19
How to Really Live for Christ for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me. Philippians 1:19-26 What does it mean to really live for Christ? How do we know if we are truly living for him? In the book of Philippians, Paul is imprisoned in Rome, awaiting a potential death sentence for his gospel ministry. In this specific text, he says one of the most quoted passages in the Bible. He says, “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (v.21). This verse is the major theme of this passage. What does it mean to say, “To live is Christ.” I remember when I was a basketball player in high school and college, I use to own a t-shirt that said, “Life is basketball and the rest is details.” The idea behind the phrase on that shirt was that basketball was the primary focus of life and everything else really didn’t matter. At that point in my life, I could relate to that shirt and that is why I bought it. For me basketball was one of the greatest priorities in my life. Sadly, that also was a reflection of my relationship with God. For a large portion of my Christian life, God was really just a part of my life, he was not everything. I think that is the idea behind Paul’s phrase, “For

(Philippians 1:19-26) How to Really Live for Christ

Embed Size (px)

DESCRIPTION

Bible Study

Citation preview

How to Really Live for Christ

for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me. Philippians 1:19-26

What does it mean to really live for Christ? How do we know if we are truly living for him?

In the book of Philippians, Paul is imprisoned in Rome, awaiting a potential death sentence for his gospel ministry. In this specific text, he says one of the most quoted passages in the Bible. He says, For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain (v.21). This verse is the major theme of this passage. What does it mean to say, To live is Christ.

I remember when I was a basketball player in high school and college, I use to own a t-shirt that said, Life is basketball and the rest is details. The idea behind the phrase on that shirt was that basketball was the primary focus of life and everything else really didnt matter. At that point in my life, I could relate to that shirt and that is why I bought it. For me basketball was one of the greatest priorities in my life. Sadly, that also was a reflection of my relationship with God. For a large portion of my Christian life, God was really just a part of my life, he was not everything. I think that is the idea behind Pauls phrase, For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. Paul was saying that Christ was everything to him.

For many Christians, they know this verse by heart, but they dont know it by practice. Like myself as a young Christian, Christ is not their life. Life is school, life is family, life is career or life is some hobby or entertainment. One author said, Life is what we are alive to.[footnoteRef:1] It is what really gets us excited. For many their passions lie outside of their relationship with Christ. [1: Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 70). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.]

What does it mean to really live for Christ? Jesus said this was the very reason that he came to the earth. He came that we might have life and life more abundantly (John 10:10). He came so we could truly be alive to Godthat he would be our passion and joy. Paul had found this life and he constantly proclaimed it. In Galatians 2:20 he said this: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Paul saw himself as no longer alivehe had left his past life behind and now Christ was his life and Christ alone. When he was blinded on his way to Damascus and became a follower of Christ, that is when life began. Later in Philippians 3, he recounts all the former things he took pride inhis Jewish upbringing, following the law, being a Pharisee and he says he counts it all dungall nothing for the sake of gaining Christ (v. 7-8). Christ was the beginning of his life. Getting to know him more was the continuation of his life. And, one day dying would be gain because that would mean dwelling in the unhindered presence of Christ.

Is Christ your life? Is he your daily passion? Is he your hope for the future? In Philippians, we get the opportunity to watch and study a mature ChristianPaul. He is somebody we should be modeling. In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul says Imitate me as I imitate Christ. We can be sure that what we see in Paul is not just descriptive of his emotions and experience while in prison, but it is also prescriptive. It is a challenge to us to grow into spiritual maturity. Paul says this later in Philippians: Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you (Philippians 3:17). He taught them to follow his example, and that example was life truly lived for Christ and Christ alone.

What is your life? What is it that youre really living for? Is it success, wealth, comfort, family? If so, you will not be able to say to die is gainto die, would really be the loss of all that you are truly living for. In this text we will see four principles about how to really live for Christ.

Big Question: What does Philippians 1:19-26 show us about how Paul lived for Christ? How can we apply these principles so we can also really live for Christ?

To Really Live for Christ, We Must Trust and Submit to Gods Plan

for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverancePhilippians 1:19

Here in this passage Paul says because of the prayers of the saints and the help given by the Spirit of Christ what has happened to him would turn out for his deliverance. What does he mean by what has happened? Paul is here referring to his imprisonment for preaching the gospel and even the Christian detractors that were criticizing him and trying to make his imprisonment worse. He believed that all this would work out for his deliverance.

