Sermon Notes - Philippians 1:21-30 - Rising Sun Baptist Church - June 28, 2026

1.        We are continuing in Philippians.

a.        Please open your Bibles to Philippians 1.

2.        We ended with verse 20 last week.

3.        Philippians 1:20

a.        Paul had been talking about sharing the Gospel.

b.       How that was the most important thing he and we could be doing.

c.        He was thankful for those who have faithfully pointed people to Jesus.

d.       Then in verse 20 we see that ultimately; he wants to honor God.

e.        It does not matter if he lives or dies, he wants to honor God.

4.        As a Christ follower we know when we are on this side of eternity, we are here to do God’s work.

a.        We are blessed by God giving us people to love while we walk through life.

b.       We are blessed as God works in us.

c.        As He works through us to touch the lives of others.

d.       And we are blessed to worship, praise, and honor the One True God.

5.        On the other hand, if we pass.

a.        When our address changes.

b.       We get to be in the presence of God.

c.        We get to see our Jesus.

d.       There is really nothing better than that.

e.        Nothing better than spending forever worshipping and praising the Creator of all.

6.        It is a blessing to be here with God working in us.

a.        It is a blessing to be in God’s presence.

b.       If we had a choice, where would we want to be?

c.        Is one better than the other?

7.        Let’s see what God through Paul has to say to us about that.

8.        Philippians 1:21

a.        To live is Christ.

b.       To die is gain.

9.        To live is Christ.

a.        Meaning to continue to be in Christ.

b.       Galatians 2:20

c.        Knowing that through Christ living in Paul, he is to do God’s will.

d.       To serve Him by sharing the Gospel with others.

e.        To suffer when those times come.

f.          To let God continue to work in him and through him.

10.   To die is gain.

a.        If death were to come to Paul.

b.       Remember he is in a Roman prison, death was possible.

c.        With death, Paul would receive what he has been looking forward to since he met Jesus on the Damascus rode.

11.   The point for us is that while we are here, we are to serve God.

a.        Loving Him with all that we are.

b.       Loving others to the best of our ability.

c.        Allowing God to use us is the most amazing things.

d.       But a day will come when we will receive the promised gift.

e.        The Hope that Jesus’ holds secure.

f.          If Jesus is our Lord and Savior, their will be a day when our forever is realized.

g.        Both living for Christ and receiving our prized eternity are wonderful things.

12.   Philippians 1:22

a.        To die is gain, to be in the presence of God would be awesome.

b.       But if he were to live.

c.        He would continue to have fruitful ministry.

d.       To reach people for Jesus.

e.        Which is his heart’s desire.

f.          Romans 9:1-3

g.        Paul is so passionate about people receiving the Gospel of Jesus.

h.        For them to be saved.

i.          That he declared that if it meant he had to take on their curse for his fellow Israelites would be saved.

j.          He would.

k.        Paul was willing to give all he had for people to follow Jesus.

l.          Paul wanted people to see Jesus for who He is before it is too late.

13.   At the end of verse 22, he says he does not know which one he would choose.

a.        Helping people to see that they need Jesus.

b.       Or being in His presence.

14.   Hard to choose.

a.        Knowing that God is using us down here.

b.       Or beginning our forever in His presence.

c.        Both have their appeal.

15.   Philippians 1:23-24

a.        It is hard to choose.

b.       Paul gives us an idea of his feelings here.

c.        The better option is to be with Jesus.

d.       To receive the prize that he has desired.

e.        To end his imprisonment.

f.          To face no more scourging.

g.        To not be shipwrecked again.

h.        For the persecution to end.

i.          No more pain.

j.          No more sorrow.

k.        But the best part about it would to be with Jesus.

16.   The flip side is the need to share the Gospel.

a.        God has called Paul to share the Gospel wherever he is.

b.       There are people who need to hear about Jesus.

c.        There are others who need to be taught what it means to follow Christ.

d.       To know about the amazing gift we have received.

e.        It is necessary for people to be pointed to Jesus.

f.          It is necessary for them to be encouraged, corrected, and rebuked.

17.   To be with Christ forever is better.

18.   But continuing to minister is necessary.

19.   Which should we choose?

a.        Should we desire to be with our God forever?

b.       Should we strive to share the Gospel?

c.        Yes and Yes.

d.       Both are desirable.

e.        One is needed every moment as we walk this earth.

f.          The other is what we are looking forward to.

20.   Philippians 1:25

a.        As Paul is thinking through this and dictating this letter, it seems he expects to be released.

b.       That God is going to continue to use him to help the Philippian church.

c.        It is not stated here, but he thought he was going to Rome on his way to Spain.

d.       Maybe Paul is thinking that he will be able to continue his journey.

