Introduction:

What are these people known for? (PICS)

What if your life for? What is the meaning of your life?

Today we will see what Paul had to say about his life and how we can learn from that today.

Philippians 1:21–30 CSB

For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. I am torn between the two. I long to depart and be with Christ—which is far better— but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that, because of my coming to you again, your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound. Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel, not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your salvation—and this is from God. For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are engaged in the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.

As we break down this passage. There is so much to unpack in just the first sentence.

“For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

This is quite the statement.

It invokes in my mind a statement similar to Patrick Henry “Give me liberty or give me death!”

Looking at the original Greek we see something that is even more revealing about this passage. There word “is” is absent in the original Greek providing a shorter, more declarative statement.

Coupled with the precursor “for me” this seems to be almost a life motto for Paul:

To Live - Christ

To Die - Gain

Paul is expressing that in this life, Christ is what living means, death is gain.

It is an understanding of these two statements that we will first turn today.

To Live is Christ

As we break down this passage. There is so much to unpack in just the first sentence.

We begin with “For me, to live is Christ”

What does Paul mean by this? We mentioned that this appears to be a life motto of sorts for Paul.

This can be seen clearly elsewhere in Scripture Galatians 2:20

Galatians 2:20 CSB

I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

By this understanding it is clear that to live, means Christ, as he says it is no longer he who lives, but Christ in him. This is in response to what Christ did for Him.

In today’s passage he goes on to explain.

“If

As though he is not sure. As though this is a real conversation to him about what he would have happen.

I live on in the flesh,

This expression makes clear that Paul doesn’t view “death” as anything. Death is only a separating device between life in the flesh and life eternal with Christ.

this means fruitful work for me.”

The purpose of him being in the flesh is so that he might work fruitfully.

We see this idea expressed clearly in Romans 6:22

Romans 6:22 CSB

But now, since you have been set free from sin and have become enslaved to God, you have your fruit, which results in sanctification—and the outcome is eternal life!

The life free from sin is a servant of Christ. This life produces fruit while in the flesh.

this is the same idea that Jesus expressed in Matthew 7:17-20

Matthew 7:17–20 CSB

In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So you’ll recognize them by their fruit.

There is a clear picture that a person who is in Christ should produce good fruit.

The two ways we see this fruitful work Paul talks about expressed in Paul and in this passage are:

To live as a servant of Christ.

Faithfully engaging in the work of the Gospel. Spreading the gospel and sharing it with others.

Becoming like and living as an example of Christ to the world.

To serve others

Paul says he will remain he knows he will remain for the Philippians benefit.

“It is necessary for your sake.”

For their progress in the faith

To invest ourselves in the lives of others.

To help people to grow in their faith.

For their joy in the faith

As they see the Gospel advance.

As they see the one who led them to the Lord return to them.

This mindset of to live is Christ is only possible to have when we understand that...

To Die is Gain

I long

What Paul really wants.

to depart

Again the language used is a reinforcement of Paul’s view of death. Not a final thing, but a step toward eternity.

and be with Christ

Gives clear credence to the idea that we are present with Christ upon death.

This is also reflected by Jesus interaction with the man on the cross in Luke 23:43

Luke 23:43 CSB

And he said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

which is far better.

The clear statement that being with Christ is better.

Death is not the end

The promise of eternal life

Eternity with God

Can you grasp the concept of eternity?

Longer than the longest time you can imagine.

I want you to think of the most impossibly long task, that doesn’t scratch the surface.

In a place better than the best place you can imagine.

I want you to think of the most wonderful place you can imagine.

The Gain that is promised. Let’s contrast the confidence that Paul will remain for the time being in this passage with his certainty that he will soon pass in 2 Timothy 4:6-8

2 Timothy 4:6–8 CSB

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my departure is close. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. There is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing.

The language remains the same, only this time his “departure” is near.

He expresses that his work is complete, rather than in this passage that there is work left to be done.

His reward for this work lies ahead of him in eternity, not in this life.

We should be so bold to approach death in this manner.

To look at this life and realize that if we were to die and be with Christ, it would be far better.

We will not all likely be realizing this gain immediately and so we remember that to live is Christ, and because of this, we must:

Live a Worthy Life

As citizens of heaven.

This place is not our home.

This is seen in Hebrews 11:13

Hebrews 11:13 CSB

These all died in faith, although they had not received the things that were promised. But they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth.

When you go on vacation, at some point you long for your home.

Live a life worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Holy, righteous lives.

There are numerous lists through Scripture of the thing we should not do, as well as the things we should do.

Following these is not legalistic, it is obedient.

Hustle culture and its problems.

Stand firm in one spirit, in one accord.

We should be united together by this common bond.

Contending together for the faith of the gospel.

The proclamation of the Gospel is part of this life.

The life that is transformed by the Gospel is the life that

It is something that should be done together.

Not being frightened by your opponents.

There is the expectation we will have opponents.

This reality confirms what we know to be true in Christ.

Suffer well.

Taking Paul’s example, we are to suffer well knowing our reward is waiting

There is a mindset that has existed through time that has been expressed in various ways that is a major detractor from living a life worthy of Christ.

When I was younger the term YOLO was big.

It is the disregard of living life based on what is to come.

One of the oldest works of fiction, the epic of Gilgamesh has this advice, “Fill your belly. Day and night make merry. Let days be full of joy. Dance and make music day and night.... These things alone are the concern of men.”

The first sin recorded is of seeking one’s pleasure and good above other things. “The woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom...”

Scripture for its part vehemently denounces those who are lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.

There is one cultural icon that I feel encapsulates this mentality in a way that makes it even more dangerous.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

A senior in high school who wants to have the most epic day of skipping school ever.

The premise is innocent enough, but it leads to a day of stealing his friends car and lots of other shenanigans all to end up safely back in bed before anyone is the wiser, even earning himself a day off the next day.

The “villain” in the movie is the dean of students Ed Rooney who is looking to catch Bueller for truancy. (To be fair, the lengths he goes to for this matter show he isn’t altogether a good guy.”

The whole attitude is kind of a picture of having your cake and eating it too.

The issue with this is not this mostly lighthearted comedy, but the attitude behind it. Shirk responsibility, do what you want, face no consequences.

The temptation is for this to apply itself in our lives. This idea that we can coast along, ignore what we are clearly supposed to do, and it will all be ok in the end.

To be sure only Christ can save, and that salvation is secure.

But if this is the attitude that a person has, they need to consider what Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23

Matthew 7:21–23 CSB

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?’ Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!’

There is no shortcut to obedience. We are either working to do the will of the Father or we are not.

Bueller may have fooled his parents, and it is possible to fool other people, but we will not fool God.

We cannot hope for eternal life, but then also live as though this life is all we get.

If you do not believe there is eternal life, this mindset of take what you can get makes sense.

If we believe we have eternal life, we should live this life as though we believe there is something to come.

We must be careful to not make this attitude our attitude. This is not a life worthy of the Gospel of Christ.

Our attitude must be that of Paul’s:

To Live - Christ!

To Die - Gain!

This morning, can you repeat as your motto what Paul said?

To live: Christ, To die: Gain!

Do you know Christ? If not, death is likely not something you are looking forward to.

Turn to him today for the free gift made available of eternal life because of Jesus.

Maybe you know him, but is your life marked by following Jesus?

What will you be remembered for?