Jesus is Better.
Notes
Transcript
Intro: In our world we live in the present based on how we want our future to look.
Live in a rental to save money to buy a house.
Fix up the nursery when a baby is on the way.
Have a portion of our paycheck go into a retirement fund.
Don’t eat out as much so you can save for that trip or purchase.
We practice this discipline all the time. Sadly, the one thing in the future that is most important is often what we prioritize least in our daily lives and that is eternity with Jesus. Today we are going to see from our text that we are called to be faithful in the present because our future is so much better.
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, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 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. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
Present perspective in how he is to live and now that though develops by thinking about His future in the present.
Yes, I will rejoice.
1. Faith for the Moment. (vs. 18b-20a)
Paul is in jail and awaiting trial.
He has a faith that through the prayers of the saints and the work of the Spirit with turn out for his deliverance.
13 “Let me have silence, and I will speak, and let come on me what may. 14 Why should I take my flesh in my teeth and put my life in my hand? 15 Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face. 16 This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him. 17 Keep listening to my words, and let my declaration be in your ears. 18 Behold, I have prepared my case; I know that I shall be in the right.
Paul is quoting Job 13:16 in our passage and in doing so he is connecting his faith in the moment to the same faith Job had.
Job’s unbelieving friends are rebuked.
Job knows God will deliver him and the Godless will be judged correctly.
So he has this eager expectation and hope in the moment.
Christmas morning
2. Faith for the Better. (vs. 20b-24)
...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.
So Paul sees that this deliverance that he is eagerly awaiting can either be the judge setting him free or sentencing him to death and Paul says in either way, no matter what, Christ will be honored.
Not just a win/win but that Jesus will be honored either way. - Not selfish motives but Christ Centered motives.
How can he say that? How can he say, that with full confidence, Christ will be honored?
Paul understands something about Jesus and His work.
Jesus is better.
In all my sorrows, Jesus is better
In every victory, Jesus is better
Than any comfort, Jesus is better
More than all riches, Jesus is better
And our souls declaring, Jesus is better
And our song eternal, Jesus is better
GOSPEL
Then Paul struggles with the battle that all people who see Jesus clearly battle with. I just want to be with Him, now.
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
Paul recognizes the tension.
One is good - fruitful labor - a life serving Jesus
One is better - being with Jesus
3. Faith for the Purpose. (vs. 25-26)
Convinced of what is best for others, Paul works through the struggle, and is set on being ready to serve them in the future, so that Christ get the glory in their rejoicing when he comes to them again.
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
So what do we learn from this text today?
Your Long term faith effects your present attitudes and actions.
See your current moments in light of future deliverance.
Have your life goal being confident before Jesus on judgement day because you saw Jesus is better in you present.
Serve others before self.