1. Facing the Giants: Missed Opportunity Phil 1:22-26

2. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.

3. 1. Its Only When You're Anxious To Go!

4. Phil 1:22-24 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.

5. A. The Believer's. Attraction

6. Phil 1:23 23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;

7. 2 Cor 5:1-10 The Temporal and Eternal 1For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, 3inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. 4For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. 5Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.

8. 2 Cor 5:1-10 6Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord--7for we walk by faith, not by sight-- 8we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. 9Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

9. Luke 23:43 43And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise."

10. Jn 17:24 24"Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

11. B. The Believer's Experience

12. Phil 1:24 24yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.

13. Gal 2:20 20"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

14. Ps 16:11 11You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

15. Ps 73:24-25 24With Your counsel You will guide me, And afterward receive me to glory. 25Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.

16. 2. That You're Ready To Stay.

17. Phil 1: 25-26 25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, 26so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.

18. A. The Believer's Obligation

19. Phil 1:25 25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith

20. Jn 13:1 1Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

21. Rom 1:11 11For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established;

22. B. The Believer's Expectation

23. Phil 1:26 26so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.

24. Ps 71:18 18And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come.