Life in Christ

Introduction

Introduction

Life = ?

= work; joy; frustration; pain; family; church; order;

= joy

Six Questions (Let the six questions guide your inductive exploration of the Bible text. The sermon outline and follow-up questions are there to help you to explore if you wish)

What do you like/notice in this passage?

What do you learn about God in this passage?

What do you learn about people in this passage?

What do you dislike or is difficult in this passage?

What one thing will you take away from this passage and apply to your life?

Who needs to know what you just learned? When will you share it with them?

Philippians 1:19–20 ESV

for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 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.

All of life is to be lived in Christ

Philippians 1:19-

Philippians 1:21–22 ESV

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.

What does Paul mean by, “For to me to live is Christ…?”

Explanation

Remember, Paul is still in prison. As he looks at his life all he can see are bars. Except, he is able to see things through God’s eyes. His life is not his own.

For Paul, life is meant to be lived with both eyes on Jesus.

Paul used to say -To live is law (Torah). Life is about holding on to righteousness.

Two verses help us to understand this point more fully.

Galatians 2:20 ESV

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

For Paul, Christ was living through him. He was not living for himself. He understood that life was nothing if lived only to appease ones own desires. Instead, true life was lived as Christ lived through us.

Philippians 3:8 ESV

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

This meant that Paul could let go of everything. There was nothing that he would put in front of knowing Jesus more. He wanted to gain Jesus in every way possible.

The difference between what Paul is talking about what most of us mean when we say we want Jesus, is that Paul literally wanted Jesus. We often mean that we want Jesus’ stuff - his promises. Paul wanted God! He wanted to be close to God! He knew that only through Jesus could that happen.

Illustration

Argumentation:

Paul can let go of everything because he believes that Jesus is that precious. Nothing has to hold sway over his heart.

Living - for Paul - means living in Christ. There is no greater hope, purpose, joy, or reason to live. Everything falls under this category. No matter what Paul does he does in relationship to Christ. That is the source of Paul’s joy and courage. He lives with the full knowledge that Christ is alive and with him.

Whatever we seek to find ultimate joy, courage, meaning, and purpose has become to us a god. Anything less than Jesus himself will not be able to support that kind of weight.

So, what must happen is a process of letting go of all things so that we can live in Christ.

So, for Paul - life means fruitful labor

Application

Our lives will be fruitful when hold to Christ above all else. If you want to have a meaningful life let go of the idols that hold sway over your heart and cling to Jesus.

The physical presence of Christ, as well as everlasting life, await His children when this life is concluded.

Philippians 1:23–24 ESV

I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.

Philippains 1:

What will it be like to kneel before the Lord on that glorious day? How would you describe it?

Explanation:

Paul understands that it is far better for him to be with Jesus than to remain in the flesh. However, Paul is not in despair. Instead, he understands life as a win win proposition. If I stay, I will have fruitful labor but if leave this life I will be in the presence of Jesus, himself.

Paul longs to see Jesus face to face. This Jesus who appeared to him on the road to Damascus and caused his eyes to see for the first time clearly.

He loves Jesus and has bet his entire life on him. He has help nothing back. He has full confidence that Jesus is enough and will hold his end of the deal.

Illustration

Argumentation

Application

Allow the container of your life to used by God to pour His love onto others as you eagerly await the day you will kneel before Jesus, and He will fulfill every longing of your heart.

Philippians 1:25–26 ESV

Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

Why do you think the Christian life is so closely connected with service? Can one follow Jesus without committing themselves to serving others?

Do you think it is a good thing to anticipate Jesus face to face or does it distract us from our purpose here? Did this same desire distract Paul?

Explanation

Notice that Paul wants to focus his time on pouring his life into others.

His concern is their glorifying Jesus in every way possible.

Illustration

Argumentation

Application

One Small Step: What is one practical way that Jesus is calling you to pour out your life for someone else today?

Allow the container of your life to used by God to pour His love onto others as you eagerly await the day you will kneel before Jesus, and He will fulfill every longing of your heart.