TO KNOW CHRIST #4
Life Lessons from Paul’s Letter to the Philippians
CHRIST BE EXALTED
Phil 1:18b-26
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 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. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 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! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 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, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
Philippians 1:18b-26 (NIV)
THE OBJECTIVE: CHRIST EXALTED IN ME
“that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death” (v. 20)
THE REASON: MY LIFE AND DEATH ARE IN CHRIST
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (v. 21)
“Death is a great loss to a carnal, worldly man, for he loses all his earthly comforts and all his hopes; but to a true believer it is gain, for it is the end of all his weakness and misery. It delivers him from all the evils of life, and brings him to possess the chief good.” (Matthew Henry)
THE METHOD: UNASHAMED AND UNDAUNTED IN TRIAL
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage” (v. 20)
THE RESULT: SALVATION
“what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance” (v. 19)