Good News: The Gospel Answers Life's Toughest Questions
Notes
Transcript
Philippians 1:18-26
What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
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, 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.
Well, 2020 handed us another doozy of a week. Another week of violence. Another week of racial tension. Another week of division in our country. Another week where we saw the death of beloved celebrities, and even among our church family, some of you lost loved ones.
I believe that everything that we’ve experienced lately has people asking themselves some tough questions. Questions like What is the meaning of life? What is my purpose? What is my standard for morality? How do I determine what’s right and wrong? What happens when I die? We often call these tough questions existential questions because they have to do with our very existence. If you’ve never asked yourself these questions, you definitely should. The answers to these difficult questions really shape the way that you live your life. They will determine what you value. They will create your identity. Many people spend their entire lives trying to figure out the answers to these questions. But if you are here and you are a follower of Christ, I have some good news. The Gospel has the answers to life’s toughest questions.
In our text this morning, it seems that Paul had spent some time thinking through these important questions. Remember, at this time, Paul is in prison and he is awaiting his trial. But while he is awaiting his trial, he has been spreading the gospel, and he has taken the time to write a letter to his beloved friends at the church in Philippi who are concerned about his well being. To be honest, he is not sure what the outcome will be. He knows that he has done nothing wrong, but he also knows that this imprisonment could still result in his death. Most of the book of Philippians is Paul encouraging the believers toward greater unity and faith, but before that, Paul is going to make several statements that really tell us what Paul is all about. We could call this Paul’s mission statement or his manifesto. The key verse, the lynch pin of the thoughts that Paul is trying to convey is verse Philippians 1:21
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
This is another one of those well-known, often quoted verses from the book of Philippians. What did Paul mean by For him to live is Christ? And what could Paul possibly gain from death? Well, let’s unpack what Paul was talking about in this verse, and I believe that it will give us the answer to many of life’s toughest questions.
First thing Paul wanted the believers to know is that he
I. Delighted in Christ
I. Delighted in Christ
Philippians 1:18
What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
Yes, and I will rejoice,
We covered the first part of verse 18 last week, but I wanted to quickly mention it again. Paul found his joy in the fact that the gospel was being proclaimed. It didn’t matter that he was in prison. It didn’t matter that some were preaching the gospel with impure motives. Paul found extreme joy in the fact the gospel was being preached, and people were believing in Christ.
But then at the end of verse 18, Paul says “Yes, and I will rejoice.” Remember, Paul is facing an uncertain future. He doesn’t know if after his trial he will live or face death. So what Paul is saying here is first he will rejoice right now in the present because the gospel is being proclaimed. But he will receive joy in the future no matter what the outcome of this trial. He had pre-determined that whatever happened to him, he was going to have joy.
Rejoicing consistently, especially through trials and uncertainty is great indication of where our heart truly lies. We rejoice in what we value. When we rejoice even through trials, it shows people in the world that nothing on this earth is important enough to take away God’s joy from your life. Everything else could fall apart, but the believer can never lose his greatest treasure, which is Christ.
Transition: So for Paul to live was to delight in Christ. The proclamation of Christ, and pre-determined joy through his sufferings.But Paul tells us why he is able to have this pre-determined joy.
Philippians 1:19
for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,
Paul had this pre-determined joy because he knew that this situation would turn out for his deliverance. That word used for deliverance there is the same word that is often translated as salvation in the Bible. Now there’s been debate on what deliverance or salvation Paul was talking about here. Some think that Paul is saying that he knows that he will be delivered from jail and will continue serving in ministry. Others believe that Paul thinks he is going to die and the salvation he is referring to is his glorification when he goes to heaven. And to both of those thoughts, I would say yes! This whole passage, Paul takes about whether he lives or dies, everything is going to be OK. So I believe what Paul is trying to say here is that whatever the outcome, I am going to be delivered. Whether that deliverance means I’m freed from prison and I get to continue my ministry. Or that deliverance means that I’m killed and I get to be with Jesus. Either way, I WILL be delivered.
