Sermon Title: I m A Winner Either Way Sermon Text: Philippians 1: Introduction

Transcription

1 Sermon Title: I m A Winner Either Way Sermon Text: Philippians 1:21-26 Introduction A person is not ready to live until they are ready to die, but a person is not ready to die until they are ready to live. There once was a lday who was standing on the deck during a terrible storm when a crewman said unto her, ma am you need to get inside. It is dangerous to be out here you could get swept away but the woman responded and said: I have a daughter in new york and I have one heaven and it does not matter to me which one I see next and the same can be said about the apostle paul. Background During this time paul was imprisoned for preaching the gospel and from an dark, damp, dismal prison cell, paul knew his time was short, he knew

2 soon and very soon he would taste death, but when you read the entire epistle, you discover paul was at peace with what lied ahead. He had a earthly home and a heavenly home and it did not matter which one he saw next, he was ready to meet the lord. The last time we were here we learned paul was not concered with the possible execution that awaited him as long as the gospel was being preached. Therefore he could face death without fear. In verses he mentions five realities on which that confidence was based: the precepts of the Lord, the prayers of the saints, the provision of the spirit, the promise of christ, and the plan of god, however there was an struggle going on within the heart of paul. On the one hand he longed to be with christ personally to walk and talk with him in paradise, but on the other hand, he deeply longed to labor for him, to invite others into a relationship with him, and to represent him as an ambassador of grace to an needy world.

3 In other words, there was a place that blessed his heart and a people that burdened his heart and he was torn between the two but no matter what, whether he continued to serve and exalt the lord through life or through death, he concluded, he was an winner either way. I. Paul s Declaration: (V.21) for me to live is christ and to die is gain. Even though paul was imprisoned, he made up his mind that whether he lived or died he would remain loyal unto the lord hence the reason he said, to live is christ and to die is gain. Paul had much to say about life and death. Acts 20:22-24: and now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there save that the holy ghost witnesseth in every city saying that bonds and afflictions abide me but none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself so

4 that I might finish my course with joy and the ministry which I have received of the lord jesus to testify the gospel of the grace of god. Acts 21:10-13: and as we tarried there many days, there came down from judea a certain prophet, named agabus and when he was come unto us, he took paul s girdle, and his hands and feet and said thus saith the holy ghost, so shall the jews at jerusalem bind the man that owns this girdle and shall deliver him into the hands of the gentiles and when they heard these things they besought him not to go to jerusalem but then paul answered and said unto them: what mean you to weep and break mine heart? For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die for the name of christ. Romans 14:7-9: for none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself for whether we live we live unto the lord and whether we die we die unto the lord: whether we live or die we are the lords for to this end christ both died and rose that he might be lord both of the living and the dead and who can forget

5 II Tim. 4:6-8: I am not ready to be offered up and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course and I have kept the faith henceforth theres laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the lord the righteous judge shall give me at that day but not too me only but unto all them that love his appearing. Paul kept his eye in the sky, because he knew whether he lived or died he was an winner either way but what does the phrase: to live is christ and die is gain mean? It this context it means whether he lived or died his life would be centered around christ, which means the apostle paul wanted everything about him to praise and point people to christ. Therefore, paul was able to stare death straight in the face without fear, knowing christ would be exalted thru him. In other words, paul was living the victorious christ life.

6 He Had Victory Over His Chains He Had Victory Over His Critics He Had Victory Over His Crisis When paul said to live is christ he was in effect saying I do not know why others live, or what others may do with their life, but as far as I am concerned life has only one purpose, passion, and priority, and it is christ. In other words, paul was pledging his allegiance to christ; he was laying his all upon the altar, he was presenting his body an living sacrifice, and he was bearing upon his body the brand marks of christ, why, because of what christ had done upon the cross. For that reason, he went on to say, I am crucified with christ, nevertheless, I live, yet not I, but christ liveth in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the son of god who loved me and gave himself for me.

7 Paul Was The Ultimate Sacrifice! He Lived For Christ! He Died For Christ! II. Paul s Dedication: (V.22-24) but if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in an straight betwixt two, having an desire to depart, and be with christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. Paul was ready to live and ready to die, but he did not know which one to choose. He was facing a hearing before Caesars court that could end up with his beheading as it actually did about five years later. He was at the mercy of the court at the human level, and at the mercy of the sovereign God at the divine level. Nevertheless, as Paul contemplated either outcome freedom or martyrdom, he thought, If I had to pick, I m

8 not sure which I d choose! He was hard pressed between the two. He had the desire to go and be with the lord but also had the desire to stay and continue the work of the lord, either way he was an winner. The phrase, in a straight betwixt two means, to press on every side, which means he was torn between the two, having the desire to depart and be with christ. The word depart means to unloose something, like an boat being untied from the harbor. The word was sometimes used of a prisoner s being freed from his bonds, or of an animal being freed of its burden, or of a military detachment s breaking camp. In other words, paul knew there was hope beyond the grave. He knew one day he would rest from his labor. He knew one day he would hear well done thy good and faithful servant, but until then he made up his mind he would be faithful unto the word of god, the will of god, and the work of god.

