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GOD ALWAYS WINS (4): TO LIVE IS CHRIST, TO DIE IS GAIN

(Philippians 1:21-26)
May 20, 2018

Read Phil 1:21-26 – A line of people wearing white robes are standing in
front of 3 signs in heaven. The signs read “Infinite Wisdom”, “Eternal Bliss,”
and “Pepperoni Pizza.” Every person is lined up in front of the “Pepperoni
Pizza” sign. I’d probably be in that line -- short-sighted and earthly minded.
Not Paul. About to go on trial for his life, he had his priorities straight. Death
focuses the mind. You can’t live right until you’re ready to die right.

Paul wasn’t fixated on guilty or not guilty. His dilemma was whether to live or
die. V. 22b: “Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.” Of course, that choice
wasn’t his; it was Caesar’s. But which to root for!. He’s “hard pressed”
between the two, at a fork in the road and not certain which way to go.

He knew what he wanted which differed from most of us. “My desire is to
depart and be with Christ.” It’s a little unnatural. Most of us are more like the
boy who failed to raise his hand when the preacher asked who wanted to go to
heaven. The pastor asked, “Don’t you want to go to heaven when you die?”
The boy replied, “When I die? Sure! I thought you were getting up a load
for tonight!” We all want to go, just not quite yet!

But not Paul. He was ready to go. But, he also had reason to stay. So he was
torn. For those who know God always wins, Paul’s dilemma is our dilemma.
He saw life and death from God’s perspective, so let’s see what he knew.

I. To Live – Christ (Gospel Furthered)

In v. 21, the verb “is” is added. It literally reads: “For to me to live, Christ; to
die, gain.” It is the strongest possible statement Paul could make about the
ultimate definition of both life and death. So, What did Paul mean when he
said, “To live is Christ” and Why did he feel that way?

A. What? – What is ultimate? For Paul, life centered in Christ.


So, what do we live for? What makes life worth living. What stirs our
passions? For Paul it was Christ. That doesn’t mean he had no other interests.
He was well-read, clearly loved sports from some of his illustrations, and
enjoyed the fellowship of many diverse people. But the thing that drove his
existence – Christ! Who made his life worthwhile – Jesus!

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See, we all have a bottom line – that thing which drives our decisions and our
existence. Something defines us. So, what defines you!? When I was in high
school we had a talented football player whose goal in life was to play for
USC. From early on he dictated his whole life. He did not party with the other
kids. He was in bed early every night. He studied hard because he realized bad
grades could deep-six his objective. And he not only went to USC but was the
captain of the defense his last two years. To him to live was football.

See, we all have something that drives our lives. Some are shallow and trivial;
some very humanitarian. Some are evil; some good. But all are shortsighted
unless they are a person – Jesus Christ. Among the ruins of ancient Carthage
was an inscription carved by a Roman soldier: “To laugh, to hunt, to bathe, to
game – that is life.” So, for me to live is _____. How do you fill in the blank?
Honestly. The possibilities are endless, right? From the tabloids it’s clear that
many would say, “To accumulate, to attract attention and to seek pleasure.”
For us common folk it might be, “To travel, to sport, to garden, to be
entertained, to ski, to camp out, to shop til I drop, to see how many ‘likes’ I
can get on Facebook.” Nothing wrong with any of those in perspective. But
made ultimate they will lead to an end like that of British Queen Eliz I, idol of
European fashion, who said on her deathbed, “Oh my God! It is over. I have
come to the end of it – the end, the end.”

Will your bottom line leave you empty when your time comes? Or will it
continue to be meaningful the moment you enter eternity? Only if it is Jesus
Christ. Only if that relationship dictates the rest of our priorities. To live –
Christ. Can you say that? Does your life say that? Or will you wake up in
eternity like 2 guys camping. One wakes up groggy, unshaven, and begins to
talk to the sleeping bag next to him, not noticing that it is now filled with a
peacefully sleeping bear. He says, “I had the most awful nightmare last
night!” Only it wasn’t a nightmare; it was his new reality. Who wants to wake
up in eternity realizing all you lived for is gone? To live is Christ is the only
way to avoid that nightmare. To live is Christ. Can you say it and mean it?
That’s one way God wants to win in your life.

