Title Philippians 1:20-26 Live or Die
Contents
Philippians 1:20-26 Life or death Topic: 44, Loyalty. 2007. 9. 30.
◎ Introduction
: Paul's personal testimony as a mark of a great Christian who lived a life of total devotion to Jesus Christ, and who he spent in prison and on the brink of hanging with little hope of salvation.
1. earnest expectation and hope (20)
2. Devotion to life or death (21-23)
3. For more good (24-26)
1. earnest expectation and hope (20)
※ Paul's earnest expectation and hope was for Christ to be honored in his body.
One). “Desperate expectation” means that the watchtower's watchman keeps his head upright and his neck outstretched to look into the distance.
※ This means to focus on only one place, and it means the concentration of Paul's hope.
2). Paul's "deep hope and hope" was the exaltation of Christ in his body.
※ There is only one place where Christ can be honored, either in the body or in life.
※ The Lord cannot reveal himself unless he is honored through the body of others.
Therefore, Paul gave his body to Christ.
3). “Live or die,” if executed, faithfully desired to glorify Christ in death.
He also wanted Christ to continue to be glorified in his body even after being released.
4). Why did Paul want Christ to be honored in his body?
※ In order not to be ashamed in anything, that is, because I did not want to be put to shame when I stood before Christ. (Luke 9:23-24, Romans 6:13, 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
① Some believers will be put to shame. (1 John 2:23)
② There are people who will burn out all their work. (1 Corinthians 3:13-15)
2. Devotion to life or death (21-23)
※ For great Christians, whether we live or die, we must dedicate ourselves to Jesus Christ.
One). Because “to me it is Christ”. (21)
① He offered his body as a living sacrifice to Jesus Christ (Romans 12:1).
② He presented his body members as instruments of righteousness to Christ (Romans 6:13).
③ He took every thought captive and made it obedient to Jesus Christ and tried to build up the great virtue of life.
(2 Corinthians 10:5, Phil 4:8)
④ He worked hard for love and justice in any society. (Matthew 7:12, 22:39)
⑤ While he was living in this party, he gave his life every moment to go preach and serve the gospel to as many people as possible. (John 20:21, Matthew 20:28, Luke 19:10, Acts 1:8)
What is the meaning, reason, and greatest purpose of your life?
* Money and material things, comfortable things, status, family, fame and popularity, entertainment or pleasure, fulfillment of needs...?
* If so, what would you do when faced with a life crisis or death?
2). “It is far better to be away from the world and to be with Christ” (23)
※ The fact that Paul said that it is also beneficial to die means that everything on this earth, including himself, will become old and perish.
Therefore, Paul went to Christ, the Savior, who would save him and lead him into an eternal, incorruptible world.
※ Jesus Christ is God’s way of showing us the truth of another world that is eternal and unharmful.
They held on to Christ because they knew that he was the only begotten Son of God who was sent to this earth for the sake of God.
① Christ saved man from sin, death, and judgment.
② Christ made it possible for man to live forever with God in the new heavens and the new earth.
(John 3:16, 5:24, Romans 14:8, 2 Corinthians 4:11, Gal 2:20, Phil 1:21, Hebrews 11:13, 2 Peter 3:13-14, 1 John 3:14, Revelation 21: One)
3). The choice between living and dying to be with Christ is a challenge (22-23).
※ “Leave” is very descriptive.
① Leaving means disbanding.
* In the same condition as when dismantling the tent and untying the rope, it means loosening it, dismantling it, packing it and moving it to a new location. It is like a believer leaving this world.
② Leaving means undocking the ship and setting sails and sailing to another port.
* The believer is not the end of existence, but the release of all the shackles of this life and voyage to the kingdom of God.
Believers have a promise.
① The promise to never die and to live forever with Christ. (John 3:16, 5:24, 2 Timothy 1:10)
② Promise to be with Jesus Christ forever (John 14:2~3, 2 Corinthians 5:8, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
③ Promise that we will be clothed in a glorious body as the Lord's glorious body.
(1 Corinthians 15:50-53, Philippians 3:21, Col 3:4, Matthew 13:43)
④ Promise to become heirs of God. (Romans 8:16-17)
⑤ The promise to reign and reign with Christ forever. (Matthew 25:23, Revelation 22:5)
These promises are so numerous that it is impossible to enumerate them all.
It will be a glorious day of union (with the Lord) and reunion (beloved ones who have gone first).
3. For more good (24-26)
※ What Paul is willing to do is to serve sacrificially. (24)
※ While awaiting trial to decide life or death in prison (25)
① Paul thought of many things to do in this world and the church,
② With the intuition felt through the Holy Spirit, he was convinced that he would be released from the charges of false accusation.
※ What is important is Paul's heart. Paul longed to reach out to men for Christ and satisfy the needs of a world that groans in despair. (26)
(Romans 14:19, 15:2, Ephesians 4:11-12)
◎ Conclusion: