How to Gain Victory Through Death
Philippians 1:21
Intro -
a.
Death seems so final from this side, it seems
conclusive.
b.
Nothing could be more wrong.
c.
Death is not a period but a comma, the first
step into infinitely more.
d.
Make no mistake – life is brief, whether 4 years
or 80, we are here for a moment and then into the infinite.
e.
James 4:14, “you do not know what will
happen tomorrow. For what is
your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes
away.”
f.
Right now we are reminded of the brevity of life and the need to
be ready for death.
II.
Victory is gained through death.
i. Philippians
1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ, and
to die is gain.”
b.
What is meant by “to gain”.
i. To accomplish,
to win, to obtain the victory.
c.
D.L. Moody once said, “Someday you will read in the papers that
D.L. Moody of East Northfield is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. At that
moment I shall be more alive than now. I shall have gone up higher, that is all
– out of this clay tenement into a house that is immortal; a body that death
cannot touch, that sin cannot taint, a body fashioned like unto Christ’s
glorious body. That which is born of the Spirit will live forever.”
d.
This is what the Christian gains. The completion of the race.
The final victory. The fulfillment of faith. The realization of hope. The
glorious presence of Jesus Christ.
e.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 – “I have
fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally,
there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the
righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to
all who have loved His appearing.”
III.
How the victory is gained.
a.
To be living Christ.
i. This
victory is only for those who “live
Christ”.
ii. Those
who are found in Him, focused on Him, follow hard after Him.
iii. This
is no half-hearted, seasonal expression. This is living, breathing, whatsoever
you are doing, constant pursuit of Christ with all of your life.
b.
Colossians 3:23 “And
whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men”
c.
1 Corinthians 10:31 “whatever
you do, do all to the glory of God.”
d.
Someone once wrote, “If
for me to live is money then to die is a loss. If for me to live is worldly pleasure,
then to die is loss. If for me to live is self, then to die is loss. If for me
to live is ambition, then to die is loss. If for me to live is this world, then
to die is loss. But if for me to live is Christ then to die will truly be gain.”
IV.
Victory can only be gained personally.
a.
Paul says, “for
to me”.
i. This
is a personal matter. It is a conviction you must embrace. No one else can do
this or receive this for you. It is between you and Jesus.
b.
If you will turn from your sin and receive
Christ as Savior and Lord, then you will gain victory through death.
c.
The question we all must ask as we reflect upon
the brevity of life and the certainty of death is this, “Is victory in Christ
true for me?”
