Sermon Tone Analysis

Philippians 1:19-

Introduction

Today we thank the LORD for his faithfulness to His Church as we celebrate His awesome greatness and surpassing power and grace for the 30 years past of this Church, the FCCC.

Our theme for our celebration is ‘life and legacy’, and when we talk about life and legacy, we cannot ignore the idea of a life and a death.

And when we talk about this idea of life and death, I have a question for all of us that I want you to think about: ‘How well are your life that makes it worthy of living or dying?’ ‘How does our footprints looks like in our everyday living?

Does it leave a good image?’

Apostle Paul in his letter to the church of Philippians has gave us an excellent biblical principle to how should we have a life worthy of living and dying.

In verse 21, Paul said, “For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

How this statement can become evident in our own life?

How can a living become Christ, and how can a dying become gain?

There are three (3) life principles that I want to share for the rest of our study this morning so we can have A LIFE WORTH LIVING.

A life glorifying: God

A SHORT BACKGROUND OF PHILIPPIANS

A life growing: Fruits

The church in Philippi was founded by the apostle Paul on his second missionary journey

It is evident that Paul wrote the letter from prison

Rome is the place of origin

Paul’s house arrest

As a result she also lost the ability to foretell the future which created no little anger on the part of her owners.

So they took Paul and Silas and brought them before the magistrates (Philippi was like a “little” Rome), charging that the missionaries were forcing them, as Roman citizens, to follow customs which were unlawful.

The result was that Paul and Silas were thrown into prison after being stripped, beaten, and severely flogged

Around midnight there was an earthquake and all the prison doors flew open.

Paul and Silas did not flee, but instead stayed and shared the gospel with the jailer who subsequently—both he and his entire family—came to the Lord

A life giving all: Work

A life glorifying: God

A Life Glorifying God: Christ-centered life

Paul's imprisonment does not hinder him to serve his purpose to glorify God.

(v.19 “For I know that ‘this’ will turn out for my deliverance…(v.20)…

so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death)

Philippians 19-2

Paul maintained his hope in the LORD in the midst of unfavorable situation.

(v.19 “… and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, (v.20) according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed…)

Philippians 1:19-20

Paul did not let his situation to control him.

Instead, he use his situation to be turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.

(v. 12 “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, (v.13) so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ)

The single-minded Christian does not allow circumstances to overcome him; he or she turns those circumstances into opportunities to magnify Christ and win souls

Life’s situations makes us emotional and most of the time when uncontrolled, we make decisions based on what our emotions dictates.

Paul on the other hand, did not let his emotion control him.

But he let the Spirit of God to control his life.

(v.19) “For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ”

The single-minded Christian does not allow circumstances to overcome him; he or she turns those circumstances into opportunities to magnify Christ and win souls

In Chapter 1, Paul repeatedly mentioned “Christ” 18 times.

Showing us how did Paul maintained a life glorifying God and how did Paul maintained his integrity.

How, because Paul demonstrated that the center of his life is Christ alone.

His life is surrendered to Christ and Christ has the sole authority of his life.

How about your life?

Is your life a Christ-centered life?

Do you have a surrendered life?

Let Christ control your life.

Because only through Christ we can have a life glorifying God.

A life growing: Fruits

A Life Growing in Fruits: Growing in fruit of labor

Paul was ready to die for Christ but if he live on in the flesh, for him this will result into more fruitful labor.

A life worth living is a life growing in the fruit of our labor.

Our labor in the LORD.

Philippians 1:21-22

Ang buhay na iniaalay sa gawain ng Panginoon ay ang buhay na lumalago sa Panginoon.

God doesn’t want you to become stagnant.

He wants you to grow in His work and through His work.

While living we never stop growing.

Paul sees all opportunity while living to grow in his knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ.

Because while living we grow, by dying we glow (Christ is exalted).

And that is gain.

Living for Christ, and dying for Christ.

Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-

1 Corinthians 13:

Discernment -that you may approve the things that are excellent

Integrity

Death is no more a threat for those in Christ.

Because of our growing love and knowledge of Christ, we become more confident and dependent on the provision of grace of the LORD and become content in every circumstances.

Whether by life or by death.

A life worthy of living is a life growing in the fruit of his labor.

We cannot separate spiritual growth and labor for the work of the LORD.

And this will link us into our next and last point.

A life giving all: Work

A Life Giving All for the Work of the LORD

Philippians 1:

Paul did not live in compartments.

He gave his all for the work of the LORD.

In spite of his situation, he was not discourage of his circumstance.

His excitement for the work remain intact.

It does not fade.

His circumstance does not affect his intimacy with Christ and the work that God has entrusted him to do.

This is like a marriage vow saying, ‘Til death do us part, ministry’ “Hanggang kamatayan maglilingkod ako sayo Panginoon”.

Wow, how sweet that sound.

There are two verb in verse 25 that we should remember:

Remain - remain in the LORD.

Be immovable and steadfast.

1

2. Continue - continue in the work of the LORD.

A life worthy of living is a life giving all for the work of the LORD.

In whatever circumstances remain and continue in the LORD knowing that your labor is not in vain in the LORD.

Like Paul he remain until he see Christ.

Philippians 1:6

Remember this Church, this is not about me, about you, about us, a life worthy of living is about CHRIST ALONE being exalted through us, to the glory and praise of God.

Simply love God.

Matthew 22

*** END ***