To Live Is Christ: Choosing Faithful Purpose Over Fear

But we're going to be picking up where Pastor Enzer left off last Sunday night. And we're going to be in Philippians chapter 1 verses 21- 26. And if I could ask if you are able, please stand as I read the Holy Word of God. You can follow along. Philippians 1:21-26. For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor. Yet what I shall choose, I would not. For I am in a straight between two. Having desired to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your fragrance and joy of faith, that your rejoicing may be abundant in the in Jesus Christ.

for me by my coming to you. Let us pray. Father, Lord, thank you so much again for your holy word. We thank you for your love and your wisdom that you have given us, your many blessings to this church and to each of us individually. And Father, as I as I continue to look into this passage, I pray that you would grant me clarity and open all of our hearts to your word tonight. We love you. In Christ's name we pray. Amen. Thank you. Please have a seat. It says marks. It sounds like a thing. Is it? How is it that Okay. So before we get into really talking about our passage tonight, I think it's important to understand where Paul is and what was happening in his life when he wrote this letter.

You know, the Apostle Paul is writing from prison like uh Pastor Enser mentioned uh last Sunday, a prison in Rome. He's not sitting in a comfortable study thinking about theological thoughts. I mean, he's actually in prison. Uh he he is chained awaiting decision regarding his future at that time. He does not know if he will be released uh or executed. But yet remarkably the Philippians is often called the epistle of joy. You know that the epistle of joy. I mean someone who's writing from a miserable state in prison and it's considered the epistle of joy. That alone teaches us something powerful that I learned also just by studying this word.

That joy is not found in our circumstances folks. is found in our Lord Jesus Christ. The church at Philippi, they h they they held a special place in in you know Paul holds that church in a special place in his heart because it was the first church that he established um in Europe during his second missionary journey after receiving the Macedonian vision in Acts 7 uh 16. As you know, Cal obeyed God's call to cross into Macedonia and came to Philippi, a leading Roman colony at that time. There, beside a riverside place of prayer, Paul preached the gospel to a group of women and Lydia became the first recorded convert in the church of Philippi.

Soon after we know the Philippian jailer and his entire household were saved and thriving as a church was established despite the persecution and the opposition that was happening at the time. Turn to the uh book of Acts 16. I'll kind of show you what I'm talking about a little bit. Acts 16:12-15. And I'll kind of just paraphrase toward the end, but it says, "And from then to Philippi, which is the chief city of the part of Macedonia and a colony, we were in the city abiding certain days. And on the Sabbath we went out of the city by a riverside, where prayer was want to be made. And we sat down and spake unto the women which resorted there.

And an uncertain woman named Lydia, a seller of perfor of the city of Thetria, which worshiped God, heard us, whose heart the Lord opened, and she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. See, this church, they love Paul deeply. on the assist. Did you hear her? I didn't. How about now? You know what? Test test Mike. There you go. There you go. All right. So the church loved Paul deeply. They they supported his ministry from the beginning and remained faithful partners in the gospel. Now years later in our passage, Paul writes to encourage the Philippians. The church is worried about Paul during his letter, but Paul wasn't worried about Paul.

Instead, he warns them to understand that whether he lives or dies, Christ will be glorified. And I hope that one day this is our own, you know, we have the same kind of vision, the same kind of desire that we will magnify the Lord. The truth is captured in the title of our message tonight, which is to live as Christ and choosing faithful purpose over fear. Let me say again, our title for the message tonight is to live as Christ, choosing faithful purpose over fear. And I'll explain a little bit as we go. Paul had every human reason to fear. I mean, he was imprisoned uncertain of his future and facing the poss by the very possibility of an execution.

Yet, rather than being controlled by fear, he chose to be a faithful that to to have a faithful purpose, his life belonged to Christ as he sees it, and his future was safely in our Lord's hands. Whether through continued ministry on earth or through the entrance with into Christ's presence, Paul's desire was first that Christ be magnified. Can I ask you as we live as Christians, is that your desire to magnify our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? So this is the context behind one of the most famous and greatest statements ever made by a Christian. And then we find that in verse 21 of our passage. For me to live, let me say it again.

