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e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e [Music] evening everyone welcome to Free Grace Baptist Church for any visit visitors out there it's a joy to be back uh second time on this Lord's day to worship our Triune God uh just um there are no announcements so let's get right into worship let's move to these blessed and sacred elements of worship by opening our evening with a reading of the scriptures a call to worship will be Psalm 149 Psalm 149 this is the word of God praise the Lord sing to the Lord a new song and his praise in the Assembly of saints let Israel rejoice in their maker let the children of Zion be joyful in their King let them praise His name with the dance let them sing praises to Him with the timberl and harp for the Lord takes pleasure in his people he will beautify The Humble with salvation let the Saints be joyful in glory let them sing aloud on their beds let the high praises of God in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand to execute Vengeance on the Nations and punishments on the peoples to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with feathers of iron to execute on them the written judgment this honor have all his Saints praise the Lord amen let's stand together and sing our first hymn this evening is 447 let's stand and sing 447 together ground Christ all my joy stilling may I still for you my our still for you my heart and your love my heart in flame keep your my side be your praise highest be your might be your smile [Music] might grace free me from your full till I go my Earth they are Christ to I christly trting in your blood nothing shall my heart sa me I shall pass the sa ground sa here to the [Music] of we know in Christ to live let we know to let's go to God In Prayer let's pray Heavenly Father we thank you for this Lord's Day evening we rejoice in your goodness to us the uh mercies the loving kindnesses the grace that you extend to us the love that you extend towards your people we thank you that we have this place to come into gather as the Saints of Christ to worship Father Son and Holy Spirit and we pray that you would help us to again to worship you in spirit and in truth we uh know that we require the Holy Spirit in order that we might have our souls lifted up to a proper Praise of our great God and uh to to reflect with Christian Minds upon the glories of Christ and to sing uh the Praises of so great a Grace and we do pray for that this evening uh that we would be animated by the Holy Spirit and brought to that uh precious place of worshiping a right father Son and Holy Spirit we thank you for Jesus Christ Our Savior we thank you that he did come into this world Sinners to save we uh rejoice in that precious truth that even while we were yet sinners Christ came into this world to die for us and to to live for us to die for us and to to rise again that he might bring us to Glory we thank you so much for that uh we thank you for the Forgiveness of sins we thank you for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us received by faith alone and and that forgiveness of sins that does come only through the shed blood of Our Savior Jesus Christ we pray that you would help us to glory in that this evening we thank you that we uh can pray for our brothers and sisters and uh in Many Nations where they endure such persecution uh it Grieves us to hear report upon report of such persecution going on and yet it does at the same time still cheer our hearts that there are those um in every nation under Heaven confessing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that we have brothers and sisters in a in a multitude of Nations around the earth and we thank you that they are able to endure uh the suffering and the shame for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we pray that in the the context of such persecution and uh opposition against your people that those people Lord God would be lifted up uh would be encouraged uh would be guarded uh would be given that confidence that uh that such persecuted Saints require in the face of the of such an opposing and a hating world we do pray that you'd protect them that you would cause them in the face of their sufferings to to give glory to you their God we do pray for those who rule over us as we often do we are called to pray for those who are Kings and those who are in positions of authority that we might lead Peaceable lives and that we might have the the free opportunity to to bring the gospel to the Nations we do pray in our nation that you would cause those to rule over us in proper righteousness and proper equity and Justice we pray that it would no longer be the case that the the rulers of the nations would would call Wicked wickedness good and and goodness Wicked and we do just pray that you would uh lift up men and women to rule in a manner that's uh that Concords with uh uh with righteousness and Justice and and Lord God that you would cast down those who who seek to perpetrate wickedness in in our Nations we do pray for for pastor Butler as he comes up here in a number of minutes to preach is that that Central act of worship is the preaching of your holy word we pray for for pastor Butler you'd give them that measure of your spirit to uh to grip the pulpit with confidence uh with the uh that that that measure of the spirit wherein he can open up his Bible and Proclaim with accuracy your truth and we do pray that you'd help each and every one of us as we engage continue engaging in worship and as we engage in that act of preaching that you would help us by your spirit to be illumined in the things of your word and that we would leave this place singing the Praises of Amazing Grace and rejoicing in our God so do continue with us uh help us as we engage in these acts of worship and Lord God as always we pray that you would be the recipient of all honor and praise in this place and we pray in Christ's name amen amen uh our next himym if you'll stand with me is 145b as in bravo 145b we'll sing stanzas 1 to [Music] 5 I will forever bless your name I will all you after your gra great is the Lord and great PR greatness love to tell your and [Music] mighty your and mesty I will all then shall your aome I will your PR this we all deare your praise For Your Glory bless and your goodness Lord pring your [Music] rightousness e you can turn in your Bibles with me to the Book of Joshua Joshua chapter 19 our Old Testament scripture reading as we continue