What does Paul mean by deliverance?

Interpretation Question: What does Paul mean by his confidence in eventually being delivered?

1. Pauls deliverance could mean that he was confident that he would be released from prison.

Some commentators have taken this view point. He does say in verse 25 that he was convinced that he would remain with the Philippians. He was convinced that it was not Gods will for him to die but to be set free and to continue his ministry to others. Paul could be referring to this. However, the fact that Paul demonstrates some uncertainty in verse 21 of his final outcome makes many believe he cant be referring to deliverance from prison. Paul says in verse 21 that his hope is that Christ will be glorified in his body by life or by death. Therefore, deliverance probably is not referring to being released from prison

2. Pauls deliverance probably means that God would work everything out for his sanctification.

The word deliverance can be translated salvation. There is a salvation in the past tense when we accepted Christ and began to follow him. But there is also a progressive sense of salvation. Philippians 2:12-13 says: Work out your salvation with fear and trembling for it is God works in us to will and do of his good pleasure.

This aspect of salvation is us being made into the image of Christ. God did not just save us for heaven but to be made into the image of his Son. And, God uses everythinggood things and bad thingsto make us into his image. This is the promise in Romans 8:28-29:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

What is the good thing that God promises for every believer? It is to be made in the image of Christ. That was the deliverance Paul was confident in. He was confident that he would look like Christ and probably specifically that Christ would be glorified in him whether by life or death (v. 20).

See it wasnt that Paul knew whether he would live or die. He didnt seem to know for sure that he would be released, though he was convinced of it; however he did know that it was Gods will to glorify Christ in his life through the process. He trusted Gods will.

What does this tell us about Paul and what it means to live for Christ?

For Paul, it meant to trust Gods plan and his purpose. He may not have understood fully why God allowed him to be placed in prison; he may not have understood why the very people he was trying to build up were criticizing him, but he did know it all would work towards his deliverance. Paul trusted in Gods sovereign plan. In fact, he was consumed with Gods sovereign plan.

We see this with many men of God in the Scripture especially when confronted with suffering. Jesus Christ prayed take this cup of suffering from me but nevertheless your will be done (Luke 22:42). He said, if there is any other way to save the world other than being separated from you, then do it, but your will be done. I entrust my life to you---trusting your will is best. He also declared that his life was to do the will of the Father (John 6:38). Christ was consumed with the will of God.

I love the story of David after being kicked out of his own kingdom by his son Absalom. David and his mighty men were walking away from the kingdom as exiles, and a man named Shimei began to curse David and throw stones at him (2 Samuel 16). Davids mighty men became angry and asked, Why are you allowing him to curse you, let us take off his head. But David replied, No, let him cursed for God has commanded him to curse. Maybe God will hear his cursing and repay me with good for cursing I have received today (2 Samuel 16:11-12). David trusted in Gods plan for his life and that God was working everything for his good.

It is the very promise we have as believers in Romans 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. We know God is working all thingsgood and badfor our good. This was Pauls confidence. Everything was working out for his deliverance. To live is Christ means to trust Gods will for our lives.

See many only trust Gods will when it is his will to bless us, but what about when he is making us like his Son through suffering? What if he is making us like his Son through persevering through trials (2 Thessalonians 3:5).

Are you trusting Gods plan for your life? Lord, if your plan means sickness or disability like it was with Jacob; Lord if your plan means loss of my wealth and health as Job; Lord if your plan means being persecuted or martyred as many of the prophets before me, Lord your will be done. Lord, just allow me to be faithful in doing your plan.

Many Christians are like Abraham when he first came to faith. Go to the land Ive called you to dwell in and your descendants after you. Abraham gets to the land in Genesis 12 and there is a famine, so the first thing he does is pack up and move to Egypt. It was incomprehensible to him that it was Gods plan for him suffer. God you called me to this? How can this be your will?

However, later in Abrahams spiritual life, he matured. His life wasnt about his comfort or his will anymoreit was about Gods plan. When God commanded him to offer his son as a sacrifice, he didnt ask questions. He had learned how to trust God with his life and also that of his family. To live was Christ. If it was Gods plan to take the son of promise away, he trusted that God would work even that out for his deliverance.

