Sermons on Philippians 1:20
The various sermons below converge on the central theme of magnifying Christ through life and death, emphasizing that Paul’s prayer in Philippians 1:20 is not a plea for deliverance from suffering but a bold request for courage and expectancy to honor Christ regardless of circumstances. They collectively highlight the Greek nuances—such as the word for "courage" as boldness before authority and the unique term for "expectation"—to deepen the understanding of Paul’s mindset as one of active, forward-leaning faith rather than passive endurance. A shared theological emphasis is the believer’s calling to live with unwavering conviction, whether in ordinary life or facing death, reflecting Christlike courage and joy. Several sermons also explore the idea that the body itself is a divine instrument for glorifying Christ, both now and in the resurrection, underscoring the physicality of faith as integral to worship and witness. Notably, the sermons draw on vivid analogies—from martyrs and historical figures to everyday trust and shame—to illustrate how magnifying Christ transcends personal honor and becomes the believer’s highest ambition, with faith and joy intimately linked as the means by which Christ is exalted.
In contrast, the sermons diverge in their focal points and applications. One emphasizes the linguistic and theological nuance of Paul’s desire to "depart and be with Christ," framing death as both an immediate hope and a Christlike way of dying, while another centers on expectancy as a spiritual posture that anticipates God’s transformative work amid suffering rather than relief from it. Some sermons prioritize prayer as a model for aligning all requests with God’s glory, shifting the believer’s focus from personal outcomes to the magnification of Christ. Others uniquely highlight the theological significance of embodiment, arguing that the physical body’s redemption is essential for the full display of God’s glory, a theme less prominent elsewhere. Additionally, the treatment of shame and honor varies, with one sermon contrasting human shame with Paul’s Christ-centered ambition, and another framing death as an opportunity to publicly demonstrate Christ’s surpassing worth. These differences reveal a spectrum of interpretive emphases—from linguistic and experiential to theological and practical—that shape how the passage might be preached and applied.
Philippians 1:20 Interpretation:
Living Boldly for Christ: Life, Death, and Gain (FBC Benbrook) offers a detailed interpretation of Philippians 1:20, focusing on the Greek word for "courage," which is defined as "freedom in speaking, boldness of speech, especially in the presence of a person of high rank." The sermon draws a direct connection between Paul's prayer for courage and his real-life experience before King Agrippa, emphasizing that Paul's request was not for deliverance from suffering but for the boldness to honor Christ regardless of the outcome. The preacher also highlights the lack of a verb in the Greek for "to live is Christ and to die is gain," noting John Calvin's alternative translation: "for me, Christ is gain, both in life and in death." This linguistic nuance shapes the understanding that Christ is the ultimate gain in any circumstance. The sermon further explores Paul's desire to "depart and be with Christ," interpreting it both as a hope for immediate presence with Christ after death (referencing 2 Corinthians 5) and as a longing to die in a Christlike manner, as seen in Stephen's martyrdom. The analogy of martyrs like William Tyndale and David MacDonald is used to illustrate living with non-negotiable convictions, echoing Paul's prayer in Philippians 1:20.
Embracing Expectancy: Transforming Lives Through Faith (Become New) provides a unique perspective by focusing on the word "expect" in Philippians 1:20. The preacher references scholar Jerry Hawthorne, who suggests that the Greek word for "eager expectation" may have been coined by Paul and is only found one other time in the New Testament. The image is of someone straining forward, eyes fixed on what is coming, heart pounding with anticipation. This interpretation shifts the focus from mere endurance to an active, forward-leaning expectancy that God will work in and through the believer, even in suffering. The sermon contrasts Paul's expectancy—not for relief from suffering, but for the renovation of his heart and the magnification of Christ in his body, whether by life or death.
Aligning Prayer with God's Glory: A Transformative Approach (Desiring God) interprets Philippians 1:20 as a model for prayer, emphasizing that the ultimate aim of every request should be the magnification of Christ, whether by life or by death. The preacher encourages believers to adopt Paul's mindset, making the glory of God the primary passion in all circumstances, and to let this orientation shape every prayer, even if not explicitly stated.
Hope and Redemption: The Glory to Come (Desiring God) uses Philippians 1:20 to answer the question of why believers have bodies, arguing that the body is given as a unique means to magnify Christ. The preacher likens the body to a musical instrument for worship, suggesting that God created physical beings to provide more manifold ways for his glory to be displayed than would be possible with only angelic spirits. This interpretation is distinct in its focus on the theological purpose of embodiment as it relates to the magnification of Christ.
