YA Community Group

Philippians 1:19-30

Welcome Back! Glad you guys made it tonight. Really quick take about 5 minutes with someone around you, Share one thing you are celebrating in your life and something that you are asking God for. Then pray with one another and I will close us out in prayer before we jump into our time together.

As I mentioned last week, this semester, we’re going to go through the book of Philippians together. Last week we looked at chapter 1: 1-18. Tonight, we’re going to look at v. 19-30. The idea is to study the book of Philippians in the way that Paul, the writer intended it to be read and understood, and to see how his letter can be interpreted and applied to our lives today. This is called exegesis.

In our time last, we discussed how Paul wrote this letter from a jail cell in Rome. The first 18 verses talk about the idea of a fellowship or partnership - in the gospel. Let’s test your memory, who can remind us of what a fellowship or partnership is in the way that Paul was writing about it?

The main idea from last week was essentially, God has called us as laborers, to live as Gospel partners, as a fellowship of brothers and sisters laboring to take the gospel to our neighbors and the nations together. So let’s read, starting in v. 18-20. Can I get a volunteer?

Rejoicing in Christ Consistently, by relying on Christ Completely:

Philippians 1:18–30 ESV

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.

So Paul repeats a phrase in v. 18, “I rejoice” the first one, is looking back and the second is looking forward. Let me ask you a question,

How does the faithfulness of God in the past, inform your future?

How often have you heard in your late teens to early 20’s some form of “what do you want to do with your life?”

How does a question like this make you feel? And how does God’s plan filter that question in your life?

Tony Merida said it like this,

Exalting Jesus in Philippians By Rejoicing in Christ Consistently (1:18b)

“So what are your plans for the future?” Have you heard this question lately? Maybe you have great plans; maybe you have no idea. Whether you plan on going to the nations, planting a church, or planting corn, make this your plan for the future: “I will rejoice in Christ all my days.”

Think about Paul’s situation for a minute. He had every reason to be down, to feel alone, and yet he responds, “I rejoice.” How does someone get to the place, that even when experiencing suffering, they can respond in this way?

Horatio Spafford Story - “It is well with my soul”

Horatio Spafford was a man who knew what it meant to suffer. In 1873, his wife and four daughters were traveling across the Atlantic when their ship collided with another vessel and sank. His wife survived, but all four of their daughters were lost at sea.

Spafford soon traveled across the Atlantic to be with his wife. As his ship passed near the place where his daughters had drowned, he stood on the deck and looked out over the water. Out of that deep sorrow, he began to write the words of the hymn we know today as It Is Well with My Soul:

“When peace like a river attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.”

Spafford wasn't saying that everything was well. He was saying that, even when everything around him was falling apart, Christ was still enough.

That is the kind of confidence we see in Paul in Philippians 1. Paul is suffering. He is imprisoned, uncertain about what will happen to him, and yet he says, “I will rejoice.” Why? Because his circumstances were not his ultimate concern. His desire was that Christ would be honored in his life—whether by his life or by his death.

Paul's confidence wasn't, “Everything is going to work out the way I want.” His confidence was, “Whatever happens, Christ will be honored.”

And that is the hope of the gospel: our joy doesn't depend on our circumstances being good. Our joy depends on Christ being good—and He never changes.

How might your life be different if you could face your circumstances with this kind of peace and confidence in Christ?

In. v. 19, Paul says, “for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,”

How does it make you feel when you have been prayed for?

I think at times we forget what a privilege prayer is. When we pray, we are interceding with the Lord of the universe, asking Him to change, act, or do something in our or in this case someone else’s world.

I believe in a sovereign and powerful God, but in God’s plan for the world, He has given us the distinct privilege of asking Him to act.

When we pray, we have the privilege of asking an almighty God to work in our lives, in our families, in our church, in our friendships, and in the world. Isn’t that crazy to think about?

Prayer is sacred work.

Representing Christ Courageously:

Philippians 1:18–30 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. 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.

Remember the context in which Paul was writing this. What do you think he meant by “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain?”

Kent Hughes commented on this,

Philippians—The Fellowship of the Gospel Confident Ideal

We must understand that “For to me to live is Christ” is not the triumphant sentimentality of a trouble-free life but the joyous embrace of the burdens of the cross of Christ.

You see, if we go back to last week, the fellowship or partnership in the gospel.This serves as an exclamation point on Paul’s message: fellowship in the gospel is defined by this kind of attitude.

Whether in life, or death, the gospel of Jesus is worth it. This is confidence in the cross of Christ. For Paul, Death leads to righteousness experienced. Life means to make much of Christ. To point to him in all that we do.

In v. 22-24, we see Paul kind of deliberating over the two options. The reality was, he was in prison, facing this very situation. He was awaiting death. In v. 22-24 we see him sort of weighing the options.

I think we can see some things that teach us what a Kingdom perspective looks like though, Philippians 1:22–23 “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.”

Paul says, if I live, in the flesh... meaning, death for Paul does not lead to death but life eternal, but, if I live, then I’ll just keep working, but in death, his faith becomes sight.

Has anyone ever experienced someone’s last moments before?

Story of my Dad and Grandmother.

Here’s the reality. This world is not the best thing someone can experience. What we have yet to see, is far better for those who will believe in Jesus.

Paul then goes on to say, Philippians 1:24–26 “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.”

Did you realize, that for a believer, worship is eternal, but missions isn’t? You see, there will be a day when the last soul is saved, that no one else will be able to repent of their sins and trust in Christ. The reality is. This is urgent.

C.S. Lewis once said, “God is holding back the end of the world to give men time to repent.”

Charles Spurgeon said, “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay.”

What difference might this urgency make in the way you engage your friends and family with the gospel?

Living Worthy of the Gospel Together

Philippians 1:18–30 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, 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.

What does a life that is worthy of the gospel look like?

Citizenship - The words in the original language of v. 27, translate it like this, “Only let your manner of life (as citizens) be worthy of the gospel of Christ”

Citizens of Heaven live differently. In this time, the Philippians were living under a corrupt government… so, Paul was trying to show them something very important. As believers, their ultimate citizenship belongs under the perfect governance of Christ. Not to say that they revolt, but he was calling them to live in such a way that honored Christ.

Here are some key distinctives of a citizen of heaven:

Gospel - v. 27 “worthy of the gospel of Christ”

The Gospel is what we labor for.

The Gospel is what we labor with.

Unity - v. 27b “standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,”

We should be known as people who get along.

We should be known for what we are all working toward.

Boldness - v. 28 “and not frightened in anything by your opponents.”

We should be bold.

Our fear should be a fear and reverence for God.

Suffering - v.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,”

Belief is accompanied by suffering because suffering is what tempers our belief.

Suffering for Christ is accomplishing something greater than you can imagine.

Let’s Pray.