Christ Is Everything
Notes
Transcript
text: Philippians 1:12-30
12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances have actually served to advance the gospel.
13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
14 And most of the brothers, confident in the Lord by my chains, now dare more greatly to speak the word without fear.
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.
17 The former, however, preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can add to the distress of my chains.
18 What then is the issue? Just this: that in every way, whether by false motives or true, Christ is preached. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
19 because I know that through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, my distress will turn out for my deliverance.
20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if I go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. So what shall I choose? I do not know.
23 I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed.
24 But it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,
26 so that through my coming to you again your exultation in Christ Jesus will resound on account of me.
27 Nevertheless, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending side by side for the faith of the gospel,
28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a clear sign of their destruction but of your salvation, and it is from God.
29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him,
30 since you are encountering the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
PRAY
Introduction: Jim Elliot
Jim Elliot (1927-1956) was a passionate evangelist, devoted husband and father, and martyred Christian missionary. His life and legacy are an exemplary testament to the world of the absolute worthiness of Christ, and the costly call of the Christian to follow Jesus. The defining pursuit of his life was to intimately know God, to tell others of Him, and to obey His every call.
Elliot was inspired from an early age by the examples of Christian missionaries, David Brainerd, William Carey and Amy Carmichael. Resolved to commit his life to evangelism and international mission work, Elliot attended Wheaton College to study linguistics. It was there he would meet Elisabeth Howard, the woman who would become his wife. In equal devotion to God, their courtship and eventual marriage would exemplify a matchless love story of hard-won purity and lived-out truths of the Bible.
Partners in ministry following the call of the Lord, Jim and Elisabeth traveled into the Ecuadorian jungle. On January 8, 1956, while attempting to make contact with the people of the Auca/Waodani tribe, Jim and four other missionaries were speared to death; slain by those they came to minister to. Elliot’s most famous words were written in a journal on October 28, 1949. They represent the great paradigm of the Christian faith and the hope of the Gospel:
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. - Jim Elliot
His life’s work and legacy would continue as Elisabeth later moved into the Auca/Waodani village with their young daughter to live among those who had killed him.
...
His faith has since inspired generations. …
Matthew 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Is it really worth it to spend your whole life serving Christ and perhaps even die for Him? Is He worth it?
That’s Paul’s point in our passage. Yes, Christ is worth living and dying for, because Christ is Everything!
Christ Is Everything
Christ Is Everything
He is not just something to add onto your life. He is your life.
And He is not only worth living for. He is worth dying for. That was Paul’s belief. Is it yours?
Christ is Everything!
Before we dig into the passage, let me make a couple of notes for you that may be helpful.
First, if you’re reading the KJV or NKJV, your verses 16-17 are backwards from my version and I believe every other modern version. That’s because at some point, these verses got flip-flopped in some of the Greek manuscripts, and those are the ones that the KJV translators used, whereas modern translations follow the other order. Regardless of your view of translations, the verses say the same thing even though they are in a different order, and that’s the important thing. The message is the same, the order is just different, just so you are aware as we talk about those verses in a minute.
Secondly, I’d like to draw your attention to the structure of the passage. I believe that Paul intentionally structured this section as a chiasm. Chiasms are a very common structure in the OT, but they show up in the NT as well. In a chiasm, you have parallel parts on opposite sides of the section, and the middle section is what receives the greatest stress and emphasis.
The themes of suffering, the gospel, and joy are all pointing to the main point that Paul wants to emphasize, namely, that Christ is everything.
Christ is Everything, and…
Because Christ is Everything,
Suffering for Christ is a Privilege
Suffering for Christ is a Privilege
(12-14, 28-30)
Paul believed that suffering for Christ is a privilege. Here we don’t find him complaining about how difficult his circumstances are or how hard it is to be in prison in Rome. We find him rather rejoicing in the privilege of suffering for Christ and encouraging the Philippians to have the same perspective.
The Gospel was advancing through Paul’s suffering (12-13)
12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances have actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
Paul doesn’t want the Philippians to be sad or feel sorry for him but rather to rejoice in the good things that God is doing through his suffering. Paul’s suffering is advancing the gospel message, so that the soldiers and everyone else around him have heard the good news about Christ.
