The Christian Mission is to Magnify Christ

Welcome

Good morning. I’m happy to share with you all for the first time, that Kalie and I are engaged. I know I can say for both of us that we are incredibly excited about get married. We are just scratching the surface of wedding planning, so if you would be praying that we get great discounts and that everything runs smoothly, we would appreciate that.

Introduction

A regular conversation that Kalie and I have been having lately is how we’re going to make our marriage count. We don’t want to waste our relationship on ourselves or spend our energy on silly pursuits, but we really do want to live our lives together in a way that honors Christ and makes his name great. And so, it’s fitting that we’re here this morning, as we continue our series in Philippians, which tells us what it means and what it looks like to partner in the Gospel.

Why give yourself to the Mission? ()

As we’ve been working through , it’s clear that Paul’s greatest passion is Jesus. His life had been marked by the Gospel, so much so that he began to see every situation as an opportunity to share it with others. He rejoiced because he could see the gospel advancing, despite bad situations and bad intentions. In our text this morning, we’ll get to see a bit more of Paul’s heart and will hopefully begin to understand why he was so committed to sharing the gospel.

As we’ve been working through , it’s clear that Paul’s greatest passion is Jesus. His life had been marked by the Gospel, so much so that he began to see every situation as an opportunity to share it with others. He rejoiced because he could see the gospel advancing, despite bad situations and bad intentions. Now, in verses 19-26

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What does the Mission look like? ()

As we walk through , Paul tells us that the Christian Mission is to Magnify Christ. Every day, we have the opportunity to share something with the world. Not only what we do, but also how we do them communicates our greatest passions and our life’s purpose. As we work though the passage, I’d like you to ask yourself, “What message am I communicating to the world?”

Our text this morning is . If you have your Bibles, please join me in the reading of God’s Word.

Philippians 1:19–26 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. 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. 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. 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.

Prayer

Exposition

Our text this morning tells us that the Christian Mission is to Magnify Christ.

Our text is divided neatly, but not evenly, into two sections. In verses 19-20, Paul shows us why we should magnify Christ. In the remaining verses, Paul shows us what it looks like to magnify Christ.

Our text is divided neatly, but not evenly, into two sections. In verses 19-20, Paul shows us why we should magnify Christ. In verses 21-26, Paul shows us what it looks like to magnify Christ.

In this first section, Paul tells us the why. Why should we spend our lives trying to magnify Christ? Paul knew that he would ultimately have to stand before God and give an account for everything he did throughout his life this side of eternity. How’d I come up with that from these verses? I’m so glad you asked.

with an expression of confidence. Although the apostle was held in contempt by Roman officials, by those outside of the church, and even by some within the church, the apostle knew that his steadfast commitment to the gospel would ultimately bring about his vindication.

In verse 19, Paul declares, “Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, this will turn out for my deliverance.” This verse is so unique that many often misunderstand what Paul is trying to say here.

Many scholars interpret this verse as though Paul were saying that as the gospel continued to spread, people would turn their attention to the Christian movement, so much so that the Roman authorities would need to take action. In other words, Paul believed that his trial would be brought before Caesar sooner rather than later. Should he be granted the opportunity to defend his case, Paul would certainly be released.

This view has some support. In verse 25, he assures the Philippians that he will remain - that is, not die - so that he might continue his ministry. Later in 2:24, he writes, “I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.” So, there is at least some weight to the view that Paul believed he would be released from prison. But is that what he is actually saying here?

There are two difficulties with this view.

First, the Greek word σωτηρία is used 45 times throughout the New Testament. Only here is it translated “deliverance.” 43 times, it is understood in terms of salvation. Once, it is used in reference to the sustaining power of food. This doesn’t rule out deliverance as a possible translation, but it does make it an unlikely translation.

Second, the phrase, “this will be my salvation” is that it isn’t original to Paul. Here, Paul quotes word for word from .

As it concerns our first problem, the word most Bibles read as “deliverance” comes from the . For all you theology nerds, this is where we get the word soteriology. 43 out of 45 times it’s used in the NT, it’s translated save or salvation, once it refers the sustaining power of food, but only here is it translated “deliverance.” Is this the best translation?

In the original text, Job is responding to the accusations levied against him by his “friends,” who were accusing him of sin and believe that he’s suffering far less than he actually deserves. And so Job responds:

Those who favor “deliverance” here believe that Paul expects his imminent release from prison.

