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Tag: Holy Spirit

The Unforgivable Sin – Mark 3:22-30

May 22, 2023 /

Sermon Video

Is there an unforgivable sin?

Various sins have been put forward throughout the years. Three sins that people sometimes reference are adultery, murder, and suicide.

Maybe you’ve heard of the sin of the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. It’s sometimes called the unpardonable sin or the unforgivable sin.

Perhaps you’ve wondered, can a Christian commit this sin? Or, more personally, maybe you’re asking, have I committed this sin?

This is one example of the importance of preaching through books of the Bible. This is a typical text a pastor would pick out and preach. However, we want to understand all of God’s Word. We need to understand the hard passages.

Some Context from Mark 2-3:

  • Jesus’ conflict with the religious leaders is growing but the crowd loves him (Mark 2:1-3:12, 20).
  • Jesus has just called 12 disciples to be with him, that he might train them to be sent out for ministry (Mark 3:13-19).
  • Jesus’ family thinks he’s crazy and they have come to take him back to Nazareth before he shames the family name (Mark 3:20-21).

Sermon Text: Mark 3:22-30

When we read this text, the verse that probably jumps out to you is v. 29, which says, “Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin.”

So, what is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit and who is guilty of it? If there is a sin that cannot be forgiven, then we need to identify it and avoid it.

What is blasphemy? Blasphemy is defiant irreverence toward God. It is a desecration of God’s character. Jesus said in Matt 6:9, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” Blasphemy is the opposite. Blasphemy may involve insulting God, mocking him, or dishonoring him.[1]R.C. Sproul, Mark, 62.

If this is what is meant by blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, then we are all guilty. However, the unforgivable sin is not just any kind of blasphemy, as we will see.

There are three turns in the text. In v. 22, we see the scribes’ accusation against Jesus. In vv. 23-27, we see Jesus’ answer. And finally, in vv. 28-30 we see Jesus’ warning to the scribes and others who are listening.

First, we see the scribes’ accusation against Jesus.

The scribes make an accusation against Jesus (22)

And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.”

As we’ve seen so far in Mark, Jesus has been proclaiming the gospel, teaching with authority, healing the sick, and casting out demons. In this story, we’re not given much context. Fortunately, Matthew’s account helps us with the historical context:

Matt 12:22-23

22 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?”

So, there was a man who was oppressed. He was blind and mute. Jesus healed him, and “all the people were amazed, and said, ‘Can this be the Son of David?’”

The fame of Jesus has grown and people are beginning to wonder if he could be the Messiah.

So, what happens? Mark says in v. 22 that scribes came from Jerusalem to investigate Jesus. Upon arriving, they declare that Jesus “is possessed by Beelzebul, and by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.”

Their verdict is that Jesus was demon-possessed and must be silenced.

The scribes did not deny that Jesus was able to perform miracles. They had just witnessed one. However, instead of glorifying God, they attributed his power to Satan.

This is evidence that faith and unbelief are not the result of miracles and proofs. The Pharisees had all the proof you could want and yet they did not have saving faith in Jesus.

The verb in vv. 22 and 30 translated “were saying” is in the imperfect tense. This means that the scribes were consistently trying to destroy Jesus’ reputation. This was not a one-time event.

It is one thing to turn away from Jesus. It is even worse to try to turn others away from him.

These Jewish leaders understood Beelzebul (or Beelzebub) to be the prince of the demons (v. 22). Beelzebul is another name for Satan and Jesus makes this clear in v. 23.

So, the scribes declare that Jesus is demon-possessed and that he is working by the power of the prince of demons. Of course, this was the exact opposite of reality. We know from Scripture that Jesus, rather than being demon-possessed, was Holy Spirit-empowered.

Matt 4:1 – Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit…

Luke 4:1 – And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit…

Luke 4:14 – And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit…

Luke 4:18 – Jesus declared, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me…”

In Acts 10:38, Peter said “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”

The scribes had rejected Jesus as the Messiah despite his gracious and loving works that he poured out onto those who needed his healing touch.

The scribes had rejected Jesus and the works that he had accomplished.