uh the consecutive reading through the Old Testament Joshua 19 beginning at verse one we won't read all the chapter we'll read from verse one to verse 23 once again the word of God the second lot came out for Simeon for the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families and their inheritance was within the inheritance of the children of Judah they had in their inheritance B beer Sheba Sheba Mo molada hazar Shu baa Asam elad bethl horma ziklag Beth marabo hazar Suza Beth La Leo and Shuan 13 cities and their Villages a remon ether and asan four cities and their Villages and all the villages that were all around these cities as far as bath beer Rama of the South this was the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families the inheritance of the children of Simeon was included in the share of the children of Judah for the share of the children of Judah was too much for them therefore the children of Simeon had their inheritance within the inheritance of that people the third lot came out for the children of zebulun according to their families and their uh and the border of their inheritance was as far as sered their border went toward the west and to merila went to dbash and extended along the Brook that is east of jnam then from serid it went Eastward toward the sunrise along the border of chislo tabore and went out toward uh dabra bypassing jafia and from there it passed along on the east coast of gath heer toward eth kazen and extended to rimon which borders on NAA then the Border went around it on the north side of hanon and it ended in the valley of jef theel included were Kat Kath nahalal shimron itah and Bethlehem 12 cities with their Villages this was the inheritance of the children of zebulun according to their families these cities with their Villages the fourth lot came out to issachar for the children of issachar according to their families and their territory went to jezrael and included cheso shunum half uh half Shion anahera rabbath kishion abz rth and ganim andh hadah and Beth pazz and the Border reached to tabore shahz and Beth shamesh their border ended at the Jordan 16 cities with their Villages this was the inheritance of the tribe of the children of issachar according to their families the cities and their Villages amen well you might you might think just reading that that yeah we're just reading something historical and something um logistical but I think two things are important to recognize and the first thing is the faithfulness of God in in bringing his people um into the promised land um it's a it's an exploration not in the righteousness and the greatness of man in conquering his enemies but in opposition to sometimes the obstinacy of the people and the opposition of the people people to the very God who made the promises nevertheless God goes before his people to fight for them and bring them to the inheritance and it it points forward to the Lord Jesus Christ in our study this morning on the doctrine of baptism we noted that in the old Covenant or the old Covenant the substance of it was Earthly temporal and typological and the substance of the New Covenant ratified by Christ is Heavenly it's uh Eternal and it is realized while we have an example here of the Earthly temporal and typical pointing forward to the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ who goes before us to prepare a place for us who goes before us who brings us into the promised land spiritual speak spiritually speaking who gives us our inheritances based upon his perfect work he is the greater than Joshua the greater General than Joshua who fights goes before us fights for us and secures not a a temporal or physical inheritance but secures for us the Blessed reality of an eternal and a lasting inheritance by virtue of the Perfection of his work what a what a great and faithful God that we have let's pray Heavenly Father we thank you for your word we rejoice in its goodness towards us as it reveals your faithfulness as it points forward to the Perfection of the Lord Jesus Christ in securing an eternal inheritance for his people we thank you for these things knowing that we do not deserve them uh knowing that we rather are the the blessed and undeserved beneficiaries of the Conquering and amazing grace of God and that we are those blessed recipients uh again undeserving of your condescending kindness and eternal loving kindness towards us and we do pray as we continue in worship that you would help us to to praise and honor you in in these things and we pray in Christ's precious name amen amen uh well let's stand one more time and sing together as a church prior to the preaching we'll stand and sing 352 352 let's stand [Music] together for the Son of God who s hallelu what a sh in my seal my with his Hallelujah SP of God was Hallelujah his his ex what a our [Applause] glorious all his to will sing Hallelujah well please turn with me in your Bibles to the book of Philippians Philippians chapter 1 as we work our way through Paul's letter to the church in Philippi remember the historical context Paul is in prison according to acts chap 28 he spends 2 years there in his first Roman imprisonment that was the years ad60 to 62 while he's there he writes Ephesians Philippians Colossians and the Book of philimon and in many ways we see in the section we're looking at tonight in verses 21- 26 an example or an illustration or application of what we saw in John's gospel this morning where Jesus spoke concerning the joy the lasting joy of the disciples even in the midst of sorrow and in the midst of Affliction and Challenge and hardship and travail they nevertheless had that Joy because they had been saved by God through Grace in Jesus Christ Paul exemplifies that while he's in a Roman prison cell with the real possibility that he could die so I want to read beginning in verse 12 I'll read to verse 26 and then we'll focus on 21 to 26 so beginning in Philippians 1 at vers2 but I want you to know Brethren that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the Gospel so that it has become evident to the whole Palace guard and to all the rest that my chains are in Christ and most of the brethren in the Lord having become Confident by my chains are much more bold to speak the word without fear some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife and some also from Good Will the former pre Christ from selfish ambition not sincerely supposing to add Affliction to my chains but the latter out of love knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Gospel what then only that in every way whether in pretense or in truth Christ is preached and in this I Rejoice yes and Will Rejoice for I know that this will turn out for my Deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the spirit of Jesus Christ 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 for to me to live is Christ and to die is gain but if I live on in the flesh this will mean fruit from my labor yet what I shall choose I cannot tell for I am hardpressed between the two having a desire to depart and be with Christ Which is far better nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you and being confident of this I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again amen well let us pray Our Father we thank you for the written word of the living and true God we thank you that it's given by inspiration of the spirit we pray that he would guide us and lead us now into this truth cause us to see exemplified in the life and Ministry of the Apostle Paul the teaching of our Lord Jesus there in the upper room discourse may you cause us to reflect upon that lasting joy that we possess in Christ the reality that there is nothing that this world can do nothing that the devil and his and his demons nothing that our own remaining corruption can even undo that reality that we are saved by your grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and that attendant joy that that goes with that we rejoice in it we thank you for your goodness to us as Paul says elsewhere therefore having been justified by faith let us have peace with or we have peace with God thank you for that peace thank you for the joy thank you for your mercies and your goodness to us draw out our hearts now in worship and praise and adoration to you our great God forgiving us of all of our sins in the Precious Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and we pray in his name amen well up to this point in the book of Philippians in chapter 1 we have seen the introduction and in verses 1 and 2 Paul's gratitude expressed in verses 3 to8 remember he's in prison and he's not whining he's not moaning he's not complaining he's not calling lawyers rather he is rejoicing in the goodness of God and expressing his gratitude for this church in particular in Philippi not that he wasn't affectionate toward all of the churches that he ministered to but he seemed to have a real bond with the people of God in Philippi he speaks very favorably of them in 2 Corinthians chapter 8 and as well we see something of what appears to be sort of a A Farewell if Paul does depart it kind of like his 11th Hour address to those who are very close to him as well we see his intercessory prayer in verses 9 to 11 and then verses 12 to 18 or something of a of a commentary or a report on his present situation so in verses 12 to 18 he starts off by saying I want you to know Brethren that the things which happen to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the go gospel the things that have happened to him obviously being arrested and being imprisoned and being in a Roman prison cell he says that's turned out for good it has been the means by which the palace guard has heard of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ it has been the means by which the Church of the Lord Jesus those who fear the lord have been empowered they have been bucked up they have been helped along in terms of their espousing the truth as it is in Jesus so he's commenting on his current situation then he turns his attention to the Future Prospect he's either going to live or he's going to die he's either going to stay in that Roman prison cell up until the point he's executed or he's going to be released again to continue in gospel Ministry so we already looked at verses 19 and 20 the expectation of the Apostle I know that this will turn out for my Deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the spirit of Jesus Christ according to my Earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed Paul was able to maintain a clear conscience before God and Men because he was a faithful man he wasn't a sinless man he wasn't a perfect man he wasn't a blemish free man rather he was washed in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ Sanctified by the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit and he maintained integrity and faithfulness to the very end he goes on to say in verse 20 but with all boldness as always so now also Christ will be magnified in my body whether by life or by death as I've mentioned before there is the potential or the possibility that Paul could die in this imprisonment it seems to be the case however that he understands it may not be that he dies in second Timothy we know for a fact and he knows for a fact that he's going to die that's his second Roman imprisonment so here it's a bit contingent he's not sure as to what's going on I've mentioned before that in ad60 to 62 Nero was the emperor but in ad 60 to 62 he wasn't as bad as he was going to be in ad 63 and 64 and 5 and even prior to that Nero actually was a good Emperor prior to kind of going nuts he did a good job he was faithful in terms of executing his position as the emperor of the Roman State But as time went on he got increasingly bad such that fox and his famous book of Martyrs refers to him as a beast I actually think he is the Beast of Revel but that's another topic for discussion so Paul has this idea that he's either going to die or he's going to live so now notice then in verses 21 to 23 we see the conviction of the Apostle and then in verses 24 to 26 we see the anticipation of the Apostle so if you're taking notes this section 20 uh 19 to 26 you've got the expectation of the Apostle verses 19 and 20 conviction of the Apostle 21 to 23 and then the end anticipation of the Apostle in verses 24 to 26 note first his declaration in terms of conviction verse 21 a very famous statement we just sang it in the first hymn I think we sing it as well in just about every hymn this expression that Paul gives is very excellent in terms of a summation of the Christian commitment to our lord Jesus the conviction that we possess for to me to live as Christ and man to die is gain and I think what he's highlighting there is his Union with Christ as a man alive physically in the body Union with Christ for to me to live is Christ and then he underscores his glory with Christ and to die is gain so let's look first at the apostles Union