What Are You Living For?
The Christ-filled life always has a ready answer to two questions
Am I ready to live for Jesus?
Am I ready to die for Jesus?
Philippians 1:18-26 (NASB)
Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 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.
To Live Is Christ
21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.
Discussion:
1. Paul writes Philippians from prison. Do you have any ideas as to what a Roman prison was like 2000 years ago?
2. Why was Paul imprisoned?
3. Rev. Hardwick discusses our “ambition” as believers. What, in your opinion, should our ambition be as a believer?
4. The Great Commission is intended to be fulfilled by EVERY believer. What is the Great Commission, and how can you fulfill its call in your life?
5. Scripture states that we are called to spread the gospel. Discuss ways in which we as children of God can spread the gospel.
6. The ability to share the Good News requires we rely on who?
7. The key verse in Jay’s message was “to live is Christ, to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21). Let’s break that verse into two parts; the first part, “to live is Christ…” What do those words mean to you?
8. The second part of the verse is “to die is gain.” In the natural, that statement doesn’t make a great deal of sense. However, as believing Christians, how might those words speak to us?
9. Paul was physically restrained and detained in a Roman prison. His physical freedom was taken from him. Can you liken the world we live in today as a “type” of prison, in certain ways like Paul’s prison, remembering that satan is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4)? How then can we say “so if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
10. Define “freedom” as used in John 8:36.
11. Last week, Pastor Jeff spoke about joy in suffering. Can you see a relationship between true freedom and joy?
12. How would you define Biblical joy?
Prayer:
The Word tells us that if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed! Pray the Lord reveal the truth in that statement to you, and what true freedom in Christ means. With that freedom, comes the gift of the Holy Spirit. Ask the Lord to reveal His true nature to you, for it is the Holy Spirit who is our ultimate and inerrant teacher. Then LISTEN for HIS response!