THIS IS ALL THAT MATTERS

Phil 1:19-30

I came across a story of a man named Andrew Chong, a beloved physician and elder of a church who passed away. He was taken to the hospital to have a stint cleared of blockage. The procedure was aggressive, and after some time the surgeon came out and indicated that he could not go on because there was too much bleeding. He said “You better get your family here. He may not make it through the night.” So all the family were rushed to the Hospital to be by his side, where they gathered weeping and saying their good-byes. Andrew had just come out of the anesthetic and was in intense pain and unable to talk. Seeing his family distressed, he made a motion for a pen and paper. As they passed him the pen and paper he wrote slowly and clearly twelve words in a single column.

“For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

And he finished by writing “Hallelujah” And then he had enough energy to say “Nothing has changed. Nothing has changed.” Shortly after that statement, he went to be with our LORD.

What gave this man of God the courage to write so beautifully in the midst of his coming death? Well someone before him wrote these words to remind us of the great God we love and serve with our life and even in our death. The gospel gives us hope, the gospel is our hope! See! Paul had carried the Gospel of Christ through much of the Roman Empire and he wanted to preach to the Western parts of that region as well. But! God had other plans for Paul; instead, it seemed that he must soon be executed for his faith.

So! Despite the trials, sorrow, and suffering Paul’s ministry was nevertheless a Joyful experience and blessing to those who were around him, even to the very end! Paul in this section affirms his joyous confidence in God and his words from prison encourage our hearts with the same confidence. Paul says something that would make even the average Atheist and most religious person scratch their heads....and say “you are crazy buddy!

But! Paul revealed That even the threat of impending DEATH and the sorrow of living on in the FLESH, were incapable of robbing him of his JOY! Look at (v19-v21) Paul looked to the future, not his present circumstance. Paul looked to Christ and the gospel and rested in this confidence of deliverance, whether by life or death. What does Paul reveal to us about his present circumstance? There is no disappointment as long as the Lord is glorified by my life (v19- v24) We see 4 confidences or as I like to call it “No disappointments” that Paul displays in this portion of scripture.

CONFIDENCE IN THE DECREE OF THE LORD (v19) 

“For I Know” means to know something with certainty...assurance! Paul was convinced his present suffering would turn out for his deliverance, no matter what happened. Paul looked to the future promises of Scripture through the gospel and finishing work of Christ in his life. Paul said this to Timothy in his final letter “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Did the Lord delivery Paul and bring him home safely? Yes, through his death at the hands of a wicked and evil dictator. Paul knew the promise of God that all things work out for His glory in the end. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” Rom 8:28

  

CONFIDENCE IN THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS THROUGH THE PROVISION OF THE SPIRIT (v19)

“Through your prayer” Paul knew that “the effective prayer of the righteous man can accomplish much” James 5:16. Paul knew it wasn’t only important for him to pray! But for the saints as well, to pray for each other on a regular basis. Paul had an overflowing sense of joy through the Spirit, because of the faithfulness of the Saints praying. We have seen this overflowing or full of Spirit in the Book of Acts. We read this about Stephen before he died “But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:55. We also see this with Peter “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them,..” Acts 4:8. We read that this overflow that Peter received, gave them boldness “And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:31. 

Prayer is a powerful thing in the hands of the saints, praying in a multitude through the provisions of the Holy Spirit. Provision is described in this verse...........a full bountiful and sufficient supply of what is needed. The Holy Spirit is our sufficient resources for everything in life.....no matter what!

“Supply of the Spirit” Rom 8:8-10 says “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

See Paul could say this with confidence because its…. 

The Spirit helps and intercedes for us (Rom 8:26)

The Spirit provides guidance (Matt 10:19-20)

The Spirit is our source of power (Eph 3:20)

The Spirit produces an abundant harvest of spiritual fruit (Gal 5:22-23)

CONFIDENCE IN THE PROMISE OF CHRIST (v20)

“Christ will be magnified” means: to make great, magnify. Metaphorically to make obvious, to deem or declare great, or to celebrate...to praise something of great value! Whether by life or death, was to Paul perfectly equal, and perfectly indifferent, providing that Christ was being magnified in his body.

Meaning….

Magnify Christ in my body to the very end of this life

Magnify Christ by serving Him with my heart, soul and strength

Magnify Christ by proclaiming the Gospel even if brings resentment from others

Magnify Christ as extremely valuable above ALL THINGS!

John Knox said this about this portion of Scripture "Live in Christ, live in Christ, and the flesh need not fear death." This was Paul’s heart, and it’s a great example for you and me today. Paul knew that either way he would be victorious, and Christ, would be exalted, which is why we are here to celebrate our life in Christ. We to should have that passion and desire to magnify Christ in everything we do despite our present circumstance. As Paul boldly said “for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 Cor 6:20

  

CONFIDENCE IN THE PLAN OF GOD (V20- V21)

  

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” To depart and be with Christ is far better than anything. When someone asks the question what are you looking forward to when you get to Heaven?Your first and only answer should be “To see Christ! Which is far better?” Paul said it best in Rom 14:7-9 “For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.  For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.” If I die instant glory, release from sufferings and an entrance upon eternal joys. And if I live, I will continue to spread the “The Good News” I will continue to serve Him with my whole life until He calls me home.