9 Since he was going to see him, he was going to serve him, and such should be the case with everyone who says they are an christian, you should have the desire to serve him knowing one day you will shall him. The scripture says beloved, now we are the sons of god, and it doeth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (Job 19:25-27) for I know that my redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth and though my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see god, whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another, though my reins be consumed within me. (I Cor. 15: 51-58) behold I show you an mystery, we shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinking of an eye, at the last trump, for the trump shall sound and the dead shall be raise incorruptible and we shall be change. Because this corruptible must put on incorruption,

10 and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality then shall be brought to pass the saying that been written death is swallowed up in victory. Oh death, where is thy sting. Oh grave, where is thy victory. The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the law but thanks be to god which giveth us victory through christ. There once was an attendant who entered the cage of an wildcat thru a door on the opposite side. He had nothing in his hand but an broom. Carefully, closing the door he proceeded too sweep the floor of the cage. The attendant had no weapon to ward off a attack by the beast. In fact when he got too the corner of the cage where the wildcat was lying, he would poke the animal with the broom. The wildcat would hiss at him, and go lay down in another corner of the cage. Someone remarked and said, you are certainly a brave man. No, I aint brave said the man as he continued to sweep. Well, the cat must be

11 tamed. No, the cat isnt tame said the man. Well, if you arent brave and the cat isnt tamed then I don t understand why the cat doesn t attack you. The man responded and said, he aint got no teeth, somebody ought to shout amen, because death cannot touch us. No wonder david said, yea though I walk thru the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. David was able to say that because death has no teeth. It s just an shadow. It can haunt you but it can t have you. Death was the villian I was the victim, but praise god, Christ was the victory! Paul knew where he belonged, he knew his citizenship was in heaven, and he longed for the day when he would meet his savior face to face. During his imprisonment, there was not an day that went by that he did not think about: home, heaven, and him.

12 We know this because he said in colossians 3:1-4: if ye then be risen with christ, seek those things which are above, where christ sitteth on the right hand of god. Set your affection on things above and not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with christ in god. When christ, who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Paul knew home was where the heart was, and that was the reason he was able to say, to live is christ and to die is gain, he knew he was an winner wither way, for to live meant he would be able to serve him and to die meant he would be able to see him, and it did not matter which one came first, he was standing on the rock and he was ready to roll. The believer s supreme hope is to be with christ, and like paul all believer should have the desire to depart and be with christ knowing they will be freed from the pain, the sorrow, and the suffering of this life and ushered into the presence of the lord, where there they will experience the freedom

13 of eternal righteousness and glory and serve him day and night, in his temple, and he who sits upon the throne will spread his tabernacle over them and they will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore, nor will the sun beat down upon them, nor any heat, for the lamb will be their shepherd and will guide them to the springs of the water of life and god will wipe away every tear from their eye And hear me when I tell you this morning that I am looking forward to that glorious day, but have you ever stopped and considered that glorious day? Have you ever thought about how beautiful heaven must be? The scripture says the wall of that city will be made out of jasper and the streets will be paved with pure gold like unto clear glass and the foundation of the wall of that city will be adorn with precious stones and the gates will be overlaid with pearls and the city had no need of the sun nor the moon for the glory of the lord did lighten it and the lamb is the light thereof and the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory and honor into it and there shall

14 in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh a lie, but they which are written in the lambs book of life. No wonder paul had the desire to depart and be with christ. Hear me child of god, the best is yet to come. For there is coming an day when the lord will wipe every tear from our eye and there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor shall there be any more pain. When I think there is an song that comes to mind. What A Day That Will Be Theres coming an day when no heartach shall come, No more clouds in the sky, No more tears to dim the eye, All is peace forever more, On that happy golden shore, What a day, glorious day that will be There ll be no sorrow there, no more burden to bear No more sickness, no more pain,

15 No more parting over there, And forever I will be, With the one who died for me, What a day, glorious day that will be. What a day that will be, When my jesus I shall see, And I look upon his face, The one who saved me by his grace, When he takes me by the hand, And leads me through the promise land, What a day glorious day that will be! Paul was torn between here and there, heaven and earth, he had the desire to see the savior, but he also had the desire to serve the saint and as long as the lord had work for him to do on the earth, his desire was to remain and be faithful to the task at hand.

