To Live is Christ (2)

Since Jesus is Our Life, God hears our Prayer, gives us victory over death, and purpose in life.

Prayers of the Saints

Paul drew encouragement from the prayers of the Philippian believers, because he was confident that God would answer them.

Peter released from prison Acts 12.

Acts 12:5 HCSB

So Peter was kept in prison, but prayer was being made earnestly to God for him by the church.

Prayer works! God moves when his people invoke him in prayer. Yes, he is Sovereign, but in his will he stoops the hear the prayers of his people and act!

The Spirit bring encouragement and strength.

Perspective on His Situation

For Paul, all of life is an opportunity to glorify the Lord, because we belong to Him.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 ESV

19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Because Christ is life we have victory over death!

1 Corinthians 15:54–57 ESV

54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

To live is Christ - it meant continued service and fruitfulness for the Lord Jesus.

To die is gain - it meant being in the presence of Christ - far better!

Steve Farrar on living in light of our mortality: “Two things are to be set in order; the house, and the heart. The house by settling our wordly estate (attorney, wills, trusts, etc). We shall die, none the sooner, but we shall certainly be readier for death. And then we settle the heart, by settling our spiritual estate. That is; making our calling and election sure, repenting of sin, receiving Christ Jesus the Lord, walking in all His commandments blameless. He who has done this is ready for death. The fact of the matter is that most men just settle the house, most men just settle the estate, whose gonna get the stuff.... That’s where most men stop, but there is the estate of the heart. Until you get a grip on death, death has got a grip on you. Until you get a correct grip on death, you can’t get a correct grip on life.”

Paul says he longed to be with the Lord, but he was convinced that it was God’s will for him to remain for a time.

The longing to depart - the word means to loose like a ship setting sail from port.

To those who have lost a loved one - take comfort knowing that they are far better. They are rejoicing in the presence of the Lord Jesus and receiving the joy of their reward!

God has a purpose for you here and now! He is not done with you yet! (Mamaw - “Don’t let me dry up on the vine”)

Purpose in Service

To encourage them in their continued growth in the faith.

Their rejoicing in answered prayer would abound.

They would live a life worthy of the Gospel.

What is the central focus of your life? Is Christ your life?