ASK YOURSELF

Do you have that same passion as Paul had?

Do you truly understand what Paul is saying here or do you, think he is crazy?

Do you have that desire to be with your greatest treasure? Which is far better than anything?

Even with all this confidence... It was very hard for Paul to choose! Not because he was selfish or confused or he wanted praises from men! He loved the Gospel, and he loved the church and the people he came in contact with on a daily basic! He understood the severity of what was at stake for those who did not know Jesus Christ..............LOOK AT (V23-24) As long as the Lord had work for Paul to do on earth, that is where Paul wanted to be, regardless of his suffering or circumstance. Paul reminded the church at Corinth this truth “So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him.” 2 Cor 5:9. This was Paul’s aim , this was Paul’s confidence “And having this confidence” Being persuaded of this that my continuation on earth is desirable for your welfare and spiritual growth. Paul‘s desire was to help these people to grow in their faith and to desire the Lord in everything, even in Paul’s absence. This was Paul’s crowning joy to see God’s children growing in their faith in Jesus Christ. This wasn’t a job or power trip for Paul...this brought him genuine joy for the body of Christ.

We know this is true when Paul said “Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.” 2 Cor 1:24. Paul did not consider this a hindrance or burden in his Christian walk. He considered it a joyful opportunity to serve the Lord through serving them. Because it’s all about the gospel and love of God demonstrated in the gospel. As one Theologian said “The key to joy, to growth, to passion isn’t hiding from you. It’s right before your eyes.......It’s the Gospel!” This is one of the things lacking in our evangelical churches today. People want things to happen in the church, but don’t want to help in making things happen. Paul found it to be a pleasure not a burden to serve his fellow believers.

WHY?

Serving helps us to encourage the weak Christian. (Isa 35:3) “strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees” 

Serving helps us to be edified by the Word of God. “But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head- Christ” Eph 4:15

  

Serving helps us to serve one another. Rom 1:12 says “that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. 1 Peter 1:22 says “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,”

Serving helps us to grow in a Christian walk together. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” Matt 5:6

  

Serving most of all it Glorifies God for His sovereign goodness. “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light..” 1 Peter 2:9

Paul knew the importance of his life, Whether by death which is instant victory! Whether by life to fulfill God’s perfect will for the partnership of the gospel to go forth for His glory. The same goes for us today! When we follow the guidelines of this wonderful truth ....it is always accompanied by AMAZING JOY! Why? God will never disappoint anyone who obeys and follow His will for their life! With God there is never disappointment despite what you are going through today! 

What are we to do so that we don’t loss that same kind of joy? Look at (v27) 

A godly lifestyle........a joyful Christian should be your desire and conduct daily! Conduct means "to lead," to discipline, a way or course of life, conduct, literally “a manner of life."

Our conduct that Paul is speaking about is a conduct that:

Believing God in everything.

Fearing God with an awe of worship.

Loving God and following God no matter what’s ahead.

Obeying God even when we don’t want to or feel like it.

Rejoicing in God as supremely valuable.

Believing in Christ for His finishing work.

Loving Christ more every day that He gives us.

Live by example to those around us.

Willing to even die for the sake of the Gospel.

  

As Paul said (v27) “let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ” “Let your “Citizenship” be worthy of the gospel of Christ, because our citizenship is in Heaven. Paul says “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” Phil 3:20-21. John Wycliffe said  "The gospel alone is sufficient to rule the lives of Christians everywhere...any additional rules made to govern men's conduct added nothing to the perfection already found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ." All of God's saving power and joy is manifested through the gospel. As we delight in His Son, Jesus Christ for all eternity.

Don’t miss this!

Heaven isn’t our reward for all eternity! JESUS IS

John Piper wrote “The critical question for our generation—and for every generation is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ was not there?”

That’s not the Heaven Christ or Paul proclaimed to the broken -hearted! That sure isn’t the Heaven that I want to live in or proclaim to a lost and broken world about. This isn’t the Heaven Paul put his confidence in; and it surely isn’t what he wanted others to put their confidence in either. Paul only cared about two things in life! The Gospel and spending an eternity with Jesus Christ.. As benefactors like Paul, we are charged to be like Paul, a gospel first people, living our lives worthy of the gospel and standing firm in one Spirit. As Paul, I will make it my aim in life to serve the Gospel that saves...because Jesus is worth it, not heaven! James Boice said in his commentary “You may resist God’s will and drown in yourself in pity, even in legitimate sorrow. But the day is coming when you will see it as you stand before your loving heavenly Father. You will look back from a vantage point in eternity millions of years from now and will confess that God knew what He was doing in your life. You will see that Christ was certainly exalted, and you will not be disappointed”. With God there are no disappointments; His Holy Word validates that truth and Jesus’ work on the Cross sealed that promise with His life. Jesus is everything to me and you.

The question is

Do you have complete joy and confidence in the gospel?

Is Jesus everything to you, whether by your life or by your death?