Living is Christ: The Disciple's Confidence

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Intro:

What’s up Campus Church! How many of you are taking Summer classes? I’m about to start a class here in a couple of weeks and I am not looking forward to it. I think I have taken summer classes ever since I started college almost 6 years ago. I don’t even remember what it is like to have a Summer Vacation. But you got to do what you got to do right?
I don’t want to go too long today but if you have your Bibles why don’t you go ahead and grab those and turn them to Philippians chapter 1.
Philippians is closer to the back and it might take you a minute to find it because it’s a short book. There is no shame in turning to the table of contents to see where it is. If you’re using a Bible app you will have no problem finding it.
This is a great book. There is so much here that we can apply to our lives. If you remember last week when Pastor Barry preached 1:3-11 and when he introduced us to this book, you’ll remember that we are looking at how for the life of the Disciple… Christ is our life. That is what we have entitled this study… Living is Christ.
Have you ever been to or seen one of those Comic Conventions on Facebook or something? I’m a bit of a nerd so I won’t lie… I hope I can go to one of these one day. I’ve seen some crazy costumes that some people have made.
My favorite one that I have seen is this one guy made Batman’s battle suit from the new movie. I don’t know what it was made of but it looked like it was straight from the movie. It was really cool. The only difference is, well, this Batman was a lot more overweight than Ben Affleck.
For some of these people, comic books and superheroes is life. For the guys that pick fights with the fans of rival sports teams, their team is life. Nerdom and sports are not wrong. In fact, I love things like Batman and Star Wars. But our life is Jesus.
Probably the biggest theme of the book of Philippians is Joy.
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In this four chapter book Paul uses the word “joy” five times (, ; , ; ), “rejoice” nine times ( (2); 2:17, 18, 28; 3:1; 4:4 (2), 10), and “rejoice with” two times (, ).
Do you see what’s crazy about that? If you remember, Paul’s in jail. And he’s telling all of these people at the church in Philippi that they need to be fighting for joy. That they have so much to rejoice in. Paul gives them things to celebrate because although he is in prison for the sake of the gospel, the gospel is still being preached and people are still coming to a saving faith in Jesus.
Paul is toward the end of his life and he is still experiencing joy. Where does that Joy come from? Paul makes it clear that his joy comes from Christ and his hope of being with Jesus after he dies.
So if you have your Bibles open to Philippians chapter 1 look down with me starting in verse 20.
Paul says this...

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.

LIVING IS CHRIST

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.

27 Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel, 28 not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your salvation—and this is from God. 29 For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are engaged in the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.

Prayer
Listen to this short story that I found...

A noted brain surgeon, Dr. Bronson Ray, was taking a stroll when he saw a boy on a scooter smash headfirst into a tree. Realizing that the boy was seriously injured, the doctor told a bystander to call an ambulance. As he proceeded to administer first aid, a boy not much older than the injured one nudged through the crowd that had gathered and said to Dr. Ray, “I’d better take over now, sir. I’m a Boy Scout and I know first aid,”

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This Boy Scout had confidence. He was confident because he was a boy scout and he probably had a badge for first aid or CPR or something that he would have no problem making sure that this injured kid was alright.
In the text that we just read together, the Apostle Paul is really modeling confidence. As a believer in Jesus, as someone who has suffered greatly for the ministry, he has confidence.
Preaching the Word: Philippians—The Fellowship of the Gospel Chapter 6: Paul’s Joyous Confidence (Philippians 1:18b–26)

This famous aphorism—“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (v. 21)—perhaps the most often quoted line from Philippians, stands at the spiritual center of the paragraph before us—a section in which Paul dynamically affirms his joyous confidence in God. May our consideration of Paul’s words from prison both ground and spike our confidence in Christ as we live through the difficulties of life.

