Paul was in prison. Even so he was joyous and encouraged others to rejoice. We are to rejoice in all our circumstances. Download the free PowerPoint at BibleGuy.org

1. To Live is Christ!
Philippians 1:18-26

2. Review
Philippians: Had Paul’s imprisonment put a
roadblock on the Gospel?
Paul: to the contrary,
“I want you to know, brothers, that what has
happened to me has really served to advance
the gospel”. Philippians 1:12

4. Because he was in prison…
13 so that it has become known throughout the
whole imperial guard and to all the rest that
my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of
the brothers, having become confident in the
Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold
to speak the word without fear. Philippians
1:13–14

6. Motivation for preaching?
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and
rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter
do it out of love, knowing that I am put here
for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former
proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but
thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.
Philippians 1:15–17

8. Motive is secondary to the fact
All Paul Cares about is that Christ was being
preached.
“What then? Only that in every way, whether in
pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and
in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,”
Philippians 1:18

10. Let’s read today’s passage.

11. Philippians 1:18–24 (ESV)
18 …., and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,
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.

12. 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.

13. I will rejoice…
18 …., and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, 19
for I know that through your prayers and the help of
the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my
deliverance,
Why will he rejoice?
He will either be delivered from prison, or delivered
from his body by death.
He gives their prayers and the power of the Spirit of
Christ is credit for his deliverance future
deliverance.

14. A soldier’s courage
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
“eager expectation” - straining one’s neck to catch a
glimpse of something that is ahead
He doesn’t want to be ashamed now or ever about
his conduct.
Paul desire is to honor Christ (not Paul), in life or in
death.

16. Paul’s Dilemma.
• Have you ever been caught in a dilemma?
• Maybe you have to make a decision between
two equal jobs.
• Or, you have to make decision between two
ethical decisions, neither is wrong, but which
is best?
• What is Paul’s dilemma.

17. 21 For to me to live is Christ,
and to die is gain.

19. For Paul, being with Christ is better.
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.
• Fruitful labor is good!
• But, being with Christ is better!

21. 24 But to remain in the flesh
is more necessary on your
account.

23. • When given a choice to die and be
with Christ, or live to help others:
–Paul would prefer to be with Christ
–But, he unselfishly chooses to minister
to others in order to help them grow in
their relationship with Christ.

24. When going through tough times
• Ask,
– What is the best and worst that can happen?
– Is the worst that can happen is being with Christ?
• For Paul, what others perceived as bad, he
viewed as good
• Prison was good
• Release from prison was good
• Even death was good

25. • Learn from Paul.
–Joy is not in our circumstances, it’s in our
perspective.
–Look for opportunities to honor Christ in
whatever the circumstances.
–If Christ is being honored REJOICE
regardless of the circumstances.
To Live Is Christ!! Rejoice!!!