The key takeaway for us is this – you will not be forgiven if you reject Jesus and his gracious works (v. 22).

You will not be forgiven if you reject Jesus and his gracious works.

Jesus answers the scribes (23-27)

23 And he called them to him and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 26 And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. 27 But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.

In v. 23, Jesus gathers the scribes and speaks a parable to them. He asks them a question – “How can Satan cast out Satan?”

Aside from God himself, Satan is likely the most intelligent being in the universe. Satan is too smart to allow division or civil war among his demons. Satan will not do anything that would threaten his power. Satan would never allow any demon to undermine his efforts. Quite simply, Jesus says, “Satan does not cast out Satan.”

Jesus then provides two examples to illustrate his point – a kingdom and a house.

v. 24 – a divided kingdom

We know that Satan is trying to build a kingdom. Satan was not content being an angel in God’s kingdom, so he rebelled and was cast out. Since then, Satan has been attempting to undermine God’s authority and trying to build his own kingdom. For the scribes to suggest that Jesus was fighting on the side of Satan by healing people and releasing those who were demon-possessed was beyond ridiculous. In reality, Jesus was doing just the opposite by releasing people from their demon possession.

1 John 3:8b

The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

Jesus taught that a divided kingdom cannot stand.

25-27 – a divided house

Just as a divided kingdom cannot stand, a house divided against itself will not stand. Experience tells us this is true. A home where husband and wife are divided on essential issues will not stand. A country with completely opposite political views will not stand. A church that is not unified around biblical truth will not stand.

Jesus says in v. 26 that if Satan is divided, then he is coming to an end.

In v. 27, Jesus likens Satan to a strong man. In the parable, Jesus says that in order to plunder a house, you must first bind the strong man. By way of example, if you come into my house to steal from me or harm my family, you’re not going to deal with Bethany or the kids. You are going to have to go through me.

In the parable, Satan is the strong man, and Jesus is saying that in order to cast out Satan’s demons, one must be stronger than the strong man. Jesus, because he is stronger than Satan, is able to cast out demons and set people free from their possession. This is the point that Jesus is making.

Jesus has come to plunder Satan’s kingdom by rescuing men and women who have been held captive to do his will. Jesus wins the ultimate victory for us by going to the cross and dying for our sins in our place so that we can have peace with God.

The scribes have heard Jesus preach with authority, heal the sick, cleanse the leper, and cast out demons. They have seen Jesus’ miracles. Yet, they, like the people Paul talks about in Romans 1:18, “who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth”. The scribes had suppressed the truth about Jesus and His works.

And if you are like these scribes, you will not be forgiven – you will not be forgiven if you willfully suppress the truth about Jesus (vv. 23-27).

You will not be forgiven if you willfully suppress the truth about Jesus.

Jesus issues a warning to those listening (28-30)

28 “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter,

By using the word “Truly,” Jesus was announcing that he was about to say something very important. He was giving great emphasis to what he was about to say.[2]R.C. Sproul, Mark, 62

And notice what Jesus says in v. 28. He makes an amazing promise to those listening in v. 28. He says, “Truly I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter.”

Verse 28 proves that blasphemy is not a onetime sin or a misuse of God’s name. He says that “whatever blasphemies they utter” will be forgiven.

If you want to repent, Jesus will always receive you. Whenever you turn to Christ in repentance, there is always forgiveness. There is no account in Scripture of any who repented and believed and was not forgiven. Not one.

1 John 1:9

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

John 6:37

“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”

Just as Satan doesn’t cast out his demons, God does not cast out his children who have come to him through Jesus and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

29-30

29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— 30 for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”

As I mentioned earlier, the scribes were accusing Jesus of being demon-possessed instead of Spirit-filled.

These men are in a state of willful opposition to the power of the Holy Spirit. They had seen what Jesus did and were unwilling to accept that Jesus was God’s Son and empowered and anointed by the Holy Spirit.

So, the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit or the unforgivable sin, in its most narrow sense, is attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan. We clearly see this in v. 30 – “for they [the scribes] were saying, ‘He has an unclean spirit.’” Again, when the text says, “they were saying,” this is an ongoing , persistent attitude towards Jesus and the Holy Spirit. They were so hardened that they continually associated Jesus with Satan.