People were growing bold in their witness because of Paul’s suffering (14)
14 And most of the brothers, confident in the Lord by my chains, now dare more greatly to speak the word without fear.
Not only was the gospel message advancing, but other believers were being strengthened and emboldened by Paul’s testimony to also give their lives to make Christ known. Paul’s boldness for Christ was contagious.
The Philippians are also suffering opposition from unbelievers (28)
28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a clear sign of their destruction but of your salvation, and it is from God.
Here we learn that not only is Paul facing persecution and opposition, but so are the Philippians. We don’t know exactly who these opponents are, but Paul is concerned that the Philippians might be afraid of them instead of being bold for Christ, so he encourages them, don’t be afraid. The fact that these people are opposing you shows that you are on the right side and they are not. Those who oppose God’s people will ultimately be destroyed, while God’s people will be saved.
Suffering for Christ and believing in Christ are both gifts of God (29)
29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him,
The word granted here is related to the word grace, meaning that this a gracious gift of God. What are the two gifts Paul mentions?
Faith in Christ and Suffering for Christ
Faith in Christ
This may come as a surprise to you if you’re used to thinking of your salvation as something you’ve done (I made a decision for Christ, I got saved, I came to Christ, etc.). What Paul says clearly here is that your faith is a gift from God. If you are trusting Jesus Christ, it’s because God gave you faith. It’s the same thing Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-9. It is by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, lest any man should boast. Your faith in Christ does not come from you, but from God. Yes, you must exercise faith in Christ, but the Scriptures clearly affirm that your faith is a gift from God. This keeps us from boasting or thinking that we are better than other people who have not come to Christ. We are saved because of God, because He has chosen to give us faith. And praise God for that!
Suffering for Christ
It may also come as a shock that Paul describes suffering as a gracious gift from God. We don’t usually think that way about suffering. But here it is. Suffering for Christ has been granted to you. God has graciously given you the gift, the privilege of suffering for Christ.
When people slander us or mock us for our faith and our commitment to doing what’s right, that’s a gift from God.
If we are beaten, tortured, imprisoned, or even killed because of our witness for Christ, that is a gift from God.
Do you believe that? It’s what He says. It is a privilege, a gift, to suffer for the sake of Christ.
Paul and the Philippians are in the struggle together (30)
30 since you are encountering the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
Suffering is difficult if you feel like you’re all alone; it’s hard when you feel like no one else knows your pain.
But first of all, Jesus knows your pain. And He endured much greater suffering than you ever will.
But also, as Paul tells the Philippians, we are in this together. Paul and the Philippians are sharing in suffering for Christ. Paul is not alone in his suffering, nor are the Philippians.
And in the midst of the difficult suffering, it is encouraging to know we are not alone.
2. Because Christ is Everything,
Proclaiming Christ is a Joy
Proclaiming Christ is a Joy
(14-19, 25-27)
Others besides Paul are boldly speaking the message about Christ (14)
14 And most of the brothers, confident in the Lord by my chains, now dare more greatly to speak the word without fear.
Paul is not alone in his proclamation of the gospel. Others also are preaching Christ.
There are mixed motives in their preaching - some trying to help and encourage Paul, others trying to discredit him (15-17, note KJV v. 16-17 backwards)
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former, however, preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can add to the distress of my chains.
Sadly, not everyone that preaches the true message about Christ does so with good and pure motives. Paul says that some are preaching Christ motivated by love, but others are doing so motivated by pride and envy. They care more about their reputation than about Christ’s.
Nevertheless, the fact that Christ is being proclaimed is a cause for joy regardless of the motives (18)
18 What then is the issue? Just this: that in every way, whether by false motives or true, Christ is preached. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
Even though some people’s motives are not sincere, Paul rejoices that Christ is being proclaimed, the gospel is going forth. That requires great humility from him. But Paul cares more about the reputation of Christ than about his own. He doesn’t care what people think of him as long as they think highly of Christ.
The advance of the Gospel is a team effort (19)
19 because I know that through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, my distress will turn out for my deliverance.