16 In other words, paul was willing to delay crossing the finish line in order to serve the needs of the local church. He sets aside his personal ambition so that he could do what was necessary for the church. Why? Because he did not want to cross the finish line alone, he did not want to die and go to heaven empty handed, he wanted to make sure he would have brothers and sisters in christ, who would meet him that glorious day. Even thou he had the desire to depart and be with christ, he knew his ministry was not over. He knew there were sermons to preach, more lessons to teach, more letters to write, and more songs to sing, therefore he stayed because he knew the lord was not done with him yet and hear me when I tell you this morning that the lords not done with you yet. There is still more work that needs to be done. One day, while the lord passed by, he saw a man who was born blind, and the disciples asked him, who sinned, this man or his parents that he was

17 born blind and the lord answered and said unto them: neither this man nor his parents have sinned, but that the work of god should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day, the night cometh, when no man can work. The lord realized as long as he was present, he was sent to do the work of the father, and the same goes for us. We have been saved and set free not to sit around and waste time, we have been saved and set free to turn the world upside down for christ, and change the world one life at an time. This Is Our Ministry This Is Our Mission Someone once said: to have helped somebody an few steps along the heavenly road to have infused alittle more holy courage into their spirits to have given more exuberant swing to their stride, these services abundantly justify a delay in the journey and assure for us an more glorious welcome into the father s house.

18 Never forget: Ministry Is Not About Ourselves! Ministry Is About Others! III. Paul s Determination: (V.25-26) having this confidence, I shall abide with and continue with you for your futherance and joy of faith. I love what warren wiersbe said about these two verse. He said, paul was willing to postpone goine to heaven in order to help christians grow and he s willing to go to hell in order to win the lost to christ. Do you have that same drive? Do you have that same desire? Do you have that same determination? Paul was and remember it was he who said, What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel I may make the gospel of christ without change that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

19 For thou I be free from all men, I have made myself servent unto all that I might gain the more. Unto the jew I became a jew, that I might gain the jews and unto them whom are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law and unto them that are without the law, as without the law, that I might gain them that are without the law, and unto the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak, I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some and this I do for the sake of the gospel. Whoever said the heavenly minded are no earthly good? Paul was both and was convinced it was not his time to go and so he continued to preach and proclaim the gospel to anyone and everyone that would listen. Why? Because he was convinced the church still needed his leadership and instruction. Despite their maturity, love, and gentleness of spirit, they needed to exemplify more of their lord s humility, to be on guard against false teachers, and to oppose the enemies of the cross of Christ. At least two

20 members in the congregation needed to learn to live in harmony in the lord. Some were troubled by anxiety and needed to be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let their request be made known to god. In addition to those things, they need to focus on what was true, what was honorale, what was right, what was pure, what was lovely, and what was of good report. For that reason, he would remain with them until they grew in their faith. Paul wanted the church to know jesus and joy hence the reason he was content with remaining with them, so that their rejoicing may be more abundant in christ by my coming to you again. Paul was looking forward to homecoming. He believed in his heart that he would see them again, another reason, he was content with staying, however there was another homecoming that paul was looking forward to

21 and that was the homecoming that would take place once he arrive in heaven. A Christian railroad engineer was speaking to a group of fellow workers about heaven. He said, I can t begin to tell you what the Lord Jesus means to me. In Him I have a hope that is very precious. Let me explain. Many years ago, as each night I neared the end of my run, I would always let out a long blast with the whistle just as I d come around the last curve. Then I d look up at the familiar little cottage on top of the hill. My mother and father would be standing in the doorway waving to me. After I had passed, they d go back inside and say, Thank God, Benny is home safe again tonight. Well, they are gone now, and no one is there to welcome me. But someday when I have finished my earthly run and I draw near to heaven s gate, I believe I ll see my precious mother and dad waiting there for me. And

22 the one will turn to the other and say, Thank God, Benny is home safe at last. Listen to me when I tell: One day, you will see your love ones again! (I Thessalonian 4:13-18) but I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not even as other which have no hope. For if we believe that jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in jesus will god bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the lord himself shall descend from heaven with an shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of god and the dead in christ shall rise first and then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the air and so shall we ever be with the lord, wherefore comfort one another with these words.

23 I am here to comfort you this morning. You will see your loved one again! Will sing and shout and dance about, The lamb will dry our tears, Will have a grand homecoming week, The first ten thousand years. Conclusion The Boy And The School Bus