Scholars are divided on whether or not someone can commit the unforgivable sin in its more narrow sense. I tend to agree that no one can commit this sin today in its more narrow sense.

However, when we examine the motivation behind the actions of the scribe, we see a remarkable display of the hardness of their hearts. They had suppressed the truth about Jesus and his works. They had refused to even consider the possibility of him being the Messiah. These men were so proud that they didn’t think that they needed the forgiveness and grace that Jesus came to offer.

Consider Pharaoh in the book of Exodus. He wanted to rule and enslave the people of Israel and hardened his heart time after time. Eventually, God brought terrible judgment on him and the Egyptians. Pharaoh witnessed God’s power time after time in plague after plague and he still would not repent. The scribes and the Pharisees are like Pharaoh. Jesus gives ample evidence of God’s work through his miracles, but they refuse to believe in and submit to Him.

This is what happens when people willfully suppress the truth about Jesus, reject Jesus, and reject the work of the Holy Spirit. Over time, they become so hardened that they can no longer repent.

When people willfully suppress the truth about Jesus, reject Jesus, and reject the work of the Holy Spirit, over a period of time, they become so hardened that they can no longer repent.

Thus, in the more broad sense, the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, or unforgivable sin is having a heart that is so hard that you refuse to let God forgive you. The only unpardonable sin is that you refuse to humble yourself before God and let him pardon you.

I worry that there are many people in churches today that have been in church for years, have heard the gospel, have heard hundreds of sermons, but they continue to reject Jesus. They refuse to submit to his rule and reign in their lives. I’m not saying that these people have committed the unforgivable sin, but if they die without repenting of their sin and trusting in Christ they will not be forgiven.

In vv. 28-30, we see a third truth – You will not be forgiven if you continually reject the work of the Holy Spirit.

You will not be forgiven if you continually reject the work of the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion

Before I conclude, I want to summarize what I’ve said today.

The unforgivable sin is not a one-time action. Paul called himself a former blasphemer (1 Tim 1:13) and clearly Paul had come to know Christ. He was not beyond Christ’s saving power.

The unforgivable sin in a narrow sense is to attribute Jesus’ work that was empowered by Holy Spirit to that of demons.

In a more general sense, the unforgivable sin is to knowingly, willingly, and persistently reject the truth about Jesus and the grace that he offers even when you are convicted by the Holy Spirit.

You will not be forgiven if you reject Jesus and his gracious works (22).

You will not be forgiven if you willfully suppress the truth about Jesus (23-27).

You will not be forgiven if you continually reject the work of the Holy Spirit (28-30).

Christians cannot commit this sin because a Christian, by definition, has come to a saving knowledge of Jesus and Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. If you are worried that you have committed the unforgivable sin, this is evidence that you have not committed it. People that have committed this sin are hardened in their unbelief.

In today’s text, we have seen Jesus give a great warning, but also a great promise.

Remember v. 28 – “Truly I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter.”

Have you had your sins forgiven by Christ?

Have you repented of your sin and put your faith in Jesus Christ, or have you suppressed the truth about Jesus and who he is?

Have you suppressed the truth that you need him?

Do you realize that you are dead in your sins without Christ?

Have you resisted the work of the Holy Spirit?

Have you been convicted of sin but still refused to humble yourself before Jesus?

Run to Christ, confess your sin, and remember that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ.

If you still struggle with the fear that you have committed the unforgivable sin, consider this – we should not base our assurance on how we feel. Rather, we are commanded confess our sins to God and let him cleanse us.

One commentator said it this way – “Jesus came to forgive our sins, not leave us in the fear of unforgiven sin.”[3]Robin Sydserff, Teaching Mark: From Text to Message, 183.

Jesus always receive those who come to him in repentance and faith.

Romans 5:1

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:1

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

This morning, we’ve seen a weighty, weighty text about the unforgivable sin. We’ve also seen a beautiful promise – we can be forgiven of all of our sins if we will turn from our sin and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Today, if you hear God’s voice, do not harden your heart.

