The Christ Centered Life

JANUARY 31, 2021 STUDY NOTES PHILIPPIANS 1:21 BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES THE CHRIST CENTERED LIFE INTRODUCTION Paul continues with his line of thinking found in the previous verse, Php 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. If Paul lived, his life would be lived for Christ, if he died, he would die serving Christ What a testimony, Paul’s life was a Christ centered life, Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Good questions for each of us are, “Who is the center of my life?” What is my life centered upon? Am I serving self or am I serving Christ? How important is Christ to my life? Is Christ more meaningful to you today than He has ever been? If not, why not? Verse 21 is one of the most profound statements that a Christian could ever make Php 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. This verse is often quoted, but how often is it fully comprehended? It is of such significance to our Christian life that it must be studied word for word “For” takes us back to verse 20, Paul’s goal in life was to “magnify Christ in his body” “In his body” refers to the daily that he lives, all that he says and all that he does, 1Co 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. “To me” identifies how personal this decision really was, Paul’s words were very meaningful to him How meaningful is the truth of this verse to you? The answer is found in the way you are living Make a personal survey, what do you most commonly think about? Where do you go or where do you want to go? What do you want to do when you get there? Be honest with your answers, look in the mirror when you answer, know who you are talking about Be as concerned about the truth of your life as Paul was We need to consider the one who made such a statement, Paul did not always live for Christ We first find him in scripture as “Saul,” Act 8:3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. He was persecuting those who lived for Christ, Act 9:1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, So, what happened to this man that brought about such a change in his life? We not only find in him a name change, we find a life changing experience, he met Jesus, Act 9:3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: Act 9:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? Act 9:5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. (Saul was resisting God) Saul was already under conviction because of what he witnessed in Acts 7, the stoning of Stephen, Act 7:58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. Page 1 of 6 God was working in the life of Saul through the Christ centered life of Stephen Paul’s statement in Philippians 1:21 was based upon the decision he made on the Damascus Road, Act 9:6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. Paul made a life-long commitment when he said, “Lord, what will you have me to do?” Do you remember when Jesus came to you and you realized you needed Jesus? And you made a commitment of your life to Jesus, how strong is that commitment today? Paul’s words not only represent his view of life, they reveal his example of life I don’t know how many times I have heard people say don’t look at me, look at Jesus A statement that contradicts scripture and the purpose of God for our life You may think I am now chasing a rabbit, maybe so, but it is a rabbit that needs to be caught A study of Christian example is one of the greatest needs in churches throughout America today As I began to search scripture for such a study I began to wonder if there was a stopping point Listen to this man Paul, Paul invited others to follow him, 1Co 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. The word “followers” means to mimic or to imitate, they were to be an imitator of the life of Paul Paul tells us why he was able to say that, 1Co 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Paul said, “Come follow me and I will lead you to Christ,” can we say the same thing? We must have Christians in our church family that we can imitate and learn more about Christ Paul says to put into practice the things that you have seen in me, Php 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. The Thessalonians who had followed the example of Paul were now following Christ, 1Th 1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: When Paul said, “You became followers of us, and of the Lord,” his words were in correct order Today it is common among Christians to reverse the order of what Paul said Many think that Paul should have said that they became followers of the Lord and then of us It seems that the Lord’s name should have been first, but Paul has the correct order God’s plan for the Christian is to lead people to Jesus by the way they live their lives The Thessalonians were changed because they witnessed the lives of Paul and his co-workers They did more than just listen to their teaching they saw Christ centered lives They saw Paul before they saw Jesus, and then they saw Jesus in Paul They set their minds upon becoming like Paul, and Paul led them to become like Jesus The Thessalonians needed someone to show them how to live the lifestyle of a Christian The Thessalonians patterned their life after the example set by Paul, Silas, and Timothy What they saw in Paul and his co-workers became a part of their life Having received Christ they were now representing Christ by being an example to others, 1Th 1:7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. Paul said that they were “examples,” which means that they were now a model to follow The word “example” means “a print left,” the impression left after the blow had been struck The lifestyle of the Thessalonians struck a blow with other Christians The Thessalonians left their mark upon the lives of other Christians They were now a pattern to follow, the imitators became those who were to be imitated All Christians need models to show them how to live their