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Sermons from Philippians |
DEAD OR ALIVE |
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I once heard about a lady that was standing on the deck during a terrible storm. A crewman said to her, "Ma'am, you need to get inside. It is dangerous to be out here. You could be swept overboard." She replied, "I've got a daughter in New York and one in heaven, and it doesn't matter to me which one I see next." The Apostle Paul in was in a similar frame of mind. If he died and went to heaven, so be it. That would be fine with him. If he lived, so be it. That was fine. He had an earthly home and a heavenly home, and whichever one he was living in was fine with him. Dead or alive; he would be happy. As we read our text we see that there was a struggle going on in Paul's heart. There was a place that blessed his heart and a people that burdened his heart. These were both very dear to his heart and his longing for them both, but him in a unique dilemma. Paul said in verse 23, "For I am in a strait betwixt two." The word "strait" speaks of something that is compressed. It means, "distressed, hard pressed, to be in a dilemma." It spoke of someone that was in a place where they could neither turn to the right or left. Paul's dilemma involved happiness for himself or helpfulness for others. There was a desire to die and go on to heaven and enjoy the glories of a special place. There was also that desire to live and encourage the growth of a special people. Which would be better? He said in verse 22, "yet what I choose I wot not." The word "wot" is an archaic expression meaning, "I don't know." Paul was struggling with this matter of living or dying. He was not sure which would be the best. In most of our cases, we are doing everything we can to live. We sing, shout, and say we can't wait to get to heaven, but the minute we get sick we head for the doctor. No, we usually do all we can to live, not die. You don't find many with the kind of dilemma Paul had. The reason is that we are unfamiliar with that which is above us and unconcerned with those which are around us. Let's consider Paul's dilemma. First, we see: 1. HIS DESIRE FOR THE END OF LIFE It is very obvious that one of the things Paul is struggling about is the matter of dying. In Paul's case it was not a dread of death but a desire for death. He wasn't hoping that he wouldn't die. He was praying that he would die. He said in verse 23, "having a desire to depart." Death for many is a gloomy subject rather than a glorious subject. We all know that we are going to die, but until then we would rather not talk about. Most feel like Dr. B.R. Lakin who once said, "If I knew where I was going to die, I wouldn't go there." You may have heard of the expression, "the dead man's hand." It originated on August 2,1876. "Wild Bill Hickok" sat down at a poker table in Saloon Number 10, in Deadwood, South Dakota. Jack McCall entered the saloon and shot "Wild Bill" through the head. In Hickok's hand was a pair of aces and eight's. That combination has been ever known as "the dead man's hand." All of us have been dealt "the dead man's hand" and sooner or later we must play it. Yet, when that hand is dealt, it is not something woeful to fear, but something wonderful to face. Notice how Paul described death. First, he speaks of how: A. Death Introduces A Better Life Paul said in verse 21, "to die is gain." The word "gain" is a word that means "profitable." It was used to speak of interest that money had gained. Paul was saying, "death is not terrible, but profitable." Now notice what it was in particular that Paul considered a "gain" in death. Notice verse 23: "having a desire to depart and to be with Christ; which is far better." Christ had been with him, but death would allow him to be with Christ. Paul had lived for Christ, but he had a desire to live with Christ, which to him was a far better life. To Paul, death didn't put him in a cemetery. It ushered him into the sanctuary. Although I have never seen it, I have been told there is a headstone in a cemetery in Montgomery, Alabama, which reads:
Death is the vehicle that ushers us into the presence of God. That's why Paul had such a desire to die and spoke of death as a gain. Carrie Breck wrote:
It is a blessed life when we live in His abiding presence. But it will be a better life when we live in His actual presence. How encouraging it is that He lives in our heart. But how exciting it is to know that we will live in His home. Oh blessed thought: He is with us! But oh, better thought: We will be with Him! The songwriter said it well:
