2. Philippians 1:21-30
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.  I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.  But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. Only let your manner of life be worthy of

3. Philippians 1:21-30
the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.”

4. Paul’s Life or Death Choice AKA “Should I Stay or Should I Go”
Living vs. Dying
Verse 21 - “For to me,
To live is Christ and to
die is gain”

5. Paul’s Life or Death Choice AKA “Should I Stay or Should I Go”
Departing vs.
Remaining
Death is a departure
and Living is to remain
in the flesh

6. Paul’s Life or Death Choice AKA “Should I Stay or Should I Go”
Being with Christ vs Fruitful work (labor for Christ)

7. Paul’s Life or Death Choice AKA “Should I Stay or Should I Go”
Being with Christ
2 Cor. 5:6-8 – “So we are always of good courage.
We know that while we are at home in the body
we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith,
not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we
would rather be away from the body and at home
with the Lord.”

8. Paul’s Life or Death Choice AKA “Should I Stay or Should I Go”
Fruitful Work / Labor for Christ
For Paul, living meant serving and spreading the
Gospel

9. Paul’s Life or Death Choice AKA “Should I Stay or Should I Go”
The Deciding Factor
Philippians 1:22-23 – “Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better”

10. Paul’s Life or Death Choice AKA “Should I Stay or Should I Go”
The Deciding Factor
How often do we let our desires dictate our decisions?
How often do we let what we think is best for us dictate our decisions?

11. Paul’s Life or Death Choice AKA “Should I Stay or Should I Go”
The Deciding Factor
Something higher than our desires and what we think is best for us should dictate our choices

12. Paul’s Life or Death Choice AKA “Should I Stay or Should I Go”
The Deciding Factor
Philippians 1:24-26 – “But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.”

13. Paul’s Life or Death Choice AKA “Should I Stay or Should I Go”
The Needs of Others is the Deciding Factor

14. Paul’s Life or Death Choice AKA “Should I Stay or Should I Go”
What can we learn from Paul’s “choice”:
For the Christian, life or death is really a win/win situation
(Not true for those who have not repented of their sin and put faith in Christ)
Hebrews 10:31 - “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”

15. Paul’s Life or Death Choice AKA “Should I Stay or Should I Go”
What can we learn from Paul’s “choice”:
For the Christian, life or death is really a win/win situation
Life is about serving Jesus and pointing others to him
(not about what we want or what is best for us)
Helping people know, follow and share Jesus

16. Living as Good Citizens Worthy of the Gospel
Philippians 1:27 – “let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ”
Ephesians 4:1 – “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called”

17. Living as Good Citizens Worthy of the Gospel
Philippians 1:27 – “let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ”
Colossians 1:10 – “so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

18. Living as Good Citizens Worthy of the Gospel
Philippians 1:27 – “let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ”
1 Thessalonians 2:12 – “we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.”

19. Living as Good Citizens Worthy of the Gospel
Live as heavenly citizens
“let your manner of life” – carries the idea of citizenship

20. Living as Good Citizens Worthy of the Gospel
Live as heavenly citizens
Live worthy of the Gospel
Paul is not saying they need to earn their salvation
2 Corinthians 5:15 – “and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised”

21. Living as Good Citizens Worthy of the Gospel
Live as heavenly citizens
Live worthy of the Gospel
Paul is not saying they need to earn their salvation
“Salvation is a free gift of God’s grace earned by the work of Jesus Christ alone. And this free gift will cost you everything”. – Robbie Castleman

22. Living as Good Citizens Worthy of the Gospel
Live as heavenly citizens
Live worthy of the Gospel
Paul is not saying they need to earn their salvation
“The gospel not only gives life but provides the pattern of life for the believer as well” – Matthew Harmon

23. Living as Good Citizens Worthy of the Gospel
Am I living worthy of the gospel?

24. Living as Good Citizens Worthy of the Gospel
Am I living for Jesus and for others?
(helping people know, follow, and share Jesus?)