Living in Light of Future Hope
Philippians 1:21-30
Presented by
Bob DeWaay
December 5th, 2004
Paul Contemplates Life and Death
Philippians 1:21
For to me, to live is Christ,
and to die is gain.
Paul’s Dilemma
Philippians 1:22
But if I am to live on in the
flesh, this will mean fruitful
labor for me; and I do not
know which to choose.
Paul’s Dilemma
Philippians 1:23
But I am hard-pressed from
both directions, having the
desire to depart and be with
Christ, for that is very much
better;
There is no “Soul Sleep”
2Corinthians 5:8
we are of good courage, I say,
and prefer rather to be absent
from the body and to be at
home with the Lord.
The Philippians are a Reason to Stay
Philippians 1:24
yet to remain on in the flesh
is more necessary for your
sake.
Death would Be to Paul’s Advantage
2Corinthians 5:6
Therefore, being always of
good courage, and knowing
that while we are at home in
the body we are absent from
the Lord--
Progress in The Faith
Philippians 1:25
And convinced of this, I know
that I shall remain and
continue with you all for your
progress and joy in the faith,
Paul Expects to See them Again
Philippians 1:26
so that your proud
confidence in me may
abound in Christ Jesus
through my coming to you
again.
Appropriate “Boasting”
Jeremiah 9:23
Thus says the Lord, "Let not
a wise man boast of his
wisdom, and let not the
mighty man boast of his
might, let not a rich man
boast of his riches;
Appropriate “Boasting”
Jeremiah 9:24
but let him who boasts boast
of this, that he understands
and knows Me, that I am the
Lord who exercises
lovingkindness, justice, and
righteousness on earth. . .
Appropriate “Boasting”
Philippians 3:3
for we are the true
circumcision, who worship in
the Spirit of God and glory in
Christ Jesus and put no
confidence in the flesh,
Be Worthy Gospel Citizens
Philippians 1:27a
Only conduct yourselves in a
manner worthy of the gospel
of Christ;
Be Worthy Gospel Citizens
Philippians 1:27b
so that whether I come and see
you or remain absent, I may
hear of you that you are
standing firm in one spirit, with
one mind striving together for
the faith of the gospel;
The Gospel Divides
Philippians 1:28
in no way alarmed by your
opponents-- which is a sign
of destruction for them, but
of salvation for you, and that
too, from God.
Faith and Suffering go Together
Philippians 1:29
For to you it has been
granted for Christ's sake, not
only to believe in Him, but
also to suffer for His sake,
Conflict Against the Gospel
Philippians 1:30
experiencing the same
conflict which you saw in me,
and now hear to be in me.
Applications
A. Three ways eschatological
[end times] hope should
motivate us now.
B. How we progress in the
faith
The Motivation of Future Hope
1) Belief in the hope of the
resurrection gives us
motivation for making the
Gospel a priority
The Motivation of Future Hope
2) Belief in the hope of the
resurrection motivates us to
lay aside the pursuit of
pleasure in this life.
The Motivation of Future Hope
Philippians 3:10
that I may know Him, and the
power of His resurrection and
the fellowship of His
sufferings, being conformed
to His death;
The Motivation of Future Hope
Philippians 3:11
in order that I may attain to
the resurrection from the
dead.
The Motivation of Future Hope
3) Belief in the hope of the
resurrection gives us comfort
in a world of death.
How we Progress in The Faith
Acts 2:42
And they were continually
devoting themselves to the
apostles' teaching and to
fellowship, to the breaking of
bread and to prayer.