Christ be Magnified, Christ be Glorified

Philippians 1 and the Theme of Christ Magnified

We are this morning in Philippians chapter 1, as we have been these last few months, I believe. I know that you have been taking some breaks within that time. But this morning, we will be looking at Philippians chapter 1, 21 through 26.

If you're looking for a title this morning, you may put down, Christ Be Magnified, Christ Be Glorified. Christ Be Magnified, Christ Be Glorified. Before we go any further, let's go to the Lord in prayer.

Gracious Heavenly Father, we thank you for the opportunity to come before you, to ask for your grace and mercy as we study your word this morning. Lord, we are thankful that, Lord, you have given us your Holy Spirit that works in us for your glory and for your honor, that teaches us, Lord, how we are to live our lives through your word, that we may exalt you, that we may honor you, that we may live for you.

We pray, Lord God, that you would prepare our hearts this morning, that we would lay aside all distractions, that we would set aside all things that may cause us not to look to you, but may our focus be upon you and upon your word, that you may teach us, Father God, how to live for your glory and for your honor.

Lord, I thank you, Father, for your word, for it teaches us who you are. It reminds us that you are the one and only true God in whom we are to worship, honor, give praise and adoration. And we can do this, Father, because of what you have done for us on the cross.

You have redeemed us through the blood of Jesus Christ. It is only by your grace and mercy we can honor and worship you in our lives through redemption. And so, Lord, we praise you and we thank you, and we look forward, Father God, to how we may be used by you for your glory.

We are thankful for the example of the Apostle Paul and how he wrote to many churches and to us as listeners and how we are to conduct ourselves here on this earth as we await your coming day. Lord, I pray now that you would give us ears to hear your word and that we may gain understanding.

I also pray, Father God, that as we gain understanding, Lord, we would be bold, Father God, to live out what your word calls us to do, that we would be, in fact, doers of your word and not merely hearers.

Lord, help us to honor you this morning. I pray that as I come to your word, Lord, you would help me to be clear, to teach your word accurately for your glory and for your honor, for you are to be magnified, you are to be glorified, as we sang this morning.

Lord, we praise you for your grace and mercy. In Christ's name we pray, amen. Well, I am very thankful for the opportunity to study God's word with you. It is for our good and for God's glory. God is worthy of all honor, adoration, and praise by you and I who are redeemed.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, we have been entrusted with the unfathomable gift of salvation. The world has rejected it, angels long to look into it, and no man would ever deserve it. We can't earn it.

We may often be found, sadly enough, to despise it. In this precious gift of life everlasting, we live as servants of God most high. It is so good for us to be reminded whom it is we have been redeemed by, the one and only holy God who created the world in six days by speaking it into creation.

He created man out of dust and breathed the breath of life into him. All that God had made was very good, yet we have been found sinful in all our ways. But God in his loving kindness displayed his righteousness and justice as he revealed his perfect plan to call those he has chosen to redemption.

God demonstrates his own love as he died in our place while we were yet sinners, Romans 5 .8 teaches. As Jesus Christ died for our sins, the Father poured out his wrath upon him for our salvation. God has also given us the Holy Spirit as a pledge upon him for our salvation.

Excuse me, a pledge of our inheritance as he heals us and indwells believers to produce in us an acceptable service of worship. We are no longer driven, enslaved, or in bondage to the things of this world.

Our hearts have been made new in Christ Jesus. Sin does not rule over us nor enslave us as it did before our redemption. We are now free to be slaves to our loving Father who has called us out of darkness and into the marvelous light of salvation.

Peter on Suffering, Holiness, and Living as Exiles

This new life we have the opportunity to rejoice in God's work in us, molding us into the image of Christ Jesus our Lord, he who knew no sin. Turn with me, if you would, to 1 Peter 2, verses 20 -24. Peter writes, For what credit is there if when you sin or are harshly treated you endure it with great patience?

But if when you do what is right and suffer for it, you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For if you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in his steps, who committed no sin nor was any deceit found in his mouth, and while being reviled he did not revile in return, while suffering he uttered no threats, but kept him trusting himself to him who judges righteously.

He himself bore our sin in his body and on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. For by his wounds, Peter says, you were healed. 1 Peter 2, verses 20 -24. Peter, the apostle of Jesus Christ, was called by God to shepherd the body of Christ.

He proclaims in chapters 1 and 2 the blessings of our great salvation to believers who have been scattered because of persecution as followers of Christ. Under the emperor of Rome, Nero, believers were forced to scatter as he killed and blamed them for the burning of Rome.

