Philippians 03 - Christ Exalted in Me

Reading: Philippians 1:19-30

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. Philippians 1:20 (NIV)

I.   A Win Win situation

     A.  The power of Prayer

           1.  Through your prayers

                 a.  Paul attributes his hope for release on the prayers of the Philippians

                 b.  The prayers of ordinary Christians have a profound effect on events.

           2.  And the provision of the Spirit

     B.  Strength in the struggle

           1.  Paul is confident he won’t be ashamed

                 a.  This, apparently was a concern he had

                 b.  He saw that on his own, he could easily cave in to pressure.

                 c.  With God’s help, he is certain he can keep the faith.

           2.  Paul is confident that he will have courage

                 a.  Apparently he was concerned about that too.

                 b.  With God’s help he would have courage.

     C.  Christ will be exalted in Me

           1.  Paul believes Christ will be exalted in HIM!

                 a.  Would you dare say such a thing?

                 b.  Because of what God was doing in him

           2.  Whether by life or by death!

                 a.  “To live is Christ and to die is gain!”

                 b.  Paul is in a win win situation!

II.  The Purpose of my life

     A.  A difficult Choice

           1.  Living means accomplishing something for Christ v.23

                 a.  All of us want to accomplish something

                 b.  Paul was certain that if he would live it was because there was something to accomplish.

           2.  To die is to be with Christ (v.23)

                 a.  A glimpse into what happens when we die.

                 b.  Paul knew where he was going. Do you?

           3.  Being with Christ would be better for me

                 a.  Between suffering in this life and being with Jesus, the choice isn’t hard.

                 b.  I know where I’d be better off!

     B.  For Your sake

           1.  Do I choose what’s best for me, or for you?

                 a.  Not really a choice for Paul — it was in God’s hands.

                 b.  Not really a choice either, because Paul would do anything to spiritually benefit others.

           2.  Paul is convinced his life would do them more good than his death.

                 a.  His release would give them a legal precedent against future threats

                 b.  His release would reunite them

     C.  My purpose is your progress

           1.  Paul would ‘progress’ more by being with the Lord.

                 a.  To be with God meant the burden of sin and its blindness would be lifted.

                 b.  Then he would see ‘face to face.’

                 c.  Then he would ‘know fully.’

           2.  The Philippians would progress more, if Paul remains in his body.

                 a.  By seeing their prayers answered.

                 b.  By seeing Paul again

                 c.  By reaffirming themselves in the Gospel Paul had first brought to them.

III. Worthy of the Name

     A.  A Credit to the Message

           1.  You have been entrusted with a treasure: live a life worthy of the treasure.

                 a.  Not that they were suppose to earn anything.

                 b.  They inherited the name Christian and would bring honor or shame to Christ and His message by what they did.

           2.  Don’t do it for me.

                 a.  Who are you when no one’s looking?

                 b.  Do it because it’s right.

                 c.  Do it in thankfulness to and love for God who sent His only Son.

     B.  Contending as One

           1.  There is contending to do

                 a.  This isn’t all a church pot-luck!

                 b.  Oh how I wish we did all contend for the one Truth: Jesus died to set us free.

           2.  We are to contend as one man (lit: one soul/life)

                 a.  Oh, that we would all contend with one voice!

                 b.  Say what denomination you grew up in (if none say, “none”)

                 c.  Now say the name of the One who draws all people to himself:

           3.  Be like a ‘dream team’ (athletes together).

                 a.  One team, one goal, working as one.

                 b.  This takes practice, hard work, looking out for each other, cooperation.

     C.  A Gift of suffering

           1.  Not all suffering is a ‘gift.’

                 a.  This passage doesn’t say that.

                 b.  Some suffering comes because of evil. It is no gift, it is a cross to bear.

           2.  Suffering on behalf of Christ is a privilege.

                 a.  Few have the opportunity to suffer for Jesus, directly or indirectly.

                 b.  Jesus said:

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 Matthew 5:11-12 (NIV)

 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)

           3.  We’re all in this together.

                 a.  We don’t struggle alone.

                 b.  My struggle isn’t over, and yours isn’t but it is our privilege to struggle together!

The Bottom Line:

(GHoF #470 Jesus is All the World to Me v.1)