with Christ in that first part in 21A for to me to live is Christ now to live here means life lived in the body the physical body that you and I possess Paul had one too he wasn't a disembodied Spirit he didn't sort of float around in the Roman Empire and just sort of dropped gospel bombs as he went he was a real man he was a a flesh and blood being he had everything in common with us and so the Apostle says for to me to live is Christ and this is something that I think is commonplace for us to do baseball is living fishing is the life whatever your particular hobby or whatever your particular pursuit or whatever your particular thing is you seem to equate it with life itself now of course none of us believe that baseball really is life none of us really believe that that living is fishing uh it's a common parament just to underscore how important that particular thing is in your life and that's the convention that Paul is using here for to me to live is Christ Christ and I think this is an amazing statement for the Apostle in light of what we know about him in Acts chapter n he previously wanted to destroy the people of Christ he couldn't get to Christ so the next best thing was to destroy his people remember he gets his marching orders to go to to Syria to go to Damascus and there he's going to apprehend Believers both men and women he's going to drag them back to Jerusalem so that they could undergo judicial process and be punished for the blasphemy of confessing faith in our Lord Jesus Christ now he loved Christ and he loved his people in fact as you look at just this first chapter in the book of Philippians he expresses that love he wears his heart on the sleeve as it were as well he previously trusted in his own Works to commend him to god notice in Philippians chapter 3 specifically at verse one finally my brethren rejoice in the Lord for me to write uh the same things to you is not tedious but for you it is safe beware of dogs beware of evil workers beware the mutilation for we are the circumcision who worship God in the spirit rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh though I also might have confidence in the flesh he's not underscoring this to show what a great guy he was prior to conversion he's showing what a great guy religiously he was prior to conversion and how all of that was D in comparison to the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord verse 4B if anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh I more so circumcised the a day of the stock of Israel of The Tribe of Benjamin a Hebrew of the Hebrews concerning the law of Pharisee concerning Zeal persecuting the church concerning the righteousness which is in the law blameless but what things were gained to me they were gained because he saw them as Works necessary in order to enter into heaven these things were gained this was in the asset column in terms of his Ledger as far as he was concerned this is all that he needed to do in order to enter into heaven Torah lawke keeping faithful obedience he's living in that old Covenant mindset Fidelity to yeh in order to be accepted by Yahweh but he says what things were gained to me these I have counted loss for Christ so everything that was in that asset column he now sees as a liability in verse 8 he says yet indeed I also count all things lost for the Excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him not having my own righteousness all those things I just told you I had prior to my conversion all those things that I was resting upon in terms of acceptance With God all those things have become to me like that which you throw to throw to the dogs he says I count them as rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him not having my own righteousness which is from the law but that which is through faith in Christ the righteousness which is from God by faith so for the Apostle he previously trusted in his works for salvation and he despised the notion of justification by faith alone that these Christians were preaching in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ as well he previously lived a life In the Flesh like all of us do as I said Paul wasn't perfect Paul wasn't blemish free Paul acknowledges the fact that he along with everybody else was a child of Wrath even as the rest Ephesians 2: 1-3 he mentions with reference to his own soul State prior to his conversion in Romans chapter 7 I would not have known uh do not I would not have known my own lust without that law saying do not covet and so with reference to his orientation it has changed now for to me to live is Christ and to die is gain so he highlights that Union with Christ as a living being but then he notices That Glory with Christ if in fact he dies and to die is gain the meaning of the phrase bodily death translates to spiritual glory and this is obvious throughout scripture turn back to the Book of Luke Luke chap 23 that famous passage with the thief on the cross Luke chapter 23 specifically at verse 39 Luke 2339 then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed him saying if you are the Christ save yourself and us the other answering rebuked him saying do you not even fear God saying you are under the same condemnation and we indeed justly for we receive the due reward of our Deeds but this man is done nothing wrong then he said to Jesus Lord remember me when you come into your kingdom which is an amazing confession imagine the apostles they saw Christ do Mighty Works they saw him multiply bread and fish they saw him raise the dead they saw him restore sight to the blind they saw him restore hearing to the death this thief on the cross as far as we know saw none of that what is he gazing upon when he looks beside him and sees Jesus hanging there he sees a broken bloodied battered man hanging on a cross as a criminal of the Roman Empire and he says Lord remember me when you come into your kingdom Riyal says he only saw our Lord in agony and in weakness in suffering and in pain he saw him undergoing dishonorable punishment deserted mocked despised blasphemed he saw no scepter no Royal Crown no outward Dominion no glory no power no signs of Might and yet the dying Thief believed and looked forward to Christ's Kingdom now note how Jesus responds according to verse 43 and Jesus said to him assuredly I say to you today you will be with me in Paradise this is Paul's meaning for to me to live is Christ and to die is gain notice in 2 Corinthians chap 5 2 Corinthians chap 5 same emphasis there 