Paul’s Existential Struggle: To Live is Christ; To Die is Gain
In continuing with our sermon series through Philippians, Pastor Emilio Ramos preached from Philippians 1:21-26, a message entitled “Paul’s Existential Struggle: To Live is Christ; To Die is Gain“.
Paul’s Existential Struggle (Phil. 1:21-26):
- Paul’s Principle of Life and Death (Phil. 1:21)
- He sums up his whole life as in Christ (Rom. 14:8 | Col. 1:17, 28 | Eph. 1:3)
- Paul’s life was utterly Christ-centered… is ours?
- Death is a promotion for the Christian
- He sums up his whole life as in Christ (Rom. 14:8 | Col. 1:17, 28 | Eph. 1:3)
- Paul’s Inner Struggle (Phil. 1:22-23)
- Paul’s whole life was under this divine calling
- Either to depart (go home) or remain (on earth) – Paul longed for Heaven
- Do we long for Heaven like this? Do we long for Who’s in Heaven?
- Obtaining that eschatological goal is how Paul views Heaven (Phil. 3:14)
- Paul’s Commitment to the Church (Phil. 1:24-26 | 2 Cor. 12:15 | 1 Thes. 2:7 | Col. 1:28)
- Direction: Maturity, grace, and knowledge
- Disposition: Joy in the faith
Paul sums up his whole life with one word… CHRIST! (3 minute clip below):
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“To live is Christ, to die is gain”… How is death gain? What is behind Paul’s principle of life and death? (2 minutes):
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How can we live a life “not in vain”? Union with Christ! (3 minutes):
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In the above clip we are encourages to study out more the doctrine of “Union with Christ”. See previous clips and articles that deal with our union with Christ.
Eagerness to go to Heaven (1 minutes):
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Listen or download “Paul’s Existential Struggle: To Live is Christ; To Die is Gain” from Philippians 1:21-26 by Pastor Emilio Ramos (from our sermon series through Philippians):