____ Like Jesus “Worthy of the Gospel” Philippians 1:21-30

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” – Philippians 1:21
Because Jesus is our life, we can live as citizens of His kingdom and bear suffering like Him.

Philippians 1:21-30
Everybody lives a version of this sentence:
“For me, to live is ________, and to die is ________.”
Reject false definitions of life and death. Let Jesus define them for you.
To live is Christ. To die is gain.
“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12
When Christ is your life, death is not loss.

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ...” – Philippians 1:27
πολιτεύεσθε (politeuesthe) - “Conduct yourselves” or “live as citizens”
Paul is saying:
Philippi may be a colony of Rome, but the church is a colony of heaven.
When Christ is your King, your citizenship is in His kingdom.
Are you ready to own your citizenship in Jesus’ kingdom?

“For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake...” – Philippians 1:29-30
Nothing will form you into the image of Jesus more than suffering.
Two kinds of suffering:
• The suffering that comes from the death of an idol in your life
• Injustice brought about by sin
Jesus understands suffering from the sin of others.
A father is never neutral with suffering.
He will either engage with Jesus in his suffering to bring health to his family, or he will avoid suffering and pass it on to them 
Fathers are called to bear suffering for the good of their families
When Christ is your Lord, suffering is not wasted. 
You are not meant to suffer alone

What is a matter of life and death to you?
Let Jesus define what life and death are.
Are you living like a citizen of Jesus and His kingdom?
Own your citizenship in His kingdom.
Will you view pain through the lens of Jesus’ suffering?
Bring your suffering to Him.
Because in Christ, even suffering is not wasted.