new life in Christ All Christians need to see the Christ-like example in other believers, the Christ centered life Paul said to “mark” those who are the living examples of Christ, Php 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. Page 2 of 6 “Mark” is a word which means “to pay attention to,” we are to pay attention to faithful Christians Paul tells us to look at those who are faithful, to behold them, to take note of them The church of today must have Christians that they can watch and follow New converts and young Christians should have someone that they can watch and imitate They should be able to look at us and learn how to live the Christian life Satan tells the world to look at the Christian who is out of line and living in a disorderly manner Paul says don’t follow those who are disorderly, 2Th 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. We are to follow those who are Christian examples, 2Th 3:7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Paul continually had in mind his personal testimony before others, 2Th 3:8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 2Th 3:9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. Today we must be “followers of God,” Eph 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; The author of Hebrews instructs believers to look to their leaders as examples, Heb 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. The church of today must have Godly leaders and Godly members who are Christian examples Christian examples who are living according to the faith, so that others can follow their faith, Heb 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Paul instructed Timothy to be an example to other believers, 1Ti 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Paul also instructed Titus to be an example, Tit 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, The word “pattern” is the same Greek word translated “example” in 1 Timothy 4:12 and 1 Peter 5:3 Peter said that church leaders are to be an example to the flock, 1Pe 5:3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. So according to scripture, church leaders are to be an example to church membership So that church membership will become an example for others to follow All Christians and especially church leaders should make an impression upon the lives of others As Christians we must make our mark and leave an impression on the world that is without Jesus We cannot be an example to a lost world until we make an impression upon those who are saved You cannot be an example to those who are saved without leaving a mark on those who are lost If you want to show the love of God to a lost sinner, start by loving the family of God If you want a lost world to see Jesus, start by ministering to your church family Be an example to the lost and hell-bound world by being kind and gracious to your church family Sometimes Christians will show more kindness to strangers than they will to their own loved ones They will try to be kind to people all day at work or school, then come home and be unkind Taking out their daily frustrations and being unkind to the ones they love the most Your kindness will have no power or influence when that is true There will be no true example or a testimony of kindness or love, you cannot fake it Satan does not want us to have a powerful influence for Christ, to live a Christ centered life The primary target of Satan is the family and the church, his goal is to destroy both If there is no Christian example in the family, there will be no Christian example in the world If there is no Christian example in the church, there will be no Christian example in the world Page 3 of 6 Satan will do everything possible to destroy the Christian example Your Christian life will either encourage or discourage other believers We should imitate the Godly qualities of life that we see in other Christians As Christians we ought to be a clear living example of the Christ-like life for others to follow Our goal should be to live just like Christ and invite others to follow us to Jesus That is how God wants us to live, our life must tell the truth of the gospel Our life must be a living invitation for others to receive Christ Paul gave serious thought to the life he lived upon the earth, Php 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. “To live” refers to Paul’s physical life, the life that he was living upon earth Our physical life is important to all of us, we all have the desire to live longer, but why? It encourages me and gives me hope when the doctor says come back in a year We all like to think that we have another year or even more to live But what do we plan to do with the rest of our life? Most likely your current plans are to continue doing whatever you have been doing We need to make a sincere study of what Paul tells us in the following verses of Philippians 1 God has a purpose for allowing us to live another day, we must fulfill that purpose Many people have a difficult time trying to determine the purpose of their life And they live a troubled life because they are not living for Christ on a daily basis Many who have faced the possibility of death say for some reason God allowed them to live Paul’s words can be interpreted to read, “for me to go on living,” I will live for Christ How would you complete the statement, “for me to go on living ______________? Would it be fame, fortune, leisure, pleasure, worldliness, sin? You can’t leave it blank even if you try, the life that you are living has already answered the question For many people to live is: Worldly riches, to attain more for selfish reasons (Read 1 Timothy 6:9-10) Worldly pleasure, fulfilling the desires of the flesh (Read 1 John 2:15-17) Worldly fame, for self to be glorified instead of doing His will (Read Hebrews 13:20-21) One other point, whatever your answer is, can you take it with you when you die? Remember, only that which is done for Christ will last, all else will be lost Are we