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

Paul wrestles with a holy dilemma: depart to be with Christ—“far better”—or remain for the church. He resolves to stay, committing himself to the Philippians’ progress and joy in the faith. This message urges us to seek joyful gospel advancement within the body, using our suffering to strengthen others so that they boast in Christ—not in people.

Key points

• Two desires press Paul: be with Christ vs remain for the church (vv.22–24).
• “To live in the flesh” = fruitful labor aimed at believers’ growth, not personal fulfillment (v.22).
• God often completes His work in a church through people (Phil 1 6 → 1 25).
• Aim of ministry: others’ progress and joy in the faith, so they glory in Christ Jesus (vv.25–26).
• Death for the Christian is departure to be with Christ, reshaping grief and courage (Luke 23 43; 2 Cor 5 8).

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
• Hebrews 11 1
• Luke 23 43; 2 Corinthians 5 8
• Hebrews 10 24–25; 1 Thessalonians 5 11

For reflection

• Whose progress and joy am I intentionally serving this week?
• Where has “self-care” replaced Christlike service in my routines?
• What would it look like for our church to boast in Christ rather than in leaders?