No Matter What Part 1

-everyone is trying to find happiness ... I can say this with confidence because I've never heard anyone say, I'm trying so hard to just be miserable, discontent, lonely,

Illustration: British man bought home in Virgin Islands and Irma destroys it 5 days later.

“Last Friday, I bought the house of my dreams in what I think is the most beautiful place in the world in Cane Garden Bay in Tortola," he says in the video. "Life’s absolutely perfect. Then on Wednesday, five days later, we got a little bit of inclement weather, and then this happened."

Illustration: keeping ice cold during the hurricane (impossible even with a Yeti)

Main Idea: The key to joy in life is to have a greater hope in the next life—and greater purpose in this one.

Background: Pau’s situation—in prison

Paul, writing from prison and awaiting his likely death, challenges the Philippians to rejoice.

He was experiencing loneliness, uncertainty, fear, and bondage.

But Paul makes the amazing statement in verse

Having a Hope Beyond This Life

Paul here makes a really strange statement, “to live is Christ, to die is gain”

What does that mean? Is he just morbid and wants to die?

Paul’s background: met the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus.

What this meant: 1. Jesus’ death provides eternal life with God. 2. Jesus’ resurrection means we will too will rise and live in the perfect presence of God forever.

It also means that if we die now, before Jesus returns, we will go to be with Him in heaven.

And for Paul, this is desirable. He would much rather be in the presence of Jesus.

Illustration: Ton’s dream … he met Jesus

And what this did for Paul was it allowed him to hold the things of this world loosely.

He could even “rejoice” because he knew that even if the Roman’s executed him; he would be even better off.

So Paul can have joy in the worst of situations because his hope is not tied up in this life.

In addition, Paul is ready to die. He actually looks forward to what it will mean for him.

Application: Is your hope tied to what happens in this life? Are you ready to die?

Having a Purpose Greater in This Life

Paul also says, “To live is Christ”

When we live our lives for Christ, we will inherently experience joy because it is how we are created. It's how we were designed, to be image bearers of God. It reflect his glory.

Illustration: a diamond’s purpose

Paul expresses this idea elsewhere:

Galatians 2:20 ESV

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

What does it mean to "live Christ"? We're going to dig deeper into this, but in essence it means to center your life on the person and work of Jesus. That our lives would be totally shaped by the gospel and our lives are totally directed by helping others know that gospel.

So what does it mean to "live Christ"? We're going to dig deeper into this in the weeks to come, but in essence it means to center your life on the person and work of Jesus.

That our lives would be totally shaped by the gospel and our lives are totally directed by helping others know that gospel.

Let me just speak personally … the love of God I have experienced in Jesus has given my life incredible joy.

It saved me from destruction as a young man

It has freed me to be honest with myself and others

It has saved my marriage, more than once

It has shown me that I can be loved and cherished by God

The gospel pulls us out of our selfishness, guilt and shame, and frees us to genuinely love and be loved.

Illustration: Sharing with my neighbor the other night … longing to see my family, friends, and neighbors know the amazing, lavish love of Jesus. There is nothing like it.

Conclusion

Illustration: Hamlet vs. Paul

Hamlet: Uncle murdered his father, seduced and married his mother, and seized Denmark’s throne. He then desires just to end his life … but fears what torments might await in death. It is a terrible dilemma “To be or not to be”. Continue living in a miserable world or face a terrible life after death.

Paul has a similar dilemma, but his choice is between two greater goods. On going joy of leading people to the gospel or a martyr’s death that would usher him in to the very presence of Jesus.

Questions:

Unbeliever: Are you ready to die? Do you dread it like Hamlet or are you longing for the joy of Jesus’ presence?

Believer:

Are you living your life in a way that sees death as gain?

Are you living for yourself or are you living in the purpose of introducing people to Jesus?

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