Paul emphasizes the role of God’s Spirit as well as the Philippians and their prayers for him in Paul’s ongoing ministry of the gospel. One person cannot do this work. It is a team effort.
The Gospel’s progress among the Philippians was a cause for joy as well (25-26)
25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my coming to you again your exultation in Christ Jesus will resound on account of me.
One of the reasons Paul longed to visit the Philippians was to help them continue to make progress in their gospel living. This is the heart of any pastor or missionary - we want to see the people grow in their knowledge, trust, and love of God.
And joy is a fruit of growing trust in God. Paul wanted the Philippians to be joyful just as he was because of God’s work in him and in them.
The Gospel changes the way we live as citizens of heaven - we live in love and unity around the Gospel, working to grow together (27)
27 Nevertheless, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending side by side for the faith of the gospel,
The phrase conduct yourselves (let your conversation be) is a translation of a Greek word that only shows up once in the NT. It is related to the word citizen or citizenship, as Paul mentions later in ch. 3. As believers, we are citizens of heaven, not only of a country here on earth. And there is a kind of lifestyle that is becoming of those who are citizens of heaven. The kind of life that is worthy of citizens of heaven is a life of humility, love, and unity. As Christians we are to be unified around the gospel.
We can agree to disagree about other things, but we absolutely must be clear in our unity around the Gospel - that salvation from sin is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone for the glory of God alone.
When there is division and disunity in the body, that dishonors God and gives a bad testimony of the gospel. If other things are more important to us than the gospel message and the unity it brings, we are not living in the humility and love that is worthy of the gospel. We are living as citizens of earth instead of citizens of heaven.
Church, we must be unified around the gospel. We must not let our disagreements divide us, as long as we are committed to the gospel of Christ.
Thus, our unity as believers is a gospel issue. If we are living in pride and selfishness rather than humility and unity around the gospel, it gives a bad testimony of the gospel, and people will be pushed away instead of drawn to Christ. We must work together both by the way we treat each other and in the way that we speak to others about the gospel to advance the gospel message to more and more people.
3. Because Christ is Everything,
Living for Christ is Glorious
Living for Christ is Glorious
(20-24)
Paul wanted to be bold for Christ rather than ashamed of Christ in order to demonstrate the glory of Christ (20)
20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
Paul’s great desire was that Christ would be magnified - shown to be as great as He really is.
Not like a microscope magnifies something small to make it look big, but rather
Like a telescope magnifies something that is truly big to make it look like what it is
Jesus Christ is the greatest reality in the universe, and people think too little of Him. Paul’s desire was to make much of Christ so that people would see how great He truly is. And Paul was committed to this regardless of whether it meant living or dying for him. As Paul made his defense before the emperor, He wanted to boldly declare Christ regardless of the outcome, because Christ is everything.
Paul’s life was all about Christ - knowing Him and making Him known (21)
21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
When Paul says that for him to live is Christ, he means that everything in his life centers around the person and work of Jesus Christ. Who Jesus is and what He has done is so important that Paul says He is my life.
For Paul, all of life was about knowing Jesus Christ in a personal way, constantly growing in his relationship with Christ, and sharing Christ with others. Life was all about Jesus Christ.
That’s why Paul was in prison. He was sold out in his commitment to Christ to the point that he was willing to suffer anything and everything to know Christ more and to make Him more fully known. Jesus Christ was everything to Paul, and Paul wanted Christ to be everything to everyone else.
Can you honestly say, “For me to live is Christ”? Or is it more accurate to say,
For me to live is my family
For me to live is my job
For me to live is my possessions
For me to live is my reputation
For me to live is my church
For me to live is anything other than Christ
What is your life all about? If you really want to know the answer, ask someone else who knows you well to be honest and tell you what your life is all about.
What do you spend your time doing?
What kind of places do you go to?
What do you do with your money?
What people do you spend time with?
How do you spend your free time?
Where do your thoughts go when you’re not busy?
What makes you happy? What makes you smile?
The thing or person that is most important to you is where you will tend to spend the most time, energy, money, and give your greatest attention and affection.
Is it Jesus? If not, your priorities are out of order.