21.   Philippians 1:26

a.        If Paul was freed, they would celebrate.

b.       It that happened it would be obvious that God was at work.

c.        It would grow their faith having Known Paul was facing death.

d.       If he was freed it would encourage them in a way that would grow their witness.

22.   When we see God at work in others.

a.        When it is obvious that God has done something.

b.       It encourages us to share the story.

c.        To tell people about what God has done.

d.       To be excited.

e.        Impassioned.

f.          On fire to tell people about our Jesus.

23.   Philippians 1:27

a.        After all of that, Paul is saying one thing is important.

b.       Whether he was able to visit or not.

c.        Re-read 1:27a (highlighted).

d.       We are citizens of heaven.

e.        Our home is not here on earth.

f.          Jesus said something about this in John.

g.        John 17:14-16

h.        As a Christ follower this is not our home.

i.          Our home is with God.

j.          In His presence forever.

k.        If Jesus is your Lord and Savior, you will spend all of eternity with Him.

24.   Yet, the here and now is where we are today.

a.        We need to live our lives honoring God.

b.       Loving Him with our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

c.        Something we cannot achieve on our own.

d.       Ephesians 4:1-3

e.        But it is amazing to see how God works in us and through us.

f.          Sanctifying us.

g.        Making us more like Him.

h.        Transforming us by renewing our minds.

i.          Helping us learn about Him.

j.          Helping us to embrace the Gospel.

k.        And then pointing people to our Jesus.

25.   Philippians 1:28

a.        When we have faith in the Gospel.

b.       When we trust in Jesus.

c.        We will encounter people who do not like what we have to say.

d.       They will spend their lives fighting the things we are sharing.

26.   We will all face persecution of one form or another.

a.        It is the way things are.

b.       Yet, if we hold on to the faith.

c.        Remembering we are citizens of heaven.

d.       That we do not belong to this world.

e.        That our God is at work in us.

f.          We will be victorious.

g.        We will one day be in His presence forever.

27.   Whether our life is mostly smooth sailing or as rough as can be.

a.        With Jesus as our Lord.

b.       We are redeemed.

c.        Our salvation is set.

d.       Jesus is holding our eternal hope, and no one can snatch it from His hand.

28.   Trust Jesus and know that you will receive victory in Him.

29.   Philippians 1:29-30

a.        That victory is found in faith.

b.       Faith that Jesus is Lord.

c.        Faith that you have been redeemed.

d.       Faith that God is working in you and through you.

e.        Faith that is perfected by the work of the Holy Spirit in you.

30.   Faith that leads to persecution.

a.        When we stand for our faith the devil does not like it.

b.       People who don’t want to see the light of Jesus shine through you will attack.

c.        Persecution is a given.

d.       Paul faced it.

e.        The early church faced it.

f.          We will face it.

31.   But if we go back to verse 6.

32.   Philippians 1:6

a.        If Jesus is your Lord and Savior.

b.       He is at work in you.

c.        He will work in you and through you as long as you walk this earth.

d.       And your faith will come to completion when you stand in His presence.

e.        Our god is not going to leave you.

f.          He is not going to forsake you.

g.        He will be with you always.

h.        As you face whatever comes your way in the here and now.

i.          And when you receive your reward.

33.   King Jesus is with all who confess of their sins and follow Him.

34.   Some thoughts to go home with:

a.        I know some of these can be challenging each week but let me assure you.

                                                                              i.        They are things that have spoken to me as I have prepared the messages.

                                                                            ii.        Things that I have thought and prayed about before I ever share them.

b.       If you know that you are here for a reason, how does that help carry you through times of trouble?

c.        If you are a citizen of heaven, if you were to look at your calendar and how you spend your time, does something need to change?

d.       How about living your life worthy of the Gospel of Christ, are their things that need to be cut out? Sins you need to repent of and walk away from?

35.   If you are ready to take a step of faith I would love to talk with you.

a.        A step into serving here at Rising Sun Baptist Church or elsewhere.

b.       A step to proclaim your faith by following our Lord in baptism.

c.        A step to join our church family.

36.   Or the most important step of all, the one of giving your life to Jesus.

a.        Jesus is God.

b.       He came to earth knowing that we needed a Savior.

c.        He walked this earth living a sinless life.

d.       He was persecuted and died on the cross to pay for our sins.

e.        He has paid our debt in full.

f.          A few short days later Jesus rose from the dead defeating death.

g.        Granting all who believe an amazing life with Him forever.

h.        Our Lord now sits at the right hand of the Father.

i.          And He will return.

j.          If you are ready to give your life to Him, please come forward as we sing.

k.        If you have anything you would like prayer for, the altar is open.