1. To Live is Christ

2. Second Missionary Journey
Philippi
Lydia
Imprisoned
Jailor
Second Missionary Journey

3. Paul was in Prison at Rome When he wrote Philippians

4. Philippians 1: NKJV
21. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.
23. For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
24. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.

5. Paul Faced a Dilemma Sweet to go on living Righteousness Evangelism
Work to do preaching the gospel
Human life is priceless
“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?” Luke 9:25 NKJV
Purpose
Of Life
Righteousness
Evangelism
Edifying

6. Paul Faced a Dilemma “To Die is Gain”
Christ to live - To die will be gain
If he died then he would leave earth’s problems
sickness, death, sin, suffering, temptation
“With Christ”
Dies as a faithful Christian
Heavenly Home
Mixed emotions - stay or go

7. Reasons why life is Great
Adversity can be a blessing John 16:33
Sickness
Loss of Wealth
Pro. 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart”
Ps. 119:67 “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.”
Ps. 119:71. “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.”
Death of a loved one

8. Reasons why life is Great
Positive Blessings of earthly life
Christian family
Friends
Brethren in Christ
Serving Christ
Suffering for Christ

9. Two Possible Fates of Life
Die as a Wicked Person = Results in LOSS
Eternal Separation from God - Mt. 25:30-46
Loss of everything of value - 1 Thes. 1:7-9
Unending punishment
Mark 9: “the fire is not quenched”
Matt. 25:46 “everlasting punishment”
Rev. 20: “This is the second death”
Rev. 14:9-11 “tormented with fire and brimstone” “for ever and ever”

10. Two Possible Fates of Life
Die as a Righteous Person = Results - Saved
All adversity will be over - Rev. 21:1
Be with God, Christ, Holy Spirit, Angels
Realize God’s ultimate purpose
John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

11. Paul’s Dilemma He wanted to stay on Earth
Fight the good fight of Faith - 1 Tim. 6:12
Stay with the faithful - 2 Tim. 4:6-8
He Wanted to Depart and be with Christ
Better for Paul
He felt that he would remain with them Phil. 1:25
2 Timothy 4:6 “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.”

12. To Live is Christ Dilemma
“For to me
and to die is gain”
Phil. 1:21
Dilemma
Life
Serve God
Serve fellow Christians
Death
Be with Christ
Enjoy heaven
Phil. 1:23-24
23. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
24. Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

13. Sermon by Arthur Pigman
Evans Church of Christ
515 Gibbs Road
Evans, Ga
Sunday Morning April 7, 2013