For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. Tonight I'm going to share with you six different points about this passage that my hope and I my prayer is that after we're done these six passages would help you to get a little bit more understanding of the the letter to the Philippians and how that applies to our lives tonight and today. Point number one, life centered on Christ. A life centered on Christ. In in verse 21, as I said, for me to live is Christ and to die is gain. Paul is basically saying two things that only make sense to someone who truly knows who Christ is. To live is Christ. That's the first one.

To live is Christ. What does that mean to live as Christ? Well, if you understand who Christ is, we know that Christ is the source of life, right? Amen. Christ is the goal of life. You know what? Christ is the power of daily living. You don't have Christ, you're not living right. Paul at that time in the way he lived his life, he wasn't living for comfort. He wasn't living for success. He wasn't he wasn't even he wasn't even living for survival. He is living so that Christ may be seen that he may be known and be glorified. Now let's go to the other saying to die is gain. To die is gain. What does that mean?

See this is where many believers I believe get confused about what the meaning of this verse is. See, Paul is not saying death is desirable because his life was bad. That's not what he's saying. He's saying death is gain because something better is coming. Have you ever thought of the word gain? Gain means profit or profitable. There's an advantage, something added, not taken away. So what you know perhaps to understand what that is, death is gain. I think let's let's let's visit the idea of what happens to a believer when a believer passes away. The Bible is very clear on this. If you go to 2 Corinthians 5:'8, I use this vers in some of the funeral services that I've actually been involved in.

It says, "For we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord." When a believer dies, a believer leaves these broken bodies that we have. A believer leaves pain, leaves sin, and all the struggle that we going through. We go immediately into the presence of our Lord Christ Jesus. Folks, that is the gain. That is the gain. Turn to Revelation chapter 21. Revelation 21. Or if it's on the screen, I'm not sure if they have it on the screen. Uh the Bible says, "And God shall wipe all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain."

See, Paul knows that death is not a loss for the believer. It is an entrance into the presence of our Lord gain. So let's look at some applications for believers today. So if death is gain say if death is gain then we should not leave live in fear. We should not cling desperately to this world like there is no other. We should live boldly because the worst thing is not death. If you have that perspective, there is no sting from that. I think the worst thing that is that can be done in terms of living is living without a purpose. If you have no purpose, I I can't imagine why and how you would be living if you have no purpose.

See, many people define life by what they do. Some live for their careers. Who are the career people? All you do is career, career, career. Some live for money. Where are the financial people? Invest. Invest. Invest. I'm not saying that that's wrong. Okay. Some live for relationships. Some live for personal achievements. But whenever the thing that we believe in is removed and is moved away from our lives, our lives become unstable. But let's check out Paul. Paul's source of identity could not be taken away even while he's in prison because his identity is rooted in Christ. How is your identity going here today?

In Galatians 2:20, the Bible says, "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. Everything Paul's life flew from his relationship with Christ. I mean, I've seen even worldly scholars look at this guy and they couldn't understand Paul, the Apostle Paul, how he ticks, how he left, all the sufferings. His purpose was Christ. His motivation was Christ. His strength was Christ. His reward was Christ. When Christ is in the center of life, the circumstances circumstances folks may change but the purpose remains.

Point number two, living produces fruit. Living produces fruit. And we find that in verse 22. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor. Yet what I shall choose, I would not. Let's break it down. Paul is saying here, if God lets me stay alive, that life will I still live. I will have purpose. I live in the flesh. Really means that Paul is continuing to live on earth. He's not talking about living for the flesh. He's talking about living in the physical body. See, Paul understands life is hard, ministry is costly, suffering is real. Yet he still says life is valuable. Life is valuable.

