To Die is Gain - Part 1 of 1

As the fire, should share Bradley Junior welcoming you to another broadcast of the Baptist Bible. I encourage you to write an additional that you're listening. I would like to be able to send you a book we've mentioned it several times before you intended to write forward and just fail to do so, giving another opportunity. The book condition title things can be better today. Sometimes it seems that things get so difficult. You wonder they can ever be better but I think you find encouragement in this booklet to believe, according to God's word things can be better today suggests ask the book when you write that check. The Baptist Bible Auerbach 17 oh 37, Cincinnati, OH 45217 today would begin a message entitled to die is gain of these are the words of the apostle Paul. He didn't say this because he was giving up on life.

He was saying this because he anticipated that great blessing and joy of ultimately being with the pride, the message will be a blessing to you.

I spoke to you last week of the first part of Philippians chapter 1 the 21st verse one look at the second part of the day to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

To die is gain all mean by that expression. First, let's look at it from the negative point of view, not not mean that he was disgusted with life outlook, verses 18 and 19 plan. Notwithstanding every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached in library and do rejoice and will rejoice for I know that this returned my salvation through your prayer. The supply of the spirit of Jesus Christ is referring to the fact that while he is in prison that some have taken courage and become more zealous in preaching the gospel.

Others have fixed it in pretense, not sincerity, thinking that somehow they were going to add to his troubles rather than Paul being depressed about being a prisoner believing in the sovereignty of God. He is encouraged to believe that God is still very much at work.

Joy says Christ is been preached and so I rejoice.

He wasn't giving up on life wasn't disheartened and say I would just assume the data to live the encounter people from time to time, will speak that way. I just had nothing is going right fringe of discipline lost my job about financial problems, got health, zone on the list goes not just simply Dan is alive.

That was not the spirit in which the apostle said the die is gain. Love living in verse 22. He said that if I live in the flesh. This is the fruit of my labor yet I should choose will not.

He was thankful for life. In spite of his many trials.

The persecutions that he endured extreme suffering that he encountered in a bright outlook because he was looking to Jesus the author and finisher of his faith. He loved life and it is appropriate for all of us love living all of us have our frustrations and disappointments. All of us can get to the place from time to time he would throw up her hands use touching the ballpark to how we keep going to have to come back to realize that we can rejoice in life only as much as we rejoice in the Lord. Call me when her sister dies gain.

He did not mean that there is no purpose to life as another comment I hear periodically. If a person is up in years and their health. Assailants are just a little hot here understand five here. What's this all about what's the purpose of life anyway posted in the 21st.

According to my earnest expectation and my hope was bright hope and expectation that nothing shall be a shame, but that with all boldness is always so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body whether it be by life or by death.

So he had a purpose for living is purpose was to glorify Jesus Christ to believe that what ever happened that was the appointed time that he would depart to be with the Lord or 50s permit remain here and continuing to service Jesus Christ would be magnified in verse 25 he says and having this confident. I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your for the furtherance of your joy and of faith, your joy of faith.

So, his purpose was to glorify Christ, and he would do that by ministering to the people and seeing to it that the joy of their faith was increased. He was confused about the past. He was following wasn't perplexed as though life seemed to be in without meaning it was full of meaning. Greater purpose can one happen. Life than to live to the glory of Jesus Christ. What greater purpose than to serve in his kingdom. Greater purpose than to minister to other people. In fact, when Paul talks about the conflict that he had to strike the clicks to one hand, I desire to depart because the Lord on the other hand, I desire to stay here with you his goal.

In either case was that crimes would be honored to have a valid purpose for living in the wasn't ready to pitch in the town though he says I have this conflict demonstrate the clicks to either of them is going to be acceptable got extend my time in a stay here about a purpose of in front of me. I got a reason for being here. I got a minister to perform on glorify Christ architects now be in his presence hold the sufferings and trials and difficulties of life will be behind me, but in either case, it's all right when we read his words to the church at Corinth certainly made keenly aware. Paul was not an individual who was ready to give up 15 to the 10th verse he says, but by the grace of God I am but I am in his grace, which was bestowed upon me was not in vain. But I labored more abundantly than they all get not by the grace of God which was with me he was very zealous, very committed and his labor in the kingdom of God. I labored more abundantly than they all I wasn't discouraged, I wasn't ready to give up, but I can see it was not just me was the grace of God in me.

Then, after talking about the wonderful truth of the resurrection. He concludes this portion in the 57th verse the same but thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brother being steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord not becoming halfhearted, becoming complacent not being in different not been discouraged, always abounding in the work of the Lord.