A mark of living a Spirit-filled life is that you live a life of confidence. But what do we have confidence in? Well we have confidence in the gospel. We have confidence that Jesus has made us righteous before God. We have confidence that God will provide all of our needs. And as believers in Jesus, we have confidence that God will advance his gospel and continue to save lives regardless of how things may seem.
Let’s back up to verse 12. You remember Paul is in Prison. He says this...

18 What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice 19 because I know this will lead to my salvation,ae 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.

18 What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice

12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ. 14 Most of the brothers have gained confidence in the Lord from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the word,z fearlessly.

12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ.

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What we see here is...

The Gospel will advance through persecution

Paul’s in prison. It is likely that he is under house arrest. And because he is an imperial prisoner, he has the imperial guard with him 24/7.

The imperial guard, the praetorium, consisted of 9,000 handpicked soldiers who were honored with double pay, good pensions, and special duties. Among their not-so-special duties was that of guarding imperial prisoners by an attached chain. So Paul experienced a shuffle of soldiers manacled to him. Certainly few of the 9,000 praetoriani were chained to Paul, but the gospel effect was exponential. As soldier after soldier was chained to him in successive watches, they heard the gospel both directly and from Paul’s conversations with his visitors.

Paul knew that death could be right around the corner. He could have easily despaired. But instead he used these moments of imprisonment to share the gospel. He knew he was getting new guards all the time and he wanted each and every one of them to have an opportunity to be changed by Jesus.
We learn later on in the book that some of them actually believed in Paul’s message. Paul explains to them that they are in danger of condemnation and judgement but there is a way of salvation and his name is Jesus. In chapter 4:21-22 when Paul is closing his letter to the Philippians he says,

22 All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.,j

God can save the most unlikely people. Do you believe that? I mean, look at Paul. He was the most unlikely person to be saved and then Jesus intervened.
Who in you sphere of influence do you believe, either consciously or subconsciously, is too far gone that they will never believe the gospel?
We’ve said this so many times in our services but it is true! God does the saving. All we have to do is be obedient and open our mouths.
Paul also says in verse 14 that the gospel not only advanced among the pagan but it also advanced among the believers. He says that they were encouraged by him to speak the Word boldly because Paul spoke boldly in worse conditions.
Look guys, no matter how bad the conditions get where we do ministry and live on mission… no matter how hostile people get or how many friends we lose, we can boldly stand with Jesus.
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Look at vs. 15-18...
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15 To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of good will. 16 These preach out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment. 18 What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice

Did you know that there are those who preach Christ so that they can look better to other people? There are some people who, on the outside are bold evangelists but their motives are entirely selfish? Paul gives some really encouraging insight.
He says that, yes there are some people with really bad motives preaching the gospel and they will be judged for that, but the gospel is still being preached! The point of this again is that the gospel is bigger!
Have you ever tried to witness to somebody and kind of made a fool out of yourself? I used to work downtown at a lawyers office when i was in college. And walking through the streets of downtown Jacksonville, there are a lot of homeless people asking for money.
I remember thinking that every time someone stopped me to ask me for something I would, first give them a little money if I had any, and second try to share the gospel with them. I was motivated by Peter and John when they told the lame beggar in Acts “Gold and silver we have none but what we do have we give you.”
Most of the time I would walk away and be like… what the heck did I say to them… or, man I really should have said it this way…
I was encouraged by Paul’s words in .

When I came to you, brothers and sisters, announcing the mystery of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom. 2 I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not be based on human wisdom but on God’s power.

Let this be an encouragement to you. Know nothing but christ and him crucified among your lost friends. Share the words of Jesus to those who need to hear it and trust God to use it in them.
Paul says that no matter what happens… whether he is released or executed Christ will deliver him.
verse 19...

19 because I know this will lead to my salvation,ae 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.

Living is Christ means that Christ will be honored in our lives… whether we live the life of a disciple or if we die the death of a martyr… Christ will be honored.

to live is Christ, to die is gain

Is Christ your life? Is he what you care about more than anything? Jesus won’t accept number two or three on your list of priorities. In fact, number one isn’t good enough. He needs to be your list and the lens by which you see all of your other priorities.
Are you leveraging your hobbies and relationships for mission? Paul says...