2 Corinthians 5 specifically at verse six so we are always confident knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord for we walk by faith not by sight we are confident yes well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord and then 1 Thessalonians CH 4 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 specifically at verse 17 1 Thessalonians 4:17 then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and thus we shall always be with the Lord this idea that Paul Expresses in 21b and to die is gain expresses the reality that when the believer breathes his last with reference to his physical body his soul departs and is present with the Lord there's no doctrine of Soul sleep there's no doctrine of annihilationism there's no doctrine that that person ceases the soul rather goes to be with the Lord we call that the intermediate State looking forward to the general Resurrection or the day of judgment when God will raise the body and and reunite Body and Soul such that they can enjoy the glory of God forever and ever World Without End Amen but in that intermediate State the soul is present with the Lord and that's why Paul can say and for uh and to die is gain so I would suggest with reference to the Apostle the believer's knowledge of his trans transition from temporal life to a state of Glory makes it impossible for the world to stop him it makes it impossible for the world to hurt him remember this morning John 16 you're going to sorrow but you're going to rejoice and that joy that you have no one can take it away from you why because you are in Christ Jesus he is your portion he is your lot he is your everything he is your altogether lovely he is your Chief among 10,000 and as I've said probably at nauseum when ever commenting on this particular text what do you do with a man like this you come and visit him in the prison cell and you say Paul we're going to kill you okay that means I get more Christ Paul we're going to release you okay that means I get more Christ you can't hurt a Believer who operates according to this particular principle and if the world Rises up and the S and the devil sends his minions and the the remaining flesh is yearning nevertheless we have this reality for to meet to live as Christ and to die is gain now note in verses 22 and 23 Paul applies that principle to his specific situation notice in verse 22 he underscores the benefit of life in the body verse 22 and 23 sort of tees out what he says as a principle in verse 21 got the principle you've got the application you've got the conviction you've got the illustration so note what he says in verse 22 he says but if I live on in the flesh this will mean fruit from my labor yet what I shall choose I cannot tell this refers to his release from prison if I live on if I continue on if I keep breathing if I re am removed from this Roman prison cell then I'm going to go and engage in gospel Ministry and this means fruit from his labor note that confidence but if I live on in the flesh this will mean fruit from my labor Paul's not arrogant Paul's not boastful Paul's not not suggesting that somehow he has the capability or the ability to go out and change the hearts of Sinners he knows his place as an instrument he knows his place as a servant he knows his place as a bondslave of Jesus Christ and that his task is to Faithfully Proclaim that word of Jesus Christ and in that he has confidence that there will be fruit as I think I mentioned before it's not necessarily only measured in conversion when it comes to gospel preaching God is glorified by gospel preaching turn back to the book of 2 Corinthians 2 Corinthians chapter 2 2 Corinthians chapter 2 to see something of this because I think we have a big problem in Christianity when we go and preach and we don't see all these people getting saved we don't see all these people raising their hand when every eye is closed and every head is bowed we don't see people coming up forward to the altar call we don't see people making these decisions so we conclude that it wasn't really worth it God is glorified in the proclamation and Declaration of his word it's God who is Sovereign in terms of Salvation or reprobation we're simply means we're simply instruments we are Servants of the most high notice in 2 Corinthians 2 uh uh 2:12 furthermore when I came to traz to preach Christ's gospel and a door was opened to me by the Lord I had no rest in my spirit because I did not find Titus my brother but taking my leave of them I departed from ma for Macedonia now thanks be to God who always leads us in Triumph in Christ and through us diffuses the fragrance of his knowledge in every place for we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing notice that and among those who are perishing God is glorified in the proclamation God is glorified in the Declaration God is glorified in Salvation but he's also glorified in reprobation that is up to him Paul says as much in Romans chapter n he fits some as vessels of mercy and he fits others as vessels of Wrath it's not up to us to determine who they are it is simply up to us to go out and Proclaim so the Apostle says we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing to the one we are the aroma of death leading to death and to the other the aroma of Life leading to life and who is sufficient for these things so back to the prison cell in Philippians chapter 1 when he says this will mean fruit from my labor he is not suggesting that he has the the omnipotence to affect this he knows that in faithful service in the Declaration and proclamation of the truth of the Gospel God's glorified in that as Albert Martin says it's almost a a vision of God with nostrils and he's breathing in this fragrance that Aroma as the gospel is proclaimed life unto life but as well death unto death and God is glorified in that so back to verse 22 but if I live on in the flesh this will mean fruit from my labor yet what I shall choose I cannot tell just to reiterate Paul does not think he's a sovereign being Paul does not think that in this prison cell in Rome he has the ability to determine whether or not he's released or to determine whether or not he continues on he's simply illustrating what he has said in terms of the benefit of Christ in terms of life going forward now that's the benefit of life in the body and he's going to draw that out we'll see that in just a few moments but notice the benefit of the death of the body verse 23 for I am hardpressed between the two so I've