Lesson 5

The Philosophy Of The Christian Life

Philippians 1:18-26

ILLUSTRATION: Late one evening many years ago a professor sat at his desk working on the next day's lectures. He shuffled through the papers on his desk and the mail placed there by his housekeeper. He began to throw the junk mail in the wastebasket, when a green-colored magazine - not even addressed to him but delivered to his office mistake - caught his attention. It fell open to an article titled "The Needs of the Congo Mission". The article said, "The need is great here. We have no one to work in the northern province of Gabon in the central Congo. And it is my prayer as I write this article that God will lay His hand on one- one on whom, already, the Master's eyes have been cast- that he ... shall be called to this place to help us." The professor closed his magazine, laid it aside, and wrote in his diary: "My search is over." He gave himself to the Congo. Who was this professor? He was a brilliant man with a doctorate in philosophy, in theology, in music (he was an accomplished organist and was regarded as the world's foremost interpreter in Bach) and in medicine. His name was Albert Schweitzer. When this missionary died in an African village, people sent his body back to England, but cut his heart out and buried it in Africa because they said his heart should always be in Africa.

ILLUSTRATION: Some of you may remember the martyrdom of 5 American Missionaries in jungle of Ecuador in 1956. The Marines were sent in to rescue these men but they were too late. Their story reported in Life Magazine and Reader's Digest is told in the book "Through Gates Of Splendor" by Elizabeth Eliot the wife of one of the missionaries, Jim Eliot. In the first chapter of this classic, Elizabeth Eliot tells of her husband's college days and often quotes his letters written to his parents. For example when he decided to be on the wrestling team he wrote home, "I wrestle solely for the strength and co-ordination of muscle tone that the body receives while working out, with the ultimate end that of presenting a more useful body as a living sacrifice. This God knows ... " Again, "Life is truly likened to a vapor... May the Lord teach us what it means to live in terms of the end, like Paul who said, ' Neither count I my life dear unto myself, that I might finish my course with joy'" During one summer he preached on an Indian reservation and wrote home, "Glad to get the opportunity to preach the gospel of the matchless grace of our God to stoical, pagan Indians. I only hope that He will let me preach to those who have never heard that name Jesus. What else is worth while in this life? I have heard of nothing better... Lord, send me!" In his diary that summer he wrote, "'He makes his ministers a flame of fire'. Am I ignitable? God deliver me from the dread asbestos of 'other things!' Saturate me with the oil of the Spirit that I may be a flame. But a flame is often ... short-lived. Canst thou bear this, my soul? Short life?" Perhaps his most famous words were, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

ILLUSTRATION: The book "To The Golden Shore" tells the story of Adoniram Judson, one of the first Baptist missionaries sent out of America overseas. He was a brave ambassador of Jesus Christ who served his Lord in what was then known as Burma. After 14 years of enduring wretched imprisonment and life-threatening diseases, all he had to show for his pains were the graves of his wife and all his children. He was alone, yet his was faithful to remain in Burma. He wrote that if he had not felt certain that every trial was ordered by God's infinite love and mercy, he could not have survived his sufferings. He prayed that God would allow him to live until he had translated the entire Bible into Burmese and had seen the establishment of a church with at least 100 Christians.

These stories stir me. When I witness the dedication of these men, when I see their single mindedness for the gospel, I am moved with emotion, convicted of my selfishness. These men lived for one thing. I wonder, what is the philosophy of your life? What is the purpose of your life? What are you living for? What is the reason for your existence? What guides you? What motivates you? What is most important to you?

All of us have a philosophy of life. Not many of us spend much time thinking about it, but we do.

The men whom I have spoken of had a very similar philosophy of life as Paul. Paul wrote about his philosophy of life in Philippians 1:18-26, our text for today. Paul sums it all up with this statement in verse 21, "For me to live is Christ." That ides is stated over and over in Paul's words (3:8-10,13-14; 4:13; Acts 20:22-24). It is clear what was singly important to Paul. Everything else was secondary. Everything else paled in comparison. What really counted was living for Christ.

Can you say that? For me to live is Christ. That ought to be the desire of every Christian. Each of us who name the name of Christ should be so deeply committed to Him that we could say, "For me to live is Christ". How can know if that is our desire? From this text I want to give you information which will enable you to determine what your philosophy of life is.

I. Paul's Deliverance, 19a.

"For I know that this (the things that have happened) shall result in my salvation (deliverance)"

The salvation that Paul is speaking of here is not his eternal destiny. He is not saying that the things that have happened are the works by which he will earn heaven. The salvation that he is speaking of here is his deliverance from Roman prison. He is convinced that both he and the gospel are going to be vindicated. Apparently, Paul is anticipating a trial before Caesar. Not only will he be on trial, but the gospel will be on trial. From the Book of Acts, we learn that Paul is being charged as a revolutionary. He was going all over the Roman empire preaching and a lot of people were getting very mad. Riots were taking place. Some believed that Paul was a troublemaker whose message was threatening to the welfare of the Roman empire. So he was put on trial and eventually brought to Rome to stand before Caesar. The trial was a much of the gospel which Paul as it was of his own character. He would either be found innocent, exonerated and set free or else he would be found guilty and put to death. Either way he was about to be delivered.

