Immortal

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What do these expressions mean assume room temperature go belly up by the dust by the big one. Cashin ones chips become food for worms will do those expressions mean are we talking about death. Even we as Christians have our own idioms are euphemisms when it comes to death we don't like to talk about it so we say things like, to be with the Lord that you have crossed the Jordan gone to a better place know God has is my witness, I've done it so many times. The other common thing is there all verbal tranquilizers that are meant to soften the blow of death we don't like to talk about that.

The reality, the harshness of death. Shall we come up with all these ways to talk about because people are afraid of death. They are scared of dying you want to kill a conversation bring up death. But there is a change that is coming, you might be surprised to know that is now people are not afraid to talk about dying going away to a better place.

Leave this old war behind and just leave you so people have said that in that biblical know what they're saying really is done. I want to get out of here is a come on, people are not ready to get out here. They're not ready want to die. That's not true, didn't want to suffer and then die, but it rated slightly. The economy is there. So this is that her problems in this world are live for morality or my kids or my dad. I just want to get out of here. I want to listen very carefully. The believer should not fear death. Neither should they desire death instead. A believer should focus on living in Christ by serving one another, and by spreading the gospel. Death is not the focus for a believer license.

Living is and that's the heart of the message immortal. You are already immortal because of what Jesus has done for you and you see that the message is deep but is when we desperately needs.

If you have your Bibles. Philippians chapter 1. Now we come to verse 21 us in our series called grateful to the book of Philippians in this message is calling more or less all stand for the reading of God's word. Philippians 121 Paul says for to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh. This will mean fruit from my labor yet what I shall choose I cannot tell for I am hard pressed between the two having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better. Sounds like Paul was conflicted and see how that's not the case. Here's a question I would ask you before we pray are you afraid to die.

If you do not know Jesus Christ you should be. I want you to hear those words again. Philippians 121 through 23 Paul says for to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh. This will mean fruit from my labor get what I shall choose I cannot tell for I am hard pressed between the two sounds like Paul was having a conflict within himself. On one hand he wants to live but on the other hand, he wants to get out of here this morning I want to propose to you, but this is not the case. This is not what really is happening. It is not Paul who was conflicted. It is the Philippians who are conflicted last week and if you were here I preached a message and then at the end of the message. I explained to you that what Paul wrote in his letters he did not write for Paul.

He wrote it for his listeners for his readers. Let me expand on that a little bit when it comes to studying Paul's letters. Scholars have two ways to look at them two basic ways new ways to look at that when you look at Paul's letters.

The first one is known as an epistolary analysis. The second is known as rhetorical analysis. I know many of you are saying, praise Jesus. We went to church today.

As we learn about it at this, whatever, and the rhetorical open something epistolary analysis. Let me explain what that means. It means a writing a letter.

Paul's letter is like any other letter. In ancient times, and even modern times, where it has an opening in middle, and a conclusion. That's it.

Nothing special except that through the Holy Spirit's writings were the word of God, rhetorical analysis, another group of scholars who have come to believe that when you read Paul's letters to go to read him more like his speech more like an oratory.

What we would call a sermon suite has an opening for Paul greets the people has a prayer. It has a closing when he bids them farewell, but the memo should be read like a speech oratory. We know that Paul was a brilliant man. He was a genius. Even to this day, people who have done double PhD's are still not able to scale the depth of Paul's writings. He was a brilliant man trained in Hebrew Scriptures under Gamaliel. We know that he knew his Hebrew Old Testament. But what something people don't realize is not aware of is that he was also well educated in Greek and Roman rhetoric and what rhetoric is, the ancient art of speaking those Greeks and those Roman rhetoric orators are readers not readers but retailers were able to speak in such a way that they could move armies people would be so impassioned, so moved when they spoke, Paul was trained in Greek rhetoric. So when you read Paul's letters is not that you just need to read them you need to hear them. One of these rhetorical techniques that Paul often used was known as imitation. When the speaker knew an issue that the audience was struggling with what he would do is this, he would not just tell the people do this don't do that. This is the truth.