got life which is Christ death which is Christ for to me to live is Christ to die is gain so he's ex Illustrated why it is for him to live is Christ because if I'm released from here there will be fruit from gospel preaching but I'm going to also illustrate why death is gain and that's what he's doing in verse 23 for I am hardpressed between the two having a desire to depart and be with Christ Which is far better now he's highlighting the two options available not as if he's The Sovereign determiner of his fate but to underscore what he has said principally in verse 21 for to me to live is Christ I go free I preach the gospel to to to die is gain more Christ what does that mean Paul well to be absent from the body means to be present with the Lord and that's much better far better much more excellent is what he's saying he's basically heaping up words as a comparative to show the exceeding of the the goodness of being with Jesus Christ it really is a wonderful statement in terms of how he's operating here he's encouraging as well the church if he loves the Philippians and the Philippians love him and they get wind that Nero is going to have him executed he's calming them he's assuring them much as I think any of us would in that 11th hour we have that peace with God through faith in Jesus Christ we have that joy and that that that that contentedness and that that that blessedness that we're going to depart and be with the Lord what would we do with our children and grandchildren we would say don't fret don't fear don't be upset if anything you should be jealous if anything you should be well not envious because Envy means you don't want me to have it and that's not good but jealousy is okay in that particular regard so far as you don't try to hasten your own demise that's obviously condemned in scripture but we would do that wouldn't we we we'd want to calm our people we'd want to say you know I have peace with God I I believe that when I breathe my last I'm going to go be in the presence of Christ that's what he's doing here with the Philippians for to me to live is Christ and to die is gain in other words Philippians don't worry about me don't don't worry about me I love you I know that you love me we've had plenty of good opportunities to Fellowship one with another but don't fret if God and His Infinite goodness Christ and his glorious power the spirit indwelling in me if it is determined by that living and true God that I'm to breathe my last and have my head chopped off by by Nero who's nuts don't worry about that I'm going to be with Jesus I'm going to go with Christ and I think this is an ongoing encouragement to every believer bodily death is presence with Christ now again we don't hasten our death we don't jump out in front of a bus so that we can gain the much better but we're not terrified at the pro Prospect we may be a little concerned about the way the manner the means by which we exit the world I'm certain you probably have thought through your head you know I've got a top five list of how I not like to exit this world uh you might have a top five list how you know I'd prefer to go this way uh I I don't actually think through it quite that detailed I don't have a document or or anything but we may be concerned about the the manner in which we exit but the fact that we're going to exit as the Blood Bought children of God ought not to be a fear to us it ought to be a welcome blessing we're going to hear the master say Well done good and faithful servant we're going to see Emmanuel in his land we're going to eyeball the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ the one who loved us and gave himself for us this is the prospect of all of of us here that are looking to Jesus Christ in faith and if you're not looking to Jesus Christ in faith may I encourage you to look to Jesus Christ in faith because this is everything Paul summarizes the principle well in verse 21 for to me to live is Christ and to die as gain how you going to deal with a gulong how you going to deal with deprivation how you going to deal with oppression and persecution for to me to live is Christ and to die is gain so you can't hurt this man you can't stop this man you can't thwart this man you can't cancel this man he is uncan he is blessed of God with that contentment in Christ and he recognizes that whether he continues On In the Flesh or whether he breathes his last it all means Christ as far as he is concerned that's his conviction let let us look finally at his anticipation in verses 24- 26 so he's looking at the options seems to be to me that he favors or at least as far as he can tell he's looking at things he's surveying this the Empire he he knows the the movements in the Roman Empire I I I think we forget this at times Paul was a real man it it really struck me when we were walking in Ephesus we had the Blessed privilege to walk where Paul walked to go to that that Amphitheater where they were crying out great is Diana of the Ephesians and where they you know wanted to tear Paul apart if he walked into that Amphitheater and his disciples pleaded with him no no no don't don't go in there there's a a roadway that that you walk down it's quite populated with lots of visitors and people there and the guide said you know that's a that was a house of prostitution we we walk past you know there's businesses and and as best as archaeologists and and persons in the not can can reconstruct things you can see where the restaurant uh but there was he said this this was a house of prostitution and as we continued down the road he said this is the first as far as we know and this guy was pretty smart maybe he was pulling my leg I don't know but he said this is the first advertisement that we know of in in terms of something concrete no pun intended it was in the the road there and it was for that that house a prostitution and it occurred to me and I'm sure it's occurred to you before that you know Paul walked right pass that he lived in a real world with real Sin and real Sinners he understood politics I'm not suggesting that he was you know Mr political but he invoked his Roman citizenship when it was advantageous to him according to the book of Acts you you're beating a Roman citizen without Juris Prudence what do they do we didn't we didn't know you were a Roman citizen he he understood the days in which he lived so he could survey the Roman State he could survey the minations of the emperor and the Senate and all the things that were going on