Sermon Tone Analysis

*Philippians 4.*

Please turn to [Philippians 1:20-30] *[P]* We have been looking at Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi.

He was writing from prison in Rome.

Last time we saw how concerned the Philippians were for Paul in his situation.

They thought that things had gone drastically wrong – they were partners with Paul in the Gospel but now he was prevented from carrying out his missionary activity.

But Paul writes to them trying to correct their whole perspective *[P]*.

They saw the situation from a human perspective, were concerned for Paul and his suffering.

But Paul held out a completely different perspective – the Gospel was actually advancing – God was furthering His purposes – He is in control and, even through adverse circumstances, He brings about His goal.

This issue of perspective, the standpoint we view things from, also applies when it comes to making decisions.

As we walk through life we have to make numerous decisions, there are various options before us.

We all, I am sure, want to know God’s will.

But how do we find guidance?

How do you know what is the right thing to do?

How do you make decisions, which option to choose?

Do you lay out the pro’s and con’s?

What would be most advantageous to you?

What the disadvantages would be?

Today we walk with Paul through his decision making process: *[P]* let’s pick it up with the verse we concluded with last time, (Phil 1:20), Paul speaks about: [“/my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death./

(we saw that it was a no lose situation *[P]* – it didn’t matter whether Paul lived or died – either way Christ was exalted and that is all that matters.

Once you are free from the perspective of self-interest and see thing from God’s point of view, when your only motive is His glory; your values radically alter)/.

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain./

(it didn’t matter which, both were good outcomes) /But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labour for me; and I do not know which to choose.

/(Paul was face with a difficult decision)/ But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.

Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.

Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.

For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me./”] *[P]* Paul is rejoicing and he will continue to rejoice in the future – why?

Because God is sovereign, in control of all circumstances, working them out for good and ultimate perfection according to His perfect will and plan.

Even the imprisonment of Paul was working out for the furtherance of God's purposes.

It wasn't things gone wrong.

If we believe in a God who is in ultimate control working all things out according to His perfect will – how can we but rejoice in all circumstances?

[cf.

*Philippians 4:11* /I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am/.

*Ephesians 5:20* /always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God./].

God's purpose, that will not fail, is that Christ will be exalted, that Jesus be glorified.

Hallelujah!

If our focus is on our own situation and circumstances things can be regarded as going well or badly; but from the perspective of God's purposes He will be glorified and this cannot fail.

It doesn't matter what happens to us – through whatever happens to us God will glorify His Son.

In this we rejoice and we will rejoice.

It is the needs of others that matters most, not what we would prefer.

This is what determines our course of action – this is the deciding factor in the decisions we make.

Paul found out what God would do with his life by seeing it from His perspective: He would not consider Paul's selfish desires but the good of others and the furtherance of the Gospel.

By this reasoning Paul knew that he would live and be released from prison (cf.

Phil 1:19).

Paul did not pray for what he wanted, but found out what God was going to do by looking from His perspective and then aligning his own will with it.

The Philippians were concerned for Paul’s welfare in prison, fearing the worst.

Despite the peril of imprisonment, the situation has actually helped advance his cause rather than hinder it.

At the close of the last section Paul made an audacious statement.

He said that it really didn’t matter whether he lived or died; either way Christ would be exalted in him.

Talk about a change in perspective!

If seeing Christ exalted really is the most important thing in our lives, how will that change our priorities and perspective?

What would it do to our outlook for the future?

We see this in practice in this section we are looking at – it focuses on the practical implications of life and death, aside from what we think or feel.

The big idea for this section is: */to live is Christ and to die is gain/* *[P]*.

What a perspective change!

Paul says: “*For to me, to live is Christ*!”

Notice that he does not say: “For to me, to live is Paul ….”

But isn’t that how we think?

We talk about “My life” – but for Paul, and for us, that is no longer the case: [*Galatians 2:20*/ I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me/;] Paul was totally sold out to Jesus!

This was no mere theology, religion, this was life!

This is not theoretical and metaphysical – it was real and very practical.

Paul’s life was not his own – he was the LORD’s, even unto death!

He had an utter disregard for his own life – it didn’t matter whether he lived or died, what mattered was Jesus being exalted.

This had very practical consequences: he was at this point in prison; previously he’d been beaten, shipwrecked, stoned and left for dead.

He could easily have avoided all that, merely by not being so devoted to Jesus, by considering his own life rather than the will and purpose of God.

Paul said about himself: [*Acts 20:24** */But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the Gospel of the grace of God./]

And about his fellow believers he said: [*Romans 6:6* /knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin/; *2 Corinthians 5:15*  /He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

/*Romans 14:7-9* / For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.

For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living/.]

When I am seeking promotion or advancement, or status in society; seeking wealth or possessions; seeking honour, respect or esteem; when I am concerned about my health, my aches and pains, my suffering or circumstances – tell me: who is living Paul or Christ?

If Christ is my life I will be seeking His honour, esteem and glory, not my own!

What happens to me is quite incidental.

[*Colossians 3:1-4* /Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

/(that is the perspective change Paul is writing about) /For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory./]

*My life is not my own* – Christ is my life, to live is Christ.

[*1 Corinthians 6:19-20* / You are not your own!

For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body./]

What matters is Christ being exalted, not ourselves.

How can Paul say that Christ will be exalted either in his life or death?

He lays it out as a choice, options to weigh up.

*[P]* Living means continued work for Christ, and dying means going to be with Him.

Paul says: “/To me/” indicating that this values system reflects his own perspective on the matter, but the implication is that we should adopt it as well.

Paul has a dilemma – he doesn’t know which way to go, what to choose, what the way is that God would have him go.

This is no trivial decision – it is between life and death!

Paul gives us insight into how he weighs the decision, cataloguing the advantages and disadvantages of living versus dying.

Since Christ is glorified in him in either case, and since the Gospel is advancing whether he is free to participate or not, should he stay or should he go?

He could have simply told us his choice, but instead he walks us through his decision-making process.

On one had there is the option of living /in the flesh/ – that makes sure that we know that he is talking about his present life and not about living in a glorified body after physical death.

Departing is better than remaining *[P]* Based on the first pair of factors considered, dying sounds like the better option.

He would no longer have to be in pain or suffer imprisonment, nor would he have to deal with problems in the church.

It would not be his problem anymore.

On the other hand, remaining means more fruitful labour for Christ *[P]*.

Which will he choose?

At this point, it sounds like he is leaning toward departing as the better thing.

Paul makes clear that this is no easy decision.

Why is it so hard?

Because /life/ is hard!

The prospect of departing from the pain, suffering, and hardship of earthly life in order to be with Christ is clearly better.

Who wouldn’t want to be in heaven, to be with Jesus?