What’s interesting about the phrase, “this will lead to my salvation” is that it isn’t original to Paul. Here, Paul actually quoting from . In the original text, Job is responding to the accusations levied against him by his “friends,” who were accusing him of sin and believe that he’s suffering far less than he actually deserves. And so Job responds:

Job 13:16 ESV

This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him.

Job 13:13–16 ESV

“Let me have silence, and I will speak, and let come on me what may. Why should I take my flesh in my teeth and put my life in my hand? Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face. This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him.

What about this Job’s situation resonated with Paul so much that he would quote verbatim, “this will be my salvation?” Could it be that, like Job, Paul not only endured suffering, but also endured harsh words and accusations from those who claimed to be friends? Be mindful of the fact that Paul not only faced opposition from outside the church, but also from other Christians, who sought to afflict him in his imprisonment.

Here, Paul’s not saying, “This will lead to my release,” but this will be my salvation. Despite all of the accusations that were levied against Paul, despite those who believed Paul had been imprisoned for some wrong-doing, Paul knew there would come a day when he, like Job, would come face to face with God to give an account for everything he did throughout his life this side of eternity.

As it concerns the second problem, there are two ways to understand the “this” in verse 19. Some believe that “this” refers to Paul’s imprisonment. Those who take this view assert Paul’s imprisonment will lead to his salvation or his vindication. But imprisonment for imprisonment’s sake doesn’t make you a saint. I believe the “this” here refers to Paul’s commitment to gospel proclamation.

This is expressed more clearly in verse 20, which reads, “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.”

As verse 20 reveals, Paul’s focus was not on his present circumstance, but on his future justification before God. Without a doubt, Paul was afforded every opportunity and faced every temptation to renounce his faith and distance himself from Christ. He should have been ashamed of his chains, but he valued Christ too much. And because , he could not bear thoughts of renunciation or neglect. He could not bear the thought of bringing shame to the very person who had given him life - true and everlasting life.

And so, Paul made it his mission to magnify Christ in his body. As long as breathe filled his lungs, his life was purposed by proclaiming the glory of Christ. Whether by life or by death reflects the apostle’s conviction that Jesus’ honor is worth more than both earthly comforts and earthly life.

A similar sentiment is shared by the old American Baptist Foreign Mission Society, who’s emblem portrays an ox standing between a plough and an altar, with the motto, “Ready for either”—ready to spend and be spent in labor, or to be a sacrifice; whichever the Lord pleases.”

“The emblem of the American Baptist Foreign Missionary Society is an ox standing between a plough and an altar, with the motto, “Ready for either”—ready to spend and be spent in labor, or to be a sacrifice; whichever the Lord pleases.”

Whether Paul had been released soon thereafter or he had been executed by Roman officials, he knew that his faithfulness to the gospel depended on their prayers and the help of the Spirit.

This is so important for us to realize. One of the greatest temptations we face as we try to live lives that honor God is that we believe it depends on how hard we try, apart from grace. Without a doubt, we are called to give all of our efforts and all of our energy to magnifying Christ, but we must always remain grace-driven and not self-driven.

This is what Paul means in , which reads:

1 Corinthians 15:10 ESV

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

Here, we must recognize the grace that God gives us, by way of his Spirit and by way of his Church. Through the Spirit and through the Church, we are edified, encouraged, and equipped for every good work.

And so, as Paul sat in a cell, day after day awaiting his trial, he continued to magnify Christ, encouraged by the prayers of other Christians and sustained by the help of the Spirit. This allowed him to rejoice, knowing that his faithful commitment to the gospel would one day afford him the opportunity to stand before God, unashamed in his presence.

So, that is the why of why we should magnify Christ. Each one of us will have to stand before God to give an account. Let us commit ourselves to these words, that Paul later gives, in

2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

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In verses 21-26, Paul shows us what it looks like to magnify Christ, whether by life or by death.

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Jim Elliott: “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

Jim Elliott: “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

The emblem of the American Baptist Foreign Missionary Society is an ox standing between a plough and an altar, with the motto, “Ready for either”—ready to spend and be spent in labor, or to be a sacrifice; whichever the Lord pleases.

Ben Witherington III, Paul’s Letter to the Philippians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Company, 2011), 86.

This section begins with a coffee cup verse, in which Paul declares, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Perhaps, he shifts attention to this distinction between life and death, because both life and death remained the table for Paul, as he awaited trial for his partnership in the gospel.

as he remained a prisoner of Rome and awaited trial for his partnership in the gospel. Here, he makes a statement that should resonate with every Christian - that is, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Verse 21 opens with a unique, Pauline twist on a popular Greek saying. “To live is Christ,” or zēn Christos, would have sounded nearly identical to the saying saying zēn chrestos, which means “life is good.”

zēn Christos is Paul’s turn of phrase on a popular Greek saying

zēn chrestos,

Without a doubt, there are many good things we can build our life on. I could say, “To live is Kalie,” “To live is fiancee,” or “To live is wedding.” Those are very much realities in my life right now.