Are you living for and trusting Gods plan? Or are you only trusting and submitting to his plan when it matches up with yours? To live is Christ means to trust and obey Gods plan. Lord, whatever your will is.

Application Question: What ways has God been challenging or teaching you to trust his plan for your life and not your own plans? How can we learn to faithfully trust and obey Gods plan for our life whether that leads to trial or to prosperity?

To Really Live for Christ, We Must Depend on the Body of Christ

for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverancePhilippians 1:19

Pauls confidence in this deliverance came from the prayers of the Philippians and the help giving by Spirit of Jesus Christ. Paul realized that in order for him to be faithful to God, he needed the prayers of the saints. He could not be bold in his witness, he could not die faithfully, nor could he be released without the prayer of the saints and the help of the Holy Spirit.

That is part of what it means to live is Christit means to not only being dependent upon God but dependent upon his body. This is where much of Christs help and resources come from. There are many Christians that in some sense live detached from Christ because they are not depending on his body. They lack the wisdom that comes from Christ; they lack the strength that comes from Christ; they lack his comfort because they are independent, instead of dependent upon Christ body.

In fact, when Paul says the prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, it can also be translated your prayers and the consequent supply [footnoteRef:2] Paul realized that the supply of the Holy Spiritthe boldness, the strength, the patience came in part as a response to the prayers of the saints. It is impossible to live for Christ and not be dependent upon his peoplethe body of Christ. [2: Motyer, J. A. (1984). The message of Philippians (p. 85). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.]

It must be noted that many in the church claim to live for Christ without being dependent upon his body. This was the very problem that Paul himself confronted in 1 Corinthians 12:21-22. Look at what he said: The eye cannot say to the hand, I don't need you! And the head cannot say to the feet, I don't need you! On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable

We cannot say that we dont need one another because we do, and this need is often augmented when going through difficult times. When a person is blind, the rest of the senses in the body become even stronger; the hearing and the touch become more acute in order to navigate the various aspects of life. This was true of Paul in prison. They not only sent Epaphras to care for him and supported him financially, but most importantly they supported him through constant prayer.

In fact, we see Paul petitioning many churches for prayer while he is prison. He wrote to the Ephesians asking for prayer that he may preach the Word of God fearlessly (Ephesians 6:19). He wrote to the Colossians asking for prayer for both open doors and for clarity in speaking the Word of God (Colossians 4:2). In addition, the majority of Pauls letters ask for prayer. In this we learn the secret to much of Pauls great strength and usefulness for the kingdom. His great strength and usefulness came from his great weaknesses. He saw his inability and Gods ability, and he knew Gods ability often came through the saints.

We even saw this in Christ while he was on the earth. If there was anybody who could be independent, it was the Son of God. However, in his worst hour right before going to the cross, he called his disciples and said, I am weary unto death. Keep watch with me this one hour (Mark 14:34). When Christ was weak, he called a prayer meeting with the other disciples. He was dependent upon those God had given him. He came to the earth to demonstrate what man should really look like. He was dependent on the people of God and the supply of the Holy Spirit that came through them as they prayed.

Are you truly alive when you are with Christs body? To live is Christ means being dependent and confident in his body. If we are not dependent, then we are missing much of the abundant life that is in Christ.

Application Question: What ways has God taught you to rely on the body of Christ? What ways have you experienced the supply of the Spirit through the body of Christ? What ways is God calling you to be a channel of his supply to others?

To Really Live for Christ, We Must Exalt Christ in Everything We Do

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by deathPhilippians 1:20

Interpretation Question: What does Paul mean by Christ being exalted in his body, whether by life or by death?

Here we see another aspect of what it means to live is Christ. It means to exalt Christ in everything we do. The phrase eagerly expect is really one word in the Greek, and it has the idea of watching something with the head turned away from other objects.[footnoteRef:3] Pauls attention was wholly occupied with one thing, to the exclusion of others. While in prison, unsure of what his sentence might be, he had one expectation more than anything else. What was it? It was his expectation that Christ would be exalted in his body. His one focus was glorifying Christ. Thats what living for Christ meant to Paul. It meant to glorify him in everything. In fact he taught this in 1 Corinthians 10:31, So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Even in the mundane things of lifeour eating and drinkingthey should all be done in such a way that Christ is glorified. That should be our aim and that was Pauls earnest expectation as he went through this trial. [3: Motyer, J. A. (1984). The message of Philippians (pp. 8586). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.]

