Welcome back to afaithtalk.com. Today is the third Sunday of Advent. Joy. What we’re reading and walking through today is a bit of a search-to-find text. Yes, there’s joy in it and we will find it. So come, join me as I walk through it.
First, let’s pray:
Lord Jesus, thank You for this section of Scripture. Thank You for whatever You’re going to reveal to me and us today. Thank You for whatever we’re going learn today. Thank You most of all for making Joy possible. Lord, help us really feel it, and choose it above all emotions. For Your Glory. Amen.
Philippians 1:21-28 NIV
21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 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. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
Life Worthy of the Gospel
27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit,[e] striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.
Ooh is this ever teeming with Joy. Did you see it? Now we slow way down and walk through it.
Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
I’m fairly certain you’ve heard that verse before. Do you understand what it means? Why would dying be gain? Oh my friends, it most certainly will be because Christ Jesus is worth everything. He is our treasure. It’s kind of like that story Jesus told about the man who sold everything he had to buy a field because in working it he’d found a treasure. You can read about it in Matthew 13, it’s verse 44. That chapter has several illustrations of the kingdom. But dying, for faith it is a doorway. It’s not the end, it’s only the beginning. So yes, to live now is Christ because he holds all of us, those with faith, and to die, we will see Him and be with Him forever. So live by faith, it’s the only way to live both now and forever.
Philippians 1:22-24 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
See how Paul thinks? He is fully convinced being with Christ is better by far than remaining living even though in living he has ‘fruitful labor’ which means multiple things. Somehow he’s producing fruit of the Spirit as he works, and in working he’s bringing more people to the kingdom. The longer he is allowed to live, the more people that will come to faith through his teaching and living. Can we even say anything close to that? Is the way you’re living drawing anyone to Christ?
Philippians 1:25-26 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
He has been assured he’s not about to die, so he knows that he will have more time to help them grow and find the Joy in the faith. He wants to be the one responsible for their boasting in Christ. He has rewards in mind, as well we should, because faith is precious and full of eternal promises that without faith you will never see. That’s why we should be able to choose Joy.
Joy! By for King and Country by for King and Country
Life Worthy of the Gospel
When you see that subtitle, do you question what is it that makes the Gospel worth it? I suspect it’s the same answer as the other question above. Life is nothing without Christ.
Philippians 1:27-28 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.
Conduct yourselves, the Gospel requires a life of conduct that those without faith can’t do. It’s about dying to our will and living by His. It’s about living by faith, knowing that He is with us and will reveal the next step as we walk in faith. It’s about producing the fruit of the Spirit and loving others.
It’s ‘newsworthy’ in the way that people will talk when they see you living this way. And that talking will reach outside of the area where you live.
“I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.”
Do you see the unity? The striving to reach the level of faith that is full of Joy? That there will be opposition? Some will be very close. So we must pray for the kingdom and those who want to join it despite the opposition of loved ones.
Joy! He Shall Reign Forever by Big Daddy Weave
“This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.”
You will be saved, by God himself. Stay faithful, grow in the faith, strive for the faith.
This one is a great way to end, because it’s a very joyful song. But since we’re in 2020 and most of us aren’t with family, it’s also a bit sad. But let the music fill you and you can’t help but move at the joy that just pours from this song.
Feels like Joy by Micah Tyler