For as much as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord is reason to keep going or spinning your wheels and not doing something in which there is no value.

Your labor is not in vain to the glory of Christ as to the advancement of the kingdom and so when Paul says the die is gain did mean that he was disgusted with life.

It did mean that there was no purpose in living did mean that he was discouraged ready to give up on the positive standpoint, what did he mean to be with Christ is to be in a situation which is better than the best. Here some uplifting time some special time of joy. Families are a blessing, particularly when there is a commitment to Jesus Christ and there is a shift in the Lord, you have the seasons which are memorable and you treasure the happy seasons with God's people fellowship in the church of the singing is uplifting when the preaching is in the demonstration of the spirit and power of the fellowship is sweet them special. Think about those good and happy times.

But to be with Christ is better than all the best times we have here just a little foretaste of what is to come and check and contingent. Chapter 5 verse one we know that our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved. We have a building of God and house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens for in this we grow earnestly desiring to be closed upon with our house, which is from heaven.

If so, leave it enclosed. We shall not be found naked doorway that are in this tabernacle grown being burned, not for that we would be unclothed with clothes upon that mortality might be slow to look at life as their times of growing Lord I desire that which is better.

I desire to be free from the sinful nature is constantly a problem have to say, with the possible wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death alone for that time to ultimately be in your presence.

Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God who also has given to us.

The earliest of the spirit.

Therefore we are always confident, knowing that Bob's we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord, for we walk by faith and not by sight. We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and of the present with the Lord wonderful truth. There are those that advocate the idea of soul sleeping when a person dies they simply go to sleep and only the resurrection come their wicked the term is used in the Scripture sleep.

Having reference to death, but at no time does it teach some sleep. Remember that on the bow to Transfiguration, Peter, James and John were there they met Moses and Elijah there so was not sleeping.

They were very much awake. They were with the Lord.

Numerous evidences are given to confirm that so were looking for something better to be with Christ at such a remarkable thing is hard for us to fight within hearing about Jesus.

All of our life. We read about them in the Scriptures with hurting preach from the pulpit we think about them than ourselves.

We call upon him in prayer. Say we loving but think about seeing him face-to-face is so glorious.

His appearance so magnificent we couldn't take it again in the next robotics resurrected bodies conformity with Jesus Christ, we can fully appreciate, but even at that moment when we parked this body and at home with him marvelously to have been present when someone died.

She them slowing down in their breathing process. They finally take that last long � just feeling difficult to describe.

Think the moments ago. This person was alive. That's just the money there spirit as department think that now they are in the presence of Jesus Christ.

They pass from this life on the body wracked with pain full of suffering, disease where the circumstances may have been at home with the Lord. She, Jesus, and to be with him on interrupted fellowship forever difficult to grasp.

We can accept by faith, even to think about the fact that it lasts forever. Everything we know the place and all of our situation, circumstances, relationships, everything temporary as far as life is concerned, but we present with him to be with him for ever wishing the song sometimes only been there 10,000 years, bright shining as the sun. We know the age to sing God's praise and when we first begun 10,000 years and 10,000 years of past due got just as much time out there.

She did in the beginning because it gives for John 14 one Jesus said let not your heart be troubled you believe in God believe also in me.

In my father's house are many mansions if it were not so I would've told you. I go to prepare a place for you is encouraging these disciples were distressed because he is no limit going away, but this is not going away to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am there may be you can go now, but I'm preparing a place eventually you will be where high.

Jesus said to the thief on the cross when he cried out, remember me without clustered like Jesus and say I'll give you a promise that after your soul sleeps 4000 years really said this day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Though soul sleeping to be present with the Lord and how amazing it is Jesus himself desires leaves his people to ultimately be with John 1724 father.

I will, but they also include ballast given may be with me where I am and here's the purpose of that that they made up hold my Blu-ray, which thou hast given me without limits me before the foundation of the world to be with me is understandable that we want to be with him but isn't it amazing that he wants to be with us. He wants us to be there, and the purpose is to hold his glory on subsidized gain. Then he meant to be with Christ is far better than the best. Here he meant the tooth to die is gain because it is to be like Jesus was chapter 8 verse 29 photo. He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren predestinated them to be conformed to the image of Sean to be like Jesus Christ have a resurrected glorified body to be like him think that he would have us think the delighted to be in submission to him for eternity.

Firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, they may also call him to call them also justified and quickly justified them.