So Paul is able to have pre-determined joy because he is
II. Dependent on Christ
II. Dependent on Christ
Paul is completely dependent on the sovereignty of God. He knows that God deliver in him in the way he deems best. But notice how Paul is able to be dependent on Christ. It’s through the prayers of the saints and the help of the Spirit of Jesus. There is no way that Paul can have the attitude that he has right now if it were not for the Holy Spirit at work in his life. The Spirit comforts, the Spirit encourages, the Spirit assures us of God’s love and care for us. It’s the Spirit that gives us the power to face any situation head on knowing that God is with us. When we we are living in the power of the Spirit, it completely changes out mindset. Our mind is focused on things above and not on things of this earth. We can truly depend on Christ because it is through Him that we have life. Romans 8:6
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Every believer possess the Holy Spirit.
But notice there is a definite link between prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:26 says
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
If you didn’t know. Now you know. Prayer is important. Prayer is the means that God has ordained to affect change in the life of the believer. We don’t need to mistakes the presence of the Spirit in our lives for the moving and influence of the Spirit in our lives. Every believer has the Spirit living in them, but it’s through prayer and communion with God that the Spirit works within us. Time and time through the Scripture we have examples when then people of God prayed, and God stepped in and worked. So we cannot neglect God. If we don’t pray and have others praying with us, it shows that we are truly not dependent upon God. Paul was able to depend on Christ because of the prayers of fellow believers and through the help of the Holy Spirit.
Transition: For Paul, to live was to delight in Christ, to be dependent on Christ, and third
III. Driven by Christ
III. Driven by Christ
Philippians 1:20
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.
Paul here is confidently asserting his desire and goal for the future. He terms this as his eager expectation and hope. This phrase communicates that this was something that Paul was excited about, this is what he lived for, this was his ultimate ambition. So what was this goal Paul was driven toward?
Paul wanted Christ to be honored by his body whether it was through his life or through his death. Paul said he did not want to be ashamed. Now that sounds particularly interesting for our church. Even Paul says that he wants to live unashamed. Meaning he was not going to be bashful about representing Christ. Remember, Paul is about to stand before Caesar where he is going to have to talk about his faith. He doesn’t want to hold anything back, he wants to stand up and boldly proclaim Christ. So if Caesar allows him to live or Caesar sentences him to death, Christ will receive all the glory and honor due his name. Paul’s entire existence was driven by his desire to honor Christ.
I think our world would be a different place if all Christians were driven to honor Christ and represent him with full courage. We need to pray that God would give us this type of drive. This type of determination to live or even die for the sake of Christ.
Transition: Paul delighted in Christ, was dependent on Christ, Driven by Christ. And that brings us down to verse 21 where we are going to see that Paul was
IV. Defined by Christ
IV. Defined by Christ
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Now the word is was added into English translations for readability, but it is not present in the original Greek. The absence of the verb was used to make a statement dramatically emphatic. So it actually reads. For me to live Christ. Picture it in your mind like
For me to live - Christ For me to live = Christ
For me to live - Christ For me to live = Christ
So what Paul was saying is that everything in his life could be defined by Christ. So if you were to ask Paul where does he find his identity. He was would say Christ. What was his purpose in life. He would say Christ. How did he define his sense of morality. He would say Christ. Everything about Paul’s entire existence. All the tough questions could be answered with one word. Christ.
Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20
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.
Paul basically says that when he came to Christ, Paul ceased to exist, and all that’s left is Jesus. Does Christ define our lives?
Paul said “For me” to live is Christ. This was a personal decision that Paul had made that worked it way out into the public eye. And each of us have to make the same decision. If we were boil everything down to just one word to define our life. What is it the gives us purpose? What is it that gives our life meaning? What is it that directs our paths? Would it be Christ?
There’s a plethora of other things that people might define their life with. Those without Christ often try to define their lives substitutes like money, success, sex, power, beauty, entertainment. People often find their fulfillment in their occupation. So you may hear something like my job is my life. So they devote most of their time, energy, and devotion to their job. Or my family is my life. So the primary focus of their life is their family. Growing up we used to say ball is life. And I lived that! I always said basketball isn’t a game, it’s a lifestyle. I took my basketball everywhere I went. Including when I went to bed. Because ball was life. And don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing wrong with being devoted to your job, loving your family, and being dedicated to basketball. But if these are the things that define our life as a Christian. We have a problem. Something is out of order.
