Philippians 1:22-26

Introduction

In introducing this sermon, it is importnat us to not forget the flow In Philippians 1:20–21: “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Grasping Paul’s direction will help us to better understand his main emphasis as we move forward.

Paul desires to magnify Jesus Christ in his life and death. The word “magnify” means to enlarge. Paul wants to enlarge Jesus to a world that does not know Him. His chief objective in life is to make great Jesus Christ. Whether life is going well, he is imprisoned or facing certain death, Paul’s joy is to magnify Jesus.

The reason his desire to magnify Jesus circumference all possible human experience is “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Paul’s life was about Jesus and dying was gain because among other truths, he would be with Jesus face to face.

This truth about Paul’s confession creates a predicament. If heaven is gain compared to “living is Christ” (there is no other higher form of living then living for Christ. The high life is not drinking, sex or recreation but “to live is Christ”) then by implication heaven is better than living for Christ. In fact, Paul says in Philippians 1:23 that heaven “is far better” than “for me to live is Christ.” Seeing this is true then why would not Paul want to die so that he could gain heaven which “is far better” than any possible or potential human experience?

Paul’s Dilemma

Philippians 1:22–23 “But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:”

The fruit of Paul living in the flesh was not his retirement, relationships, or resources, but magnifying Christ in his body. The most noble, loving and caring thing a person can do is to magnify Christ. Paul’s dilemma is: “Do I want to achieve the most noble thing a person can reach by magnifying Christ or to die and “be with Christ; which is far better?” What is stunning about this situation is Paul being pulled in both directions.

Why was this a battle for Paul. If Heaven is gain and better than anything life offers, and if magnifying Christ in this life is associated with pain, misery and possible unspeakable death then why would not he want Heaven one hundred out of one hundred times?

A poem that describes Paul’s battle:

I’m hard-pressed here, from both sides torn, A longing deep within me born. To stay, to serve, to run the race, Yet yearning for my Savior’s face.

This life, though filled with joy and strife, Is but a fleeting, passing life. The treasures here, they pale and fade, Compared to what my Lord has made.

To depart, to leave, to be set free, And dwell with Christ eternally. Oh, what surpassing joy I’d find, To leave this weary flesh behind.

But still, I pause, for love compels, To stay and share the hope that dwells. For others' gain, I bear the load, And walk this narrow, rugged road.

Yet in my heart, the vision clear, Of Christ my Lord, so ever near. To be with Him—what could be greater? A life fulfilled by my Creator.

So while I labor here below, My heart is where I long to go. To live is Christ, His will my tether, To die is gain—for that is better.

This morning, I want to explore v,22-23 so that we can see why this was a dilemma. To do this we need to map out what Paul meant by living in the flesh and Heaven is far better. As we begin this exploration, we need to explore to explore two words: “live” and “this.” First Lets look at “live.” There are three Greek words that have been translated as “live” or “life” in the New Testament. One word speaks of physical life, another word speaks of inner life, but the word Paul chose speaks of divine life or his new life in Christ Jesus. Paul had all three lives: he physically lived, he had an inner life as does everyone else, and he had new life in Jesus. However, the life that he wanted to govern his “living” experience was his new life in Jesus. He wanted his life to be marked by the new man and not the old man. This is made clear later in Philippians 3:4–7 “Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.” His life was not about being the model Jew who passionately followed the Pharisee religion, but being a Christ follower.

Christians struggle when they allow their physical or inner life to dictate the terms of their living, instead of the divine life they have in Jesus. One of the reasons the disciples of Jesus struggled so much in their faith during Jesus’ earthly ministry was their physical and inner passions dictated the terms of their following. They wanted Jesus to be a conquering Messiah and not a Suffering Messiah. They wanted this so much that Peter rebukes Jesus when He prophecies of His death. Matthew 16:20–22 “Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.” In like manner, when we allow our physical or inner life to determine our actions for living, then we will inevitably rebuke Jesus. However, understand when this happens who has manipulated our thinking: Jesus goes on to say to Peter in Matthew 16:23 “But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”

Now that we have identified the quality of “life” Paul wanted to live, we need to analyze the word “this” in Philippians 1:22 “But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.” Whatever “this” is connected to is causing the dilemma. “This” has a backward and forward connection. The backward connection identifies what the “this” is, and the forward connection identifies the result of “this.”

Magnifying Christ in my body (Philippians 1:20) and “For to me to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21) identifies what “this” is referenced to. Paul’s purpose for living was to magnify and live for Christ. Another way of saying this is Paul’s pursuit was to honor, value and treasure Christ above everything else. This does not mean that Paul did not have other joys but none of those joys competed with his joy for Jesus. Paul’s chief treasure was Jesus. He will writer in Philippians 3:8: “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” Before this, he wrote to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 4:6–7 “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” The treasure that we have in our bodies is “the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Moving forward into v.22, treasuring Christ was the fruit in Paul’s life. Fruit is “produced by the inherent energy of a living organism.” The living organism is honoring and magnifying Christ with your life. The result is fruit. The good news is we do not have to guess what Paul had in mind with the word “fruit.” He writes in Philippians 1:25–26, me magnifying Christ and honoring Him is “for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.”

Paul used the word “furtherance” earlier in this chapter in v.12. The idea was that his imprisonment has advanced the Gospel of Jesus Christ to new areas. In v.25, the idea is advancing into new areas of “for to me to live is Christ.” Paul knew his treasuring Christ would help others to treasure Christ in new ways.

