Jesus Our Joy Philippians 1:21-26 Living and Dying in the Joy of Christ

Just SEVEN Easy Little Words… Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is… Christ? If not CHRIST, then what?

1 – SEVEN WORDS TO SUM YOU UP For to me, to live is… Freedom? (7b) Reputation? (15-17) Life and Health? (20b,21b)

Paul Received… Imprisonment, Slander and Death –

Summing up Paul His judge was Emperor Nero – with no reputation for justice. Paul can still say seven words… “ For to me, to live is CHRIST”

Seven Words to Sum Us up Some Pearly words of wisdom! I live for… …the “trouble and strife.”

Will you say, “I live for..” “…the Bugs Bunny” “…the Dustbin Lids.” … or even for “the Left in the Lurch.”

For Paul What Matters is NOT… What is best for the Church? (v. 24) Nor even, what is best for Paul? (v. 23). NO – what matters is… WHAT WILL BRING CHRIST HIS GLORY? (v. 20).

The Seven Word Test… “For to me, to live is Christ” Life = “Fruitful labour for me” (v. 22) Death = Gain because of Christ. For to me, to live is Me? Is it “Me”, or is it Christ?

Philip Hacking quote… "I meet some older Christians who are coasting home, who don't think things are like they used to be and they fear that things can only get worse. May I point out that there is a danger sometime with older Christians (which many of us are)

Philip Hacking quote… …that we don't have this apostolic longing to see fruitful labour being done. But here's Paul saying, 'Right, Lord, I'm ready to go to glory, but if You want me to stay then it's going to be fruitful labour.'"

2 – THREE WORDS TO GIVE YOU HOPE 1 – SEVEN WORDS TO SUM YOU UP Three words, or sentences, to sum up the future hope of a Christian

WORDS TO GIVE YOU HOPE 1 – “DEPARTING” FROM EVIL Paul’s idea of Christian “death benefits.” (22-23) “I am torn between the two: I desire to depart…”

1 – “DEPARTING” FROM EVIL “Depart” – permanently leaving behind… Breaking Camp…

1 – “DEPARTING” FROM EVIL “Depart” – permanently leaving behind… Setting sail…

To break camp, to set sail… All that is not useful is left behind. All sin, all anguish, and all fear… But Is this too idealistic?

2 – “ARRIVING” WITH JESUS 1 – Departing from Evil Do you fear heaven will be boring? The Bible does not say (not even once) that when Believers die they will go 'to heaven.' The Bible says they go to be 'with Christ.'

C.S. Lewis quote: “If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were those who thought most of the next.” ( Mere Christianity )

Samuel Rutherford on Our Hope What does a bride most look forward to on her wedding day? The service, the guests, the reception, the flowers, her beautiful dress?

"They will see his face" Rev. 22:4 Only her bridegroom's face. Rutherford: "The bride takes not, by a thousand degrees, so much delight in her wedding garment as she does in her bridegroom. So we in the life to come shall not be so much [concerned] with the glory that goes about us, as with our bridegroom's joyful face and presence."

Death Brings Separation… Soul from body… Loved ones from family. Unbelievers from God’s grace. BUT DEATH DOES NOT SEPARATE A CHRISTIAN FROM CHRIST. Christ Much, or Christ Much More? Christ by faith, or Christ by Sight?

3 – “BECOMING” LIKE JESUS 1 – Departing from Evil. 2 – Arriving with Jesus. “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3.2

3 – “BECOMING” LIKE JESUS “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Tim 4:8 Like Him in love and righteousness.

How Paul Faced Up To Death Not with a fear or hatred of death. Not with a shrug of resignation. Not with defiance, trying to muster the courage to stand up to it. Instead, he lived and he died with JOY (vs 18b, 25b, 26).

The Seven NINE Word Test For to me to LIVE and DIE is Christ! How can you pass that test? You and Jesus must be united - go hand in hand in life and death. Receive the one who said, "I go to prepare a place for you." _____

Psalm 56:1,9-13* (p. 73) 1/5 1 O my God, show mercy to me; men would take my life away. Hostile forces press upon me; they pursue me all the day.

Psalm 56:1,9-13* (p. 73) 2/5 9 When I call on you to help me, then my foes will turn aside; This is how I will be certain that my God is on my side.

Psalm 56:1,9-13* (p. 73) 3/5 10 In the LORD, whose word I honour, in my God—I praise his word— 11 I will trust and not be fearful. What can man do to me, Lord?

Psalm 56:1,9-13* (p. 73) 4/5 12 I have taken vows before you; to my God I will be true. Sacrifices of thanksgiving I will gladly give to you.

Psalm 56:1,9-13* (p. 73) 5/5 13 For you kept my feet from stumbling, and from death you set me free, So that I may walk before you and the light of life may see.

Please join us in the hall for tea and coffee God Calls Us to delight in Christ and to Share His Hope.