This phrase can literally be translated that Christ will be enlarged in my body.[footnoteRef:4] Other versions translate the word magnify. Now certainly, Christ can get no bigger than he already is. Pauls hope was that his body would be like a telescope to all those around him. When we look at the stars, we realize that they are truly humongous objects in the universe. However, when looking at them from earth, they are so small that most of us walk around at night and rarely notice them. However, if we looked into a telescope these small stars become a lot larger. [4: Motyer, J. A. (1984). The message of Philippians (p. 86). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.]

This is how most peoples view of Christ is. Christ is the biggest and most important thing in the universe, and yet people, including us, commonly walk around without a thought of him. It is for this reason that living for Christ is so important, because the world and many Christians miss out on seeing Christ and truly knowing his magnificence. One of the ways that people see Christ and know how big and great he isis by looking at the lives of those who are truly living for him. Their life is not about comfortit is not about wealth or prestigeit is all about magnifying Christs name and helping people come to know him more. That should be our passion and our desire in lifeto make him known.

We see this daily is lesser things. Someone goes to a movie they really like and they leave that movie magnifying the movies name. They post on Facebook, and tell all their friends how good it was. People also do this when they go to a restaurant that they really lovedthey tell the world about how great it was. Thats what a Christian looks like who is really alive to Christ. Its their passion, its their purpose.

Charles Ellicott translated Paul words this way, My body will be the theatre in which Christs glory is displayed.[footnoteRef:5] This is a challenge for us each day. The reality is that Christ worthiness and beauty is judged by our lives. We either demonstrate the glory and beauty of Christ or we demean him. The world judges Christ by his followers. [5: Barclay, W. (2003). The Letters to Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians (3rd ed. fully rev. and updated., p. 31). Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press.]

Paul said this about believers: For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing (2 Corinthians 2:15). We give off the smell of Christ. We magnify him by our lives. He also said to the Corinthians that they were a letter from Christ written for all to read (2 Corinthians 3:3).

Are we magnifying him? Are we demonstrating his goodness and grace?

Let us hear that when we go through trials our life speaks the loudest. When a person goes through a trial everybody watches, and it really shows what our life really is. If comfort is our life or if getting our way is our life, we will yell, complain, and get angry at anybody that affects what we want. But when Christ is our life, the aroma of Christ is constantly spreadthe words of Scripture are constantly displayed on the tablet of our lives. Our lives say such things as: Blessed are the peacemakers for they are sons of God (Matthew 5:9). Our lives say: More blessed is it to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). It says: Trust in Lord always and do not lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). It says: When your enemy is thirsty give them something to drink, when he is hungry give him something to eat. Overcome evil with good (Romans 12:20-21).

Certainly, we see this with Christ and his life on the earthhis desire was to glorify God. Not only was he consumed with doing Gods will, but he only said Gods words (John 12:49), the works that he did were the Fathers (John 10:37). He came to give glory to the Father.

What does your life shout when you go through trials? What does it speak to everybody who watches? Does it declare, My waymy comfortmy dreams! Or does it speak, Christthe gospelthe glory of God!

Every day we must aim to allow our bodies to be the theatres through which Christ is glorified whether through life or death. LORD, let this be true of us! Amen.

Application Question: How can we magnify Christ most in the trials of life or the mundane things of life? How is God been calling you to glorify Christ more?

To Really Live for Christ, We Must Properly View Eternity

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain... I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by farPhilippians 1:21, 23

Next we see this battle in Pauls mind about what should he chooselife or death. To depart and be with Christ was better by far, and therefore, to die was gain.

In this verse we learn a great deal about what it truly means to live is Christ. How a person views the end of something always affects how they live. If a person views themselves as being doctor in the future, it will affect the type of classes they take and how hard they study. They realize they must be at the top of the class in order to be competitive and get into med schools. Our view of the end always affects how we live now.

