The document discusses how having Christ as a priority leads to healthy Christians and churches. It examines Paul's priorities as seen in Philippians 1, noting that he cared about Christ, rejoiced in proclaiming Christ, hoped in Christ's power, and honored Christ with his life or death. Paul found rest and purpose in living for Christ, as Christ was his focus and joy in both life and death. The document encourages filling in "For to me, to live is Christ" to reflect having Christ as one's highest priority over alternative priorities like family, money, or fleshly desires that can lead people astray from faith.

1. Healthy Christians Make Healthy Churches

2. When Jesus isOur Priority!

3. Philippians 1:18 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, [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

4. 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

5. with Christ, for that is far better. [24] But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.

6. Paul’s Priorities He Cared about Christ The proclamation of Christ was his only concern in life. He was more concerned about the name of Christ than his own health or comfort. How did Paul reach this place in life? Paul Cared for the Person of Jesus Christ

7. Paul’s Priorities Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

8. Paul’s Priorities He Rejoiced in Christ Joy is a state of mind – a heart attitude that understands that God is good and greater than our problems. It is a consciousness of salvation. Rejoicing is a state of mouth – a decision to exclaim God’s goodness.

9. Paul’s Priorities He Rejoiced in Christ Paul rejoiced because the Gospel of Christ was getting preached. His focus was Christ and so his joy came from the message of Christ. Paul Rejoiced in the Proclamation of Christ

11. Holy Spirit’s power

15. Paul’s Priorities Why?

16. Paul’s Priorities He Rested in Christ Philippians 1:21 -24 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 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.

18. Death brought the triumph of Heaven with ChristPaul could rest because he saw life or death as a victorious experience. He desired to live – in order to be useful. Paul Rested in a Future with Christ

19. “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

20. I will not renounce my faith in Christ!

21. What is our Greatest Fear? Ps 90:9 For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh. 10 The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.

22. Fill in the Blank For to You, to live is _________ and to die is __________.

23. Fill in the Blank For to You, to live is Family, and to die is Loss. Mt 10:37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

24. Fill in the Blank For to You, to live is Property, and to die is Loss. Mt 19:27 Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” … 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

25. Fill in the Blank For to You, to live is Money, and to die is Loss. 1 Ti. 6:6 Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge

26. Fill in the Blank For to You, to live is Money, and to die is Loss. people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

27. Fill in the Blank For to You, to live is Flesh, and to die is Loss. Gal. 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

28. Fill in the Blank For you to experience Gain You must first live for Christ Gain Christ Healthy Christians Make Christ a Priority Throughout Every Area of Life

29. How do you fill in the Blanks?

30. Christ is the Beginning of Life For to me to begin to live is because of Christ.

31. Christ is the Task of Life For to me to live is to continue to live in Christ.

32. Christ is the Task of Life For to me to live is to live for Christ.

33. Christ is the Strength of Life For to me to live is to live through Christ.

34. Christ is the End of Life For to me to live is to live with Christ.

35. “Repent means to return. What should I return to? To the blasphemy that I had before my faith in Christ?”