When Paul writes, "But I know that this shall turn to my salvation" he seems to have such peace about the whole situation. There is no fear, no doubt, no reluctance. He is full of confidence, full of faith, full of optimism. He is saying, "No matter what happens, it is going to turn out exactly right!" (Romans 8:28).

Here is the principle: If "for me to live is Christ" I will have joyful optimism and confidence that my future is going to turn out right.

II. Paul's Dependence, 19b.

Paul mentions two things that he is depending on. One of them is human, the other is divine.

A. The Supplication of The Saints, "through your prayers". He has already mentioned that he is praying for them (1:4). He assumes that they are praying for him. Paul constantly asked people to pray for him. (see I Thess. 5:25; II Thess. 3:1). Paul is relying on the prays of the saints for his deliverance.

B. The Supply Of The Spirit, "and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ". Here, Paul mentions the help and resources which are given by the Holy Spirit. He comforts, He teaches, He guides, He supplies all our needs. We must depend on God.

Here is the second principle: If for me to live is Christ I will not be depending on myself, nor on physical resources, but on the prays of God's people and the provision of God's Spirit. On what are you depending? To what to you turn first at a time of crisis?

III. Paul's Distress, 20.

As Paul anticipated this impending trial, there was one matter which concerned him. He was deeply distressed about one thing. Verse 20 describes it. Paul was afraid of failing the Lord. He feared his own human weakness might give in to the pressure of the moment.

I hope that I won't be ashamed. I hope that I can be bold, as I have been in the past. He didn't fear pain or death; he feared failing the Lord. What he wanted most was for Christ to be magnified (honored; exalted) in his body whether by life or by death. He did not shrink back from the thought of death, he shrank from the thought of dishonoring Jesus Christ. He was not concerned about his own honor, only the honor of Christ.

Notice, that Paul says, Christ magnified in my body. Did you know that your body is a source either of honor or dishonor to Christ? Christian be careful how you use your body! Take care of what you put on it, what you put in it, what you do with it, where you take it. It is not simply your reputation which is at stake by how you use your body, it is the reputation, the honor of Christ. (see I Corinthians 6:15-20).

Here is the third principle: if for me to live is Christ then I will be distressed most by failing or dishonoring Him.

IV. Paul's Delight, 21.

Paul did not look upon death as something to dread; he looked on it as something to anticipate. For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. In death, he would not lose, he would gain. What does a Christian gain? A better body (no sorrow, pain, aging, disease, death, tears), a better home, a better reward, a better understanding, better fellowship, better rest. To die is gain, if to live is Christ.

But what if to live is money? Then to die is loss.

If to live is pleasure, to die is loss. If to live is ambition, sin, this world, to die is loss.

Principle #4 - If for me to live is Christ, then I will not dread death.

V. Paul's Determination, 22a.

During these verses, Paul weighs both options. If I die, I gain. But if I live this is the fruit of my labor. In other words, if I live it will mean that the fruit of my labor will continue. Paul is not afraid of dying, but neither is he afraid of living. Living means keeping on the same course, maintaining the same priorities, doing the same work.

Principle #5: If for me to live is Christ, then living means more spiritual fruit.

VI. Paul's Dilemma, 22b-23a.

I don't know which I would choose ... I am torn between 2 choices. Isn't it amazing that Paul can look on life and death and not know which he would prefer? I have seen people who would choose life over death. They dread and fear death. They fight to live. Then I have seen people who would choose death over life. To them life means pain, severe limitations, loss of dignity, perhaps being burdensome. Some are dread both, weighing the sorrows of life against the terrors of death. Paul dreaded neither. The riches of life or the blessings of death, each is so sweet, I can't decide which I would prefer!

Principle #6 - If living is Christ then there is for you the dilemma, not knowing which could be sweeter.

VII. Paul's Desire, 23b.

Paul understood that death was but a departure; that is would mean that he would be with Christ. (see II Cor. 5:6-8). Paul knew that this would be a lot better for him. There was a deep desire to go on and be with Christ.

Principle #7 - If for you to live is Christ, then you desire, long for the time when you will be with him.

VIII. Paul's Decision, 24-26.

Paul had a desire to depart but he had a need to stay. People needed Paul. Among them were these Philippians. There was a real unselfishness on the part of Paul. He was willing to set aside his own desires in order to meet the needs of God's people. What a servant's spirit.

Paul's decision was to stay and help God's people progress and have joy in their faith, 25. Paul intended to be a source of overflowing joy to the saints, 26.

Principle #8 - If for you to live is Christ, then you will put God's people ahead of your own self.

Fill in the blank: For me to live is ...............

Most of us, if we were honest would have to say, "For me to live is self!" (My happiness, my fulfillment, my pleasure, my ease, my possessions, my ambition, my rights).

How I want to be able to say, "For me to live is Christ". How I want that to be your desire too.

1. Do you have confidence that everything is going to turn out just right?

2. On what are you depending?

3. What would distress you most - failing Christ?

4. Do you anticipate death?

5. Will living mean more spiritual fruit?

6. Are you equally torn between living and dying?

7. Do you have a desire to be with Christ?

8. Are you will to set aside your own desires in order to help people?