Do You Want to Leave or Stay?
Notes
Transcript
Leaving or Staying
Paul had a hard time deciding which was better—to go to heaven, or to remain and work for the Lord. It would be much easier to go to heaven. All troubles, problems and heartaches would be over. To remain would mean work, suffering and faithfulness. However, as long as one is upon earth he has the opportunity to witness and win others, as well as to help others be better Christians.
Paul had a hard time deciding which was better—to go to heaven, or to remain and work for the Lord. It would be much easier to go to heaven. All troubles, problems and heartaches would be over. To remain would mean work, suffering and faithfulness. However, as long as one is upon earth he has the opportunity to witness and win others, as well as to help others be better Christians.
Read Philippians 1:19-26
The Prayer for Paul, “For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.”
The Prayer for Paul, “For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.”
“For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.”
19 For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.
It is easy to accept God’s will in things that please us...
It is easy to accept God’s will in things that please us...
7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead?
7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead?
It is harder to accept God’s will in things that bring problems—
It is harder to accept God’s will in things that bring problems—
Paul tells us in: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
The Plea from Paul. “For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.”
The Plea from Paul. “For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.”
20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.
Shameless before Christ, Let’s Compare Paul’s words with the words of Jesus in “If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Shameless before Christ, Let’s Compare Paul’s words with the words of Jesus in “If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Showing Christ in all we do? Do we? Are We? Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit— “19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”
Showing Christ in all we do? Do we? Are We? Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit— “19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”
19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
By our life now with Jesus Christ, Are we Living the new life?— “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
By our life now with Jesus Christ, Are we Living the new life?— “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
Christ is now in us.....Are we aware of this? Paul tells us: “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Christ is now in us.....Are we aware of this? Paul tells us: “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
2. By our death. Compare with . After our death our life speaks as a testimony.
2. By our death. Compare with . After our death our life speaks as a testimony.
The Promotion for Paul. Paul says he is good to go no matter what, living or dying.....AMEN!!!!!
The Promotion for Paul. Paul says he is good to go no matter what, living or dying.....AMEN!!!!!
“For to me, (Paul) living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.”
“For to me, (Paul) living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.”
21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.
“And then he told them, (Jesus) “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.”
“And then he told them, (Jesus) “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.”
15 And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.
To live as Jesus tells us to live. Every day is an opportunity to win others to Christ and fulfill His commands.
To live as Jesus tells us to live. Every day is an opportunity to win others to Christ and fulfill His commands.
(Jesus tells them,) “You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.”
(Jesus tells them,) “You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.”
16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.
The Problem for Paul. What could possibly be a problem for Paul?
The Problem for Paul. What could possibly be a problem for Paul?
Paul’s Choice. What is better—to go to heaven, or to remain on this earth? Heaven will be wonderful, but life here is great! “But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better.”
Paul’s Choice. What is better—to go to heaven, or to remain on this earth? Heaven will be wonderful, but life here is great! “But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better.”
22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better.
Paul had great Concern for constantly doing the work of God. “23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.”
Paul had great Concern for constantly doing the work of God. “23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.”
23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.
Paul was wanting and willing to Continue the work God had for him while alive. Paul was willing to stay and help people. It is easy to want the joys of heaven, but we must be willing to stay and do God’s work.
Paul was wanting and willing to Continue the work God had for him while alive. Paul was willing to stay and help people. It is easy to want the joys of heaven, but we must be willing to stay and do God’s work.
“25 Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. 26 And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me.”
“25 Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. 26 And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me.”
25 Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. 26 And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me.
As Christians we enjoy many blessings because other Christians paid the price for these blessings. Paul and other early church leaders suffered so much for the sake of the gospel. I’m sure they were willing and eager to go to heaven, but God had work for them to do. We will have eternity to enjoy heaven; we have only a short time to help man know Christ. Jesus is coming soon.
As Christians we enjoy many blessings because other Christians paid the price for these blessings. Paul and other early church leaders suffered so much for the sake of the gospel. I’m sure they were willing and eager to go to heaven, but God had work for them to do. We will have eternity to enjoy heaven; we have only a short time to help man know Christ. Jesus is coming soon.
“We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work."...................
“We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work."...................
AMEN
AMEN
4 We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.
Croft M. Pentz, Outlines for Growing Christians, Sermon Outline Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1978), 10–11.