They were also seen as being hostile to the Roman culture because of their rejection of temples and shrines and goddesses. He writes to those who reside as aliens scattered, in verse 1, who are chosen, verse 2, according to his predetermined plan to be set apart by the spirit from the world of sin and to obey Jesus Christ.

Peter praises God for his great mercy, verse 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, chapter 1, verse 3, who according to his great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

He continues, In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith being more precious than gold, which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to the result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

And though you have not seen him, you love him, and though you do not see him now, but believe in him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

In light of this great gift of salvation, there is much rejoicing, even though for a little while you and I may be under trials and persecution. As believers, there is a great cost in our stewardship to Christ, but no cost will be greater than our reward.

As we rest in the grace of God for salvation, our mindset should be as Peter described in chapters 1 and 2 of 1 Peter. The overwhelming grace of our salvation, for we are set apart in Christ. What a great reminder not to be fixing our eyes on the things of this world, but on the grace to be given to us here in Jesus Christ.

We are called to be holy, verse 15. Peter writes, exhorting believers to put aside the former lusts of the flesh and be holy in all our behavior. For it is written, you shall be holy, for I am holy. I'm reminded, I'm sure all of you have heard this, of the popular saying about Christians, he or she is so heavenly minded, they are no earthly good.

This is mostly given in a derogatory context to say Christians are not helpful. Peter is rejecting this notion, that a man can be pleasing to God without focusing completely on the grace of our God. Brothers and sisters, we are to keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith.

We are no earthly good because it is quite the opposite. We are so preoccupied with ourselves that we do not reflect the power given to us through the work of the Holy Spirit to put to death sin that distracts us from living out the life God has called us to live.

Paul’s Joy in the Gospel and the Call to Live Worthy of Christ

We are called, brothers and sisters, to live a life of selflessness, not selfishness. Paul writes to the church in Philippi with the same understanding if you would turn to Philippians chapter 1. Paul again writes to the church with Philippi with this same understanding of God's redemptive work in salvation.

His attitude of rejoicing comes from God's work of salvation in their lives as he proclaims the gospel to them. He has a steadfast hope that God will perfect those he has brought to salvation, verse 6, if you would look at verse 6.

He says, I am confident of this very thing that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. It is God who is at work to produce in us fruit that is pleasing to him. Paul's desire is to see his fellow believers approve the things that are excellent in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ.

The focus of Paul's life is evident in the praise of his imprisonment as we see further. Rejoicing in the opportunity to proclaim the gospel to the prison guards and all those who are around him in prison, verses 13 through 20 of chapter 1.

His calling was to proclaim the gospel as it is the call of all believers. He has one focus that Jesus Christ will be exalted by his life and in his death, verse 21. Paul knew that the gospel was the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes, Romans 1, 6.

His desire was not for the things of this world. It was to build up the body of Christ and to then one day be with Christ. He was not preoccupied by his own hardships nor the desire of the flesh. He calls us to be living a living sacrifice set apart for the glory of God.

He proclaimed that salvation was a gift of God to believe and also to suffer for his sake, verse 29. Please follow along as I read with you Philippians chapter 1 through the end of the chapter. Paul, a bondservant of Christ Jesus.

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all.

In view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this very thing that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all because I have you in my heart.

Since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel you are partakers of grace with me. For God is my witness how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this I pray that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment.

So that you may approve the things that are excellent in order to be sincere and blameless in the day of Christ. I've been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.

Now I want you to know brethren my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel. So that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has been well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else.

And that most of the brethren trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. Some to be sure preaching Christ even from envy and strife but some from goodwill.

The latter do it out of love knowing that I'm appointed for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives. Thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.

What then only that in every way whether in pretense or in truth Christ will be proclaimed in this I rejoice. Yes I will rejoice for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers in the provision of the spirit of Jesus Christ.

According to my earnest expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in anything. But that with all boldness Christ will even now as always be exalted in my body whether by life or by death. Verse 21 for me to live as Christ and to die is gain.

But if I'm to live on in the flesh this will mean fruitful labor for me. I do not know which to choose I'm hard pressed from both directions. Having the desire to be part and be with Christ for that is very much better.

Yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Convinced of this I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith. So that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.

Only conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. So that whether I come and see you or remain absent I will hear that you are standing firm in one spirit with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.

In no way alarmed by your opponents which is a sign of destruction for them but of salvation for you and that too from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake not only to believe in him but also to suffer for his sake.

Experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me and now here to be in me. As Paul recalls his time in prison in verses 13 through 20 one observation is clearly seen. He has no desire to grumble and to complain as he warns his readers not to in chapter 2 verse 14.

