To Live

Philippians 1:21–26 NKJV

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.

Phil 1:

So let me start by asking this question...Are you living or are you just alive

Donald Herbert was fighting a fire in a three-story residential structure.

Firefighter Donald Herbert was fighting a fire in a three-story residential structure.

When Donald Herbert was 24 he joined the Buffalo Fire Department

He served Heavy Rescue Company

This comapny delt with more difficult rescues such as traffic collisions requiring vehicle extrication, building collapses, confined space rescue, rope rescues and swiftwater rescues

It was in 1995 Donald was fighting a fire in a three-story residential structure.

He was inside the structure when a roof collapse occurred.

Donald was pinned by the collapse.

He was removed from the structure in cardiac arrest and transported to the hospital.

However he had gone several minutes without oxegen

Donald was revived, but lapsed into a coma.

For ten years he was in a vegetative state

Then after some new medications were given he woke up and had a 16 hour conversation w/family

For 10 years he was alive but he wasn’t living.

-26Living with One Foot in EternityOver the next four weeks, we’ll look at the tiny New Testament book of Philippians. It’s actually a letter the Apostle Paul wrote around 61 AD to the church in Philippi.

Pauls history in Philipii

Paul wrote this letter to the Philliapians from prison in Rome

There weren’t enough Jewish men in this city to form a synagogue, so Paul met with a group gathered in prayer on the banks of the river.

One of the members of the group was Lydia, a smart business woman, who volunteered to host a church in her home.

This church became the first Christian church on European soil!

Philippi was an outlying province of Rome, and a place where many Roman soldiers went to live out their retirement.

Paul’s primary reason for writing the Philippian church was to say thanks for their gift to him during his two-year arrest in Rome. Despite writing from prison, Paul emphasizes the theme of JOY, regardless of your circumstances.

So What is Paul trying to get the people of Philipii to understand?

What kind of priority system does he have?

And how does this help him live with one foot on earth and one foot in heaven?

Consider these three points:

A. Christ is our life.

Name some things that people say are their life

Work

Spouse

Children

Grandchildren

Sports Team

Musical Group

Interest

Whatever Life, Time and Strength

1. Fruit for my labor

We need to be completely commited to the priority of fruit production

Fruit, as is spoken of in the spiritual sense is an action that produces fruit

In our garden, growing up, mom planted a lot but never tommy toe tomatoes.

Our fruit production is never like those little tomatoes

(The Farmers at Jaemor)

They are either working in the field..... Planting, Pruning or Harvesting.... OR

They are planning do do each of these activities.

Produced fruit will always be either....

a. The consequence of an dileberate action .... or

b. The result of an activity focused towards fruit.... or

c. Profit from an investment

Paul makes it clear that what we have...

2. Is needed by others (We are needed by others)

“Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you”

How much would the advancement of the Gospel be impacted today by your departure?

3. Our unashamed life. (Paul is facing the unknown in Jail)

Philippians 1:20 NKJV

according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.

B. Death has no fear for us.

The wording in the original language isn’t saying that Paul was unafraid of the death process.

“To Die is gain” actually means to have died! Past tense

Paul had no fear of what awaited him

So look at the struggle he had based on that knowledge.

1. Paul is hard pressed (Torn} between the two.

It would be incorrect that Paul was somehow seeking to decide between remaining or Dying.

It isn’t about Paul needing to decide between to two

It is the love of Christ which “completely dominates” Paul

Köster, H. (1964–). συνέχω, συνοχή. G. Kittel, G. W. Bromiley, & G. Friedrich (Eds.), Theological dictionary of the New Testament (electronic ed., Vol. 7, p. 883). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.

(I have family on either side)

2. But his desire (Their progress)

“continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith”

How is your Christian live helping with this important need of every believer.

Beyond that what is our “Joy of Faith”? (The walk further towards Christ)

Romans 15:13 NKJV

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

How can each believer help.

a. By example

b. By speech

c. By teaching

C. Living with one foot in eternity helps us to live far better lives here.

1. To be with Christ

2. Is Far better