2. Living in Light of Future Hope Philippians 1:21-30
Presented by
Bob DeWaay
December 5th, 2004

3. Paul Contemplates Life and Death
Philippians 1:21
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

4. Paul’s Dilemma
Philippians 1:22
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.

5. Paul’s Dilemma
Philippians 1:23
But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;

6. There is no “Soul Sleep”
2Corinthians 5:8
we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.

7. The Philippians are a Reason to Stay
yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.

8. Death would Be to Paul’s Advantage
2Corinthians 5:6
Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord--

9. Progress in The Faith
Philippians 1:25
And convinced of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,

10. Paul Expects to See them Again
Philippians 1:26
so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.

11. Appropriate “Boasting”
Jeremiah 9:23
Thus says the Lord, "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;

12. Appropriate “Boasting”
Jeremiah 9:24
but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth. . .

13. Appropriate “Boasting”
Philippians 3:3
for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,

14. Be Worthy Gospel Citizens
Philippians 1:27a
Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ;

15. Be Worthy Gospel Citizens
Philippians 1:27b
so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

16. The Gospel Divides
Philippians 1:28
in no way alarmed by your opponents-- which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.

17. Faith and Suffering go Together
Philippians 1:29
For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

18. Conflict Against the Gospel
Philippians 1:30
experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

19. A. Three ways eschatological [end times] hope should motivate us now.
Applications
A. Three ways eschatological [end times] hope should motivate us now.
B. How we progress in the faith

20. The Motivation of Future Hope
1) Belief in the hope of the resurrection gives us motivation for making the Gospel a priority

21. The Motivation of Future Hope
2) Belief in the hope of the resurrection motivates us to lay aside the pursuit of pleasure in this life.

22. The Motivation of Future Hope
Philippians 3:10
that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;

23. The Motivation of Future Hope
Philippians 3:11
in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

24. The Motivation of Future Hope
3) Belief in the hope of the resurrection gives us comfort in a world of death.

25. How we Progress in The Faith
Acts 2:42
And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.