at the time in the Empire so it seems that the scale is tipped as far as he's concerned that most likely he's going to be released the possibility is real it's a real probability that he could be executed by the Civil state but he seems to think that he's going to be released and that's where the tip of the scale is in verses 24 to 26 nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you which is really excellent this is a blessed statement he surveys that it would be better for him to be with Christ in glory but it would be better for them for him to be released from prison we call that others minded n we call that selflessness in fact that's going to be one of the emphases that Paul brings out to this church in Philippi notice in Chapter 2 specifically in verses 1 to4 therefore if if there is any consolation in Christ if any comfort of love if any Fellowship of the spirit if any affection and mercy and when he says it like that he's not saying if perhaps there might possibly be it could also will be a a s since these things are present fulfill my Joy by being likeminded having the same love being of one Accord having the same uh uh uh I'm sorry being of one Accord of one mind now I've often said that I think this epistle is pretty much devoid of pmics I mean there is some 3 1 to1 it's devoid of a lot of internal strife like you see in First Corinthians though you've got the CI and and Yoda thing in chapter 4 and just because he's addressing things here doesn't they must have had a horrible problem there no not necessarily when I encourage from scripture I'm not always implying that we have a horrible problem here Brethren love one another what's he saying we hate each other no no that's not what I'm saying but we can always stand in need of exhortation and encouragement so back to the text notice in verse three let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit but in loneliness of Mind Let each esteem others better than himself let each of you look out not only for his own interest but also for the interest of others so verse 24 illustrates that in chapter 1 nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you but also in chapter 2: 5-1 Christ illustrates that as well and then in chapter 2: 19- 24 Timothy illustrates that as well and then in chapter 2: 25 to30 aphroditus illustrates that well so for the church there he wants them to have that mind for others that is in him that is in Jesus that is in Timothy that is in aphodius notice he then goes on in verses 25 and 26 concerning the plan and being confident of this I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith I don't think he's taking out the possibility that he could die but as I said I think he SC tips the scales in favor the fact that he's going to live but when he says in being confident of this if in in fact I do live if in fact I am released if in fact I am free to go from this Roman prison cell it's in that that I'm confident I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of Faith he's going to benefit the church through preaching and teaching and notice with reference to this progress of Faith there is an anti-intellectualism that still Sur sures in the professing church today well we don't need all that Doctrine the hypothetic what who cares consubstantial who why what what does it matter notice that Paul connects Joy with progress in faith notice that Paul sounds much like his savior when he prayed sanctify them by thy truth Thy word is truth you can't come away from reading the Apostle Paul and think or conclude that theology doesn't matter no for Paul theology matter and you get this whole idea in the church today well either we're really smart theologically but we're never practical in terms of the outflow or we're over here super practical but we don't really know much it's always an either or always advocated for both and be theologically smart let's be able to rehearse the n and Creed let's have the basic nomenclature on how to describe the doctrine of the Trinity and let's be kind merciful loving and engaging Good Deeds to others why does it have to be either or well I'm going to spend all my time studying theology I don't care if I have to walk past a 100 people that are suffering on the other hand I'm going to deal with everybody who's suffering but I'm never going to pick up a theology book why is it either or we treat it like the the the restaurant do you want the soup salad I want both I you know can't I have both and Christianity is not an either or Christianity is do that fuels the practice practice is the exemplification of the doctrine that we believe love rejoices in the truth Brethren and for the Apostle he connects his ministry should it continue upon his release from prison he knows that he shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of Faith he wants the people of God to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ the progress and joy of faith is the fruit that he mentions in verse 22 I know that this will abound in more fruit the fruit being within the Philippian church that they are learning Doctrine and they by grace are applying Doctrine and then notice what he goes on to say there at the end in verse 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again the joy the church had in the Apostle would increase upon his release from prison he goes back to Philippi uh Philippi there would be a a Love Fest they would be very delighted to see the Apostle this one who said for to me to live is Christ and to die is gain he says that if he gets out he continues in Ministry there's going to be fruit that fruit will be seen in their progress in the Faith with that attendant joy and all the more when Paul comes back to them it's going to abound that rejoice reling in Christ Jesus for the good gifts that he had given to the church in Philippi Vis the ministry of the Apostle Paul everybody wins so in conclusion in terms of exposition it's a very simple passage the principle in verse 21 the application in verses 22 and 23 and then Paul's anticipation in verses 24 and to 26 and it's all about Christ every jot and TI of this man's life was about Christ and that's the three things I want to close on briefly the priority first of all for the Apostle Paul we saw that priority in his progress report in verses 12 to 18 Paul doesn't care if you don't like him as long as you preach a gospel that's amazing we all kind of care that people like us don't we when you know someone doesn't like you are you happy about