Something To Live For
Philippians 1:21-24
Once popular song: "I’m tired of living and I’m scared of dying." So describes many in the world today.
It is paradoxes that in this prosperous age 25,000 Americans commit suicide each year.
a. Ten attempts for each one that succeeds.
b. So many have a life of despair, have decided that life is not worth living, nothing to live for.
But still many more although they would never dream of committing suicide have no zest for life, no true purpose in life.
c. What we are talking about is having something to live for.
b. Early everyone is interested in the question, "Is there life after death?"
c. But most people today do not have life after birth!
d. They breathe, eat, sleep, exist but there is no life.
A first grader forgot his birth certificate. Told teacher: "I forgot my excuse for being born."
But Paul had something to live for and something to die for.
d. In Phil. 1:21, Paul is rejoicing. He was not in a palace but a prison, but he saw a purpose in life and gain in death.
e. He was not afraid to die- even saw an advantage in it, but he would make good use of life while he had it.
f. Many are afraid of dying, but even more afraid of really living life, as it ought to be lived.
To Paul, Christ was the center of everything.
g. As the sun is the center of the solar system, so Christ was the center of his life.
h. All else revolved around Him.
Let us divide verse 21 in half.
"To live is Christ."
A. Many things we could live for that are worthy and honorable.
1) Family- provide for, enjoy.
2) Others- Unselfish concern is very noble.
3) Career- Success is good.
4) Happiness- God did not create us to be miserable, but to enjoy life.
B. But the text tells us to really live is Christ.
1) He is really something to live for.
2) Christ is the center of everything.
C. What did Paul mean when he said; "For me to live is Christ."
1) Source of life is Christ (Col. 3:4)
a. When Paul met Christ that is when he started to live (Gal. 2:20).
b. If you are not a Christian, you don’t have life.
i. You exist but you don’t have life.
ii. Jn. 1:4; 3:36
Life does not begin at forty- it begins at Calvary—the source of life.
c. Every Christian should recognize a definite time when you started a new life (Rom. 6:4).
2) Strength of life is Christ (Phil. 4:13)
a. If you want strength, depend on Christ.
b. If you need help to love the unlovely, depend on Christ.
c. If you need help to overcome a bad habit; depend on Christ.
d. A glove has no life unless a hand is inside; and a man is lifeless without the strength of Christ inside.
3) Satisfaction of life is Christ (Phil. 4:4)
a. Everyday we ought to be rejoicing.
b. "That is easy for you to say; you don’t have the problems I have."
c. I am not the one who said it. Paul did and he said it from within the walls of prison (Phil. 4:11-12).
d. You see Jesus is not just for the sweet by and by; He is also for the nasty now and now.
4) Standard of life is Christ (Phil. 3:12-14)
a. Paul’s goal in life was to be like Christ.
I Cor. 11:1
ii. Phil. 2:5
b. We will not find true life until we pattern our lives after Christ.
c. Mt. 10:37-39
d. Phil. 3:7-8
e. As martyrs died for a cause, we must live for a cause.
D. So what does it really mean to live for Christ? It means life is too short—
1) For you not to begin right now working for Christ.
2) Not to live everyday as a Christian.
"To die is gain."
E. Paul was not afraid to die (Phil. 1:23).
F. The same should be true of us (For the Christian death is simply the first day of the rest of your life).
G. II Cor. 5:7-8
We have talked about Paul, but what about you?
Be honest. How would you finish the sentence, "For to me to live is _________."
a. What is the guiding factor in your life?
b. What is the source, strength, and satisfaction, standard of your life? What comes first?
Some may say;
c. For me to live is money. But you will leave it all. Therefore, to live is money and to die is loss.
d. … Pleasure. No fun and games in a Christ-less grave. Therefore…
e. … Family. One day you will kiss your family good-bye forever. Therefore…
f. … Education. Education cannot save you. I would rather be in heaven saying my "ABC’s" than to be lost with a Ph.D. Therefore, …
If you put anything at the end of the sentence instead of Christ, then for you to die is loss.
If you put Christ first, then to die is gain.
Do you want something to live for? Begin today by…
James Pharr
Lenoir, NC