To Live is Christ

To Live is Christ

2005045

Topic # 710 Philippians

Introduction:

A. Philippians is a warm & personal letter written by Paul.

1. Brethren held in high esteem by him since the beginning.

2. Acts 16 church started by wealthy business woman; demon possessed slave girl; and jailer & family.

3. From this came one of the greatest sources of joy in Paul’s life.

4. This group would come to his assistance several times during his ministry.

B. Some have called Philippians Paul’s Epistle of Joy.

1. “Joy” “rejoice” used 15 times in 4 chapters.

2. Ironic (in a worldly view) when considering Paul was writing while incarcerated.

C. This epistle tells us a great deal about Paul:

1. He had found REAL peace.

a) 1:12-18 – even while in prison.

b) 2:17-18 – even if he had to become a martyr for the faith.

c) 4:4-7, 11-13 – even if his physical circumstances weren’t the best.

2. In this book, we see the meaning of true peace/joy.

D. The message is that it is found through Christ. 4:4

1. Where are you finding joy? Peace?

2. There is powerful spiritual truth in this letter.

I. 1:3-11 – Living in Christ involves a life of thankfulness.

A. Paul sitting hundreds of miles from brethren – reflecting on them.

1. Many pleasant memories. Result from sharing together in the gospel.

2. Pleasant memories are a blessing in difficult times...

a)     despite imprisonment, Paul could pray with joyful             thanksgiving as he remembered the Philippians

b)     God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December.

3.      But memory can be a curse instead of a blessing!

a)     Spend our lives in sin and have troubled those around us, memory can be a curse!

b)     "Most people live the first half of their life making the second half of their life miserable!"

4.      For memories to be a blessing to us, we must be a blessing to others!

B. 1:3-5 – we need to be thankful for what God has accomplished.

1. Paul’s circumstances never stopped him from him praying.

a) His thoughts were on others – not on self. (1:4-5)

2. Worry about his situation; brethren did not hamper his spiritual life.

3. No where do you see anger at God for his circumstances.

a) Just simple trusting faith that everything would work out.

C. 1:6-11 - His thankfulness led him to confidence.

1. Whatever challenges we face (physical; emotional; spiritual)

2. God wants the best for us – and will equip us with the tools to succeed.

3. He will continue to lead us as we continued to humbly seek/serve Him.

4. Paul lived in confident expectation that God would be faithful to meet his needs. + Needs of the Philippians.

D. We need to spend more time thanking God for what He has done in our life!

II. 1:12-20 – Living in Christ causes one to rejoice in the preaching of the gospel.

A. 3 John 4 – John’s joy. No doubt Paul’s was the same. (Lost souls hearing God’s plan of redemption.)

B. 1:12-14 – we can learn from this!

1. Good can be made out of almost any circumstance if we will look for a way to do it.

2. Difficult situations at work/family/church.

a) Easy to justify mistakes; make excuses for poor behavior.

b) We can demonstrate the impact the gospel can have when we handle ourselves in Christ like manner.

3. Sickness/disease – we can communicate gospel to those ministering to us.

4. Death/dying.

5. If magnifying Christ is our primary focus – we can always make good out of ill.

C. 1:15-20

1. Some preach that have no business to preach.

a) 1:17a – selfish ambition. Refusal to admit error when mistakes made. Preach to build up party mentality in church.

b) 1:17b – seeking to cause Paul pain…

1) Judaizing teachers?

2) Seems if some preachers today live to cause other servants of God pain. But...

2. 1:18 – God can use those w/imperfect motives to proclaim Jesus.

3. 1:19-20 – Paul possessed extreme confidence.

4. He was concerned about Jesus’ glory – not his own.

III. 1:21-26. To live is Christ. To die is gain.

A. 1:21 – what was Paul’s focus in life?

1. 3:7-8 – Jesus was the preeminent focus in his life.

2. Gal. 2:20 – ALL his life was devoted to serving Jesus.

a) 1:22 – as long as he lived this was going to be the case.

b) 1:25-26 – He was going to promote the cause of Christ.

3. This must be our desire. Can we say…

a) Jesus is the focus of our life?

b) No matter what – that we’re going to promote the gospel?

B. 1:21 – because of Jesus – to die is gain.

1. 1:23 – being with Christ is far better.

2. Rev. 2:10; 26-27; 3:21 – Jesus promised that at death we go to be with Him.

3. This knowledge propelled Paul to keep going – no matter conditions on earth.

a) Phil. 2:17-18

b) If he lost his physical life – so be it.

4. 2 Tim. 4:6-8 – eventually this is what happened to Paul.

C. We have the same assurances!

1. We have assurance of eternal life & of being with God.

2. Will we magnify Christ by our death?

IV. 1:27-30 – To live in Christ requires proper conduct.

A. 1:27a – this implies there is conduct NOT worthy of the gospel.

1. To engage in such is to our shame.

2. 1 Pet. 2:11-12 – keep your behavior excellent.

3. Is it excellent in front of family? On the job? At Church? Everywhere?

B. 1:27b – behavior to be excellent everywhere! With Christians or not!

1. We’re Christians 24/7 365.

2. Can we say this about ourselves?

C. 1:27c -30 – proper conduct involves standing firm in spirit.

1. our conduct is unworthy if:

a) Not actively promoting the gospel.

b) Not dwelling in unity with other Christians

2. 1:28-30 – Christians who are living right will not be intimidated by those who work against them.