Transition: Paul was able to for him to live is Christ because he was defined by Christ, and he was able to say to die is gain because he desired Christ
V. Desired Christ
V. Desired Christ
Just like with the first phrase, the word is was added for clarity. So you can picture it as.
To Die - Gain , To Die = Gain
To Die - Gain , To Die = Gain
Paul is emphasizing here that if you live for Christ, when he dies he is actually going to gain something. It’s the same thing that he lived for - Christ. Now Paul is not saying here that he is contemplating suicide or even promoting martyrdom. But his greatest desire is Christ, and if he dies, he is going to be with Christ. He says in verse Philippians 1:23
I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
That word desire is the same word that is often translated as lust in the Bible. It refers to a a strong, utmost desire. The word depart was often used to describe a ship that had cut the ropes from the dock and set sail. See it has the idea of being loosed or set free. So Paul’s greatest desire is to be set free from the struggles and cares of this world and to go be with Jesus. He has so much to gain if he dies.
See if you define life with anything other than Christ, when you die you are going to lose something.
If to live is money, then to die is being broke with your family fighting over your money
If to live is sexual pleasure, then to die is no more pleasure
If to live is power, then to die is being powerless.
I think you get the picture here. If there’s anything else in that blank other than Christ, when you die, you’re at a loss.
But when you die as Christ as the center of your life, you gain. Because at the moment of your death, you will be with Jesus. You will finally see him as He is. You will behold the glory of God. When we talk about heaven we often talk about seeing the gates of pearl, and walking the streets of gold. We talk about the place that Jesus said He was preparing for us. We think about being healed from ailments and diseases. Being reunited with loved ones that have passed on before us. And all those things about heaven are true and awesome. But the best part of heaven. What we should most be looking forward to is that we will be with our Lord and Savior for all of eternity.
Paul found himself in a dilemma. He didn’t know if he would rather keep living for Christ or die and be able to meet Christ. Philippians 1:22-24
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.
Now Paul wasn’t going to be able to decide his own fate, but he is deliberating between these two options. If Paul kept living, he would be able to do more fruitful labor for the sake of Christ. But if he died, he would be able to be with Christ which he believed would be much better. But Paul says that it would be better for him to remain alive for the sake of the Philippian church. Paul believed that there was still some development in the church that needed to be done, and he couldn’t do that if he was no longer living on earth.
Paul brings up a great point. Wouldn’t it be much better for all of us just to go to heaven? The desire for Christians to be with Jesus is a very healthy desire. So what is the purpose for us remaining here on this earth? If all our hope and desire is truly in Christ, why don’t just choose to be with Him? Well, we must all understand like Paul, that there is still work for us to do. God will take us home when our work on earth is complete, but until then we need to continue the good and fruitful work that Paul mentioned before.
Transition: So what did Paul ultimately decide was best? To keep living for Christ which meant
VI. Discipling Chrsitians
VI. Discipling Chrsitians
Philippians 1:25-26
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.
This was the unselfish choice. Paul’s real choice here was between what was best for him and what was best for others. Paul could have prayed that Caesar would get angry at him in sentenced him to death, and perhaps God would have answered his prayer. But Paul did not pray that way. He was fully convinced that God still had work for him to do, especially with the believers in Philippi.
He said that if he remained, the believers would progress. They would grow, they would mature. He would teach, encourage, and reprove them through the Word of God so they would become more like Christ. And as they progressed, it would bring them joy. Because as Paul has been saying since the beginning of this letter, true, lasting joy comes as the result of a deep relationship with Christ.
Then Paul finishes this section by saying that if he remains, the Philippians would have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus when he came to them again. And what Paul is saying is that when he is delivered from jail, the Philippians will be able to glorify God because they have seen their prayers answered.