And this is the lie he would start talking as if he is struggling with the same dilemma he's struggling with the same issue and then as he is speaking, he would then tell them how he handled the problem in the process.

The audience would get the message. Now Seneca was a Roman philosopher, statesman, a reader listen to what he said powerful words. I promise you'll be glad you came to church today. He said the way is long.

If one follows precepts in order. Preceptors doctrinal truth, wisdom, truth, propositional truth. Seneca said the way is long means is difficult is arduous when it comes to hearing someone tell you this is the true this is a lie. Don't do this do this is tough Howdy put this into practice. But then he said this, by the way is short and helpful if one follows pattern. The past becomes easier if you can see someone demonstrating what you are struggling with and giving hope.

Paul often laid out the pattern. This is what Paul said in Philippians 317, he said, brethren, brothers and sister join in following my example and know those whose sole walk as you have us for a pattern. Paul said, follow me as I follow Christ imitate me as I imitate Christ were to the wise, especially parents if you're struggling with something you wish your kids would do or don't do stop preaching at them stop wagging a finger at them as a you shall do this and this is right and that's wrong you can do that all day long inside their going. I'm listening but I'm not really listening. Start telling them how you struggle with the same issue how you had the same dilemma in your life and through the grace of God you were able to break free. That will have a far-reaching impact in the truth.

So with that understanding, let's reread this verse, Paul says in verse 21 for to me to live is Christ and to die is gain knife you read this verse without thinking, you will misunderstand what Paul really meant. You can walk away saying Paul is struggling within himself. On one hand he wants to live in Jesus. On the other hand, dying is so much better. You may even walk away thinking that a Christian cannot lose, whether in life or in death. I've had people quote second Corinthians 5 a to me and say absent from the body present with the Lord there you go on one moment I'm here next moment I'm there, but he just gets better and better I'll be. This misunderstanding of a Paul was really trying to say to go see that as we go further into this passage.

What was really happening was this the Philippians were struggling in life. There were struggling, they were facing difficult challenges persecutions maybe financial problems. Maybe relationship struggles many health issues and they were saying things like, I'm ready to go it be so much better just to get out of here. This world is nothing but trouble.

This life is wonderful with Jesus, but I tell you what dying is so much better. At one time people would be scared to die did want to talk about dying nowadays people say things like Andre to go. Paul is telling them that's not true. Yes, living with Jesus is great, but dying is better.

Yes, I've struggled with that too. But let me tell you how I handled it.

The Philippians were going through a similar struggle over they were saying things like living with Jesus is great, but dying is better. Paul says I have gone through that struggle. But listen to what he says in verse 22 but if I live on in the flesh. If I stay in this life, this will mean fruit from my labor what fruit is Paul talking about Romans 113 tells us. Paul said to them, I might have some fruit among you also just as among the other Gentiles fruit here means the gospel fruit. Here is seeing lives changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul says I know what you're going through live in Christ is great dying is even better. But ricin on the other side. There are no fruit so I'm gonna stay here. You do know that on the other side you cannot get fruit, you cannot witness to anybody in heaven. What you gonna do try to get them saved, already saved in heaven they already are believers, and by the way in hell.

Everybody's a believer to do know that right. The horse are not changed are still sinners against God. There are no unbelievers on the other side.

The joy of walking to someone or calling someone or texting someone or meeting someone and telling them how to be saved is only in this life.

The joy of leaving your son your daughter your grandson your granddaughter to Jesus Christ is only in this life to see a live transformed to see a heart change coming down, tears coming down her face and saying wow look at them and one woman. There were lost in sin.

But today, by the grace of Jesus Christ to change forever.

