Philippians 1:18-21 “Christ Can Be Exalted”
All of us want to:
- Experience a sense of fulfillment.
- Enjoy life.
- Feel a sense of accomplishment.
Life is defined by the routine.
Everything we do has significance.
We’ll enjoy our lives more if we put the process of living in proper perspective. 1 Corinthians 10:31.
We are not called to accomplish great things for the glory of God; we are called to live daily for the glory of God.
The chief purpose of man is to glorify God.
What was Paul doing in order for Christ to be exalted?
Firstly, I need to …
Trust in the Power of Prayer (19)
Prayer should be the first response to everything in our lives.
If you believe there is a God, then you should pray.
Prayer works!
If we are serious about following Jesus, prayer must be elevated from an occasional activity to a way of life.
Secondly…
Depend on the Provision of the Spirit (19b)
Paul knew he could trust in the power of the Spirit.
Jesus said what would happen to his followers after He left; Acts 1:8
Christianity cannot exist without the Power of the Spirit.
We are exhorted to be filled with the Spirit – Eph. 5:18.
Even though every Christian is indwelt with the Spirit, every Christian is not consistently filled with the Spirit.
To be consistently filled, we must consistently surrender to the control of the Spirit.
Sin separates us from God. Surrender restores the connection.
Thirdly, I need to...
Yearn for the Preeminence of Christ (20-21)
Christ was not going to let him down.
Christ is to be exalted in our body (20) whether by life or by death.
Our problem is generally, we do not see the reality of who God is.
May your heart yearn for God more than for anything else.
