Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet
Gospel Priority #1 - Joy - Philippians 1:18-26
Bryan Schneider · October 6, 2018
Philippians 1:18-26
sharonrpc.org/sermons/gospel-priority-1-joy
Summary
- Paul expects his suffering to end in vindication because the Philippians pray for him and the Spirit of Jesus Christ supplies what he needs.
- The believer's governing priority is joy in Christ: to live is Christ, so hardship, temptation, loneliness, and uncertainty cannot remove the Christian's deepest good.
- Love for Christ produces love for Christ's people, which is why Paul is willing to remain and labor for the Philippians' progress and joy in the faith.
- To die is gain because the believer departs to be with Christ, which Paul describes as far better than life in the present body.
Reflection and discussion
- What circumstance most often competes with Christ for the place of highest joy in my life?
- How do prayer and the Spirit's supply shape Paul's confidence while he is imprisoned?
- Where is love for Christ presently calling me to remain and serve for another believer's progress?
- Do I regard being with Christ as far better, and how should that hope change the way I face suffering and death?
Key terms
- Gospel priority
- A life-ordering commitment in which Christ and his glory govern both present service and the believer's hope in death.
- Vindication
- God's final public confirmation that Paul is not ashamed for suffering in the defense of Christ's gospel.
- To die is gain
- The Christian confidence that death brings the believer into the presence of Christ and therefore cannot take away the believer's greatest treasure.