B. Why? – So, Christ drove Paul’s existence. But why’s that


important? Here’s a surprise. You’d think the answer would be his happiness
here and later. And that’s true. Knowing Jesus does bring contentment and
joy. But Paul’s reason to live for Christ was much broader than that. Look! 22)
If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me.” Okay, so to live
for Christ is to have meaningful existence – to be fruitful and useful. But he’s
not done. 25) Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with
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you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26) so that in me you may have
ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.”
What is Paul’s major concern when he says, “For me to live – Christ?”
Personal satisfaction? Happiness? No – his primary concern is to serve the
Philippians. Paul is driven to serve others. They are his priority, not self.

There’s a challenge? It causes us to step back and ask, “So, is my primary


vision in living for Christ self-centered or other-centered? Do I want to love
Jesus for what I get out of it, or for what I can give?” I must tell you, I am
preaching more to me than anyone else here. But we must all ask, am I
following God’s instruction when He says, “Your whole life should be aimed
at loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength,
and loving your neighbor as yourself.” To live for Christ is to love others.

Years ago, Moody Monthly did an article on Mac’s Grace Cmty Church. At
the time they were 900 people in a small building. The article was entitled,
“The church with Nine Hundred Ministers.” Why? Bc everyone attending was
serving, not formal programs, but doing hospital visits, nursery duty, cleaning
the grounds, teaching, serving meals, sharing Christ at work – all the while
giving glory to God. Jason, Jesse and I have experienced unbelievable service
at conferences there, hosting 5,000 guys. Serving meals and snacks at food
stands, manning book stores, shipping packages, doing registration, shining
shoes – people who are lawyers, docs, blue collar workers. Why? Bc for them
to live is Christ? That will be us, Beloved, if for us to live is Christ.

To live for Christ means to live for others. Concerning His 2nd coming as
King, Jesus says Mt 25: 34) Then the King will say to those on his right,
‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for
you from the foundation of the world. 35) For I was hungry and you gave me
food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed
me, 36) I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was
in prison and you came to me.’ 37) Then the righteous will answer him, saying,
‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you
drink? 38) And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and
clothe you? 39) And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40)
And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the
least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” Salvation by works? No –
saving faith demonstrated by serving others who are Christ in disguise.

II. To Die – Gain (Gospel Finalized)

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This takes faith to grasp, doesn’t it? Death – is gain?! Yes – for the believer.
In fact, look at 23b: I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart
and be with Christ, for that is far better.” Not just gain – but far better! Why
is that? Why is death better? Two reasons – both hinted at in this passage.

A. Christ’s Perfection – Twice, in v. 22a and 24a Paul defines


this life as remaining in “the flesh.” More than us, Paul knew what limitations
that implies. In II Cor 11:23 ff. Paul itemizes the times he has been in prison,
“countless beatings,” 5 times “40 lashes”, 3 times beaten with rods, once
stoned. Imagine the pain of the scars he carried. Paul knew the pain of now!

But he also knew this isn’t the end. Rom 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings
of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be
revealed to us. [What glory is that, Paul?] . . . 22 For we know that the whole
creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.
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And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the
Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption
of our bodies.” Paul already had a redeemed soul; but he knew a redeemed
body was coming. And he knew what it would be like. Phil 3: 20 But our
citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
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who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body.” Paul could
not wait to shed the limitations and suffering of this body in exchange for a
body that shares the perfection of Christ – the perfection that awaits every
believer. Who wouldn’t look forward to that? If you really believed that this
body you love so much would be returned to you with no blemish, no pain, no
imperfections, no aging, and no sagging, no decay – well, who wouldn’t that?
And it’s all true. It is all coming. And it is a cause for joyful anticipation.

