Joyful Regardless Pt 2

The Joy of Living for Jesus Christ

 

 Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.


If one was to ask you? What is ONE thing that drives your life? What is your reason for living? What is one thing that if it was to be taken away your life would crumble? For some people their goal in life is to make as much money as they can. Ask them why, and they will tell you they just want to be rich. We live in a world where “the one who dies with the most toys wins” For others they life for fun – vacation and leisure is what defines their life. For others it is religion – they hate, oppress and kill in the name of their God, whether they are Hindu extremist in Orissa, India or Islamic fundamentalists in Somalia.

 

For Paul, the ONE thing that drove his life was living for Jesus Christ. Living for Christ defined and drove his entire life. Living for Christ shaped how he related with those around him, his view of life and the world and his lifestyle. It shaped his priorities; it directed and regulated his relationships. It was living for Christ that shaped how he responded to whatever occurred to him.

 

Paul was very heavenly minded that he wasn’t sure whether he preferred to live or to die. Philippians 1:23-24  23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;  24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Have you heard of the statement that “Don’t be so heavenly minded that you’re no earthly good”? Actually this is a misnomer. The Bible is full of stories of heavenly minded people who changed the world. Who has ever been more heavenly minded than Jesus Christ? Actually as a Christian, if you are ever to make any contribution of eternal significance, you have to be very heavenly minded. This is what my definition of “so heavenly minded” does not mean – like is not all about prayer, bible study and attending worship services – a heavenly minded life is the God-life or godly life that pervades all spheres of life. It is the Christ-like life, so to speak.

 

How does Living for Christ Affect Us? – Phil. 1:12 -29

  1. It affects how we relate with our Circumstances and with other people – gracious even to our enemies vs. competition (vv 12-18). 
  1. Living for Christ affects our Life and world view: - Christ is all that matters, whether in life or death (18-26). 
  1. Lastly the gospel affects our lifestyle – v. 27 - 30

 Last Sunday I shared a story about a Ugandan Archbishop of the Anglican Church who lived joyful for Christ, even up to death. You may read the whole store here: http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/101.html

You would..