A Christian’s Perspective on Life and Death

Introduction

On March 12, missionary William Carey was called from his classroom to receive a devastating message. That morning, Joshua Marshman, one of his closest colleagues, broke the news to him – the print shop had burned down. Twelve years of work went up in flames – Bibles, dictionaries, and other works which were in the process of being written along with specialty type faces and thousands of reams of paper. It was a devastating loss. He had been in India for nineteen years learning the languages, preaching the gospel, and translating the Bible. Carey surveyed the damage with tears, and then said that they would rebuild. With God’s help he was confident that nothing of value would be undone, but that the Lord would continue His work. This determination to trust God, rebuild, and move forward surprised many of the people who lived around them. Then, as funds came in from England and other places to reestablish the work, those watching the progress were amazed. Carey’s attitude of trusting the Lord in times of blessing and sorrow and His confidence that the Lord would rebuild His work showed many people that Carey’s God was powerful. The apostle Paul also trusted God – in life and death – and lived in a way so that the Lord Jesus would seem big to the people around him. Learn more about this perspective in Philippians 1:19-26.

Observation

Pray

Ask the Lord to make this passage come alive to you as you study it. Ask Him to help you understand it and to change you through it.

Read Focus Verses

As you read Philippians 1:19-26 notice how it gets to the heart of the Christian life.

Background

Philippians 1:12-18 explains the situation Paul refers to in verse 19.

The Situation

Briefly, what situation is Paul referring to in verse 19? (You can learn more about the situation and Paul's perspective on it in the study plan for Philippians 1:12-18, "Rejoicing in Spreading the Gospel.")

The Outcome

What outcome does Paul anticipate from that situation according to verse 19?

Two Means

What are the two things Paul says God will use to bring that result from his situation?

Attitude

What words does Paul use to describe His perspective or attitude in verse 20?

Expectation and Hope

What is Paul's expectation and hope?

Magnified

Who does Paul want to magnify?

In What?

In what does Paul want to magnify Christ?

Two Ways

In what two opposite ways could Christ be magnified in Paul's physical situation?

Keyword - Magnified

Marking the keyword in a passage helps it visually stand out.

Christ Magnified

Mark the word magnified in today's passage.

Life and Death

What are the rewards of life and death Paul mentions in verse 21?

A Tough Choice

What factors make the choice between desiring to live longer or to go to heaven so difficult for Paul at this stage in his life?

Continue with You

What makes Paul think that it is God's will for him to live longer?

Glorified

Who will be glorified according to verse 26 by the rejoicing of these believers if God spares Paul's life?

Coming Again

If he lives, what does Paul plan to do according to verse 26?

Interpretation

Deliverance

Philippians 2:23-24 tells us what kind of deliverance Paul expects to receive in answer to their prayers through the Spirit's power.

Further Confirmation

Philippians 1:23-26 further confirms that this is Paul's expectation.

Expected Outcome

What kind of deliverance does Paul expect he will receive according to these verses.

Uncertainty

Looking at verse 20 in today's passage together with Philippians 2:23 shows that he is not 100% certain that God will physically deliver him from death.

I Know

Paul thought God would physically deliver him, but did not know for sure. Why does he say, then, in verse 19 of today's passage that he knows he will be delivered? How can death be deliverance for a Christian?

Prayer

James 5:16-18 gives us a glimpse into Paul's confidence in God's answer to their prayers.

Multiplied Praise

2 Corinthians 1:8-11 explains why God wants His people to pray.

Why Pray?

Why does 2 Corinthians 1:11 explain that God wants His people to pray?

Your Will Be Done

In today's passage, Paul is confident that God will answer the Philippian Christians' prayers for his deliverance, but he is not yet certain how God is going to choose to do it. Jesus' prayer in Luke 22:42 in the Garden of Gethsemane helps us understand how this works.

Trusting His Answer

These verses by Christina Joy Hommes express what Scripture teaches us about God's answers to His people's prayer: Sometimes it feels like ages Before God answers prayer, ‘Cause I can’t see the stages Which He ordains with care. And yet I keep on praying Because I know He hears More than the words I’m saying – He understands my fears. He promises to hear me And grant what I request Unless His kindness gives me Some different thing that’s best. I know He sees tomorrow Like it was yesterday, So I will gladly follow And trust His plan today.

The Supply of the Spirit

Read in Romans 5:3-5 about the supply of the Spirit of God to believers and how He helps them in trials.