Do not ignore the clear teachings of Scripture.

Do not ignore wise, godly counsel from other believers.

Do not ignore the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

Instead respond in joyful obedience to Christ.

References

References
↑1 R.C. Sproul, Mark, 62.
↑2 R.C. Sproul, Mark, 62
↑3 Robin Sydserff, Teaching Mark: From Text to Message, 183.

Baptized and Tempted – Mark 1:9-13

February 22, 2023 /

Sermon Video

Last week’s post introduced the Gospel of Mark. I would encourage you to read it before reading this post.

Sermon Text: Mark 1:9-13

The Baptism of Jesus was a Declaration of Sonship (9-11)[1]I’ve borrowed my outline from Daniel L. Akin, Christ-Centered Exposition: Mark, 10.

Jesus comes to John in the middle or latter days of John’s ministry. Jesus’ baptism was a significant event; it is one of the few that is recorded in all four Gospels.

Why was Jesus baptized? We know that baptism is a picture of a cleansing from sin. It’s an outward act that is symbolic of an inward transformation. However, we know from the testimony of Scripture that Jesus was perfect and had no need to be cleansed. Matthew’s Gospel tells us that John was hesitant to baptize Jesus. John told Jesus, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” (Matt 3:14). Jesus told John that his baptism was, “to fulfill all righteousness” (Matt 3:15). What does Jesus mean that his baptism was “to fulfill all righteousness”?

Let’s answer that question by looking at the significance of the baptism of Jesus. The first thing we notice is that Jesus’ baptism inaugurated his ministry.

Jesus’ Baptism Inaugurated His Public Ministry (9)

The text says that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee (v. 9). Nazareth was a small town in the middle of nowhere. Nazareth was so small that it didn’t even have a Dollar General. Galilee was a region that was despised by the religious leaders because of its distance from Jerusalem and the presence of many Gentiles.

Jesus was a nobody from nowhere. When Jesus came to be baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, he effectively stepped onto the public stage. He had grown up in Nazareth in obscurity but that was about to change.

Also remember that John was baptizing in the wilderness (v. 4). We’ll talk more about that later. So first, Jesus’ baptism inaugurated his public ministry. Second, Jesus’ baptism identified him with sinful humanity.

Jesus Baptism Identified Him with Sinful Humanity (9)

By being baptized, Jesus identified himself with lowly sinners. Remember, those being baptized by John the Baptist were repentant sinners who were preparing themselves for God’s coming kingdom (vv. 4, 7-8). However, we know that Jesus was perfect. He didn’t have to confess his sin or repent of it because he had no sin (2 Cor 5:21). But in his baptism, Jesus identified with sinful people.

Third, Jesus’ baptism associated him with John’s ministry.

Jesus’ Baptism Associated Him with John’s Ministry (9)

Jesus was not ashamed of John the Baptist—far from it! Jesus was not concerned about John’s appearance or the fact that the religious leaders didn’t approve of him. Instead, Jesus praised John for he was faithfulness even in the face of death. By being baptized by John, Jesus showed his approval for John’s ministry.

Next, Jesus’ baptism was a supernatural act of God.

Jesus’ Baptism was a Supernatural Act of God (10)

When Jesus came up out of the water (which means he was immersed by the way), the text says that Jesus “saw the heavens being torn open” (10). This was not an ordinary event. The only other time the word translated torn open is used in Mark is when the temple curtain was torn from top to bottom (Mark 15:38). Clearly, at Jesus’ baptism God was at work in a supernatural way. As we will see in v. 15 next week, the kingdom of God had come in the person of Jesus.

Not only was Jesus’ baptism a supernatural act of God, but it revealed the triune God.

Jesus’ Baptism Revealed the Triune God (10-11)

As Christians, we believe that there is one God who exists in three persons – Father, Son, and Spirit. In verses 10-11, we clearly see all three persons of the Trinity. Jesus, the perfect Son of God in human flesh was being baptized. When he came up out of the water, the heavens were torn open and the Spirit descended on him like a dove. In verse 11, the Father spoke from heaven and said, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” The baptism of Jesus gives us a glimpse into the nature of God. He is the great Three in One. Verse 11 also clearly identifies Jesus as the divine Son of God.