Xn history is full of accounts of martyrs who suffered with amazing courage –


enabled by the power of the HS in their hour of greatest need. Spurgeon tells
of two men during the reign of Bloody Mary in the mid-1550’s arrested for
their Protestant faith at Stratford-on-Bow. They were sentenced to burn – one
was lame and the other blind. Just as the fire was lit, the lame man hurled his
staff and cried out to the blind man, “Courage, brother, this fire will cure us
both.” And so the grave will cure us all – no more infirmities of any kind, just
the perfection of Christ. No wonder Paul called it “far better.”

B. Christ’s Presence – The perfection of heaven will be


wonderful. But the real gem is elsewhere. Think what will not be in heaven –
things critical to life now that will not be there. First – no temple (Rev 21:22).
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The place where God met His people – not there in heaven. Second, no sun or
moon in heaven (Rev 21:23). We couldn’t live without sun or moon. Third –
no sea in heaven (Rev 21:1). And Jesus tells us in Mt 20:35b that in heaven
they “neither marry nor are given in marriage.” That most intimate of human
relationships – not there in heaven. So with all of these life-giving and life
enhancing items missing, why do we think heaven will be “far better”?

Well, here’s the answer. No temple? Rev 21:22 And I saw no temple in the
city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.” The temple –
where people meet God – is the Lamb – Jesus – like He said in John 2:19,
“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” – speaking of
himself. By His death He cleared the way to the Father. He is the temple!

No sun? Rev 21:23: “And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it,
for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.” It’s interesting
while we cannot conceive of life without the sun, at both ends of history God
sustains life without the sun? Remember creation? Light on Day 1. Plants and
trees on Day 3. No sun until Day 4! And no sun in heaven. Why? Because the
sustainer of life has always been the S-O-N, not the S-U-N. Heaven has no
need of the sun. Its light is the one who is the light of the world – Jesus.

No sea? Rev 22:1: “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life,
bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” That takes
us right back to Jn 4:13, doesn’t it – where Jesus told the woman at the well:
“Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever
drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water
that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal
life.” No sea needed in heaven because Jesus is the sustainer of life.

No marriage? Rev 21:9: “And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are
those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” Here is the Lamb –
Jesus, at the marriage supper with his bride – the church – us. Intimacy with
our Lord and each other will be taken to a whole new level – all revolving
around Jesus. Do you get the point? What makes heaven, heaven? The
presence of Jesus. All the rest is bonus! The prime attraction – the ultimate in
satisfying our souls to the depths of our being will be to be with Jesus. If that
doesn’t sound too exciting to you now – it will then.

What was the constant theme of the OT? David states it in Psa 27:4: “One
thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the
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house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to inquire in his temple.” Same thing Moses asked for, but God gave him
only partially because the full glory would kill him. But in heaven the rules
change. Rev 22:4: “They will see his face.” One of the greatest promises in all
the Bible. They will see his face! That’s what John longed for – John who was
the most intimate follower of Jesus in this life. But what did he look forward
to? I John 3:2: “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be
has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him,
because we shall see him as he is.” John longed to see Jesus in all His glory.
This is what our Savior died and paid for on the cross.

And that’s what drives Paul as well. 23b: “My desire is to depart and be with
Christ.” He doesn’t say, “I want to go to heaven,” tho he certainly did. He just
says, “I want to be with Jesus. That’s what I want. That’s far better.” Jesus
is the only reason we have any hope of eternity at all. Without him all would
be lost. How could He not be our greatest joy? Jim Carrey said, “I think
everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed
of so they can see that it’s not the answer.” He’s right. Jesus is the answer.
That’s why Samuel Rutherford said, “O my Lord Jesus Christ, if I can be in
heaven without thee, it would be a hell; and if I could be in hell, and have
thee still, it would be a heaven for me, for thou art all the heaven I want.”

Conc – Christopher Love was a Scotsman executed in 1651 for his faith in
Christ. When all appeals had failed, he wrote a note to his wife the night
before his execution: “Today they will sever me from my physical head, but
they can never sever me from my spiritual head, Jesus Christ.” Next
morning, his wife applauded as he sang of glory on the way to his death.
Wow! An eternal perspective. Whether by life or by death was real to them.
This can be us; this should be us; this must be us. Because you can’t really
live right until you’re ready to die right. Let’s pray.

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