Philippians series, 2025
Havasu Christian Church
March 16, 2025
“Things can go either way and I’m OK!”
“Fiery furnace? Whatever….”
Death: it’s something everyone deals with eventually, but we don’t really like to talk about it very much.
We all deal with the deaths of Loved ones eventually.
Sadness, yes. But also doing without what they did… Their companionship. Making a living, their counsel, enjoying time with them… Their stories of the past…
- Dealing with the “nuts and bolts” of death is also difficult.
- Informing insurance companies
- Dealing with paperwork.
- Notifying family and friends.
- Planning for a funeral, or burial, etc.
- Dealing with more paperwork.
- Disposing of their property and possessions. (Lookie Loos in town: “Your kids don’t want your stuff… I do!”)
When my Dad died, it seemed that the work of dealing with death would never end.
But the death of a Christian is far different than the death of someone who doesn’t know Jesus!
Let’s see what Paul had to say about this.
Philippians 1:21-30 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.
23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;
24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.
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 your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.
27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
28 in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.
29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
30 experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
- To live is Christ!
- Living means fruitful labor. What does that really mean?
- Not just spinning your wheels!
- Investing my life in something that matters for eternity!
- This will look somewhat different for every Christian.
- Scripture compares us to a body, and each part has it’s job to do.
- Use the gifts God has given you in His service!
- Teach
- Pray
- Be hospitable
- Feed people
- Clothe people
- Use your abilities to serve people who don’t have those same abilities.
- Paul is convinced that he’s going to stay around so he can continue serving as a teacher.
“I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,
26 so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.”
- He’s going to help them make progress in their Christian walks.
- God will use Paul’s example to boost their confidence in Jesus.
- “If Paul can keep on, so can I!”
- Paul is no kid.
- Paul is in prison.
- Paul has had HUGE difficulties in his service to the Lord.
2 Corinthians 11:22–33 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern? If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to seize me, and I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and so escaped his hands.
- Paul has been “through the ringer.”
- Compared to that, how can I “chicken out?”
- His teaching and example will help the Christians in Philippi live lives of joy.
- Not “compared to Paul, I have it easy.”
You’ve all heard some version of this from someone. “If you feel depressed, go visit a double amputee…” That won’t make you feel better… it may make both of you feel worse.
- Paul’s example and teaching shows the Philippian Christians that TRUE JOY comes from knowing you are in the center of God’s will, no matter where you are!!
- We are still learning from Paul’s example and his teaching today…
- LITERALLY TODAY!
- Paul had expectations of these Christians.
- Paul reminds them, “Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ”
- “Walk the walk, don’t just talk the talk!”
- standing firm in one spirit
- Don’t knuckle under! Stand firm!
- Do it together.
- There’s strength in numbers.
- We are united because the same Spirit lives in us!
- with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
- Again, we are encouraged to do this TOGETHER!
- Striving… Putting in the effort!
- in no way alarmed by your opponents. Don’t sweat the competition!
- You know WHO is on your side!
- When you show this kind of courage, they know they can’t win!
- They are going to be destroyed.
- We will be saved, eternally!
- You have been granted the opportunity to suffer for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him.
- “granted the opportunity!”
- Do we really look at it that way when we suffer?
- I can’t help but wonder how well the Christians in Philippi did at it?
- To die is gain!
- This is absolutely contrary to the way our world thinks!
- The only worldly people who think “dying is gain” are suicidal.
- Are we supposed to be “Suicide Christians?”
- “Please feed ME to the lions…”
- As a Christian, my life is not my own.
- I belong to Jesus!
- You belong to Jesus!
- We are HIS to do with what He wishes.
- Fortunately, He loves us… unlike our former master who hates us!
- If I live, I serve Christ.
- I have the privilege of serving Christ until my life ends.
- Christos… The anointed one, Messiah
- We have the privilege of serving the KING of the Universe!
- If I die, I go to be with Christ!
- What a promise!
Old song: God is my Father, Jesus is my Brother, and the blessed Holy Spirit is my guide. The devil’s no relation, for I’m a new creation I’m a member of the family in the sky!
- Leaving is better for me, but while I’m here, I still have a job to do.
- Paul was ready to go home!
- I’m sure he was tired!
- He had battle scars… literally!
- I’m sure there were times when he suffered discouragement. How do I know?
Acts 28:15 And the brethren, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the Market of Appius and Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
- So there were times when Paul needed encouragement.
- That’s probably one of the reasons that he took others on his missionary trips with him.
- They shared the work
- But they also could encourage each other.
Stephen and Alisa went to Ireland, just the two of them. Things got easier when they gained partners in their ministry.
I’m sure there were some headaches too, but I suspect having a team outweighed whatever problems might have come with.
- Paul KNEW that what lay ahead was better than his current situation.
- Perhaps, if we had some of his problems, we’d share his anxiousness to go home.
- Paul was NOT going to quit until he was “relieved of duty” by his Lord & Savior!
Conclusion: What about us?
For ME to live is Christ??
Is it really?
For ME to die is gain??
Do I lean into that promise??
Or, do I just kinda go at it half hearted??
“I’ll serve Jesus when it’s not too much trouble.”
“I’ll worship Him when there isn’t something I’d rather be doing.”
“I’ll serve others if it isn’t too hard.”
If we aren’t living FOR Christ, how can we expect our death to be a GAIN?