The effect in advancing treasuring Christ is joy of faith. Furthering your faith opens the door for joy of faith. This is critically important to understand. Christians, often view faith negatively. We think faith as hard and difficult to live. There are times when I frown on faith so much that I view it as a hindrance and not an asset. I can desperately want Heaven so that I can shed off faith that I lose sight of the joy and happiness of having faith. Paul understood this reality and knew that his continued living would further other Christians faith so that they can rekindle “joy in faith.” Proverbs 3:5 says that we should “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding.” The heart is where our affections of love and joy lie. Our faith in the Lord should be joyful and loving but many times we view it as hard word and exhausting.

When this happens we can really rejoice “more abundant in Jesus Christ” by coming together to worship God (v.26). I look forward to being with you so much that I go through times of loss when you are not here. What I am about to say is not an overstatement or hyperbole, I light up when I see you in God’s house at the appointed time so that we can rejoice together in Christ. We cannot rejoice together in Christ if one of us is absent.

This bring us to exploring heaven is far better. Philippians 1:23 “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:” As joyful faith should be, being with Christ is far better. It is a wonderful opportunity to magnify Christ in life. There is not a better opportunity than to magnify and treasure Christ. We have ab opportunity everyday to honor our Savior before the world. However, these opportunities pale in comparison to being in the presence of Jesus. There is no earthly experience on this side of the tribulation that is remotely close being in the presence of Jesus.

The word “desire” in v.23 is the same word that has been translated as “lust” in the New Testament. “In a very real sense Paul yearned for death in order that his union with Christ might be tasted and savored to the full.” A pastor wrote: “Anyone whose destiny is heaven will certainly experience more joy and honor there than the falling mind is capable of comprehending - infinitely more than any fallen creature deserves.”

Mountains are glorious, architectural marvels are glorious, bodies of water are glorious, and food is glorious, but there glory pales in comparison to the glories of heaven. The prophet wrote in Isaiah 60:19 “The sun shall be no more thy light by day; Neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: But the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, And thy God thy glory.” John wrote regarding the glory of heaven in Revelation 21:23 “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.”

Heaven has everything that is truly precious to us. Heaven is where the Father and the Son are, brothers and sisters in Christ, and where our name is recorded. Heaven is our citizenship. Paul writes in Philippians 3:20: “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” The writer of Hebrews writes in Hebrews 11:13: “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” Heaven is a place where we belong. Unlike America, there is no immigration problem in heaven. “Our real wealth - our eternal reward is in heaven.

We will have new bodies in heaven. Joni Eareckson Tada who was paralyzed as a teenager and has dealt with cancer later in life, said: “I still can hardly believe it. I, with shriveled, bent fingers, atrophied muscles, gnarled knees, and no feeling from my shoulders down, will one day have a new body, light, bright, and clothed in righteousness - powerful and dazzling…

“It’s easy for me to “be joyful in hope,” as it says in Romans 12:12, and that’s exactly what I have been doing for the past twenty-odd years. My assurance for heaven is so alive that I’ve been making dates with friends to do all sorts of fun things once we get our knew bodies….I don’t take these appointments lightly. I’m convinced these things will happen.”

Many believe Paul’s body was fallen apart. He suffered from blindness and other disabilities. He would have longed for heaven so these disabilities would be a thing of the past. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:1–4 “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.”

Heaven is a place of profound holiness and beauty. Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 63:15 “Look down from heaven, and behold From the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: Where is thy zeal and thy strength, The sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?” Heaven is a place where joy will be completely fulfilled and unlike sin that is pleasurable only for a season (Hebrews 11:25), the pleasures of heaven are evermore: Psalm 16:11 “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” The prophet wrote in Isaiah 35:10 “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, And come to Zion with songs And everlasting joy upon their heads: They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

The Solution

Philippians 1:24–26 “Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.”

Paul’s solution was to abide and continue with them. Even though heaven was gain and far better than life experiences, he decided that he wanted to live for Christ so that he could strengthen others.

There are two points: first, life was not about Paul, but how he could advance other Christians faith. It is not just the Apostolic office that should be invested in advancing Christians’ faith. We are responsible to edify one another. Paul writes in Romans 14:19 “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” We have a two prong mission: we need to evangelize the world, and edify the faith.

Second, we need to understand Paul’s perspective. He had confidence that he would have fruit. His fruit was their “furtherance and joy of faith.” We must grasp Paul’s importance of fruit. He writes in Philippians 4:14–17: “Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” The primary reason Paul was thankful for their contribution in coming to his aid was not how he benefited from the gift but fruit being added to their account.

Luke records a few of parables in chapter 14. The second parable He gives in known as the Parable of the Great Banquet. He says that if you are hosting a great banquet, do not invite those who can benefit you from the invitation. Instead, invite the poor, maimed, lame and blind, or those who can never repay. Why? He says in Luke 14:14: “And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.” Even though the poor cannot repay, you will be rewarded at the resurrection of the just.

Paul’s perspective was to add as much fruit to his account because he believed as much as he could ever believe in anything that God would reward him based upon his fruit. Therefore, even though he wanted to remain and abide, his mind was still on the heavenly joy of God’s blessings for having fruit.

Conclusion

2 Corinthians 5:14–15 “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” Paul was living for the resurrected person that has vanquished the pain and misery of death for those who are living unto Him.