
19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. —Philippians 1:19-30
If someone made a t-shirt that describes your philosophy on life, what do you think it’d say?
Verse 19 - what does Paul mean by deliverance?
Pros and Cons Lists
Eating all your Easter candy at once
Pro - Candy is awesome and delicious
Con - Tummy ache
Quarantine
Pro -
Con -
Paul’s pros and cons
Living vs Dying
Living - Life is Christ; remaining means fruitful labor
Dying - Gain! Departing means being with Christ
Which is more desirable?
- To
Which is more necesary?
- To
Discussion Questions
What does Paul mean when he says “to live is Christ”?
Why would it be better to be with Christ? Why is heaven gain?
- Have you considered your own death? Would you be able to say with Paul that dying is gain?
Live as Good Citizens
What does it mean to be a good citizen?
Being a citizen of God’s kingdom means:
We
We are
We are to
What are the results of living worthy of the gospel?
so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. —Philippians 1:27-30
Discussion Question
How can we live as good citizens of the gospel of Christ this week?