Jesus’ Baptism Demonstrated His Dependence Upon the Holy Spirit (10)

Remember from verse 8 that John the Baptist said that his baptism was of water but that the one coming would baptize with the Holy Spirit. In v. 10, the text says that the Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove. The Spirit was not literally a dove but in gentleness and purity came to rest within Jesus. As the Spirit entered Jesus, he was prepared and equipped for ministry. Consider these verses from Isaiah:

Isaiah 42:1

Behold my servant, whom I uphold,
     my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my Spirit upon him;
     he will bring forth justice to the nations.

Isaiah 11:2

And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
     the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
     the Spirit of counsel and might,
     the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

Jesus’ ministry would be empowered by the Spirit of God. And finally, Jesus’ baptism was a declaration of his Messiahship (11).

Jesus’ Baptism was a Declaration of his Messiahship (11)

In v. 11, the Father speaks to the Son from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am will pleased.” This announcement combines three important Old Testament texts.

The phrase “You are my Son” comes from Psalm 2, which I recently preached. By referring to this Psalm, the Father is declaring that Jesus is the Messiah-King and the Son of David who will rule the nations.

The Father adds the word “beloved.” This is a reference to Genesis 22 when Abraham was called to sacrifice his beloved son. In contrast to Abraham, God the Father would go through with his son’s sacrifice.

And finally, the Father says that he is well pleased with the son. This phrase comes from Isaiah 42:1, which starts a section in Isaiah that culminates in Isaiah 53 where the suffering servant lays down his life.[2]Robin Sydserff, Teaching Mark, 129.

All three of these phrases from the Old Testament are fulfilled in Jesus. He is the beloved Son. He is the Messiah-King. He is the suffering servant who will give his life as a ransom for many.

In Jesus’ baptism, we see that the Father declared him as the Son. He will be empowered by the Spirit. Now, it is time for Jesus to go to war with the evil one.

The Temptation was a Declaration of War (12-13)

If you’ve read the New Testament, you are familiar with Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. While Mark’s account is much shorter than Matthew and Luke’s, we can still see the importance of this event even in these two short verses.

In the previous verses, we saw that Jesus’ baptism was a declaration of his sonship. We might say that Jesus was commissioned for ministry. Often, after God calls someone to ministry there is a time of testing. Here, Jesus does battle with Satan in the wilderness. The first thing we notice is that “the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness” (12). We again see that Jesus was led by the Spirit.

Jesus was Led by the Spirit (12)

The word translated “drove” is the same word that Mark uses to describe when Jesus cast out demons. Jesus’ encounter with Satan was no accident. Jesus embraces the leading of the Spirit and embraces the test.

Jesus was led by the Spirit, but he was also engaged by Satan.

Jesus was Engaged by Satan (13)

Verse 13 tells us that Jesus was in the wilderness 40 days and that he was tempted by Satan during this time. This was the deep wilderness. This was like Bear Grylls in Man vs. Wild. The conditions were grueling and it would have been easy to give up. Matthew and Luke tell us that Jesus had no food during the 40 days.

The 40 days remind us of the time that Moses spent on the Mount Sinai before receiving the Law (Deut 9:9). During that time, Moses neither ate nor drink.

The 40 days in the wilderness also remind us of Israel. After succumbing to their fears about taking the Promised Land, they were condemned to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. Where Israel crumbled in fear, Jesus would be victorious. Jesus was the true Israel, and he would not fail.

Jesus is also the second Adam. Consider how Jesus overcame where Adam had failed:

  1. Adam met Satan in a perfect garden, but Jesus met Satan in the wilderness.
  2. Adam had Eve but Jesus was alone.
  3. Adam had access to food, but Jesus was hungry.
  4. Adam was at peace with the animals in the garden, but Jesus was with the wild animals in the wilderness.

Mark’s Gospel is the only account that includes the statement about the wild animals. Why does he mention them? Remember, Mark is writing to a Roman audience. The Romans, especially later under Nero would used animals to torture Christians.

