I.        INTRODUCTION

A.      The question of life’s meaning can be answered in two ways.

                                                             1.      There is the ideal answer that states what life should mean for all people:  “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Eph. 2:10).

                                                             2.      There is also the true answer that is dependent upon each individual’s choices.  Some live for work, some live for pleasure, some live for other people, some live for the Lord, etc.

B.      For the apostle Paul, the two answers to the question of life’s meaning were the same.

                                                             1.      The meaning of Paul’s life was as the Lord intended for it to be.  Paul summarized this meaning in Philippians 1:21 – “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

                                                             2.      Because Paul commanded, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1Cor. 11:1), let us consider the attitude of Paul regarding life and death so that we may imitate it.

II.      A CHRIST-LIKE ATTITUDE ABOUT LIFE AND DEATH

A.      Before we consider Paul’s statement in Philippians 1:21, let us notice the preceding context (Phil. 1:1-18).

                                                             1.      The apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Philippians while imprisoned in Rome around 62 A.D.

a.       Paul had originally been arrested in Jerusalem (Acts 21:27-23:11) and then imprisoned in Caesarea for two years (Acts 24:27).

b.       After he appealed to Caesar for a trial (Acts 25:11), he was taken by an arduous journey to Rome (Acts 27-28:15), where he was imprisoned (house arrest) for an additional two years (Acts 28:30).

                                                             2.      This letter was a word of encouragement for the Philippian Christians to press on and finish what they had started when they first committed themselves to God through Christ.

a.       Paul had first come to Philippi around 51 A.D. (Acts 16:12-40) when he taught Lydia and the jailer.  He came again around 57 A.D. (Acts 20:1-6).  Therefore, when he wrote this letter, it had been around five years since the Philippians had seen him.

b.       In spite of his absence, Paul encouraged the Philippians to continue their service to God.

i.         Paul showed that neither his absence nor presence was relevant to how the Philippians should have served Christ.  Notice 1:27 (“whether I come and see you or remain absent”) and 2:12 (“not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence”).

ii.        Whether he was with them or not, the Philippians could still practice the things they had learned and received and heard and seen in Paul (Phil. 4:9).

                                                             3.      In verses 1-11, Paul began his letter with a greeting in which he identified himself and Timothy as “bond-servants of Christ Jesus.”  In Paul’s case, his bonds were quite literal.

                                                             4.      In verses 12-14, Paul explained the good that was being accomplished through the imprisonment he was enduring for Christ.

a.       He said that his “circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel.”

b.       He understood that his imprisonment for Christ had become well known and had gained the attention of many.

c.        He saw that his imprisonment had given many brethren trust in the Lord and courage to speak the word of God without fear.  (Notice that he later encouraged the Philippian Christians not to be alarmed by their opponents, for they were appointed to suffer for Christ just as he was – see Phil. 1:27-30).

                                                             5.      In verses 15-18, Paul elaborated on the good that was being accomplished through those who were speaking the word of God.

a.       Some preached the gospel out of good will and love.

b.       Others preached the gospel “from envy and strife.”  Paul said that these “proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.”

c.        Either way, Christ was proclaimed as a result of Paul’s circumstances, and for this he rejoiced.

                                                             6.      In these verses, we can see Paul’s selfless attitude and ability to see the good in what most would consider a very bad situation.

a.       If Paul had viewed his circumstances with a selfish attitude, then he would have bemoaned the loss of his freedom and the encroachment of his rights.

b.       Instead, Paul overlooked his personal distress and emphasized the progress of the cause of Christ.  It is this attitude that shaped Paul’s views of life and death.

B.      Now consider Paul’s attitude toward life in Philippians 1:21: “For to me, to live is Christ…”

                                                             1.      The phrase “to live is Christ” means that life is about exalting Christ and promoting His cause.

a.       We have already seen that Paul’s imprisonment was accomplishing this purpose.

b.       In Philippians 1:20, Paul said that his hope was that “Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”

c.        In Philippians 3:7, Paul explained how his life had changed, saying, “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.”  Whether it was material things, social status, freedom, or life itself, Paul was willing to give it up for Christ.

                                                             2.      The application for us is to imitate this selfless way of life that was modeled after the Lord.

a.       Philippians 2:5 says, “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.”

b.       Christ’s attitude was one of selfless sacrifice.  Is our attitude the same?

i.         We are to present our bodies as living sacrifices (Rom. 12:1).

ii.        Christ clearly taught that being His disciple was a costly endeavor (Luke 9:23-26; 12:49-53; 14:25-35).  We must be willing to pay any price.

c.        Christ’s attitude was one of fruitful labor.  Is our attitude the same?

i.         Notice Philippians 1:22 – “But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me…”  If we live on in the flesh, will it mean fruitful labor?

ii.        Jesus instructed His disciples about bearing fruit in John 15:1-8.  The unfruitful branches will be cut off from the vine (Christ) and cast away.  Are we fruitful branches with living faith and good works (Jas. 2:14-26), or are we dead branches ready to be cut off?

C.      Paul also stated his attitude toward death in Philippians 1:21: “…to die is gain.”

                                                             1.      The phrase “to die is gain” means that death brings forth the profit that results from a godly life.

a.       Notice three reasons Paul gives for his imitation of Christ’s life of submission and suffering in Philippians 3:7-11.

i.         “That I may gain Christ…” (v. 8) – as Lord, Savior, Advocate, etc.

ii.        “And may be found in Him…” (v. 9) – in Him man is made perfect (Col. 2:10)

iii.      “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings…” – by imitating Him and walking in His steps (1Cor. 11:1)

b.       These three reasons are summarized in Philippians 3:11 – “…in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”  Paul knew that his reward would be realized after his death and resurrection (see also 2Tim. 4:6-8).

c.        This is why Paul said that it is “very much better” to depart (i.e. die) and be with Christ (Phil. 1:23; see also 2Cor. 5:8).

                                                             2.      The application for us is to live our lives in such a way that death is indeed profitable for us.

a.       Because Christ subjected Himself to His Father’s will in His life, God highly exalted Him after His death (Phil. 2:5-11; ref. Isa. 53:10-12).  Will we likewise trust our lives to God now in order to receive a reward later?

b.       We must keep in mind that as long as death is still in our future, we have not yet obtained the profit that comes with death.  Therefore, we must continue to “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (this is the message of Phil. 3:12-14).  Are we pressing on, or are we standing pat?

III.   CONCLUSION

A.      Do we share in Paul’s attitude of “to live is Christ, and to die is gain?”  Every Christian should.

B.      “To live is Christ” means that life is about sacrificing, suffering, and working for Christ.  Does that describe our lives?

                                                             1.      If it does not, then we cannot honestly expect to have gain in death.

                                                             2.      If it does, then we should have all confidence to press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  The reward will be great, and knowing Christ will be the most precious prize of all.