Philippians 1 ~ To live is Christ

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v7) 
  • We are all partakers of Christ with Paul
  • We share in the same gospel as all our brothers and sisters
v9-11)
  • Our love for God and devotion to him should make us more pure and blameless
  • This leads to being filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ
v18)
  • Paul is in prison, yet he still says - "yes and I will rejoice"
  • How can Paul still be happy even in physical discomfort like this?
  • Am I rejoicing even at times in a worldly sense, I have no reason to be rejoicing?
v19)
  • Paul reveals why he's rejoicing
  • Through prayers and the holy spirit, Paul trusts that God will deliver him from this pain in a way that will be best for Paul
v20-21)
  • Paul expects and hopes with full courage that in any situation, Christ be honoured through him - regardless of whether he lives or not
  • To live is Christ and to die is gain
v24)
  • Paul would rather die because it means he would be with Christ
  • However he knows that to remain alive is better for Christ - and so he will do it with joy
v27)
  • Paul teaches us how to live - namely, worthy of the gospel of Christ

Application:
  1. Am I living a life worthy of the gospel of Christ? is that what I'm striving for?
  2. Am I rejoicing even in pain and suffering, knowing that Christ will sustain me and deliver me in a way that honours and glorifies Him

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