Introduction
Let’s read together from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, chapter 1, verses 19 through 26.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
This is God’s Word.
Now, this passage contains one of the most famous lines in all of Scripture: “To live is Christ, to die is gain.” But notice: Paul doesn’t just throw that out as a slogan. He’s wrestling here. He’s considering his possible release or his possible execution. He’s thinking out loud, almost weighing the options. And yet he’s able to do that with joy, with confidence, even with peace.
How is that possible? It’s because Paul’s whole outlook on life and death has been transformed by the gospel.
And in this passage, I think we see three things that flow from that transformation:
The gospel gives us confidence in life.
The gospel gives us hope in death.
The gospel reorients our purpose.
1. The Gospel Gives Us Confidence in Life
Look at verses 19–20. Paul says, “I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance.”
Now, that word “deliverance” is interesting. It could mean “release from prison,” but Paul doesn’t seem to be hinging everything on that. He says, “My eager expectation and hope is that I will have sufficient courage so that Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”
In other words: “Whatever happens, I know God’s got me. My greatest fear isn’t execution, it’s dishonoring Christ. And the Spirit will give me courage.”
That’s confidence. That’s what the gospel gives you. Not that you’ll avoid suffering, not that everything will go smoothly, but that whatever happens, God’s Spirit is present, Christ will be honored, and you will be safe in him.
Let me give you a cultural picture. Do you remember the old movie The Wizard of Oz? Dorothy is terrified of the wizard until she pulls back the curtain and realizes he’s just a man. Paul is saying, “The worst things that look so terrifying—suffering, even death—have had the curtain pulled back by the gospel. They no longer have ultimate power over me.”
So the gospel gives you confidence in life, even in uncertainty.
2. The Gospel Gives Us Hope in Death
Now verse 21: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
That’s an astounding statement. How can death be gain? Paul says, “I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.”
Notice: Paul isn’t being morbid. He’s not saying life is meaningless. He’s saying death means being with Christ in a way that is immediate and unbroken. And that is better than the best life here.
Now, every culture has had ways of coping with death. The ancient Greeks said, “Death is just dissolving back into nature.” Modern secular culture says, “Death is just the end; so make the most of now.” But neither gives you hope. At best, they give you resignation. Paul says no—death is not the end. It’s the doorway to Christ’s presence.
And here’s what’s remarkable: Paul says this not as theory but as personal confidence. “For to me…” This isn’t abstract theology; it’s his lived reality.
Let me illustrate. Some years ago, there was a Christian woman in our church dying of cancer. She said to me, “Tim, I’m not afraid of death anymore. Because when I close my eyes in this world, I know the first face I’ll see is Jesus’.” That’s Paul’s hope. That’s Christian hope.
3. The Gospel Reorients Our Purpose
But here’s the tension. Paul says in verse 22, “If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!”
Do you see the wrestling? On the one hand, being with Christ is better. On the other hand, there’s fruitful work to be done. The Philippians need him. And so Paul concludes: “It is more necessary for you that I remain… so I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith.”
This is incredible. Paul’s life isn’t about Paul anymore. He doesn’t say, “What’s best for me?” He says, “What’s best for others? What will exalt Christ?” That’s his purpose.
And here’s the point: the gospel frees you from living for yourself. When you know death is gain, you don’t have to cling to life for your own comfort. You’re free to spend your life for others.
Think of Jesus. He didn’t cling to his life; he laid it down for us. And now Paul, shaped by that, says, “My life is Christ’s. If I live, it’s for fruitful labor. If I die, it’s to be with him. Either way, it’s win-win.”
What about us? If you fill in the blank, “For me to live is ___,” what goes there? Career? Family? Success? Comfort? Whatever it is, that will determine whether death feels like loss or gain. If you live for anything other than Christ, death takes it away. But if you live for Christ, death only brings you more of him.
Conclusion
So here’s Paul, in prison, facing possible execution. And yet he says:
“In life, I have confidence.”
“In death, I have hope.”
“And in either, I have a purpose—to exalt Christ and serve others.”
That’s what the gospel does. It pulls the curtain back on life and death. It gives you joy that circumstances can’t touch.
So, brothers and sisters: to live is Christ. To die is gain. Let that shape your outlook, your purpose, your hope.
Closing Prayer
“Father, we confess that so often our hearts fill in the blank with something other than Christ. To live is career, to live is family, to live is comfort. And so death feels like loss. But Lord, help us see Jesus, who lived for us and died for us. Help us grasp that if we have him, we cannot lose. Spirit of Christ, give us courage in life, hope in death, and purpose in all things, so that whether we live or die, Christ will be exalted in us. We pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Community Group Discussion Guide
Philippians 1:19–26 – “To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain”
Scripture
Read Philippians 1:19–26 together.
Sermon Summary
Paul, facing possible death, says: “To live is Christ, to die is gain.” The gospel gives him:
Confidence in life – Christ will be exalted in him whatever happens.
Hope in death – death means being with Christ, “better by far.”
A reoriented purpose – life is for fruitful labor and others’ joy in the faith.
Whether in life or death, Paul rejoices because Christ is everything.
Discussion Questions
Head – Understanding
What does Paul mean when he says “to live is Christ”?
How can Paul call death “gain”?
How does Paul’s purpose for living differ from the way most people think about life?
Heart – Reflection
4. If you had to finish the sentence, “For me to live is ___,” honestly, what would you put?
5. How does knowing death brings you to Christ change how you view your future?
6. Where might God be calling you to reorient your life’s purpose from self toward serving others?
Hands – Application
7. What is one way you can live this week with “fruitful labor” in mind—not for your own advancement, but for others’ joy in Christ?
8. How might your group encourage one another to see both life and death through the lens of the gospel?
Prayer
Thank God that in Christ, death is not loss but gain.
Pray for courage in life and confidence in the Spirit’s help.
Ask God to help you live with gospel purpose—serving others, exalting Christ.
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