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LIVING FOR CHRIST
Philippians 1: 19 – 30
For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, According to my earnest expectation and [my]hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but [that] with all boldness, as always, [so] now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether [it be] by life, or by death. For to me to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain. But if I live in the flesh, this [is] the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 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. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear [to be] in me.
For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, According to my earnest expectation and [my]hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but [that] with all boldness, as always, [so] now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether [it be] by life, or by death. For to me to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain. But if I live in the flesh, this [is] the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 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. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear [to be] in me.
Introduction
The whole essence of our calling as Christians is to live for Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. We can only make our lives count when we live for Jesus Christ. Outside of Him is no life at all. Life starts with God through our Lord Jesus Christ and without Him, what man has is mere existence. (Gen 2:7) And the LORD God formed man [of]the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
What does it really mean then to live for Jesus?
Verse 21 in our anchor scriptures says it all. Here Apostle Paul was awaiting trial which could probably lead to death sentence in Rome and the church was praying for him to be set free. Whist Paul believed that God would hear the prayer of faith of the church; he however made them to know that in the worst scenario of being killed for Christ sake, his faith in Christ is unshaken. To live for Christ therefore means, committing your entire live to Him without thinking of alternative. It means it can only be Jesus in your life. Living for Christ means you have no other life to live than for Jesus. By extension, it then means that your entire loyalty and obedience is for no other but Jesus Christ. When you are facing a death situation just like Apostle Paul, you just want go with Him. It means Christ must be everything to you.(2Cor. 5: 15 Amp.)
And He died for all, so that all those who live might live no longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him Who died and was raised again for their sake.
Why should you live for Christ?
1. We all consist and exist in Christ; it is through Him that we live, move and have our being. So, the only one worth living for is Jesus Christ. Though the concept of life means different things to different people, Jesus is the originator of life and still remains the only source of life – Acts 17:28
2. Our lives here and beyond can only be guaranteed in Jesus Christ – John 14:19
3. Jesus Christ is the life giver, so without Him we cannot even have meaning to our own life – John 10:10 – 11
4. It is only through Jesus Christ you can have access to God – John 14: 6
5. Jesus used His blood to purchase us back from the kingdom of Satan and gave His life as ransom for us – John 15: 13
How can we live for Christ?
1. Let Jesus control your heart. Your heart is the ultimate place Jesus desires to possess. If he can have your heart, he can have your all because your heart is the seat of power – Pro. 23:26
2. Let Him have control over all your earthly possessions. All come from Him and belong to Him
3. Be ready to seek Him with every strength and might you have – Mark 12: 29 – 30
4. You must daily live in the crucified Christ – Gal.2:20
5. You must acknowledge His Lordship and show your total commitment to Him on a daily basis
6. You must trust Him that He knows the best way for you and therefore never lead you astray
7. Finally, you must always choose the leading of the Holy Spirit – Gal. 5:16
– Sermon By Pastor Femi Atode