Then he goes on to say, "This is the fruit of my labor. Fruit means visible results, outcomes." Paul knows that as long as he lives, people will hear the gospel. As long as he lives, he knows that believers will grow in faith and that Christ will be glorified. In John 15:8, the Bible says, "Herein is my father glorified that ye bear much fruit." Paul's life mattered because his entire life pointed others to Christ. Can I ask you if if you examine your own selves, is your life pointing to Christ? And then he said, "What I shall choose, I would not." You know, here Paul admits something very human.

He says basically I don't know which I want more. Living means ministry or dying means Christ's presence. Both are good. Folks, that is the heart of a mature believer. Knowing those two and understanding that they are equally good. God has a purpose for every season. You know that sometimes believers think that usefulness belongs only to those in visible ministry. But God uses people in every season of life. I mean think about it. He uses the young believers. He uses the senior believers, the senior sage. He uses healthy believers and he uses suffering believers and he uses working believers and retired believers.

Even Paul's impre imprisonment produced shrink. Wow. In Philippians 1 12 and 13, the Bible says here, "But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel." See the chains the chains that that appeared it appeared to hinder Paul but actually it actually advance the gospel as Pastor Eder mentioned in his last Sunday's message. What looked like a setback became a platform for ministry. Talk a little bit about this and the application for it. Never assume. We ought to never assume that our current season is wasted.

God may be using our difficulties, our difficult situations to produce fruit that could never be produced any other way. Our sufferings may look like it is a waste event but God may be using it in the background which you don't or are not aware of. Point number three, this whole idea about torn between two good choices. He says in verse 23, "For I am a I am in a straight between two, having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better." So Paul uses this phrase in a straight between two, meaning he was pressed or pulled or torn between two options. Again, I want to mention that these two options is not about a good option and a bad option.

It's not about an easy option and a hard option. These are both two very good options. So having a desire to depart. Paul says depart in this case means to leave this life. See Paul is not depressed. He's not giving up life. He simply knows that what awaits him is so awesome. 2 Timothy 4:6 say, "For I am now ready to be offered in the time of my departure is at hand." If you understand what follows this life, it's not going to be that bad. See, for the believer, death is not destruction. It is departure from this world. Let me give you a little bit of a perspective on the Christian view of death.

Our world fears death because it sees death as an end. The believer sees death differently. The Christian does not face death with uncertainty. The Christian faces death with assurance because of Christ's victory over the over the grave. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57. Oh debt, where is thy sting? Oh grave, where is thy victory? But thanks to be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. See, this does not mean that believers never grieved. When you lose a loved one, I know you grieve, right? It doesn't mean that we do not miss those who have gone before us. It means grief is not without hope because Jesus rose again.

Death is not the final chapter for the child of God. Death is a doorway into eternal fellowship with Christ. You understand that you have no fear of death. Then Paul went ahead and said, "And to be with Christ." This is the reason death is gained. I know I mentioned it again earlier, but Paul doesn't say to be free from suffering. He didn't say to rest from labor. He says to be with Christ. When we die, we immediately go into the pre presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. In John 14:3, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive." See, heaven is heaven because Christ is there because God is there.

And he went ahead and said, "Which is far better." If you kind of understand a verse, Paul is actually stacking his language, his words. He didn't just say it's better. He says far better. To be in the presence of God is in Christ is far better. Is far better than health. Is far better than freedom, than success, than life itself. See, this shows us that the apostle Paul truly believe in eternity. Paul truly loved Christ. And as believers, we can use this example to have the desire to be with our Lord, to love him, and to serve him. Point number four, love chooses service. Love chooses service.