that I'm not just showing out I guess my insecurities here but I think I want to be liked I I do Paul probably wanted to be like too at at a certain fundamental human level no I love to be hated I you know I want my wanted poster all over town horrible person but remember in verse 15 in chapter 1 some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife and some also from Good Will the former preach Christ from selfish ambition not sincerely supposing to add Affliction to my chains they don't like me they Envy me they perhaps put me down what's he doing in prison doesn't he know that that's a bad witness and testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ look what he says verse 17 but the latter out of love knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Gospel what then only that in every way whether in pretense or in truth Christ is preached and in this I Rejoice yes and Will Rejoice though their hearts may have been bad toward the Apostle Paul their Doctrine was right as far as Paul was concerned I probably would guess he'd say I want your heart right toward me and preach truth but if it's one or the other I'd rather you just preach the truth so Paul's priority is in the gospel Paul's priority in the current situation is that Christ is being preached and that causes joy to him but as well the reality of future Ministry it's all about Christ I was would suggest secondly and when I say the priority for Paul the commitment of Paul and the contentment of Paul Paul's a lens by which we appreciate the glory of Christ that that's what I mean we're not supposed to celebrate Paul we're not going to close tonight with a doxology of praise to Paul from whom all blessings flow Paul would be horrified at the suggestion of that Paul is a lens Paul is a help Paul is a tool Paul is a servant for us to kind of check our own Hearts is my priority Jesus can I say for to me to live as Christ and die as gain I don't want to get all third grade lexury here but it's probably not a bad question to present to ourselves can I say for to me to live as Christ and to die as gain it's not bad to reflect upon that once in a while it's not bad to do a priority check it's not bad to do a self-examination if you only live in self-examination that's bad if you're only allowed introspection that's bad but if on occasion you do an internal inventory and you survey yourself and you ask the question what's my priority what is it that makes me tick can I say with Judgment Day honesty for of me to live as Christ and to die as gain because I think that if we can say yes to that it will affect that the uh the way that we live as individuals we'll walk in Holiness cry out to God for his grace and protection it'll affect the way that we live in our families we'll take Ephesians 5 seriously husband love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her wives submit to your own husbands as to the Lord we'll take seriously Ephesians 6 CH uh uh children obey your parents in the Lord honor your father and your mother we take seriously the admonition in Ephesians 64 fathers do not provoke your children do not exasperate them do not bring them to that point of Wrath see when we say for to me to live as Christ it affects how we live as well it affects how we die as I said the manner and the means and the particulars about death may be a little bit uneasy for us meeting a bear in the forest by you know without a gun yeah not the way I want to go out batted by that big paw right into my head not what I choose but the death itself knowing that I'm in Union with Christ and to be absent from the body via Bearpaw means to be present with the Lord so if we say for to me to live as Christ and to die as gain it'll affect us in those areas it'll affect us in church life perhaps we've lost that that spark that David speaks of in Psalm 122 I I was glad when they said unto me let us go to the house of the Lord the songs of Zion those songs of a sense that you find in the script in the Book of Psalms what are they doing as they walking to Jerusalem they're singing those songs of Zion as they ascend to the mountain or as they ascend rather to the temple at the mountain and they want to go and be with God it'll affect us in terms of being a citizen I mean come on we need to be subject to the governing authorities there's no Authority except from God and those which exist exist are established by God we're not supposed to be law Breakers we're supposed to be faithful for to me live is Christ and to die is gain Paul's priority Paul's commitment and then finally Paul's contentment Trials of Life did not deter him the threat of death did not deter him the confidence that faith in Christ Christ the object of that Faith it's where the accent Falls would be glorified in his life or death that's what sustained him I think that Paul would have given hearty approval to heidleberg catechism number one what is your only comfort in life and death that I am not my own but belong with body and soul both in life and in death to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ he has fa uh fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood has Set Me Free from all the power of the devil he also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly father not a hair can fall from my head indeed all things must work together for my salvation ation therefore by his holy spirit he also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for him that is a good summation of uh Philippians 1:21 may God increase our faith in the Lord Jesus and cause us to prioritize life in Christ and to see death as not the threat that the world sees but as that Avenue by which we gain more Christ well let us pray Our Father in Heaven thank you for your word and thank you very much for the example set forth here in Philippians chapter one of a godly man a man that certainly lived in light of the reality of the life death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ we have that same blessed gospel we have that same salvation we have the same Graces of faith and repentance and and most of all we have the same God father Son and Holy Spirit so Lord help us to live likewise to examine ourselves and to come out on the end of confessing our love for Jesus whether in Life or in death go with us now watch over us in the week to come and conform us ever more to the image of your only beloved of your only begotten son and we pray in jesus' name amen we'll close with a brief time of meditation e e for