Paul also spoke of how: B. Death Involved A Blessed Leaving In verse 23 Paul described death as a departure. He said, "For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart." Paul also described death as a departure in 2 Timothy 4:6, "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand." The word departure is one of the most wonderful words in the Bible. It was a picturesque word that had a variety of usages. The word was used to describe the dissolution of a chemical. One could take a chemical compound as found in the form of a tablet and drop into water. In doing so, the chemical would dissolve. In its dissolving it would disappear but would not be destroyed. Its form is only changed from a solid to a liquid. When a Christian dies, he disappears but he or she is not destroyed. The form of life changes from a physical state to a spiritual state. We die, but we don't die. We just change the conditions of life. The word was also used to describe the setting free of a prisoner. The prisoner was released from his bondage and chains, and allowed to go free. We live this life chained to the limitations and temptations of our body. But death will release us from these. The word was also used by a farmer. It described taking the yoke off the oxen. The day of labor was over, and it was time to rest from the burden of the yoke and the service in the field. Death means laying aside of the burdens of life and the completion of our work. The word also described the striking of a tent. It spoke of the untying of the ropes from the stakes, packing up the tent and moving to a different location. Death is a glorious change of where we dwell. Finally the word was used to describe the lifting of an anchor. A ship is ready to leave the harbor and sail to a new land. The anchor is lifted, the sails are hoisted, and the vessel sets sail for it new destination. Death is a blessed leaving. Death is like stepping on board the Old Ship of Zion and setting sail for a Heavenly land and leaving the old land behind. One day were leaving out of here! No wonder Paul said death was better. No wonder he desired to die. There was the life before him and the life behind him that made him declare that death was better. Although I never met him, I have been told about my Great-great grandfather, George Washington Trivette. He was a circuit-riding preacher in the mountains of North Carolina. They say that he often spoke about a fear of dying. He knew he was saved, but always dreaded the thoughts of dying. The day he died, a neighbor, Tom Lawrence was with him. He suddenly sat up in bed and said, "Tom, I'm dying. There's nothing here to fear." With those words he laid back and was gone. Paul was not terrified by the prospects of dying someday. He was thrilled about the possibility of dying any day. There is nothing to fear about death for one that has been saved. Death introduces us to a better life and involves a blessed leaving. We also see: 2. HIS DECISION FOR THE EXTENSION OF LIFE Paul had a desire to die, but he made a decision to live. He struggled with what was better and what was best. Finally he settled in his heart that it would be the best to stay. Why? First, he explains that: A. Life Has Meaning Paul said in verse 21, "For to me to live is Christ." I don't know of a greater statement found in all the Word of God than this inspired statement of Paul. It is a statement of purpose and meaning. It revealed what the true essence of life was for Paul. What is the meaning of life to you? Many would have to say, "For to me to live is money, pleasure, career, or fame." But to Paul, "Christ" was the reason for living. As F.B. Meyer said, Christ is "the essence of our life, the model of our life, the aim of our life, the solace of our life, the reward of our life." The ultimate objective of life is Christ Himself and Christ alone. It is not preaching singing or ministry, but Christ. He also explained that: B. Life Has Ministry Paul thought of happiness for himself but then thought of helpfulness for others. The place above him pulled at him but the people around him held him. Paul said in verse 23-24, "For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you." Paul put the needs of others above his own wants. Paul was always committed to Christ and always concerned about others. I think of what Paul said in Romans 9:1-3, "I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:" Paul was not only willing to postpone heaven for the sake of the saints, but was also willing to go to hell for the sake of sinners. Oh what a unique and unselfish individual he was. J.H. Jowett wrote: "To have helped somebody a few steps along the heavenly road, to have infused a little more holy courage into their spirits, to have given a more exuberant swing to their stride; these services abundantly justify a delay in the journey, and will assure for us a more glorious welcome in the Father's House." Do we have such a compassion and concern for others that would be willing to give up heaven and go to hell for their benefit? Our life has meaning and our life has ministry. We should live our lives in view of others. In most cases, life is only thought of in terms of one's self and not Christ and others. We want to be blessed but think little of being a blessing. We want God to do for us, but think little about doing something for God. Someone has given us what is called THE CARNAL ALPHABET:
I think of the little poem that I heard years ago that has always been a challenge to my heart.
The Wall Street Journal printed an article called "How Important Are You?" The article said, "How important are you? More than you think. A rooster minus a hen equals no baby chicks. Kellogg minus a farmer equals no corn flakes. If the nail factory closes what good is the hammer factory? Paderewski's genius wouldn't have amounted to much if the piano tuner hadn't showed up. A cracker maker will do much better if there is a cheese maker. The most skillful surgeon needs the ambulance driver who delivers the patient. Just as Rodgers needed Hammerstein, you need someone and someone needs you." It was the needs of others that caused Paul to make the decision to live on earth rather than leave for heaven. May we have the same kind of heart! |