There are many things we can center our life on. There are many things that we can make our life about.

But others might say that family is life, job is life, or church is life. We can put anything in that blank, but not one of those things is better than a life centered on Christ.

When Paul says to live is Christ, he is saying first and foremost that Jesus is his greatest passion. Again, we look to , where he writes, “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” Everything situation Paul encountered became an opportunity to know Jesus better and more intimately. In this way, he magnified Christ to himself.

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Philippians 3:7 ESV

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

When Paul says to live is Christ, he is also saying Jesus is his greatest purpose. Paul’s life became a testimony to God’s grace, a proclamation of God’s redemptive love. Whether in a cell or in a synagogue, working with tents or sacred texts, his life had been re-oriented around the gospel, so much so that every situation became an opportunity to proclaim the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. And in this way, he magnified Christ to the world.

Should we say with Paul that to live is Christ, then we are declaring that our great passion and our greatest purpose is magnifying Jesus, both to ourselves and to others.

Paul follows this with a declaration that to die is gain. He was not thinking about death here as a means of escape. Many people, in times of desperation understand death as an end to pain, suffering, and trouble. For Paul, it is more than that. Death is not only an end to those things, but the beginning of something else.

In verse 23, Paul reveals that death means not only departing from these things, but more importantly to be with Christ. Paul wasn’t seeking death, so much as he was seeking better communion with Christ. He sought his adoption into the family of God () and to be clothed in righteousness. He says later in

Philippians 3:9–11 ESV

and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Only because he first said that “to live is Christ,” could he honestly say that “to die is gain.” Had he made his life about anything else, death would not look so sweet. One scholar comments,

“Verse 21 constitutes a powerful test for us all. Put a blank after the phrase ‘to live is’ and another blank after the phrase ‘and to die is’. How would you fill in the blanks? If you say ‘to live is money’, you must say ‘to die is to leave it all behind’. If you say ‘to live is fame’, you must say ‘to die is to be forgotten’. If you say ‘to live is pleasure’, you must say ‘to die is to lose it all’. But if you can join Paul in saying ‘to live is Christ’, you can also join him in saying ‘to die is gain’.” (Roger Ellsworth, Opening up Philippians)

Verse 21 constitutes a powerful test for us all. Put a blank after the phrase ‘to live is’ and another blank after the phrase ‘and to die is’. How would you fill in the blanks? If you say ‘to live is money’, you must say ‘to die is to leave it all behind’. If you say ‘to live is fame’, you must say ‘to die is to be forgotten’. If you say ‘to live is pleasure’, you must say ‘to die is to lose it all’. But if you can join Paul in saying ‘to live is Christ’, you can also join him in saying ‘to die is gain’.

In verses 22-26, we encounter what looks to be a strange Pros and Cons list, which reveals the tension Paul experiences as he faces the uncertain prospects of both life and death.

Not knowing what lied ahead, Paul weighs the benefits of both life and death. Simply, he preferred death, but he also knew that to keep on living would further the cause of the gospel. Although Paul wanted to depart to be with Christ, he concluded it was more necessary to continue in ministry.

The the closing verse reflect Paul’s “decision” - better yet, his resolution - to continue in ministry. A longer ministry for Paul would bring about greater maturity and greater joy in Christ for the Philippians.

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Application

So, what do we do with a message like this? tells us that the Christian Mission is to Magnify Christ! But I just can’t end this sermon, telling you that all you have to do is magnify Christ. If I said that, it wouldn’t work. Sharing that alone isn’t going to bring about faithful commitment to gospel. So what do we do?

Spend our lives learning to love Christ with all of our hearts, souls, and strength.

We need to dedicate our lives to praying for one another.

We need to continuously ask, “How does the gospel inform this situation?”

While we live and minister to one another, make it a point to make each other glad in God.

We need to determine whether we want our lives to count for something more important than ourselves.

Prayer

At the end of his life, Paul knew that he would have to stand before God to give an account for everything he did this side of eternity. He had this overwhelming desire, not fear, to please God and honor Christ. Why? Because he had seen the good work that God had begun in his life. He had found Jesus as his greatest treasure. He would spend his life for the sake of the gospel. He would magnify Christ.

Prayer