For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. Philippians 1:21-24

We live in a world today full of self absorption , full of self glorification, so to make a statement “To live is Christ and to die is gain” makes no sense to a fallen world. The world lives by the standards to “Live like there is no tomorrow” or to “eat, drink, and be merry” this is in total opposition of the Christian life. For we know there will always be tomorrow , why? Because Christ lives! We have an eternal purpose and an eternal perspective as servants of Jesus

What does it mean “to live is Christ”, Jesus should be the center of your whole world. Every decision or action should be examined, does this glorify God? When we became Born Again, our old selves died with Christ, and our new selves rose with Christ (Romans 6) Therefor Christ is our everything, there is no meaning or purpose without Jesus as your Lord and God

Jesus said “Whoever will save his life, will lose it, and whoever will lose their life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25) This is exactly what Paul is talking about, your not living for yourself anymore, your living to serve and worship the One True God. The world rejects this and desires to fulfill their flesh. The world wants to serve and worship themselves, however they must also pay the wages of their sins, which is eternal damnation

Paul was torn, if he could depart from his body, he  could start spending eternity with The Lord. However God had more work for Paul to do, and he obediently fulfilled his calling. God still has more work for you to do also, stay in faith and obedience to The Lord, finish the race that was set before you!

And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. Philippians 1:25-26

By Paul’s demonstration of faith and obedience to Christ, he was a great joy and inspiration for the Church. Paul was a walking testimony for Christianity, nobody could deny his conversion or fruits he produced by the Holy Spirit. We should also be faithful and obedient to our calling by our Lord Jesus Christ

The central theme of our life should be “To Live is Christ” , everything we do should be centered around The Lord,  why? Because Christ gave his life for you, you should be willing to give your life for him, Amen!

But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Philippians 1:12-14

We live in a generation where most Churches are preaching a “prosperity gospel”, a false gospel that God will give you health, wealth, and happiness. Was this the same gospel that the Apostles preached? Paul here tells us about his persecution actually helped further the gospel of Christ. This is a concept that would be foreign to the modern day Church, that is mostly looking for luxury and idleness.

So you might ask, how did Paul’s suffering help further the gospel? Paul says “So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace and other places” Everyone who saw Paul being persecuted, understood that Paul was doing this because he had genuine faith in Christ. Paul wasn’t trying to sell snake oil or a book in his name, Paul was willing to suffer and die for the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

So what was the reaction by the Church? Paul said “And many brethren in The Lord, waxing confidence by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear”. The Church actually grew stronger and behaved more boldly when they saw Paul willing to risk his life to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. Philippians 1:15-20

The Apostle Paul goes on to say there are many who are preaching Christ for the wrong reasons, we know there are alot of Churches and preachers today that use the name of Jesus as a business. And as the Apostle James said “Not everyone should become a teacher, because those who teach will receive a greater judgment” (James 3:1) But Paul is saying, don’t worry about those false preachers, the important thing is “Christ is preached”! 

Paul always says “Christ shall be magnified in my body” Everything we do should be for the glory of God, whether its suffering or rejoicing, our goal to to share the gospel of Jesus Christ , whatever we do make sure that Christ is preached! Amen!

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.  Philippians 1:3-8

When we think about the other members of our Church, what are your first thoughts that come to mind? Often we think about the negative, we mention people that may annoy us, or people we believe may not be living the “Christian” lifestyle. But what was Paul’s attitude towards the Church? Paul said “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you”, isn’t this a beautiful thought, instead of complaining or murmuring about your Church family, why not thank God they are there and pray for them!

The Church is a very complex and living entity, why? Because we have people from all races and backgrounds coming together to fellowship, why? Because we all have the same common interest, Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. The gospel is what pulls us all together, Christ is what makes us a family and partners. We must always remember this, Christ is Head of the Church, Christ is the foundation of our faith, this is why we fellowship with other brothers and sisters.

If you are looking for the perfect Church, you will never find it, why? Because people are not perfect, we are all flawed sinners (Roman 3:23) in need of a Savior. But we strive to be more like Christ through the sanctification of the Holy Spirit. Paul said “Being confident of this very thing, the He (Holy Spirit)  which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” We are all a work in progress, and the Holy Spirit will continue to work on us, until the day of Christs return and we receive our glorified bodies

Paul says “You are all partakers or partners in grace with me” We the Church are all in this together. We are all partners in Jesus Christ, we are all soldiers in Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3) This is not about us or our feelings, this is about fulfilling the Great Commision, (Matthew 28:19) This is about completing the race that has been laid out before us (Hebrews 12:1) The body of Christ is not a single person, it’s the great multitude that are Born Again in Jesus Christ

Instead of condemning your brothers and sisters, pray for them, teach them, lead them by the Holy Spirit as Paul said “I have you in my heart”, love your brothers and sisters as Christ loves us! Amen!