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To Live Is Christ Phil 1:19-26
Phil 1:19-26 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
Paul prayed for the Philippians • Phil 1:3-4 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy
Paul prayed for the Philippians • Phil 1:3-4 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, • Christians need to show the same concern for others today • Often we only seem to think about us and not others • Praying for other Christians is so important because we need each other’s help and especially God’s help and care
Paul had great affection for them • Phil 1:7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.
Paul had great affection for them • Phil 1:7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. • Paul loved his fellow Christians and even from prison he was interested in their well being • It would have been easy for him to think only of his bonds
He realized that God works through people and events • Phil 1:12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,
He realized that God works through people and events • Phil 1:12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, • We must put our trust in God that his providence can and does work through us • Many do not have enough faith to allow it to happen
Paul’s chains actually helped other Christians be stronger • Phil 1:14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Paul’s chains actually helped other Christians be stronger • Phil 1:14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. • Confidence and boldness can be the results of good examples from others • We see others take a stand for truth and it encourages us to do the same
Some Christians have different motives • Phil 1:15-17 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love
Some Christians have different motives • Phil 1:15-17 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, • Our motives must be pure and we have to examine ourselves continually • Paul knew he was appointed for the defense of the gospel
Paul knew with their prayers and the supply of the Spirit he could win • Phil 1:19-20 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death
Paul knew with their prayers and the supply of the Spirit he could win • Phil 1:19-20 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that innothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnifiedin my body, whether by life or by death • He had made up his mind not to be ashamed • He was going to live his life to magnify Christ
What was Paul’s mindset ? • Phil 1:21-26 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
What was Paul’s mindset ? • Phil 1:21-26 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
What was Paul’s mindset ? • Phil 1:21-26 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
What was Paul’s mindset ? • Phil 1:21-26 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
What was Paul’s mindset ? • Phil 1:21-26 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
What was Paul’s mindset ? • Phil 1:21-26 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
What was Paul’s mindset ? • Phil 1:21-26 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
Conclusion • We must be as confident as Paul • We must clearly see the battle before us • We must be determined in our fight • We must desire victory over sin • We must never give up under duress • We must constantly examine our motives