Because Jesus is the most precious. He is the most worthy of your time, attention, affection, resources, and energy. If you are not pursuing Him above all else, your life is out of order.
We’ll come back to the last part of the verse in a minute.
Paul’s goal in life was fruitful labor for Christ, and he loved being fruitful for Christ (22-23)
22 But if I go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. So what shall I choose? I do not know. 23 I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed.
Paul spent the last 3 decades of his life fully devoted to the Lord, traveling and proclaiming the gospel, making disciples, starting churches, preaching and teaching, writing letters, and much more. Very few people have been as fruitful in ministry as the Apostle Paul. He loved serving Christ, and that was why he was so torn in his desires. He longed to go be with Christ, but he also loved serving Christ here, and so his heart was divided between these desires.
But ultimately,
God had given Paul the assurance that he would go on living so as to continue serving the Philippian believers. (24)
24 But it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
In some way, God seems to have shown Paul that he would in fact keep on living and ministering to the Philippian church and other churches, and as far as we know this was in fact the case.
4. Because Christ is Everything,
Being with Christ is the Best
Being with Christ is the Best
(20-21, 23)
For nearly 2000 years, since Christ ascended back to His throne in heaven, the only way for people to be with Him is to die. For these last 2000 years, Christians have been dying to see Christ (figuratively and literally).
Death means separation. The separation of our body and soul. And apart from salvation in Christ, death also means eternal separation from God. But the good news is that through His death, Christ defeated death on the cross. He took away death’s sting. Death has lost its power to separate us from God, so as believers we don’t have to be afraid of death any longer.
Death will not separate you from God if you are a believer. In fact, it will do just the opposite - it will take you right into the presence of God. You will be with your Savior forever.
Some of you have lost close friends or family members, and some of you may be nearing death yourselves. The fact is that no one knows the hour of their death. What is your life? It is a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Whether you live one more hour or another decade or 50 or 80 more years is beyond your control, but within the good and gracious hand of our sovereign God.
And if Christ does not come back for us first, death is the reality we all must face.
In fact, death may be part of God’s good plan for you, just as it was for the Apostle Paul.
Christ may be most glorified by your suffering and death, and if you love Him, you must be willing to die for Him (20)
He says in v. 20,
20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
Paul’s goal was to show how glorious and valuable Jesus Christ is, and he knew that it was possible that the best way for that to happen might be through his death. And he was willing to die, if that would show people the worth of Christ.
And as he indicates in v. 21,
If you know Christ, death is no longer a fearful enemy, but a tool to bring you into God’s presence. Death is not something to be avoided at all costs but to be embraced in God’s timing. (21)
21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
to die is gain.
How can Paul say that? How can death be gain? And how many of us truly believe that? It’s one thing to say, but to truly believe that to die is gain?
I don’t think that most American Christians believe that.
We do anything and everything to avoid sickness and death - and if you doubt that, just look at most people’s response to the Covid pandemic. People will do whatever is necessary to stay safe, to avoid sickness and suffering and death.
We don’t even like to talk about death. Most of the time people use other words to soften the idea of death - someone passed, passed away; for Christians, we use phrases like so-and-so went to heaven or went to be with the Lord, etc.
Both in our language and our actions we try to avoid death.
But to die is gain.
However and whenever you die, it is gain, if you are a believer. If you know Christ, to die is gain, and that’s because…
For the believer, death does not separate us from Christ but rather brings us into His presence. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. And Paul says, that is far better than going on living. Death is no longer something to be feared. To leave this life is to go and be with Christ; but this is His choice to make, not ours. He will call us home at the right time. Being with Christ lasts forever (23)
23 I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed.
To depart this life and to be with Christ is far better than to continue in this life.
Do you really believe that?
Do you live like that?
Application
Let your whole life be about Christ - spend time with Him in the Word and prayer, think about Him, talk about Him, use your money for Him, use your energy to serve Him, give everything you have to know Him and make Him known. Let this verse be true of you - For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
He is worth it. He is worth more than anything this world can offer.
Don’t be a fool. Give up what you cannot keep in order to gain what you cannot lose.
PRAY