This is also true about how we view death and therefore eternity. For many Christians they dont view death as gain because they dont realize that what is waiting on the other side is so much better than life here. When Christ calls them to store up riches in heaven instead of on this earth that doesnt motivate them much because they think their job, their career, their car, their house and their X-box is really what life is about. Your view of the end affects how you live now. In 1 Corinthians 15:32, Paul said, If the dead are not raised, why not eat, drink for tomorrow we die? If there is no resurrection and heaven to look forward to, why not live life for pleasure like everybody else. But if there is a resurrection and eternity, then it should constantly effect how we lived. This is why Paul viewed death as gain and why he chose to daily live for Christ. In fact, we learn a lot more about his view of eternity by his use of the word depart to describe death.

Interpretation Question: What can we learn about eternity from Pauls use of the word depart in referring to death?

The word depart Paul used of death is a very rich picture which teaches us a great deal about how we should view eternity. The word evokes various word pictures.

1. To depart is a camping metaphor.

As Paul was a tent maker, dying to him was a picture of taking up his tent and going home. He saw life as a temporary dwelling until he went to his permanent abode. This is the same picture he used in 2 Corinthians 5:1-2:

Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling.

Paul groaned to go to his permanent home. If we realized how temporary this life really is then we wouldnt spend so much time investing in it, but instead we would focus on the eternal. When I stay at a hotel, I dont spend a lot of time or money on making my hotel room more comfortable. I dont buy a better microwave or buy a better bed. Why? Its because I realize it is temporary. This is true of our lives on the earth as well.

Many spend their entire lives focusing on the tent, instead of preparing and investing in their eternal dwelling. Paul describes these people as just escaping the fire at the judgment seat of Christ in 1 Corinthians 3:15. When God tests their worksthey will be found to be lacking. They will enter heaven but none of their works were rewarded because they were temporary. They spent their life building up their tent instead of their eternal home (Matt 6:19-29).

2. To depart is a sailing metaphor.

It means to pick up your anchor and set sail. He saw life as sitting at the dock. For a sailor they live for the journeythe adventure. They love to be at sea. It is while they are at sea that they are really alive. If we think this life is exciting, wait until the next. That is when life really begins. Sadly, our view of heaven has been dulled by Hollywood and the movie industry. We think heaven is sitting on a cloudplaying a harp. However, we see Christ describing himself as awarding believers with cities and properties to manage in the coming kingdom for faithfulness on earth (Luke 19:12-27). We wont be boredwell be serving our King.

The book of Revelations helps give us a clearer picture of heaven. In Revelation 20 we are seen ruling with Christ on the earth. Revelations 21 shows heaven as a city. From that we can assume all the characteristics of any city. There will be commerce, art, entertainment, business, leisure, and food. In Revelations 22:2, I love how it describes the tree of life bearing twelve types of fruits every month. A regular tree bears fruit once a year. I am not a math major but that makes heaven 144 times more exciting than earthtwelve times twelve. To depart is to start our adventure.

The person whose life is Christ is not living for this world but living for the next. To die is gain. To depart is to begin the real adventure.

3. To depart is a political metaphor.

It means to set a prisoner free. Here on this earth we are bound to the fleshour sin nature. I struggle with pride; I struggle with insecurity, lust, anger and every other kind of sin. But in heaven, I will be like Christ. I will no longer carry around this old nature in my body, but my body will be free from sin. One of the greatest things about death is that we will be set free. We will be fully free to worship, to serve, to love and enjoy our God.

A person who is living for Christ is yearning with the rest of creation to be set free from the decay on this earth. Romans 8:22-23 says:

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

4. To depart is a farming metaphor.

It means to release a yoke. Paul saw himself serving Christ on this earth, laboring to see the kingdom come and to help Christians grow in maturity. But in heaven, he awaited a release from the labor. It is not that we will not serve in heaven because we will, but the burden and the weight of service will no longer be there. Revelations 14:13 says this: Then I heard a voice from heaven say, Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.

In heaven we will rest from our labor and our deeds will follow us. We will be rewarded for our deeds and the benefits will continue throughout eternity. To live for Christ means to labor here on earthto sweat, to discipline ourselves, to bear pain and lack of sleep for Christ, but at death it means to release the yoke. Come Lord! Come Lord! Maranatha!

