Philippians
2 Things We Can Know
Know
v12 – know means to experience
vs19,25 – know means to absolutely positively know (absolute truth)
***There are 2 Things that Paul says we can know
(1.) WE NEED TO KNOW THAT JESUS CHRIST IS GOD – Phil 1: 15,16, 18
***The word Christ means Jesus Christ is God
***Paul was fighting emperor worship – Rome said the emperors were God (Nero)
***The Bible declares Jesus Christ is God – John 1:1,14/5:18/20:28
***Jesus is God because He saves, forgives sin & is the only way to heaven
(2.) WE NEED TO KNOW THAT DEATH IS GAIN – Phil 1:19-26
vs21-22 – To live is Christ – living on earth is all about Jesus
hard pressed – refers to 2 equal opposing forces pressuring Paul
depart – speaks of taking up an anchor on a ship and setting sail
-it refers to going to heaven
v23 – far better – means is the best – this is being with Jesus and being in heaven
v24 – Nevertheless – Paul had to yield to the will of God
***To be in and stay in the will of God we need: FIRST HAND REVELATION
FIRST HAND REVELATION comes from:
-the voice of God
-the Word of God
-eliminate interference and hurry from our lives……….
***We can miss the will of God. If we do miss God’s will:
-Repent and ask for forgiveness
-Take action and get in to God’s will
-Realize Jesus is the God of the second chance
To Die Is Gain
1. DEATH WILL OCCUR AND IS FINAL
a. Death will occur – everyone will die
-we do not know how we will die or when, but everyone dies
-the issue is not that people will die. It is whether a person is saved or not
-Luke 13:1-5 – 2 tragedies take place here and it is the same in todays culture
b. Death is final – there is life after death – heaven or hell – these are final destination stops
2. DEATH IS GAIN –
-not the act of death, but the state after death
***What do we gain?
-release from a body that is dieing and has aches and pains
-reunion with family and friends
-heaven
-being with Jesus