To Live is Christ. To Die is Gain - Philippians 1:19-26

Introduction

I believe Paul sometime soon after writing this letter was released from prison and immediately went West. We know he desired to go to Spain (Rom 15:24). At some point during this journey, he was arrested again and sent back to Rome. It was during this second imprisonment that he wrote 1, 2 Timothy and Titus and was eventually executed. But at this present imprisonment when he is writing the Philippians, it seems he received good news.

The Sermon Passage

Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 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. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again. Philippians 1:19-26

Exegesis of the Passage

He rejoices because he’s confident he will be rescued from his imprisonment because of their prayers and because Spirit of Jesus Christ answered those prayers (v. 19). Paul’s rescue comes with hope because he is not ashamed. He isn’t ashamed of the outcome because he has boldly exalted Christ in his life and will in his death (v. 20). Paul has lived all his life for all of Christ. So, for him, dying is just more Christ (v. 21). But he’s conflicted on the outcome because if he lives, he gets to make much of Jesus more by helping the church (vv. 22, 24). But he doesn’t know what to choose because if he dies and goes with Christ that would be much better for him (v. 23). Paul believes he will stay to advance the church’s joy and faith (v. 25). So that their glory of him would abound in the glory of Jesus when he sees them again (v. 26).

To Live is Christ to Die is More Christ (1:19-24)

The puritan commentator John Trapp said that Paul was on his tiptoes with excitement waiting to see how God would use him to exalt Christ. Christ will receive glory from your story the same way He received it from Paul—by His Spirit (v. 19). But we should be as excited as Paul with what the Spirit is doing. He supplied answered prayers as well as the chains he wore when those prayers were answered.

The story of your life is Christ’s story. The best way to live your life is to live your life as a secondary character, not the main character. Paul didn’t separate his relationship with Christ from his relationship with the church. He was just as much a servant of the church as he was to christ.

In Christ, life and death are His gifts.

Live for Christ with death in view. Because Christians have not been trained on how to live like Christians, we are not ready to die like Christians. We do not look at our death as one last opportunity to make much of Jesus. John Knox, leader of the protestant reformation in Scotland, was a bold preacher who famously stood against the reign of bloody Mary. When his daily habit of reading scripture became too difficult for his body, his wife and friends read to him. He made it a point for his family and friends to hear him boast of his. He died at 60 because he gave it all to Christ. But one thing makes Knox a hero of mine is that in his death, he gave a double gift. He gave one last offering to his lord whom he lived for. He also gave one last example of faithfulness to his family—there was no doubting in the Knox household if their beloved patriarch kept the faith. It’s only when we live for Christ that death is gain.

Christ Glorified in the Faith (1:25-26)

Notice, Paul has a goal to remain alive to progress the church’s joy and faith which will result in their boasting in him. The happiest people in church are also the holiest people in church. Paul wanted to give more of himself to glorify their happiness and holiness. God created men for glory, for praise, for boasting. Obviously, it’s a sin to boast of yourself or in arrogance (Jeremiah 9:23-24; James 4:16). But it’s also wrong to live afraid of glory. One reason is because God made men as His glory ( ). But another is because if we want to make much of Jesus in our lives, then we need to make something of our lives.  We want to have good stories to tell. He gave us ambition for a reason. And that reason is to glorify Jesus. All glory is Christ’s glory.

Glory is not zero-sum. Glory is not like eating cookies, but it is like shout. Glory is not like the number of Sydney’s chocolate chip cookies. When I eat 1 or 5 of Sydney’s cookies, that’s 5 she can’t share with the church. Sometimes, we think that if we boast about a brother or sister too much then we’re stealing glory from God. But that’s not true. When we boast about another Christian for the work of Christ in their life, the boast in the brother is actually amplifying the boast in Christ. When I shout about how godly you are while you are shouting how good Jesus is, who is all that loudness directed toward? Jesus!

When you boast of Christ, you will become a reason for boasting in others. Just as courage begets courage. So does boasting produce more boasting. Therefore, boast in Christ.

Conclusion

What does it look like to live all of life all for Christ? Here is a John Piper poem on it.

See him on his knees, Hear his constant pleas: Heart of ev’ry aim: “Hallowed be Your name.” See him in the Word, Helpless, cool, unstirred, Heaping on the pyre Heed until the fire. See him with his books: Tree beside the brooks, Drinking at the root Till the branch bear fruit. See him with his pen: Written line, and then, Better thought preferred, Deep from in the Word. See him in the square, Kept from subtle snare: Unrelenting sleuth On the scent of truth. See him on the street, Seeking to entreat, Meek and treasuring: “Do you know my King?” See him in dispute, Firm and resolute, Driven by the fame Of his Father’s name. See him at his trade. Done. The plan is made. Men will have his skills, If the Father wills. See him at his meal, Praying now to feel Thanks and, be it graced, God in ev’ry taste. See him with his child: Has he ever smiled Such a smile before, Playing on the floor? See him with his wife, Parable for life: In this sacred scene She is heaven’s queen. See him stray. He groans. “One is true,” he owns. “What is left to me? Fallibility.” See him in lament “Should I now repent?” “Yes. And then proclaim: All is for my fame.” See him worshipping. Watch the sinner sing, Spared the burning flood Only by the blood. See him on the shore: “Whence this ocean store?” “From your God above, Thimbleful of love.” See him now asleep. Watch the helpless reap, But no credit take, Just as when awake. See him nearing death. Listen to his breath, Through the ebbing pain: Final whisper: “Gain!”