While see them grow in grace how beautiful is that in heaven is not Paul says to me live is Christ die is gain understand what you're feeling, but if I stay here then I have fruit. Verse 22. Yet what I shall choose I cannot tell for I'm hard-pressed between the two having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless, to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. Please don't miss this. Paul is not not having it apart to get experience just bearing his hard look I got the struggle going on now he is talking to them. This is a rhetorical technique. I know you want to get out of here. Nevertheless, remaining in the flesh is more needful for you. Remember in Philippians 110, when Paul was teaching them how to pray. What did he tell them one of the things he told him is this he is praying that they will learn to choose between the good, the better. In the best you don't think he said that I'm praying that you may approve the things that are excellent.

What he is saying is this to depart and be with Christ is better but staying here is the best as I can help you. And that's what you should be doing. By the way, I emphasized with Christ depart and be with Christ if we just want to get out of here. Leave this old war behind and leave you try to take advantage of God. God knows I think he has a sense of humor.

He's gonna leave you here.

You'll be hundred 50 years all by yourself. No one knows you know it's not just departing listen to that verse again. Paul says I am hard-pressed between the two having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless, to remain in the flesh is more needful means it's better to go be with Christ but the best thing to do is to stay here and help you question for you.

How do you see others in this life. How do you see others in the body of Christ just as a hindrance. Just as obstacles many of you come to church like ships in the night you come and sneak in and sneak out here.

There is no connection with anybody you're not interested in anybody's life.

You don't care to impact anyone's life just come in and leave. I'm here to hear the message that a lot of here goes. This was never meant to be. This is never how God intended our lives to be.

Paul says to remain in the flesh is more needful for you means I need to stay here all it'll be great to go be with Jesus but staying here is excellent.

I need to stay here and serve you, which means you need to stay here. Don't talk about leaving this in verse 25 and being confident of this Paul has use that word confidence twice already. In verse six being confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in verse 14, confident by his chains.

People were speaking in and preaching the gospel without fear that word. Confidence can also be translated conviction.

Paul has the deep conviction what is this conviction. I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, we have doctrinal convictions. What we believe about God. Trinity Bible sin, salvation. We have moral convictions. What we believe about and then unborn child in marriage and sexuality. There are also relational convictions.

Paul says I have this conviction that I need to remain with you so that you can progress in your faith and you can have joy in your Christian life. What is needed is for each of us who claim the name of Christ to have this conviction that I am responsible for your spiritual life and you are responsible for my spiritual life. This isolation that I'm here and I do my thing and you're there and you do your thing and once in a while we shake hands and that's all that was never meant to be how Christian life was meant to be lived. Many of us sound like cane when God asked him where is your brother.

He said how do I know in my mind brother's keeper is an old problem that says I'm not responsible for you and trust me are responsible for me that's not Christian life. We are one body you know what body means we are connected.

Paul says I have this deep conviction that I will remain and stay with you so that you can progress you can growing your spiritual life and you can have joy when I see somebody not having joy.

I asked the question, what have I done what have I not done.

Finally, listen to verse 26 Paul says that your rejoicing for May may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again see the whole focus is not an Paul. It's on them. Paul says that what is the purpose that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ.

The word rejoicing means that you will worship you will boast not in me, but in Jesus Christ.

When you see me coming. Paul is in house arrest. He is in a prison in Rome and he is saying that when you see me coming, you're gonna start worshiping God even more abundantly. Because what he has done in my life for many of us worship is something that we can take it or leave it in worship is nothing more than precept. God is good Jesus is wonderful. Salvation is amazing. You can get excited about that. Only so much. What if you change that God is good because of what he's doing in the life of this church. Jesus is wonderful. Look at the transformation he has made in her life. In his life. Salvation is amazing grace, how sweet the sound, because that young person was going off the deep end for someone to share the gospel with them and look now they're sitting here. Their lives are changed forever. Paul says that your rejoicing your worshiping for me but not me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ. When you see me coming to you again when you see lives changed when you see God working in people around you that enables you to worship God even more is a reason why worship is suffering is not due to a lack of effort.

So words on the screen is because we have no clue what's happening in anyone's heart and we don't care. All we care about is me in my life and my struggles and my problems when I know that God has answered your prayers brother that was so awesome God.

