To Live Is Christ

When Paul writes to the Church at Philippi it is believed that he was a writing from the city of Rome where he was a prisoner.

This morning as we examine Philippians 1 I want to ask you a question.

What are you living for?

What dominates your life?

Paul said in: Phil 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

If we examine ourselves, could you and I honestly say that:

Phil 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

What would many people say?

For me to live is: My job.
For me to live is… My music.
For me to live is… my children
For me to live is… my grandchildren.
For me to live is… my sport.
For me to live is… my hobby.
Paul knew that to stay here on earth was to live for Christ…that was Paul's whole reason for being alive on earth.

From when Paul was converted and up until the day he died his life was devoted to Christ in order to bring glory to his Saviour.

Every move Paul made in his life as a Christian was to advance the knowledge of the Gospel and was to build up Christ's Church on earth but Paul also knew that to die was to gain.

To die is to gain for all those that have trusted in Christ: Death for the Christian is merely our graduation to Glory!

Paul knew that the Philippian Church would be better off if he stayed on earth rather than if he went to Heaven.

Paul's presence on earth meant that the Philippians would progress in the faith.