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.

He literally just said, I don’t know if I would rather live or die!

23 I am torn between the two. I long to depart and be with Christ—which is far better

Man, that is radical. Who says, “I am torn between staying alive and dying?” He can say this because Christ is his life and confidence.
“What are you living for? Your answer to that question will determine the direction of your life. If your purpose is wrong, your direction will be wrong. If your purpose is vague or fuzzy, your direction will be fuzzy. If you don’t know your purpose, you’ll just be swept along by the currents of our age, doing what seems to bring you happiness. It is crucial that you be clear and correct in answering the question, “What are you living for?”” - Steven Cole
Leonard Griffith in his book, This is Living, told this story...
When I came to you, brothers and sisters, announcing the mystery of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom. 2 I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not be based on human wisdom but on God’s power.
A young man came to W. E. Gladstone when he was Prime Minister of England and said, “Mr. Gladstone, I would appreciate your giving me a few minutes in which I might lay before you my plans for the future. I would like to study law.” “Yes,” said the great statesman, “and what then?”
“Then, sir, I would like to gain entrance to the Bar of England.” “Yes, young man, and what then?”
Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 1 Co 2:1–5.
“Then, sir, I hope to have a place in Parliament, in the House of Lords.” “Yes, young man, what then?” pressed Gladstone.
“Then I hope to do great things for Britain.” “Yes, young man, and what then?”
“Then, sir, I hope to retire and take life easy.” “Yes, young man, and what then?” he tenaciously asked.
“Well, then, Mr. Gladstone, I suppose I will die.” “Yes, young man, and what then?” The young man hesitated and then said, “I never thought any further than that, sir.”
Looking at the young man sternly and steadily, Gladstone said, “Young man, you are a fool. Go home and think life through!” (Told by Leonard Griffith, This is Living [Abingdon Press], pp. 48, 49.)
Living is Christ. Paul talks a lot about living in Christ and that really is the only way to make Christ your life.
To be “in Christ” means that all that is true of Christ is true of the believer. Listen to what Paul says in ...

10 For the death he died, he died to sin once for all time; but the life he lives, he lives to God. 11 So, you too consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

While that is our true standing before God, we must grow in our experience of the reality of that standing, so that in our daily lives, we live in fellowship with Christ, communing with Him and depending on Him for everything. It means growing to know Christ intimately (). It means growing to love Christ with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength (). It means submitting all of my thoughts, emotions, words, and deeds to the lordship of Christ, so that I seek to please Him in all respects (). It means growing to experience Christ as my “all in all” (; ). Every aspect of life must be centered around the Lord Jesus Christ. The glorious person of Christ, and nothing less, is the Christian life.
So a Christian has the best of both worlds! Even if we suffer now, we have Christ to strengthen, sustain, comfort, and encourage us. If Christ is real to our soul, what more could we want? And, the instant we die we are present with the Lord for all eternity, freed from all sin and pain and death! Sure, it is sad for those left behind. We miss our loved ones who have gone to be with Christ. But we have God’s promise, that if “Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord” (). If we have sought to “live Christ,” then dying will be gain because we’ll be with Him! We can’t lose!
Is Christ your life?
As we wrap up this morning I just want to leave you with a couple of self-reflection questions...
1. Honestly complete the sentence: For me, to live is _________?
Is it Christ? Or is it something else? What is the most important thing to you? It could be anything. a relationship. A degree. A career.
2. Is it true in your own life that “Christ is all we need for our emotional and psychological wholeness”?
3. What does it mean for you to exalt Christ in your body?
Paul says in vs. 27-30...

27 Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel, 28 not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your salvation—and this is from God. 29 For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are engaged in the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.

As we seek to live in Christ, the gospel will advance. We must leverage anything bad or good that happens to us for the sake of the gospel.
I’m going to pray and then we will be done.
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