D. Is our conduct worthy of the gospel?

E. Are we behaving as citizens of heaven while abiding on earth?

Conclusion:

A. Committed Christianity is a major theme in Philippians 1.

B. Are you committed to principles of righteousness?

C. Give yourself to God!

D. I N V I T A T I O N



To Live is Christ 2005045 Topic # 710 Philippians Introduction: A. Philippians is a warm & personal letter written by Paul. 1. Brethren held in high esteem by him since the beginning. 2. Acts 16 church started by wealthy business woman; demon possessed slave girl; and jailer & family. 3. From this came one of the greatest sources of joy in Paul’s life. 4. This group would come to his assistance several times during his ministry. B. Some have called Philippians Paul’s Epistle of Joy. 1. “Joy” “rejoice” used 15 times in 4 chapters. 2. Ironic (in a worldly view) when considering Paul was writing while incarcerated. C. This epistle tells us a great deal about Paul: 1. He had found REAL peace. a) 1:12-18 – even while in prison. b) 2:17-18 – even if he had to become a martyr for the faith. c) 4:4-7, 11-13 – even if his physical circumstances weren’t the best. 2. In this book, we see the meaning of true peace/joy. D. The message is that it is found through Christ. 4:4 1. Where are you finding joy? Peace? 2. There is powerful spiritual truth in this letter. I. 1:3-11 – Living in Christ involves a life of thankfulness. A. Paul sitting hundreds of miles from brethren – reflecting on them. 1. Many pleasant memories. Result from sharing together in the gospel. 2. Pleasant memories are a blessing in difficult times... a) despite imprisonment, Paul could pray with joyful thanksgiving as he remembered the Philippians b) God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December. 3. But memory can be a curse instead of a blessing! a) Spend our lives in sin and have troubled those around us, memory can be a curse! b) "Most people live the first half of their life making the second half of their life miserable!" 4. For memories to be a blessing to us, we must be a blessing to others! B. 1:3-5 – we need to be thankful for what God has accomplished. 1. Paul’s circumstances never stopped him from him praying. a) His thoughts were on others – not on self. (1:4-5) 2. Worry about his situation; brethren did not hamper his spiritual life. 3. No where do you see anger at God for his circumstances. a) Just simple trusting faith that everything would work out. C. 1:6-11 - His thankfulness led him to confidence. 1. Whatever challenges we face (physical; emotional; spiritual) 2. God wants the best for us – and will equip us with the tools to succeed. 3. He will continue to lead us as we continued to humbly seek/serve Him. 4. Paul lived in confident expectation that God would be faithful to meet his needs. + Needs of the Philippians. D. We need to spend more time thanking God for what He has done in our life! II. 1:12-20 – Living in Christ causes one to rejoice in the preaching of the gospel. A. 3 John 4 – John’s joy. No doubt Paul’s was the same. (Lost souls hearing God’s plan of redemption.) B. 1:12-14 – we can learn from this! 1. Good can be made out of almost any circumstance if we will look for a way to do it. 2. Difficult situations at work/family/church. a) Easy to justify mistakes; make excuses for poor behavior. b) We can demonstrate the impact the gospel can have when we handle ourselves in Christ like manner. 3. Sickness/disease – we can communicate gospel to those ministering to us. 4. Death/dying. 5. If magnifying Christ is our primary focus – we can always make good out of ill. C. 1:15-20 1. Some preach that have no business to preach. a) 1:17a – selfish ambition. Refusal to admit error when mistakes made. Preach to build up party mentality in church. b) 1:17b – seeking to cause Paul pain… 1) Judaizing teachers? 2) Seems if some preachers today live to cause other servants of God pain. But... 2. 1:18 – God can use those w/imperfect motives to proclaim Jesus. 3. 1:19-20 – Paul possessed extreme confidence. 4. He was concerned about Jesus’ glory – not his own. III. 1:21-26. To live is Christ. To die is gain. A. 1:21 – what was Paul’s focus in life? 1. 3:7-8 – Jesus was the preeminent focus in his life. 2. Gal. 2:20 – ALL his life was devoted to serving Jesus. a) 1:22 – as long as he lived this was going to be the case. b) 1:25-26 – He was going to promote the cause of Christ. 3. This must be our desire. Can we say… a) Jesus is the focus of our life? b) No matter what – that we’re going to promote the gospel? B. 1:21 – because of Jesus – to die is gain. 1. 1:23 – being with Christ is far better. 2. Rev. 2:10; 26-27; 3:21 – Jesus promised that at death we go to be with Him. 3. This knowledge propelled Paul to keep going – no matter conditions on earth. a) Phil. 2:17-18 b) If he lost his physical life – so be it. 4. 2 Tim. 4:6-8 – eventually this is what happened to Paul. C. We have the same assurances! 1. We have assurance of eternal life & of being with God. 2. Will we magnify Christ by our death? IV. 1:27-30 – To live in Christ requires proper conduct. A. 1:27a – this implies there is conduct NOT worthy of the gospel. 1. To engage in such is to our shame. 2. 1 Pet. 2:11-12 – keep your behavior excellent. 3. Is it excellent in front of family? On the job? At Church? Everywhere? B. 1:27b – behavior to be excellent everywhere! With Christians or not! 1. We’re Christians 24/7 365. 2. Can we say this about ourselves? C. 1:27c -30 – proper conduct involves standing firm in spirit. 1. our conduct is unworthy if: a) Not actively promoting the gospel. b) Not dwelling in unity with other Christians 2. 1:28-30 – Christians who are living right will not be intimidated by those who work against them. D. Is our conduct worthy of the gospel? E. Are we behaving as citizens of heaven while abiding on earth? Conclusion: A. Committed Christianity is a major theme in Philippians 1. B. Are you committed to principles of righteousness? C. Give yourself to God! D. I N V I T A T I O N