To Live Is Christ

I told our church we’re beginning the year chasing a revival culture that starts with each of us getting into Scripture and prayer. I invited everyone to join a Bible reading plan, to start today even if they’ve missed weeks, and to use simple tools—audio Bibles, one-verse plans, or a one-year Bible—to build steady habits. Next Sunday we’ll host a one‑day revival with Evangelist Scott Dawson; it’s a moment to bring five people from our circles, sit with them, and be ready to walk with them if they respond. I encouraged believers to make public commitments—baptism, joining a worship service, or simply wearing their faith openly—because living with conviction draws people closer to Christ.

We’re launching a Spanish‑speaking service and welcoming Michael and Susie Chelis to lead it, trusting God places gifts where the church needs them. In our Living with Joy series I unpacked Philippians 1:21—“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain”—and invited us to adopt Paul’s posture: confidence that Christ will be exalted, conviction about life and death, and commitment to the growth and joy of others. I reminded us that joy is not mere happiness tied to circumstances; it’s a deep root anchored in Christ that holds through suffering. Paul’s hope was active, not wishful—an assured stretching toward the Lord—and he showed how the prayers of the saints and the Spirit work together to turn hardship into deliverance.

I challenged us to be different in our workplaces and social circles: refuse to complain, let our lives shine, and be steady in every context so people will ask where our strength and joy come from. I urged the practical discipline of writing five names—people who need Christ—praying for them daily, inviting them, and sitting with them next Sunday so they have a faithful companion. Finally, I pressed the cost and joy of gospel love: Paul would postpone heaven for the growth of others; what are we willing to do for our family and friends’ souls? We closed by praying for those five names and calling those who want to turn to Christ to say “I do” and take steps toward baptism and growth.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Living with Christ as everything When Christ becomes the center of daily life, decisions and desires are reoriented around him rather than shaped by fleeting gain. This reorientation frees us from chasing status, money, or applause and allows death itself to be seen through the lens of eternal union with Jesus. It’s a steadying posture: not an escape from responsibility, but a source of courage to live sacrificially for others.
• 2. Prayers unlock the Spirit's power Human intercession is not merely duty; it’s the means God often uses to release supernatural work in people’s lives. Prayer aligns our longing with divine action, creating openings for deliverance, conviction, and transformation that circumstances alone cannot produce. This reality asks us to pray persistently and expectantly, knowing our petitions participate in God’s plan.
• 3. Invite five; pray for them daily Naming five people focuses spiritual affection into intentional labor for others’ salvation and growth. Regular prayer for specific names cultivates watching love and primes us for meaningful invitations and follow‑through when they respond. This discipline reshapes evangelism from sporadic hope to sustained, relational stewardship.
• 4. Live faith before the watching world Consistency between private devotion and public life makes the gospel credible to skeptics and weary onlookers. When faith resists the pull of gossip, complaining, and compromise, it becomes a visible witness that invites questions and opens doors for conversation about Christ. Such steadiness is often the first sermon unbelievers will read.

Hello, everyone! So glad to have you all here tonight as we dive deeper into Pastor's message from Sunday. What a powerful call to chase a revival culture and truly live with joy, no matter our circumstances.

Pastor reminded us that this year, we're believing God for "more" in our lives, our families, and our church. And it all starts with each of us getting into God's Word and prayer, and then living out our faith with conviction before a watching world.

Let's open our Bibles and reflect on the core passage from Sunday's sermon.

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### Bible Reading

**Philippians 1:19-26 (NIV)**

"for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me."

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Philippians 1:19-20, what two things does Paul know will lead to his deliverance and ensure Christ is magnified in his body?
2. Paul states, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (v. 21). How did the pastor explain the difference between Paul's understanding of "joy" and the world's pursuit of "happiness"?
3. What "dilemma" does Paul describe in verses 22-24, and what ultimately guides his decision to remain?
4. What does Paul hope his continued presence will accomplish for the believers in Philippi (v. 25-26)?

### Interpretation Questions

1. The pastor explained that Paul's statement, "For to me, to live is Christ," emphasizes Christ rather than Paul himself. How does this perspective challenge the common worldly pursuit of self-centered happiness or personal gain?
2. Paul states that through the "prayers" of the Philippians and the "provision of the Spirit," his circumstances will turn out for his deliverance (v. 19). How does this passage suggest that human intercession and divine power work together in a believer's life?
3. Paul's "dilemma" (v. 23-24) shows his personal desire for heaven, yet his commitment to remain for the "progress and joy in the faith" of others. What does this reveal about the cost and joy of gospel love, as the pastor described it?
4. The sermon encouraged believers to live out their faith publicly, refusing to complain and letting their lives shine. How does Paul's desire for Christ to be "magnified in my body, whether by life or by death" (v. 20) serve as a foundation for this kind of consistent, visible witness?

### Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to consider what we fill in the blank for "to live is ______." What is one specific area of your life (e.g., career, finances, relationships, hobbies) where you might be tempted to put something other than Christ at the center? What is one tangible step you can take this week to reorient that area around Him?
2. The pastor emphasized that "the prayers of the saints unleash the power of the Spirit." The church is in a 21-day prayer journey. What is one specific way you can pray more persistently and expectantly for the "five names" you've identified, or for the upcoming revival, this week?
3. The sermon urged us to write down five names of unchurched or unsaved people, pray for them daily, and invite them to next Sunday's revival. If you haven't already, take a moment to write down those five names now. What is one specific, personal invitation or connection you can make with one of those individuals before next Sunday?
4. The pastor challenged us to be "steady Eddie" and consistent in our lifestyle, refusing to complain and letting our light shine at work or in social circles. Think of a specific situation or relationship where you often find yourself complaining or compromising your faith. What is one practical way you can choose to "smile and keep your mouth shut" or visibly demonstrate your faith (like the teacher holding up her Bible) in that context this week?
5. Paul was willing to postpone heaven for the growth and joy of others, and even wished to be cursed for the sake of his people. What is one specific sacrifice (of time, comfort, resources, or personal desire) you are willing to make this week to contribute to the spiritual growth or joy of someone in your family, small group, or church?
6. The sermon encouraged public commitments like baptism or joining a worship service. If you haven't taken a public step of faith, what is one specific question or concern you have about doing so, and who could you talk to (e.g., a small group leader, pastor, trusted friend) about it this week?
7. The church is launching a Spanish-speaking service and welcoming new pastors, Michael and Susie Chelis. What is one specific way you can support this new ministry or other outreach efforts in our church community this year (e.g., volunteering, praying, inviting Spanish-speaking friends)?