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Philippians 1:21-23 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
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Philippians 1:21-23 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better Be With Christ
Familiar Passage • Examine this Passage • 2 choices – live or die • Live – keep preaching / teaching • Die – and be with Jesus • Dying is “far better” • Ecclesiastes 7:1 A good name is better than precious ointment, And the day of death than the day of one's birth
Problem with text • Problem with this text • Does Paul mean he will bypass: • Hades • Resurrection • Judgment Day • Is Paul saying that when he dies that he will go straight to heaven?
Dig Deeper • Study the context of Philippians 1:21-23 • To live is Christ • To die is gain • To Live – means fruit of his labor • Paul can't decide (choose) which he wants • Hard pressed = For I am in a strait betwixt two (KJV) Strait – means tight, restricted, narrow • Think about a very narrow passage way • You can not turn left or right
Dig Deeper • Study the context of Philippians 1:21-23 • His desire (“druthers” in W. TN terms) depart • Depart means to leave this life / to die • When he departs, he will be with Christ
Dig Deeper • Examine the original Greek meaning • Greek tense = duration more than time • English tense = time (past, present, future) • “Be with Christ” - Aorist tense • Aorist = a point action – sudden, quick • Stomp foot, shoot gun – aorist • Here – “Be with Christ” = aorist – “Die and instantly be with Christ” • The time lapse is like shooting a gun
Understand the term • “Be with” • Physical – next to, in the same location • Mark 3:14 Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach • Emotional – support, stand by, offer help • Revelation 22:21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Understand the term • “Be with” • Spiritual – • John 3:2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." • Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."
Understand the term • “Be with” • Spiritual – • Matthew 28:20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
Questions • Is Paul planning to skip Hades, resurrection, and judgment? • Does Paul say the he will “be with Christ” - • Physically • Emotionally • Spiritually • Paul is saying that at the point of death he is in the hands of Jesus. • Not physically where Jesus is • But under the care and watch of Jesus
Application for Us • We also struggle with the same choice • This is not suicide • This is – I am tired, worn out, ready to go • This is – Get me out of this world of sin • Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me, • and that thou bidst me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Application for Us • We also struggle with the same choice • If we live – We will work for the Lord • If we die – we will be in the hands of our Lord