Despite these stacked odds, Jesus overcomes Satan.

He is the second Adam. He is the true Son of God.

He is greater than Moses. Moses delivered the people of Israel but Jesus would deliver people from every tribe, nation, and tongue.

He is the true Israel. He overcame where Israel failed. He will lead his people into an even greater Promised Land.

He is greater than the Roman emperors. These emperors used wild animals to torture Christians but Jesus overcame them even in the deep wilderness. Jesus, not the emperor is the true King.

Jesus’ conflict in the wilderness with Satan shows us that Jesus has come to destroy Satan’s dominion in this world and over humanity. Jesus has declared war on Satan.

1 John 3:8b

The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

Satan won a victory in the Garden. Humanity sinned and sin, sickness, and death entered creation. But Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil and to restore us to our Creator.

Conclusion

Christian, I want to encourage you. Jesus knows what you are going through. Jesus did battle with the devil and overcame him. One day, Satan will be thrown into the Lake of Fire (Rev 20:10). Like Jesus, we can be victorious in temptation through the power of the Spirit. Perhaps God’s angels will come to our aid as well (v. 13).

Jesus would battle Satan throughout his life. Likewise, we are in spiritual battle. Even if we lose some battles, we know that ultimately, we will win the war if we are on Jesus’ side for he has already won it through his death and resurrection.

Last week, we saw that John the Baptist spoke of Jesus. Today in vv. 9-13 we’ve seen Jesus commissioned for ministry through baptism and tested in the wilderness. Jesus has come to represent humanity in a way that all others before him had failed.

Next week we’ll see the in-breaking of the Kingdom of God and the king who calls people to enter into it.

References

References
↑1 I’ve borrowed my outline from Daniel L. Akin, Christ-Centered Exposition: Mark, 10.
↑2 Robin Sydserff, Teaching Mark, 129.

To Live is Christ – Philippians 1:18b-26

June 14, 2022 /
Philippians

This blog is based on a sermon from Philippians. You can listen to the sermon here.

People will do incredible things to avoid death. Perhaps you’ve heard the story of hiker Aron Ralston.

While hiking, a boulder fell and pinned his right arm. After attempting to get free, on the sixth day, he amputated his right forearm with a dull multi-tool. He then rappelled down a 60 foot cliff and hiked eight miles before finding a family that took him to a rescue helicopter. He wrote a book called Between a Rock and a Hard Place, which was later made into a movie called 127 Hours.

People will do incredible things to avoid death. What lengths would you go to in order to avoid death?

Here’s a more important question: What do you live for?

Sermon Text: Philippians 1:18b-26

We should live for the glory of Christ (18b-20)

18b – Yes, and I will rejoice.

It’s evident through the book of Philippians that Paul is full of joy stemming from his union with Christ and his relationship with the Philippian church.

In v. 19, Paul mentions that he knows that he will be delivered. The deliverance that Paul speaks of is not his release from prison, but rather ultimate deliverance – the hope of being with Christ in life or in death (Phil 1:20-21).

Paul knew that whether he was executed for his faith or he continued to live and minister, that he would honor Christ in his body (v. 20). Paul’s confidence in this fact came from the prayers of the saints, the provision of the Holy Spirit, and the plan of God.

First, like Paul, we should have confidence in the prayers of the saints (v. 19).

Our trials should lead us not to despair, but to God in prayer.

Our trials should lead us not to despair, but to God in prayer.

Prayer is the normal means by which God provides help to the struggling believer (Jam 5:16). God uses the prayer of his people to provide strength to his servants.

In my church experience, there are some people that want prayer for the smallest things. If they stub their toe, they desire prayer. On the opposite end of the spectrum, some people never want to be put on the prayer list because they are so full of pride that they don’t want others to know about their struggles.

I want to encourage you to be like Paul and to be transparent with your prayer requests. This implies that you have relationships with others in your church that you can share your prayer requests with them. Relationships between believers are meant to be a source of encouragement to us!

Second, like Paul, we have confidence in the provision of the Holy Spirit (v. 19).

