River of Life Church
Pastor Greg Temke
Sunday, June 14, 2026
www.rolfamily.com
“IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE”
Text: Philippians 1:19-26
Philippians 1:21 reveals why Paul did WHAT he did, WHY he said WHAT he said, and HOW he found the strength to endure incredible hardship.
1. PAUL HAD CONFIDENCE. Vs.19-20
“…With all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.”
2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
Proverbs 3:26 –”For the Lord will be your confidence, firm and strong, and will keep your foot from being caught [in a trap].”
Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Hebrews 4:16- “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Romans 8:38-39: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life… will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Losing our fear of death enables us to focus on what really matters and be consumed with doing God’s will.
2. PAUL HAD A CONFESSION. Vs. 21-22
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
Paul’s personal mission statement: “To live is Christ, and to die is gain. “
What is your Mission Statement: _____________________________________________________
DEATH IN CHRIST IS A GAIN –We gain heaven, the saints, the angels, the presence of God, and Jesus himself.
I Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
-21: “to die is gain.” “Gain” =[profitable], It was used to speak of interest that money had gained. Paul considered death a “gain.”
-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.
I John 5:13-13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, [a]and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.”
LIFE IN CHRIST IS A GAIN – Paul wanted Christ to be honored, praised, and glorified in his life.
Revelation 14:3, “Then I heard a voice from heaven saying [a]to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”
I Corinthians 15:50,” Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.”
Psalm 34:3; “Exalt” =[to make large, to exalt or glorify]
“Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.”
Philippians 1:23, “For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.”
3. PAUL HAD A CONVICTION. Vs. 25-26
“And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith.”
Psalm 139:16, “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed, and in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.”
Psalm 46:10-“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
APPLICATION
- Do what God gives you to do today.
- Trust God with tomorrow.
- Death, when it comes, will be a great gain for those who trust Christ.