He says do all things without grumbling or complaining. He is encouraged by his circumstances. He sees that in his imprisonment because of the gospel many now are preaching the very gospel which he proclaimed to them in prison.

Paul is excited to see the good news of Jesus Christ proclaimed because of his hope and expectation that Christ will be exalted in his body whether by life or by death. In Paul's opening paragraph he writes to the church as a bond servant a slave of Christ Jesus.

This gives us a window into his own heart about his personal struggle as we see in verses 21 through 26. He says for me to live is Christ and to die is gain which is our passage this morning. To live is Christ and to die is gain.

Paul struggles to know which to choose. This is a sobering reminder that while you and I excuse me that while you and I have our own internal heart struggles. I fear that it may be over things that distract us from the truth of our life in Christ opposite of Paul.

The struggle may include wealth, power, influence, possessions, maybe prestige, social standing, good health, business or professional success. It may be a struggle with a boss, a co-worker, submission to policies and rules.

It may be someone within your own family or maybe your family in the body of Christ. These conflicts tend to take the wind right out of our sail. But as for Paul his struggle caused him to live for the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Do we have the same heart's desire as Paul to see Christ exalted in our body whether by life or by death in verse 20? In verse 21 Paul proclaims to live is Christ and to die is gain. His desire is to live as our Lord Jesus Christ lived as he was obedient to the point of death even death on the cross.

The Mind of Christ and Paul’s Example of Selfless Service

Turn over to chapter 2 if you would looking at verses 5 through 11. Paul is reminding the church that they are to love one another more important than themselves. That they are to lay down their lives for one another.

And he gives then the attitude of Jesus Christ. He says this is the example that we are to have believers. He says have this attitude verse 5 in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus. Who although he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped.

But emptied himself taking the form of a bond servant and being made in the likeness of man. And being found in appearance as a man he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death even death on the cross.

You see Jesus Christ was Paul's perfect example as he is ours. Paul did not live his life for himself. He did not live to gain the world's possessions and experiences. It was to build up the body of Christ for the glory of Christ his Lord and Savior.

To die for Paul is to be at home with the Lord. For he knows his life is short. By way of illustration this morning Adoniram Judson was the first overseas missionary sent out from America. In the early 19th century he and his first wife went to India.

A short while later to Burma. Where he labored for nearly four decades. After 14 years he had a handful of converts. And had managed to write a Burmese grammar. During that time he suffered a horrible imprisonment for a year and a half.

And lost his wife and children to disease. Like Paul he longed to be with the Lord. But also like the apostle he considered his work for Christ to be infinitely more important than his personal longings.

He therefore prayed that God would allow him to live long enough to translate the entire Bible into Burmese. And to establish a church there of at least 100 believers. The Lord granted that request. And also allowed him to compile Burmese English and English Burmese dictionaries.

Which came invaluable to the Christian workers both foreign and Burmese. Who followed him. He wrote if I had not felt certain that every trial was ordered by infinite love and mercy. I could have not survived my accumulated sufferings.

You see believers in Christ we have the opportunity to keep our eyes on Christ. And not on the things of this world. We are called to be wise with the rest of our days. For we do not know how many days we will have.

I know last week for many of you that were here. Had the opportunity to hear Eli. I have not met Eli. But I have had the opportunity to meet a mentor of his. Which he may have spoke of. But Danny Johnson was a pastor in Bozeman for 8 years or more.

And he went home to be with the Lord at 40 years old. God had used him greatly. And I share this with you. Because during the last week of his life. He memorized this passage that we are going through this morning.

He had called Pastor Brian. Who is the senior pastor at Grace Bible Church in Bozeman. And had told him that his discipleship class had memorized this particular passage. Brothers and sisters we have no idea how long our lives will be.

And we are to live for the glory of God. Moses in his prayer in Psalm 90 verse 12. Asks the Lord to teach him to number his days. He says, so teach us to number our days. That we may present to you a heart of wisdom.

Each Sunday at Valley Bible Church. We are reminded of 1 Peter 1 24 and 25. Which is a quote taken from Isaiah 40 verse 8. That the grass withers the flower fades. When the breath of the Lord blows upon it.

And it also says surely people are like grass. James reminds his readers also in the book of James chapter 4 verse 14. Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

In Paul's personal struggle he is ready to die. And be with the Lord. Yet also he wants to see the body of believers mature in Christ. Verses 22 through 23 of our chapter, chapter 1. I believe the apostle Paul has verse 6 in mind of chapter 1.

As he knows that as he lives to proclaim the gospel and build up the church. It is God who has it work to complete believers in Christ. As he comments that in the flesh this will mean fruitful labor for me.