In the Greek, there are no words in between the two phrases “in me” and “in Christ Jesus”. And furthermore, the order is switched around. So it reads more like you will have cause to glory in Christ Jesus in me. This further illustrates that it was not Paul that was going to cause them to glory in Christ, but what Jesus was doing in Paul should cause them lift up the name of Jesus.
Chrisitians. The reason that God has left us here on earth is so that we would make disciples of all nations. We are to proclaim to them Christ. Teach them of His death burial and resurrection. Lead them to start following Christ through baptism. And then, we are to help them progress in their faith so that they can experience the fulness of the joy that comes with a relationship with Christ. Our goal is that people would see the Jesus in us, and it will cause them to glorify God for the work that God has done through us.
Here is the main thought that I want you to remember this morning.
The gospel gives us purpose for our lives and peace for our deaths.
The gospel gives us purpose for our lives and peace for our deaths.
You see the gospel enabled Paul to answer all of life’s toughest questions. His life had purpose and meaning. Where did he find joy in delight? in Christ. What was the rock that he leaned on during difficult times - Christ. What gave him the drive to wake up every morning - Christ. What defined his identity (his viewpoint, his morality, his standards) - Christ. What was his greatest desire- Christ. And what was he going to do while he was still on earth? Disciple others toward Christ. The gospel had impacted every single aspect of Paul’s life.
But it also made Paul bold to face death. For him, death was going to be a huge gain. He had comes to terms with the fact that if he died, he was going to spend eternity with Jesus.
Although Paul was in a difficult situation where he could potentially face death, he viewed this as a win-win. Either he was going to continue God’s fruitful work, or he was going to be with Jesus.
Now my question to you this morning is do you think and live this way yourself as a Christian? See our goal this morning is not that we see Paul’s mental framework and admire it. We should be seeking to copy this into our own way of thinking and living.
Now I think most of us would say that we have the same desire as Paul to honor Christ with out lives. Christ is our joy, our rock, goal, our standard, and our greatest desire. But if that is true, why do we often live like this life is all there is? Why do we spend excess time and energy making our life here on earth more comfortable when none of these things are going to last? We’ll expend all of our energy. We’lljump through hoops, do backflips, and handstands to acquire more earthly possessions, to make our lives more comfortable, to bring us happiness here on this earth. But we’ll be too tired on Saturday afternoon to make disciples. I think we just really need to take inventory and examine where do we truly find joy? What do I truly depend on? What really is my purpose for being here on earth? If the way that we live doesn’t match what we would say with our mouth, we need to find the disconnect and make adjustments.
Then taking that a step further, are you ready to die? Paul had no fear of what would happen to him when he died. I think it’s natural for us to fear death, but we should never fear what would happen if we died. If you are a believer, you can face death straight on knowing that if you were to die, you would be with Jesus - which would be far better as Paul says.
Paul’s mindset gave him such freedom. There was nothing that could be done to shut Paul up. The worst thing that could happen was that he would die and he determined that would be a gain. He knew that he was going to honor Christ with his life. That was his one great determination. If that meant he got to live for Christ - Great. He was going to devote his life to fulfilling God’s purpose. He was going to run as hard as he could for as long as Christ allowed him to live. But at the same time, he was ready if death came knocking at his door because he would be with his Savior Jesus.
The gospel gives us purpose for our lives and peace for our deaths
The gospel gives us purpose for our lives and peace for our deaths
I just want to encourage you to take a deep look at what am I living for, and what am I willing to die for and the answer should be Christ.
Maybe you are here this morning and you have been asking yourself some of these tough questions and you haven’t been able to answer them. I want to assure you that Jesus has all the answers. Jesus lived a perfect life, but was crucified in order to pay the penalty for your sins, and three days later he rose again in victory. Jesus died and was resurrected that your life might have purpose, to bring you true lasting joy, to give you assurance that beyond this life on earth there is something much much greater. If you want to know more about what it means to follow Jesus, I encourage you to reach out to me following the service, and I would live to get into more detail about how you can become a Christian and find the answers to some of life’s toughest questions.