The document discusses Paul's statement in Philippians 1:21-23 about his desire to "depart and be with Christ." It examines whether Paul means he will bypass hades, resurrection and judgment day. After further analysis of the Greek tense and context, the document concludes that Paul is saying at the point of death he will be in Jesus' care and watch, not physically with him, but under his spiritual protection. It encourages that both living and dying mean serving Christ, and when we die we will be in the hands of the Lord.

1. Be With Christ
Philippians 1:21-23
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

2. Familiar Passage
 Examine this Passage
 2 choices – live or die
 Live – keep preaching / teaching
 Die – and be with Jesus
 Dying is “far better”
 Ecclesiastes 7:1 A good name is better than
precious ointment, And the day of death than
the day of one's birth

3. Problem with text
 Problem with this text
 Does Paul mean he will bypass:
 Hades
 Resurrection
 Judgment Day
 Is Paul saying that when he dies that he will go
straight to heaven?

4. Dig Deeper
 Study the context of Philippians 1:21-23
 To live is Christ
 To die is gain
 To Live – means fruit of his labor
 Paul can't decide (choose) which he wants
 Hard pressed = For I am in a strait betwixt two
(KJV) Strait – means tight, restricted, narrow
 Think about a very narrow passage way
 You can not turn left or right

5. Dig Deeper
 Study the context of Philippians 1:21-23
 His desire (“druthers” in W. TN terms) depart
 Depart means to leave this life / to die
 When he departs, he will be with Christ

6. Dig Deeper
 Examine the original Greek meaning
 Greek tense = duration more than time
 English tense = time (past, present, future)
 “Be with Christ” - Aorist tense
 Aorist = a point action – sudden, quick
 Stomp foot, shoot gun – aorist
 Here – “Be with Christ” = aorist – “Die and
instantly be with Christ”
 The time lapse is like shooting a gun

7. Understand the term
 “Be with”
 Physical – next to, in the same location
 Mark 3:14 Then He appointed twelve, that they
might be with Him and that He might send
them out to preach
 Emotional – support, stand by, offer help
 Revelation 22:21 The grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

8. Understand the term
 “Be with”
 Spiritual –
 John 3:2 This man came to Jesus by night and
said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a
teacher come from God; for no one can do
these signs that You do unless God is with
him."
 Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are
gathered together in My name, I am there in
the midst of them."

9. Understand the term
 “Be with”
 Spiritual –
 Matthew 28:20 teaching them to observe all
things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am
with you always, even to the end of the age."
Amen.

10. Questions
 Is Paul planning to skip Hades, resurrection,
and judgment?
 Does Paul say the he will “be with Christ” -
 Physically
 Emotionally
 Spiritually
Paul is saying that at the point of
death he is in the hands of Jesus.
 Not physically where Jesus is
 But under the care and watch of Jesus

11. Application for Us
 We also struggle with the same choice
 This is not suicide
 This is – I am tired, worn out, ready to go
 This is – Get me out of this world of sin
 Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
 and that thou bidst me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

12. Application for Us
We also struggle with the same
choice
If we live – We will work for the
Lord
If we die – we will be in the hands
of our Lord