Paul can taste the glorious reunion of being home with Christ his Lord. But he knows after giving it more thought. That it would be better for them, for him, excuse me. To grow more, excuse me, for the church to grow more in Christ.

He knows that he must be wise with his time as long as he is alive. His focus is twofold. He would continue to build up the body of Christ and live for the glory of God. Verses 23 and 24. Let's read that.

We'll start at verse 22. But if I'm to live on in the flesh, chapter 1 of Philippians, verse 22. But if I'm to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me. I do not know which to choose.

But I'm hard pressed from both directions. Having the desire to depart and be with Christ. For that is very much better. Yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. His focus was on the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

As he writes in chapter 3, verse 14. He says, I press on towards the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. This was not a distraction to him. To fix his eyes upon heaven. Rather, his love for the Lord gave Paul a greater understanding of his life.

He knew that living would be profitable. For he would be doing the very work that God had called him to do. To proclaim the gospel and to build up the body of Christ. Paul wrote to the church in Corinth.

In 1 Corinthians 15, 1 through 14. He says, now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you. Which also you received and which also you stand. By which also you are saved. If you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believe in vain.

For I've delivered to you as first importance what I also received. That Christ died for our sins according to scriptures. And that he was buried and that he was raised on the third day according to scriptures.

Just as you and I have Paul as an example of servanthood. We know that Paul had the example of our Lord Jesus Christ as we have spoke. That Christ was obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross.

In Paul's two-fold focus to live for the glory of Christ. And to build up the church, the bride, the body of Christ. He is locked in or he is all in. His mindset is to live for Christ. And to die is gain.

Even though his serving would bring about death, he is ready to be with the Lord. Later in verse 29, he reminds the church, you and I. That it has been granted to us as believers. Not only to believe in Jesus Christ, but to suffer for his sake.

Obedience brings about progress, joy, and confidence. That would abound in the work of Christ to complete what is lacking in our service to the Lord. Look to verse 25. Paul says, convinced of this. I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith.

This was the life of Paul to see all believers grow in Christ. In Acts 20, 24, we see Paul in his life. He says, I do not consider my life in any account as dear to myself. So that I may finish my course and the ministry which I receive from the Lord Jesus.

To testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. He then, in chapter 21 of Acts, verse 13, he writes. What are you doing weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

Paul called believers to keep seeking the things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3, 1 -14. He writes, therefore, if you've been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

Set your mind on things above and not on the things that are on the earth. For your life has died and you are hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

Paul wrote to the believers also in Romans 14, 7 -9. For not one of us lives for himself, not one of us dies for himself. If we live, we live for the Lord. If we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.

For to this end, Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the living and the dead. In Paul's last days, as he was teaching and encouraging Timothy, in 2 Timothy 4, 6 -9, he writes,. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. In future there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day.

And not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing. This twofold focus for Paul consumed his life. He lived to build up the body of Christ, and in turn to exalt his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

His life was a reflection of what was to come, as he looked forward to the upward call of God to take him home. For his home is not here on earth, his home is in heaven, as is ours, brothers and sisters.

Our home is not this world, our home is in heaven. Paul writes in Philippians chapter 3, 7 -14, if you would turn just a little further in your book of Philippians to chapter 3. He writes again of his life, and what he makes of his life.

And he says in chapter 3, starting in verse 1, he says,. Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things is no trouble for me, it is a safeguard for you. Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision.

For we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh. He says,. Although I myself might have confidence in the flesh, if anyone has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more.

Circumcised the eighth day of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, as to law a Pharisee, as to zeal a persecutor of the church, as to righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.

But whatever things were gained to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be lost in the view of surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish, so that I may gain Christ, and that I may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ Jesus.

The righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained it, or have become perfect, but I press on, so that I may lay hold of that for which I also was laid hold of by Christ. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet, but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

As believers, we are called to follow Paul's example, to live for the building up of the body of Christ, and for the glory of God, no matter the circumstances, for this life is not our own. Our life is His.

Our home is not in this world. Our home is in heaven with Him. Paul continues. He says in verse 15 of this chapter,. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude, and if anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you.

However, let us keep living by the same standard which we have attained. Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose God is their appetite, whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.

But what does he say here in verse 20? For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory by the exhortation of His power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

Paul, in Philippians chapter 1, 21 through 26, reminds us that to live is Christ, but to die is gain. Verse 21. Our labor shall be fruitful. Verse 22. Our eyes shall be fixed on the glory that awaits us in Christ.

Verse 24. We are to be about the work of Christ each day we are given life here on this earth. As we live for the Lord, we have progress and joy in our faith to continue to live for the glory of God and for His glory.

Let's close in prayer.