The Holy Spirit helps us in our hardest trials. I’m reminded of Paul’s words in Romans 8:26.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

Romans 8:26

Third, like Paul, we should have confidence in the plan of God (v. 20).

Paul trusted in God’s sovereign plan when mentioned “whether by life or by death” in v. 20. Paul trusted that God knew what was best for him and the churches he was ministering to. Paul was resolved to honor Christ in life or in death. May we have the same confidence in God’s sovereignty. After all, He knows all our days (Ps 139:16).

We should long for the presence of Christ (21-23)

Paul lived for the glory of Christ, but he also longed for the presence of Christ.

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

What does it mean to live is Christ? It means that Christ completely defines the meaning of life. I’m reminded of Galatians 2:20.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

Verse 21 is a test for our lives. What do you live for? We show what’s most important to us by what we speak of and how we spend out time and money.

Some would say, “For me to live is money and possessions and to die is to leave it all behind.” These people work all the time so they can buy more stuff to make themselves happy.

Some would say, “For me to live is power and to die is to lose it all.” These people spend all their time trying to influence people for their own gain.

Some would say, “For me to live is beauty and to die is to rot in the grave.” These people work out all the time, eat perfectly, and spend hours in front of a mirror.

Some would say, “For me to live is entertainment and pleasure and to die is to be bored.” These people play video games or watch countless hours of TV or maybe enjoy pornography and sexual pleasure.

Some would say, “For me to live is sports and to die is to not get to enjoy competition.” These people spend lots of money and time playing and/or watching sports.

Some would say, “For me to live is the weekend and to die is to be alone.” These people spend excessive amounts of time with family and friends, to the detriment of their walk with Christ.

What will you be known for at your funeral?

  • A good man that worked hard and took care of his family?
  • Someone that loved to play golf?
  • A woman that was very beautiful?
  • A man that loved going hunting and fishing?

None of those things are bad, but by God’s grace, I hope that all of us would want to be known as men and women that were passionate about Christ and the furtherance of the gospel; that the gospel was the driving passion of our lives.

The gospel should change us. It should affect us so greatly that we can’t help but want to share its message with others. Consider Paul’s attitude in Acts 20:24.

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Acts 20:24

Phil 1:22-23 – If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.  I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

We see in these verses that Paul was torn between two options. He desired to be with Christ but he also saw the need for him to be able to minister to the Philippian church.

In v. 23, we see that if Paul only had his own interest to consider, then he would depart and be with Christ.

In our culture, we avoid death at all costs. Today, people die in hospitals and hospice houses. In the not-so-distant past, people died in their homes and even children knew about the reality of death.

In reality, death is not the enemy for the Christian. It is a boat that takes you where you want to go – to be with Christ. I’m not going to spend a ton of time on this topic, but Phil 1:23 is a verse that speaks against the idea of soul sleep.

Finally, notice that Paul doesn’t mention a desire for rewards or to be reunited with loved ones, but instead Paul desires Christ himself, who is the ultimate reward.

We’ve seen that we should live for the glory of Christ and long for the presence of Christ. Finally, we should labor among the people of Christ.

We should labor among the people of Christ (24-26)

There is more to life than meeting our needs and sustaining our bodies – we are to help others grow into spiritual maturity (vv. 24-26).

Paul is saying, “I want to be with Jesus, but I want to help your progress in the faith.”

Are you serving others in your local church? Are you a “necessary” member? Is it necessary for you to stay at your church? If you left, would people really miss you?

Are you serving for the progress and joy of others (v. 25)? Do you live for the benefit of others’ progress in the faith?

Paul was in his late 50s or early 60s when he wrote Philippians, yet he was continuing to faithfully labor among the churches he had planted for the glory of God. There is no such thing as retirement from God’s kingdom work!

Conclusion

What is the focus of your life?

For me to live is ___________. If you’re honest, how would you answer that question?

“Only one life, twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

C.T. Studd

Do you live for the glory of Christ?

Do you long for the presence of Christ?

Are you laboring among the people of Christ?

At the beginning of my message, I said that people will go to great lengths to stay alive. The reality is that every one of us will die. When you depart from this life, will you be with Christ or separated from Him for all of eternity?

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