For Your Progress and Joy Philippians 1 22 to 26 • Marty Beamer • Bethel Baptist Sunday Worship • Dec 5 2021

Paul lays bare his dilemma: depart to be with Christ (which is “far better”) or remain for the church. He chooses to stay—for the progress and joy of the Philippians’ faith. This message calls the church to pursue joyful gospel advancement within the body, rejecting self-centered “self-care” and embracing Christlike service that helps others boast in Jesus.

Key points

• Two holy desires press Paul: to be with Christ vs to remain for the church (vv.23–24).
• “To live in the flesh” means fruitful labor aimed at believers’ growth, not personal acclaim (v.22).
• God often completes His work in a church through people (cf. Phil 1 6 → 1 25).
• True pastoral aim: your progress and joy in the faith—so you glory in Christ Jesus, not in leaders (vv.25–26).
• Death for the Christian is to be with Christ (Luke 23 43; 2 Cor 5 8), which reshapes our grief and our courage.

Notable quotes

• “I am hard-pressed between the two.”
• “My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.”
• “To remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.”
• “For your progress and joy in the faith… that you may glory in Christ Jesus.”

Primary text

Philippians 1 22–26

Cross-references

• Philippians 1 6; 2 1–8
• Luke 23 43; 2 Corinthians 5 8
• Hebrews 10 24–25; 1 Thessalonians 5 11
• Romans 14 7–8; John 13 34–35

For reflection

• Who, specifically, am I helping toward progress and joy this week?
• Where has “self-care” edged out Christlike service in my routines?
• What habits move our church to boast in Christ rather than in people?