We find that in verse 24 of our passage. He says, "Nevertheless, to abide in flesh is more needful for you." Paul chooses love over personal desire. Even though Hammond is better, Paul knows the church still needs him. That is the art of ministry. Living for others, serving even when it is costly. You know the lesson for you and I for believers is this. Sometimes God keeps us in difficult seasons in painful situations and demanding call uh callings not because heaven is not ready for us but because someone still needs us right here. Ever think about that Jesus is our greatest example. What I'm talking about, what Paul is trying to say, Paul's willingness to stay and serve others reflects the the the example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In Mark 10:45, the Bible says, "For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered onto, but to minister and give his life a ransom for many." Jesus is a perfect example. consistently put the needs of others ahead of his own comfort. He touched the lepers. He healed the sick. He fed the hungry. He comforted the brokenhearted. Ultimately, he gave his own life on the cross. Paul's willingness to remain and serve reflects the heart of Christ. The closer we grow to Christ, the less life becomes about us and more about him. True spiritual maturity produces servantthood. People who are willing to serve in different capacities.

By the way, if you're listening, we need helpers for BBS. Point number five, staying for the growth of others. Philippians uh 1:25 of our our passage. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your life uh for your furtherance and joy of faith. Oh, when he says it, he he comes to this uh settled conviction for him. After weighing life and death, heaven and earth, Paul says, "I believe God is going to leave me here a little longer than having the confidence." Folks, Paul was not guessing. He has peace about God's will. Confidence here means spiritual assurance, not personal preference.

Paul trust that God's plan is bigger than his desires. In Proverbs 3:5, trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not into thine own understanding. And then he said, I shall abide and continue with you. Paul chooses presence over pleasure. He is willing to stay in the chains if it helps the church grow. You know what this is known for? As you ought to know this is called sacrificial lump. In 1 Corinthians 10:24, let no man seek his own but every man and others. Well, for your furtherance and joy of faith, Paul gives a very clear reason. He say he he stays for their furtherance. That means he's staying for their growth, their progress, and their maturity, their joy, confidence, peace, and spiritual strength, and their faith, deeper trust in Christ.

I want to pause a little and explain a little bit about faith here. We know in Hebrews 11:1 that faith says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Folks, faith, let me say it again. Faith is confident trust in God that believes his word, depends on his promises, and obeys him even when circumstances or human sight offers no evidence. [snorts] That's faith. Paul knows strong believers don't just happen. They are discipled. They are taught and encouraged. So applica applications for us today is God keeps us alive not to exist but to help someone else grow in faith.

You know what? You may be here now because someone needs your testimony. You may be here now because someone needs your prayers. You may be need uh here and now because someone else needs your guidance. Life has a purpose and when it's poured out to others, that's where the serving of the Lord comes in. Last point, all glory goes to Christ. In verse 26, the Bible says that your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me and by coming my coming to you again. Paul is his final focus is not himself. His final focus in this passage is on Christ. Your rejoicing may be more abundant. Paul wants their joy to increase.

Not joy in Paul, but joy in Jesus Christ. In Psalm 16:11, "Thou will show me the path of life in thy presence is fullness of joy." See, when believers grow, something happens. When believers grow, worship deepens. And for me, for me, by my coming to you again, Paul understands that God uses people to bless others. His return would strengthen the church. He knows that his his return to Philippi would encourage their faith and magnify Christ's work that's being done there. I see a lot of that in the pastor staff here too going out there. So what does this passage teach us? I spent so many minutes here already talking about this.

So what does it teach us? Well, we know that life has a purpose. If you are alive, this passage teaches us God is still working through you. We know that death is victory or has victory for the believer. Death is not a loss. It is a gain. We know that love chooses service. Mature faith values others over self. And then Christ is the center. Whether living or dying, Christ is glorified. Can I challenge you in closing? Can I Can I challenge you? Say yes. Thank you. Can we honestly say with Paul, for me to live is Christ. For me to live is Christ. See, until we can say that, life will seem very confusing.

Death will be frightening and purpose will feel uncertain. But when Christ is life, living has meaning, dying has hope, serving has joy. Turn to Romans chapter 14. Romans chapter 14 verse 8. I want to close with this. Romans 14:8, the Bible says, "For whether we live, we live unto the Lord. And whether we die, we die unto the Lord." Whether we live, therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. That ought to be a reassuring verse that we can use when we go out these doors. Think about that.