PHILIPPIANS 1.19-26 EXALTING CHRIST WITH OUR LIVES

Philippians 1:19 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.

 I. Paul Magnified CHRIST BY HIS LIFEA.      WHY  Because of Christ's love for him 2Co 5:14-15 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again2. Because of the strength Christ gave him for daily living – Ph. 4:13

3. Because of what Christ would one day do for him - Ph. 3:20-21 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

B. HOW DID PAUL MAGNIFY CHRIST BY HIS LIFE?V21 By his attitude toward Christ "to live is Christ" b. He made Jesus the focus of his life - Ph. 3:7-8

2. By devoting his life to serving Christ - cf. Ga 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

V22 He would be fruitful while he lived  ...what one did for others, he did for Christ! 1Co 8:12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.

 Mt 25:40 "And the King will answer and say to them, `Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'

    1. Do we magnify Christ with our lives?1) Do we encourage or discourage the brethren?

Pr 18:9 He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.

Christ loved us, and gave HIS life for usII. Paul wanted to magnify CHRIST BY HIS DEATH if that is what it tookv23 What would death mean to Paul To die means to "be with Christ, which is far better" 1)    Paul understood that when a Christian dies, they go to be with the Lord! 2)    2Co 5:6-9 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.

 1Th 5:9-10 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

• who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Are you willing to magnify Christ by life and by death if needed?

1. More Christians need to have the attitude of Paul

 Ac 20:22-24 "And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 "except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Re 12:11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.