TODAY’S MAIN PASSAGE:
Philippians 1:18b-26
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice 19 because I know this will lead to my salvation through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 20 My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
21 For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
22 Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. 23 I am torn between the two. I long to depart and be with Christ—which is far better— 24 but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25 Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that, because of my coming to you again, your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound.
One aspect of “Kingdom Living” is partnering in the work of the gospel.
The gospel was advancing by
- Personal evangelism: the whole imperial guard became aware that the reason for his imprisonment is because he is “in Christ”
- Church edification: most Christians in Rome became more courageous in the Lord and began to preach Christ fearlessly
Philippians 1:18a
What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice.
One aspect of “Kingdom Living” is having a Kingdom mindset and perspective.
Annual Prayer for Soma
Father, help us to be Kingdom-minded and to draw closer to You as we live obediently, love radically, and serve sacrificially.
TO LIVE IS CHRIST, TO DIE IS GAIN
Phil 1:18b-20
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice 19 because I know this will lead to my salvation through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 20 My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
There is uncertainty for Paul about what will happen next.
2 Timothy 4:18
The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever! Amen.
Philippians 2:9-11
For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name,10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—in heaven and on earth and under the earth—11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Paul believes Christ can and will be glorified in either his life or his death.
Philippians 1:21
For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
This is a life absolutely and fully devoted to Christ.
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Philippians 3:7-8
But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. 8 More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ.
The defining mark of “Kingdom Living” is being Christ-centered.
As Christians, we have a new identity, a new King, and a new future.
Philippians 1:22-26
Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. 23 I am torn between the two. I long to depart and be with Christ—which is far better— 24 but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25 Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that, because of my coming to you again, your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound.
Dying is our gain because it means we will be with Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:6-9
So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him.
Revelation 22:20
He who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!
Will our lives be marked by “fruitful work” for the gospel?