Philippians 1:19-1:30
Ready To Go, Happy To Stay
intro: death and funerals
recently did o's funeral, time to think about death.
we're pretty separated from death. maybe more so than any other culture ever.
 
should we fear death as much as we do? why is it so?
An Outline of Philippians
1:1-11 Paul & his concern
1:12-18 Imprisonment & preaching
1:19-30 Live well (or die well)
2:1-11 Have Christ's mind
2:12-18 Work it out: use Christ's mind
2:19-30 Welcome Paul's Friends
3:1-11 Worthless works: what Paul was
3:12-21 Press on to the goal: what Paul is
4:1-9 Reconcile & rejoice
4:10-23 Thanks & blessing

 
The Passage: Phil 1:19-30
1. Phil 1:19-26 - To live is Christ, to die is gain.
 
Pray for my deliverance (that I will not be ashamed and that Christ will be honored) (1:19,20)
prayer...again in phil.
so far in 1:4 and 1:9, where paul said he prayed for them.

note his concern is that he will be delivered FROM shame and TO the exalting of christ.
this is his concern... but it is also his expectation and hope.
a balanced level of peace and concern.
this seems to be a balance of:
- confidence in God's good character (through their prayers and the provision of christ, v19)
- concern i personal depravity.

 
Death preferred, life chosen (to work for others) (1:21-26)
Death is the end of his labor, the receiving of his reward.
v 23 - "having the desire to depart and be with Christ"

Life is fruitful labor, a help to those he loves
v24 - to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake

Paul's love/care for the church
you get the picture of how much paul cares for the church.
cross reference this to: 1 thess 2:5-12


 
2. Phil 1:27-30 - Stand firm
 
Strive for the faith of the Gospel (1:27,28)
Paul is encouraging the Philippians to do the same thing he has just expressed.
"imitate me"
"imitate me"

He wants to hear of their successes.

"for the faith of the Gospel"
confusing phrase, only used here.
for the faith which originates with the gospel works as an explanation.


 
Suffer for his sake (1:29,30)
Suffer? this "has been granted"?
note the sense there - Paul is involving God in the allowance of the suffering.

we don't know what they were suffering
who are their opponents? it doesn't say.
but remember the trouble paul had in philippi....
 
also, note the flavor of 'which is a sign of destruction for them'
cross reference: rom 12:19,20

this is another resemblance between paul and the philippians
first it was that he wanted to hear of them striving for the faith...something he does.
now he comments on their sharing in suffering with him.



 
Application: Wanting things that can't be taken away
What things do we tend to concern ourselves with?
what do we pray for?
what are we worried about?
maybe write this out?

 
Based on the passage, what things should we want?
paul wants:
- to avoid sin (shame)
- to exalt christ
- to have 'fruitful labor' in life
note pauls emphasis on unity in these goals... ("standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith" v27)

 
Worried? Make sure you're not worried about the wrong things.
By most measures, Paul should be worried.
about his own neck and the welfare of the philippians.

What is he actually worried about?
 
So...what do we worry about?
(back to the list we have)

 
Does that mean our hearts are in the wrong place?
the answer isn't "don't worry".
the answer is care about the right things and don't be an idiot.

 
But what about suffering? Are we suffering too?
i'm not sure.
the suffering here seems likely to be direct persecution.
 
do our 'little sufferings' count?
i don't know.
we can say that direct opposition would give us a chance to check our priorities and concerns.
and associate us with paul and the philippians.