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A WIN-WIN FOR BELIEVERS. Philippians 1:19-26. 09/27/20. #04.
Philippians 1:19-26 [New King James Version]
19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified 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 live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
- Confidence of release
- Paul is in prison awaiting a hearing before Caesar
- Paul had been kept in jail at Caesarea under Felix and then Festus after the disturbance in Jerusalem
- Agrippa had heard Paul’s case
- When it was obvious that he was not going to be released by Festus, he appealed to Caesar to hear his case
- As Paul awaited his hearing he witnessed to the prison guards, some of whom became believers
- Paul was grateful for this unique opportunity
- Several weeks passed before Paul’s case was heard
- The Philippians and other believers were concerned about him
- Paul stated that he was confident by their prayers that he would be released and returned to them
- Paul = not state if Lord said he would be freed
- Paul is in prison awaiting a hearing before Caesar
- From victory to victory
- Principle of providential protection (MT. 10:24-39)
- Paul states that it doesn’t matter if he lives of dies
- Paul isn’t stating that he doesn’t care
- God has total control over Paul’s life
- Paul will live until his God-given task is finished
- No force could stop Paul from finishing course
- Paul states that it doesn’t matter if he lives of dies
- Paul did not fear death, for being with Lord is best
- For a believer, life consists of serving the Lord and death is the doorway to reward for faithful service
- The initial pain of losing a believer is quickly swallowed up by joy when we meet in heaven
- I Corinthians 15:51-58 Christ removes the sting of death
- Paul states that his life centers on serving the Lord
- His hope is eternal reward for that service
- To Paul, death is a graduation and not a sorrow
- When Paul passed he left behind ridicule, pain, prison, persecution, strenuous labor, beatings, scourging, false accusations, the burden of the churches, battling false teachers and believers, grief, hardships, hunger, fatigue, tense debates, and a weak body
- James 1 only double-minded, false, or faithless believers need to fear the coming of death
- The faithful believer has great assurance in Christ:
- He is totally protected until he finishes his task
- He will be rewarded for his service (II Timothy 4)
- Romans 10:17 faithful believers study and obey the Word and this casts out their fears (I John 4:18)
- Principle of providential protection (MT. 10:24-39)
- To complete the task
- Paul is conflicted: he is needed by the Php. and other churches, but he would rather go home to be with the Lord
- Paul is beaten and weary, but knows that he is needed
- Paul had prepared others to serve after him
- Paul knew that he must stay a while longer
- The churches still need for him to teach them
- The more he ministered the more fruit for the Lord he gained and the greater his reward
- The Lord still had more work for him to do
- Paul is conflicted: he is needed by the Php. and other churches, but he would rather go home to be with the Lord
Key Verse: Matthew 10:24-39 [New International Version]
24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! 26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. 34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn
“‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— 36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.