What Are You Living For?
Cameron M. Horne
Bound To The Gospel • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.
23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;
24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.
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 your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.
27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
28 in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.
29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
30 experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.
It is here that we see the core of Paul’s boldness and ability to stand tall no matter what…
Sadly many who claim to belong to Jesus are scared of a great many things
and are thus silenced from sharing the gospel.
Half our fears arise from neglect of the Bible.
Folly Of Unbelief, Volume 33, Sermon #1980 - Luke 24:25
Charles Spurgeon
Paul knew that he was in a good spot no matter what transpired, simply because he was following Jesus.
23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.
MacArthur Study Bible NASB (Commentary)
The Gr. word pictures a traveler on a narrow path, a rock wall on either side allowing him to go only straight ahead
Paul here shows his love for the church.
Knowing that if he remains it will help the church,
while also knowing that if he departs the physical world for the spiritual he will eternally be perfect and whole.
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 your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.
MacArthur Study Bible NASB (Commentary)
“Progress” pictures trail blazing so that an army can advance (see note on v. 12).
Paul wanted to cut a new path for the Philippians to follow to victory; the increasing of their faith would result in the increasing of their joy.
MacArthur Study Bible NASB (Commentary)
The Gr. word order is “that your confidence of joy may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me.”
The point is, as Paul lived on fruitfully, their joy and confidence would overflow because of Christ’s working in him, not because of anything he himself did by his own ability.
27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
MacArthur Study Bible NASB (Commentary)
Believers are to have integrity, i.e., to live consistent with what they believe, teach, and preach. Cf. Eph 4:1; Col 1:10; 1Th 2:11, 12; 4:1; Tit 2:10; 2Pe 3:11, 14. one spirit … one mind.
This introduces Paul’s theme of unity that continues through 2:4. His call for genuine unity of heart and mind is based on 1) the necessity of oneness to win the spiritual battle for the faith (vv. 28–30);
2) the love of others in the fellowship (2:1, 2);
3) genuine humility and self-sacrifice (2:3, 4); and
4) the example of Jesus Christ who proved that sacrifice produces eternal glory (2:5–11).
striving together. Lit. “to struggle along with someone.” Paul changed the metaphor from that of a soldier standing at his post (“standing firm”) to one of a team struggling for victory against a common foe
28 in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.
If the world hates us for holding to the Word of God, find comfort in it, because it is a fruit of walking right.
29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
We should find it an honor if we are counted to suffer as our Lord did.
Talk about John Bunyan and the Pilgrims progress, the price of following Jesus and answering the question of what he is living for.
Take Home?
What are you living for Christian?
