 ESV

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Be a good citizen of heaven in your dealings here on earth as you minister the gospel of Christ. That is the expectation, that is the standard … that is quite literally the command here. For Paul, to live is Christ, so must it be with the church as well, for the church to live … is … also Christ. Christ must be the reason why they live too.

Can you imagine a church full of people who have adopted the same “Philosophy of Existence” and the same “Pledge of Edification” as Paul? Where in this church … Trinity Church of Benicia … it’s not only the pastors and the leaders who go all out for Jesus in their lives, but all of us do. In all our lives, all our decision making, all our relationship building, all our serving one another, all our evangelizing … a whole church that says, “for to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” An entire church that says “I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith.” What would happen to this church? You church, must let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ. Be good citizens of heaven by faithfully ministering the gospel during your time here on earth. That’s why you’re here!

It’s not just for Paul in prison, it’s for the Philippians outside of prison in Philippi … and it’s for Trinity Church here in Benicia.

He says stand firm in one spirit and one mind. Stand firm literally means to be in a standing position which figuratively means “to be firmly committed in conviction or belief.” That “standing firm” is a military term which perhaps those in the church could relate to. “Philippi had been founded as a veteran colony…[its] location…exposed residents to Roman armies traveling east or west across the empire.” (Hellerman, J. H. (2015). Philippians (A. J. Köstenberger & R. W. Yarbrough, Eds.; p. 79). B&H Academic.) This word “standing firm” as RP Martin points out may have given the image of “soldiers who determinedly refuse to leave their posts irrespective of how severely the battle rages” (R. P. Martin and Gerald F. Hawthorne, Philippians, Revised Edition. Word Biblical Commentary 43. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2004).

Now to do this in one spirit and one mind means to be in unity as a church which adds another dimension to Christ centered living. You do so with the church, not apart from the church. It says “striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.” Literally contending and struggling along with someone. If you extend that military picture into this word then you would picture soldiers going to battle together. That’s what I mean when I ask, can you imagine a whole church like this? Not individually but corporately in unity going all out for Jesus together! As good citizens, living our lives together in a manner worthy of the gospel, reaching the lost for Christ and building the church … also for Christ.

As we move on we see that this involves…

Suffering for the Sake of Christ

Philippians 1:28–30 ESV

28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

There are opponents to this kind of life—a life that is all about Christ. And you will learn that you are not only saved by grace, but you also suffer by grace. That word for “granted” in verse 29 is the word for grace. This is a foreign concept. In Christ you have been given favor and have been granted the privilege to suffer for the name of Christ. You don’t deserve it, but you have been graced with the privilege for his name’s sake. To some of us, this doesn’t sit so well.

It’s kind of like the man in church who Amen’d everything the pastor said. It was like sweet honey of gospel truth pouring forth from the pastor’s mouth and the man in the pew would Amen every word. And the pastor got to the needs of the church and was pleading with the church to give to meet the needs and the Amen’s turned to a loud grunt “mmmmhmmmmm” and as the pleading and praying went on the words felt more like bitter melon than it did sweet honey and soon the man was simply silent.

We know that it’s good to give to the church. It blesses the work and ministry of the gospel, it goes towards meeting needs, and it helps us be here in this building. It does that and so much more. It’s a grace until it doesn’t feel like grace anymore just like that guy.

Life in Christ is like that. “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” That sounds so valiant, that sounds so noble, that sounds to sweet! And we say Amen. But that life also includes suffering and the loud grunt comes in “mmmmhmmmm” until we are simply silent.

Suffering is like that. Living for Jesus is a grace and a privilege until it doesn’t feel like it anymore. When it gets to that level of suffering, instead of “oh no pastor” we say “oh no Lord.” And yet it is Jesus who says,

Matthew 5:10–12 ESV

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Do you remember where Paul is? He’s in prison and he actually thinks it to be a blessing. And Paul is saying this … you in your suffering is a blessing. How?

