For to me to live is…
Our new pastor is preaching through Philippians. He said the first time he preached through Philippians it took him just a couple months. He’s been here over a month and we’ve covered the first twenty-one verses. It’s refreshing to have some old-fashioned verse-by-verse teaching. Give me that over a topical sermon any time! The topics come up naturally if you preach through God’s Word–He’s got all the topics covered. And the more you study it, the more you’ll find.
But as I was saying, we’ve gotten through verse twenty-one. “For to me to live is —–, and to die is —–.”
We all know how Paul filled in those blanks. But our pastor encouraged us to go home and think about how we really live our lives.
If…
For to me to live is money, to die is to lose it all.
For to me to live is popularity, to die is to lose it all.
For to me to live is anything this world has to offer, to die is to lose it all.
But if truly…
For to me to live is Christ, to die is gain for all eternity.
The question keeps coming back to mind. How would someone else watching me today fill in that blank? Am I truly living my life for Christ?
“Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ…”
-Philippians 1:27
-Philippians 1:27
Our pastor does this too… he once said, “preaching this way keeps me from preaching about money too often. In fact — the next time I’ll preach about money is…” then he named the text… several chapters away. LOL Too funny.
Plus I like how it makes sure we are being thorough in our study of God’s Word. Not very hodge podge.
Thank you for this. I actually read it last Friday and have had that verse stuck in my head since. It is a nice thought to have there- ready to be pulled out and mulled over when I am driving or washing dishes…
Along with it comes another thought, “What can I die to today?”
Very thought-provoking! How I desire for Christ to be my All in All! I only want to see Him and live for Him and not to be pulled or impacted by the things around me.
Phil. 1:21 is my life verse. “For to me to live is Christ, but to die is gain.”
He is worth every peice of my heart and soul…