willing to say with Paul, Rom 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. Paul believed that without Christ as the Lord of his life, life was not worth living That is why he said, “For me to live “Is Christ”—Why would Paul live for Christ? The truth of this verse is based upon what Paul knew about Jesus Christ, His person and His work Jesus Christ is the one who died for us, 1Pe 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: Jesus arose from the dead, He lives, He lives in us so that His life can be lived in us, Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Jesus is coming again and He will come in glory, Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And we will be glorified with Him, Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. For a Christian to live any other way than for the glory of Christ is to commit spiritual adultery, Jas 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Page 4 of 6 whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. When he says, “You adulterous people, he is not referring to “adultery” in a literal sense He speaks of “spiritual adultery” which is often found in Scripture Spiritual adultery speaks of the unfaithfulness of God’s people “Adulterous” refers to those who were neglecting their duties toward God and turning to worldliness James calls that illicit love affair, “friendship with the world” The word “friend” has the meaning of a companion, one that you want to spend time with You want to spend time with them because you have fallen in love with them “Friendship” has the meaning of “an intense and deep affection,” meaning “to fall in love” Worldly “friendship” is easy to identify, you love other books more than you love the Bible You love worldly pleasures more than you love to pray or minister to others When there is something on Sunday that is more important than church Worldly ways have become so common that many church goers don’t even see them Another problem we face is the life changes due to the coronavirus pandemic Christians are spending more time at home and less time going places and doing things Many Christians are spending less time in church than ever before So, what are you doing with more free time? What do you do on Sunday if you are not in church? Satan will present our free time as an opportunity to be a “friend with the world” Do not allow Satan to steal your spiritual insight, stand strong as a Christian Don’t spend all-of your free time with Satan and the world, turn off the TV, lay aside the cell phone What an opportunity we have-to spend time with God in Bible study and prayer We need “Heavenly Wisdom” that comes from God’s Word, we need prayer, and we need it now You need prayer, our world needs prayer, America needs prayer, your community needs prayer Your family needs prayer, your church family needs prayer, your neighbors need prayer Paul’s words have never been more important to us, 1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing. What a time it is to learn about, look for, and love the return of Jesus, Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Take a good look at your love for Christ and your desire to live for Christ during these difficult times It is time to love God and one another, to communicate with God through Bible study and prayer Use our present circumstances as an opportunity to communicate with family and friends Get on the phone and talk to one another, don’t spend all-of your time talking about the negatives Cheer one another up, laugh together, share the joy of Jesus that coronavirus cannot take away Get your joy from the Word of God and then get on the phone and spread that joy Paul knew what life upon this earth was about, so many today do not understand why they are still alive He had no fear of living, no fear of dying, so many today do not understand death for a Christian Paul said, “And to die is gain” Paul refers to the time of his physical death, the end of his life upon earth, and the consequences of dying The only thought that most people have toward death is that they don’t want to die How close to death is any one of us? One last breath, one final heartbeat, life is like a vapor, Jas 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. Life never ceases to exist, death is only the end of the physical life upon the earth, but life continues Jesus taught us that truth in Luke 16 where he compares the life and death of two men, they both died, Luk 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; (Life continued for both of them) Death for the rich man was the beginning of an eternal loss, pain, and torment, Luk 16:23 And in hell he Page 5 of 6 lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Luk 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. For those who live their life without Christ death is a total loss, but it is not the end For those who are lost death is the end of “good things,” Luk 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. Jesus is telling us what Paul is telling us, for the Christian “to die is gain” The word “gain” has the meaning of “profit” or a big advantage You can never say “To die is gain” unless you can also say “For to me to live is Christ” If you cannot say “To live is Christ,” how can you be sure that “to die is gain?” So, what is the gain, the profit, the benefits? There are many, let me just mention a few We no longer face the trials and troubles of this world, 2Co 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; We enter-into an eternal relationship with the Lord, 2Co 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. For the Christian death is not an exit from life, it is the entrance into an eternal existence with God Christians have everything to live for, the Christian life is the only life worth living Christians have everything to die for, the death of a Christian is the only death worth dying Our testimony must be “Christ alone” whether it be life or death Listen to the song Page 6 of 6