It is proof of your salvation; it is what demonstrates your relationship with God (v. 28)

But not only that…

It is proof of your partnership; it is what demonstrates your relationship with each other (v. 30)

Hardship and persecution in Christ does not mean there is something wrong with you. You are actually blessed. The proper response is “have joy” (v. 25) and “don’t be freightened” (v. 28).

Conclusion

The gospel that we rally around and partner in is the very thing that gives purpose and meaning to our lives. “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain” which I hope by now we all understand is the life that Christians share together in this life.

Don’t get stuck in the temporary life here on earth as if there’s no eternal life with Christ in heaven. What I mean by that is don’t waste your life. You are alive today not for yourself, but for the glory of Christ and the good of those around you.

Keep things in perspective. Job 7:7 says life is a breath. Psalm 102:3 says my days pass away like smoke. James 4:14 says you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

Live your life to the full by giving your all to Christ.

Dear friend if you don’t know Jesus today, you must understand that death will not be gain to you … death will be loss. Death for you will not lead to being with Christ, but an eternal separation from God, for the wages of sin is death the Bible says; not life.

The verse I have for you is the verse God used for Charles Spurgeon. Once upon a time, the greatest preachers in the English speaking world was also very lost. Just like how once upon a time the great Apostle Paul who wrote Philippians was very lost. Well God used Isaiah 45:22 to bring Charles Spurgeon to Christ.

Isaiah 45:22 ESV

22 “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.

The word “turn” can also be translated in Hebrew as look which I say because of the account that Charles Spurgeon gives of his own conversion. The accounts picks up where Charles Spurgeon entered into a “primitive Lutheran Church” he calls it where the minister was not even there because of the snow. A very thin looking man, a shoemaker or a tailer assumed the pulpit, and he was a simple obliged to stick to the text.

The preacher began thus—“My dear friends, this is a very simple text indeed. It says, ‘Look.’ Now lookin’ don’t take a deal of pains. It ain’t liftin’ your foot or your finger; it is just, ‘Look.’ Well, a man needn’t go to College to learn to look. You may be the biggest fool, and yet you can look. A man needn’t be worth a thousand a year to be able to look. Anyone can look; even a child can look. But then the text says, ‘Look unto Me.’ Ay!” said he, in broad Essex, “many on ye are lookin’ to yourselves, but it’s no use lookin’ there. You’ll never find any comfort in yourselves. Some look to God the Father. No, look to Him by-and-by. Jesus Christ says, ‘Look unto Me.’ Some say, ‘We must wait for the Spirit’s workin’.’ You have no business with that just now. Look to Christ. The text says, ‘Look unto Me.'”

Then the good man followed up his text in this way:—”Look unto Me; I am sweatin’ great drops of blood. Look unto Me; I am hangin’ on the cross. Look unto Me; I am dead and buried. Look unto Me; I rise again. Look unto Me; I ascend to Heaven. Look unto Me; I am sittin’ at the Father’s right hand. O poor sinner, look unto Me! Look unto Me!”

…

When he had gone to about that length, and managed to spin out ten minutes or so, he was at the end of his tether. Then he looked at me under the gallery, and I daresay, with so few present, he knew me to be a stranger. Just fixing his eyes on me, as if he knew all my heart, he said, “Young man, you look very miserable.” Well, I did; but I had not been accustomed to have remarks made from the pulpit on my personal appearance before. However, it was a good blow, struck right home. He continued, “and you always will be miserable—miserable in life, and miserable in death,—if you don’t obey my text; but if you obey now, this moment, you will be saved.” Then, lifting up his hands, he shouted, as only a Primitive Methodist could do, “Young man, look to Jesus Christ. Look! Look! Look! You have nothin’ to do but to look and live.” I saw at once the way of salvation.

Believe in Jesus today and you will be saved. He’ll give you a purpose and a life; eternal life.

Communion:

Invitation - If you are a baptized believer and members in good standing with your church, we invite you to join us in communion. It is a time of worship as we celebrate the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let me read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 ESV

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.