Magnifying Christ: Joy in Life and Death (Desiring God) offers a distinctive interpretation of Philippians 1:20 by focusing on the concept of "magnifying" Christ, not merely as a passive hope but as an active, all-consuming goal that shapes every aspect of Paul’s life. The sermon draws a sharp contrast between the typical human desire to avoid shame and Paul’s unique ambition: for Paul, the opposite of shame is not personal honor but the exaltation of Christ. The preacher uses the analogy of a child in a Christmas play and a disgraced president to illustrate the human experience of shame, then pivots to show that Paul’s sense of shame is entirely Christ-centered. The sermon also introduces a unique analogy involving a stranger entrusting you with a bag of money, explaining that trust based on good evidence magnifies the one trusted—just as faith in Christ, rooted in His reliability, magnifies Him. This analogy is used to clarify how living for the "joy of faith" in others is synonymous with living for Christ, since faith and its fruit (joy) are the means by which Christ is magnified in the believer’s life and death. The sermon also notes the Greek word for "magnify" (megalunthesetai), emphasizing the idea of making Christ "large" or "great" in the eyes of others, whether through life or death.
Philippians 1:20 Theological Themes:
Living Boldly for Christ: Life, Death, and Gain (FBC Benbrook) introduces the theme of defining one's non-negotiable calling in life, paralleling the martyr's conviction with Paul's prayer in Philippians 1:20. The sermon challenges listeners to identify the work God has called them to do—work they cannot abandon even in the face of suffering or death—thus making the passage relevant not only for potential martyrs but for all believers seeking to live with Christ-honoring courage. It also explores the idea of dying like Christ, not just living for him, and the importance of radiating Christ's love and grace even in the process of dying, whether dramatically or in ordinary circumstances.
Embracing Expectancy: Transforming Lives Through Faith (Become New) presents the theme of expectancy as a spiritual discipline, encouraging believers to live with a forward-leaning anticipation that God will act in and through them. This expectancy is not for circumstantial change but for inner transformation and opportunities to magnify Christ, echoing Paul's hope in Philippians 1:20. The sermon uniquely applies this to everyday life, urging listeners to expect opportunities for love, joy, and service, even in mundane or frustrating situations.
Aligning Prayer with God's Glory: A Transformative Approach (Desiring God) adds the theological theme that the glory of God should be the underlying motive of all prayer, using Philippians 1:20 as a paradigm. The sermon reframes prayer as not merely seeking personal benefit but as aligning every request with the desire that Christ be magnified, regardless of the outcome.
Hope and Redemption: The Glory to Come (Desiring God) introduces the theme that the physical body is a God-given means for glorifying Christ, both now and in the resurrection. The sermon argues that the hope of bodily redemption is not idolatrous because the ultimate purpose of the body is to serve as an instrument for displaying God's glory, a purpose that will be fully realized in the age to come.
Magnifying Christ: Joy in Life and Death (Desiring God) introduces the nuanced theme that the way a Christian faces both life and death can serve as a public demonstration of the surpassing value of Christ. The sermon uniquely frames death not as a threat or loss, but as an opportunity to display that Christ is more desirable than anything life can offer. It also presents the idea that the Christian’s greatest shame would be to diminish Christ’s reputation, not their own, and that the highest joy is found in advancing others’ faith and joy in Christ. The sermon further develops the theme that faith and joy are inseparable in the Christian life, and that true faith in Christ necessarily overflows in joy, which in turn magnifies Christ. This connection between faith, joy, and the magnification of Christ is presented as a distinctive Pauline logic, not merely as a personal experience but as a theological imperative for the church.
Philippians 1:20 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Living Boldly for Christ: Life, Death, and Gain (FBC Benbrook) provides historical context by situating Paul's writing either in prison in Rome or Caesarea, referencing Acts 24 and Paul's appearance before King Agrippa. The sermon explains the cultural significance of speaking boldly before high-ranking officials, noting that the Greek word for "courage" specifically denotes boldness in the presence of authority. It also discusses the historical realities of martyrdom, using the stories of William Tyndale and David MacDonald to illustrate the cost of living out one's convictions in different eras, and touches on the church's historical reluctance to allow laypeople access to Scripture in their own language.
Magnifying Christ: Joy in Life and Death (Desiring God) provides detailed historical context by situating Paul’s letter to the Philippians during his imprisonment in Rome, approximately 12 years after founding the church in Philippi. The sermon explains the deep bond between Paul and the Philippian church, noting their unique financial support and loyalty even during his imprisonment. It highlights the cultural risk the Philippians took by associating with a prisoner on trial for his life, and the anxiety they felt about the future of the gospel if Paul were to die. The preacher also references the broader Greco-Roman context of honor and shame, explaining how Paul’s redefinition of shame and honor would have been countercultural in a society that prized public reputation and personal achievement.