He also glorification that conformity to the perfect image of Jesus Christ. No wonder Paul could say to dies again. Look at yourself, you think, not just of your physical weaknesses. But think about the struggles that you have.

Think about your failing your sin think that someday I will before you follow that I'm going to be like Jesus conformed to his image.

You can say with Paul to die is gain. First John chapter 3 verse one says the whole what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God, therefore the world know it is not because it knew him not relevant now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he shall appear, we shall what be like him, for we shall see him as he die is gain. The die is to be at home. I thought many times over the years. What I've traveled on preaching appointments as long as I had another appointment ahead of me. I was perfectly content to be where I was certain I miss my family and one to be with them, but I felt some contentment as long as there was a mother. Some of the preach, but as soon as the last one was over, I wanted to be at home been times I have driven late in the night because I wanted to be all and in spite of the fact that you enjoy existing with other people. Something about seeing the porch light on the whole will in the know somebody is expecting an unwelcome think about your eternal home someday.

All my travels are over, no more weary days. No more clouds in the sky no more separation from Jesus to be within the Philippians chapter 3 in the 20th verse since our conversation. That is our citizenship. That's what would the long term home. Our citizenship is in heaven. From what's also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like with his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all the at home never have to expect another move. Never anticipate trying to discover something better if you leave the top at the behest heaven forever, so we thought about what Paul did not lean about what he did mean how do you view what he said to die is gain. You understand his outlook just for him to live is Christ, he had clear evidence that the die is gain entrance into heaven would not be a sudden change of interest for he was already heavily mined the love heavenly things. He preached about heavenly things anticipated heavenly things that your interest that's the focus of your attention. That's the direction of your prayers and you can understand his outlook to die is gain.

On the other hand, are you so attached to this world that you think differently you think if I were to die soon.

My plans would not of been fulfilled so many situations I would hate to leave behind. Are you so entrenched in the world that you would have difficulty understanding the apostle when he says the die is gain. Can you appreciate the testimony of John Newton in the last few weeks of his life.

He became so we had stopped preaching and was eventually confined to bed. Friends Chad that he did not fear old age or dancing. In fact, to a close friend he wrote these words through God's grace. I am perfectly well yet laboring under a growing disorder for which there is no cure, old age, but I am glad for this disease for who would live always in such a world is this shortly before he died he told those visiting with him.

My memory is almost gone but I can remember two things. I am a great center in Christ is a great Savior.

What a wonderful thing to remember, and you say that you seek a better country was the case with Abraham was called of God to leave his homeland and he journeyed looking for another place. Hebrews chapter 11 verse 13 speaking of Abraham and others such as these all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them and embrace them in an confession that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth like to say such things declare plainly that they seek a country and truly, if they had been mindful of that country from which they came out they might've had opportunity to have return they seek a country you look for that heavenly city country.

That is, life is the gift of God to be thankful for where to make the most of it. First Timothy 617 says we are not to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy when you talk about anticipating Evan when you talk about heaven being your eternal home looking to time to go there to say to die is gain, doesn't mean that you're not to enjoy life that you do when on the miserable existence here only with anticipation of what is to come here to give us all things and we are to enjoy them too giveth us richly all things to enjoy appreciated these words by Alastair Bay. When we ultimately bring you our last. It will be the cumulative expression of the convictions that have marked us all our way through no day is unimportant. No decision is irrelevant and no relationship is immaterial. It's all part of the Mosaic of our lives when we breathe out our last. If we are in Christ, we can say to die is gain at the graveside. My sister was laid to rest in the Lexington Cemetery congregation saying when we all get to heaven I been saying that somehow my life. I never heard some better. The words had never had such meaning to me shaking the wondrous love of Jesus sending his mercy and his grace in the mansions bright and blessed people prepare for us a place while we walked the Pilgrim pathway. Clouds will overspread the sky but when traveling days are over another check not aside. Let us then be true and faithful, trusting, serving everyday just one glimpse of him in glory will the forms of life onward to the pines before us.

Soon, his beauty will the whole. Soon the pearly gates will open. We should tread the streets of when we all get to heaven or the day of rejoicing that will be when we all seen Jesus will sing and shout the victory. It's good for us to be reminded that there is something better for us. On the other side. Many of our humans refer to that. The theme permeates the Scriptures, sometimes in our struggles. We tend to forget. So we need to be reminded that while life is a blessing and we want to utilize every minute of the glory of God dies because of me to go home the with calculator strict Baptist Bible Auerbach 1737, Cincinnati, OH 45217 next time to should share Bradley Junior beating you goodbye and may God bless you and and and all