Do You Want Christ Today?
Most of us have stood at the back of a funeral home and felt, for about an hour, how fragile life really is. We hug the family, we say the right things, and we mean every word. Then we drive home, check our phones, and get pulled back into the week. By Tuesday the thought has been pushed out again, and we go on assuming the subject won't come up for us anytime soon. Our culture talks constantly about having a purpose in life, yet it has almost nothing to say about having a purpose in death. Pastor Danny pointed out that this is why we are so surprised, and so shaken, when someone around us dies.
The apostle Paul didn't have the option of looking away. He was writing from a prison cell to the church in Philippi, in chains, waiting on a tribunal that could end with his release or his execution.
A PROBLEM WITH TWO GOOD ANSWERS
Paul had a dilemma, but it wasn't the kind most of us would have. Both of his options were good. He puts it this way: "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21) If he lived, that meant more fruitful labor, more gospel work, more strengthening of the church. If he died, he would be with Christ.
He then says, "I am hard pressed between the two." (Philippians 1:23) Pastor Danny explained that the word for "hard pressed" is used elsewhere for crowds squeezing in around Jesus, and that we have our own version of it when we say we're caught between a rock and a hard place. What stands out is what Paul leaves out. He never says "poor me." The chains, the prison, and the tribunals all fall under the heading of fruitful labor. Pastor Danny admitted he wishes he saw life with that kind of clarity.
DO YOU WANT CHRIST, OR JUST HEAVEN?
Paul goes on: "My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better." (Philippians 1:23) "Depart" is a gentle word for dying, and Paul uses it because he sees death as arrival. All through his letters he talks about being united with Christ, buried with him, crucified with him, raised with him, and an heir with him. When Paul looked at the cross, he saw where his own road was headed.
Pastor Danny put a pair of questions to the room. If he asked who is ready to go be with Jesus, most hands would go up. If he asked who would still raise a hand knowing it might happen tomorrow, many of us would hit the panic button and start negotiating. "But Lord, I'm not finished."
His point was that our answer shows what sits in first place. Family, friends, and goals are good gifts, and they deserve high priority. They become a problem when they take the place of Christ as our treasure. And if we don't long for Christ today, we shouldn't assume the desire will appear when we get to heaven. The real question is whether we want Christ on an ordinary Tuesday, in the middle of our own plans.
WHY PAUL STAYED
If Paul wanted Christ that much, why would he stay? He answers in the next verse: "But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account." (Philippians 1:24) He was willing to put off the thing he wanted most because the Philippians still needed him. Pastor Danny called this Christian maturity, and he said it plainly: my life is not my own, I was bought with a price. The question changes from "What do I want?" to "What would serve Christ and benefit others?"
That is a hard change for people who love learning about the Bible. Pastor Danny noted that Bible study can quietly turn into something about me, where the goal is knowing more instead of obeying what we learn so that we can serve Christ and help someone else. Paul learned this by watching Jesus, who emptied himself and became obedient to the point of death.
Notice what Paul says he'll do with the extra time: "Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith." (Philippians 1:25) He didn't treat added time as a bonus. Pastor Danny compared it to opening the pantry, expecting one donut, and finding two. Most of us would just eat both. Paul saw added time as something to steward, with more opportunities to do good for others.
WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH THE TIME?
That raises a few honest questions. If God gives you another year, what will you do with it? Another decade? Another Sunday, another conversation, another evening with your kids, another chance to encourage someone who is struggling? Many of us squander those moments because our days are crowded with me and mine.
Pastor Danny also named a temptation that runs through ministry. It is easy to want a platform, to write the book or start the podcast so more people know your name. Paul's goal was different. He wanted the Philippians to grow, to mature, and to find more joy in Christ. Healthy ministry leaves people more impressed with Christ and less impressed with the person up front, and that applies to everyone, since investing in others is not only the pastor's job.
WHERE THIS LEAVES US
Paul's life came down to the glory of Christ and the good of others. He could face death with confidence because Christ was already his treasure, and he could face more years of hardship because other people needed him. The two commitments belong together.
Here is one step for this week. Think of a single person whose faith you could strengthen, whether a younger believer, a struggling friend, or someone in your own home. Pray for that person by name, then reach out in the next few days with a call, a visit, or a plain word of encouragement. Pastor Danny asked who is growing stronger in the faith because you are in their life.
Paul hoped his return would give the Philippians a reason to boast in the right place: "so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again." (Philippians 1:26)
To hear Pastor Danny's full teaching on this passage, click here.
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