What is your view of eternity? You can tell by how you are living. If you havent given much thought to heaven and eternity, it will show in your life. It will show by what truly makes you alive. If we dont view death as gain, we will live this life just like the world, consumed with promotion and retirement and the temporary things of this life instead of eternity. Paul saw departing as something better.

It should also be noted that if you dont view death and eternity properly, it will also affect how you view the passing of others. This doesnt mean that we dont mourn, because we do. But our mourning should not be like the world, for we mourn in hope (1 Thess 4:13). Like Christ at Lazaruss funeral, he cried because he was gone, he cried because of the pain of others (John 11:35), but he also knew that he was about to resurrect him. We mourn but not like the world; we mourn with hope in the resurrection, especially when our friends or relatives are believers.

What does the way you live your life say about your view of the end? To live is Christ means to die is gain.

Application Question: What metaphor of departing/death stood out to you most and why? How does Pauls view of death and eternity challenge how you live your life and how you view the passing of others?

To Really Live for Christ, We Must Focus on Discipling Others

If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.Philippians 1:22, 25-26

Interpretation Question: How did Paul become convinced that it was Gods will for him to remain (v. 25)?

When Paul considers the richness of going to be with Christ and how it was far better than living, he still felt compelled to stay and be with the Philippians and other churches for their spiritual progress.

When Paul says he is convinced of this and knows that he will remain, it doesnt necessarily mean he received a word from God that he would live. As weve watched him wrestle through the benefits of staying and leaving, its possible that it was just biblical reasoning. Paul was convinced that God would have him stay and be set free from prison because it would be more profitable for the Philippians and also because Paul, himself, wanted to stay for the same reason.

Observation Question: Why does Paul want to stay for the believers at Philippi?

Specifically he says he wants to stay for their progress. The word progress is a military term that speaks of a pioneer advance. It was used of the leaders going before the rest of the army cutting down brush and trees in order to make a path for others to follow along. Paul wanted this church to advance in areas spiritually that they had never been before. He wanted them to grow ultimately so that others would follow along the same path.

This should be our purpose as well as we live for Christ. While Christ was on the earth, he discipled others. To really live for him means to do the same. Consider what Paul said to Timothy: And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others (2 Timothy 2:2).

In this verse we see four generations of Christians: Paul teaching Timothy, Timothy teaching other men, and other men teaching others. That is what it means to live for Christ. It means to be a disciple that disciples others so one day they can do the same.

Being a disciple-maker doesnt necessarily mean you have to meet with somebody every day, read a book with them, and talk through the implications of a book. It simply means living life with othersmeeting with them to listen, share, pray, and apply the Word of God together.

Are you willing to be available to othersto live with them, to encourage them, to share life experiences with them, and to push them in their spiritual progress? That is what it means to live is Christ. He spent his life discipling other people and helping them progress in the faith.

Not only does Paul say he would stay for their progress in their faith but their joy in the faith. He wanted them to have joy in the Lord. This church was being persecuted (1:27), it had false teachers (3:2), and it had division (4:2). The Christian life is hard and there are constant threats to the joy of believers both from outside and inside. But part of growing in God is learning how to delight in him more and have joy in him more, no matter the circumstance. Paul himself declared in Philippians 4:11 that he had learned how to be content in every circumstance, and he even commanded this church to Rejoice in the Lord always (Phil 4:4).

Another application we can take from this is our need to be discipled. Someone said we all should have both a Paul and a Timothy in our lives. We need someone who is pouring into us, and we need others to pour into. Who is your Paul? Who is your Timothy?

In order to really live for Christ, we must practice the discipline of discipleship. Christ discipled others and so must we, as we follow him.

Application Question: What is your experience in discipling others or being discipled? How can we grow in the area of discipleship? What are some practical principles?

Conclusion

Paul said, To live is Christ. What can we learn from his example about really living for Christ?

1. To Really Live for Christ, We Must Trust and Submit to Gods Will2. To Really Live for Christ, We Must Depend on the Body of Christ3. To Really Live for Christ, We Must Exalt Christ in Everything We Do4. To Really Live for Christ, We Must Properly View Eternity5. To Really Live for Christ, We Must Focus on Discipling Others