Philippians 1:20 Cross-References in the Bible:
Living Boldly for Christ: Life, Death, and Gain (FBC Benbrook) references several passages to expand on Philippians 1:20: Acts 24 (Paul's imprisonment and appearance before King Agrippa), Colossians 3 (life hidden in Christ), Galatians 2 (Christ living in the believer), 2 Corinthians 5 (to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord), and Philippians 3:10 (desire to know Christ and become like him in his death). The sermon also references Acts 7 (Stephen's martyrdom) to illustrate dying like Christ, and Acts 13-14 (Paul's missionary calling) to highlight fruitful labor as gain.
Aligning Prayer with God's Glory: A Transformative Approach (Desiring God) draws on a wide range of biblical cross-references to support the theme of God's glory as the aim of prayer: Psalm 79:9 (deliverance for God's name's sake), Isaiah 43:25 (forgiveness for God's sake), Psalm 23:3 (paths of righteousness for his name's sake), 1 Samuel 12:22 (not forsaking his people for his name's sake), Psalm 106:8 (salvation for his name's sake), Psalm 143:11 (preservation for God's name's sake), John 14:13 (praying in Jesus' name), and the Lord's Prayer ("Hallowed be your name"). The sermon uses these references to show that the biblical pattern is always to seek God's glory in every request, culminating in Paul's statement in Philippians 1:20 as the model for this mindset.
Hope and Redemption: The Glory to Come (Desiring God) references 1 Corinthians 6:13, 19-20 to explain the purpose of the body ("the body is for the Lord" and "glorify God with your body"), and Galatians 5 (patience as a fruit of the Spirit). The sermon also alludes to Romans 8:18-23 (the groaning and hope of creation and believers), using these passages to frame the hope of bodily redemption and the magnification of Christ in the body as taught in Philippians 1:20.
Magnifying Christ: Joy in Life and Death (Desiring God) draws on several biblical cross-references to deepen the understanding of Philippians 1:20. The sermon references John 21, where Jesus tells Peter that his death will glorify God, equating the glorification of God in death with the magnification of Christ in death. It also cites Matthew 10:37 ("He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me") to reinforce the idea that Christ must be valued above all else, especially at the moment of death. Romans 15:13 is used to show the connection between faith and joy ("May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing"), supporting the claim that faith in Christ naturally produces joy, which magnifies Him. The sermon also alludes to Galatians and other Pauline texts to illustrate Paul’s singular devotion to Christ and the advancement of others’ faith.
Philippians 1:20 Christian References outside the Bible:
Living Boldly for Christ: Life, Death, and Gain (FBC Benbrook) explicitly references John Calvin, noting his alternative translation of Philippians 1:21, which reads, "for me, Christ is gain, both in life and in death." This perspective is presented as a fresh way to understand the passage's flow. The sermon also mentions C.S. Lewis, referencing his autobiography "Surprised by Joy" to illustrate the theme of joy in Christ as a surprising and central aspect of the Christian life. Additionally, the stories of William Tyndale and David MacDonald are drawn from historical and biographical sources, with Tyndale's story highlighting the cost of conviction and MacDonald's story sourced from the book "Lives Given, Not Taken" by Rankin.
Philippians 1:20 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Embracing Expectancy: Transforming Lives Through Faith (Become New) uses several detailed secular illustrations to bring Philippians 1:20 to life. The preacher describes a couple expecting a child, using the metaphor of pregnancy—"expecting"—to illustrate the kind of eager anticipation Paul expresses. The sermon also recounts stories of Dr. Chuck, a retiring physician, who went beyond professional duty to insulate a patient's home and to play hymns for a dying woman, demonstrating expectancy in action. Another story involves a humorous misunderstanding with a deputy sheriff, showing how expectancy and joy can be present even in awkward or unexpected situations. The preacher also shares a personal travel mishap involving airport logistics, using it to reflect on how easily one can lose a sense of expectancy and how even mundane frustrations can be opportunities to expect God to work. These stories serve as analogies for living with the kind of eager expectation and hope described in Philippians 1:20.
Magnifying Christ: Joy in Life and Death (Desiring God) uses a vivid secular analogy involving a stranger entrusting you with a bag of money on a busy city street. The illustration contrasts two scenarios: one where the trust is baseless and thus meaningless, and another where the trust is based on careful observation and reliable testimony, resulting in a profound sense of honor. This analogy is used to explain how faith in Christ, when rooted in knowledge of His character and promises, serves to magnify Him—just as being trusted by someone who knows your worth magnifies your reputation. The illustration is detailed and accessible, helping listeners grasp the relational and public dimensions of magnifying Christ through faith.