Interceding

Romans 8:18-28 expands on this theme.

The Spirit in Trials

How does the Holy Spirit help Christians in their trials?

Prayer and the Spirit

Why does Paul reference the believers' prayers and the Spirit's work as the two things on which he bases his confident hope that God will deliver him?

A Deeper Look

At first glance, it appears Paul's hope is deliverance, but when you look at verse 20 more closely, what is the thing Paul desires more than anything else?

Whoever Believes

Look at what Romans 9:33 says about being ashamed.

Abide in Christ

1 John 2:28 adds to this.

For Christ's Sake

Notice what 1 Peter 4:16 says about it.

I Know Whom I Believed

In 2 Timothy 1:6-12 Paul further explains why a Christian isn't ashamed of Christ even when they suffer for His sake.

Like Our Lord

In Hebrews 12:2-3 Christians are pointed to the ultimate example of One who was not ashamed to suffer for the sake of another.

Not Ashamed

Why does Paul earnestly expect that he will not be ashamed?

Of What?

Of what is Paul confident he will not be ashamed?

Boldly

In Ephesians 6:18-20 Paul requests prayer for boldness.

As Always

Paul speaks often of boldness. Why does a Christian, who wants to live so they will not be ashamed when Christ returns, need boldness?

With Me

Psalm 34:3 calls all of God's people to magnify Him.

All

Psalm 40:16 gives a similar call.

With Thanksgiving

Psalm 69:30 tells us one of the ways God's people magnify Him.

All to God's Glory

1 Corinthians 10:31 explains that even the smallest, most menial tasks of the Christian life should be done for God's glory.

Paul's Attitude

How does Paul's attitude of confidence in God through this passage magnify the Lord?

Magnify

Think about what it means to magnify something. You aren't making it bigger - you're just making it look bigger so that you or others can see it better. Why is the core of the Christian's life about magnifying Christ? What does that mean?

Ways and Means

What are some ways a Christian's life and death make the Lord Jesus look bigger to the people around?

Representatives

That magnifying the Lord should be the center of a Christian's life makes sense because Genesis 1:27 tells us that people were created to represent God.

To Live Is Christ

Galatians 2:20 explains Paul's summary of life.

The Love of Christ

Romans 8:35-39 explores the love of Christ for His people which nothing on earth can end.

Living for Christ

Based on what Paul said about magnifying Christ and these verses, what does it mean that to live is Christ for a Christian?

Like Him

Two chapters later in Philippians 3:20-21 we see one of the many reasons that death is gain for a believer.

All Things New

Revelation 21:3-7 speaks of the eternity that awaits God's people after death.

With Christ

According to verse 23, what is the ultimate reason that death is gain for a Christian?

Self vs. Others

Paul makes it clear that going to heaven was better for him. What was making him wonder if he should remain on earth for a season even though it would mean more pain and persecution?

In Your Words

In your own words, why was it so hard for Paul to decide what outcome he wanted from the trial he was about to face where Caesar decided whether he would be set free or martyred?

Willing

How did Paul's life goal of making Jesus Christ look big impact his perspective on this decision to be willing to live for the sake of Christ's people?

Waiting

In Philippians 2:23-24 we see Paul's humility and boldness - though he thought he knew what was best, he was waiting to see what the Lord's will was and at the same time he was making plans based on what He thought God's will would look like.

Plans

In verse 25 of today's passage, what was Paul planning to use his life for if it was spared?

Same as Before

In 2 Corinthians 1:24 we see that furthering the joy and faith of believers had always been Paul's mission.

How?

If you know, what are some ways Scripture tells us that Paul built up the faith and joy of the Christians around him?

Rejoicing

Rejoicing and joy are mentioned several times in this book. Notice the command to rejoice in Philippians 4:4.

Magnified by Rejoicing

How does the rejoicing of His people in His mighty works magnify the Lord?

Summary

Briefly summarize a Christian's perspective on life and death as Scripture explains how it should be.

Application

Magnify

What are some ways that you can make the Lord Jesus look bigger to the people around you by your actions and attitudes today? How are you going to incorporate them into your life?

Diminish

What are some ways your actions and attitudes make the Lord seem small to the people around you? How are you going to change them?

Life and Death

How has this passage challenged you to think differently about life and death?

The Center

Is magnifying the Lord Jesus Christ the center of your life? What does or will that look like?

Wrapup

Closing

We hope this study has challenged you to set as your life goal making the Lord Jesus look big to those around you in your life and death.

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