God what God did in your life. What God's done your life that when I see how awesome he is and I can sing with them in mind and I rejoice God even more was in verse 27 is it only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ.

You see the whole focus is not on himself. It's on the Philippians he said I'm praying in all of this that you would live lives that are worthy to carry the gospel of Jesus Christ to others so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs that you stand fast in one spirit to be started by understanding them and pauses for to me to live is Christ who dies grain and we thought it's all Paul having his own personal struggle is not about for me.

It is for you. Paul was telling them you don't try to get outta here so quickly. You have work to do. You have people to love who need to grow in their faith who need to have joy in the Christian life and you see somebody struggling that joy meter is low.

Do something when you see someone over there. You haven't seen them for a while do something but it's not just serving one another. You should also be taken. The gospel of Jesus Christ. Further, how stand in a fashion one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. Let me repeat what I said earlier, a believer should not be focused on dying. We should be focused on living is about in the Bible talk about the blessed hope, and we need to earnestly await yes you need to earnestly await the Lord but but that's not the same as saying I just want to get outta here, Paul says, I understand the struggle but at the end of the day. I want to stay here because you need me to living in Christ means what number one serving one another. Find ways to serve each other.

What can I do that maybe teaching that may be working in a ministry but you don't need a pulpit to minister. Find your way and if you're open your hearts open, God will find your way. God will never leave someone on a shelf in their heart is willing to serve. So one another, but is not just serving one another was a second think be worthy of the gospel be be striving together for the faith of the gospel which means what share the gospel spread the gospel. I wish I had more time but I don't believe in preaching long messages but I challenge you go home and take that same passage. We went over and see every time. Politics talks about being in Christ with Christ to Christ for Christ is all about living in Christ, not dying and getting out here living in Christ means this. You do what Jesus came to, he came to serve. He came to heal. He came to love.

He came to forgive and he came to seek and to save that which was lost. Living in Christ means you do what Jesus came to do, serve each other spread the gospel many years ago I used to work in an automotive plant in Georgia and what I noticed after being there for a month or so.

The time to quit was 5 o'clock, but by 4 o'clock people would already clean out the workstations. Wipe down the machines. Sweep of the place and I was the floor boy so we all know what that is you. You carry the supplies to the workstations. I would like what you want to do that over here. I'm done to bring it to me tomorrow is like okay blog is on the part of their and so whole time I spent the standing word got out to the supervisors. The people were doing. That's a guess what they did. By 430. They will start making rounds. Mass hysteria people be running cranking up their machines and some of the machines took about half not just to get going and they would take out all the dies and everything and what had called back up and bring some were growing up like okay I told you this earlier. Many of you have already quit at 4 o'clock. You've stopped working, you've stopped living, and here's a sad reality when you have one person over here shutting down their machine and stop working. They just come to church and sit its infectious of the next person does the same thing and the next person does the same thing in the next person does the same thing. The entire row of people shut down.

I was still got an hour it what they were really doing that was stealing from the company. When you shut down and you say things like, I'm ready to go. You're stealing from the master PS coming and when he comes and he finds you not working. He will say, depart from me.

I never knew you what I want him to say is well done, good and faithful servant this morning.

What you really need is revival. What you really need is a return to your first love.

What you need is repentance and God, I have sinned. I have stolen from you and us all in and in the name of, I'm ready to go and leave this world. No you using a passage just to satisfy your complacency. A believer should not be scared to die, neither should a believer desire to die, we should desire to live and how to be lived with Christ. How do we live in Christ serving one another, spreading the gospel. I want to see him when I see him and when he sees me he should see me working my eyes out to the clouds, but my hand is on the plow. I'm awaiting his coming. I'm looking forward to hymns this coming but I'm working until my work is done Paul is telling the Philippians. Keep striving by 5 o'clock thank you so much for joining us for this message. Believer should fear death.

Neither should we long for it. Instead, should make the best use of the time we've been given here on earth. Serve others in the name of Jesus. For more information visit us online@ubc.org for this sermon's notes. Check out Pastor Shaw's blog@allbutonshaw.com