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Be With Christ

Philippians 1:21-23

  1. Familiar passage

    1. 2 choices – live or die

    2. Live – keep preaching and teaching

    3. Die – and be with Jesus

    4. Dying is “far better.”

  2. Problem with this passage

    1. Does Paul mean that he will bypass Hades?

    2. Skips the resurrection?

    3. Skips the judgment?

    4. When he dies, will he bypass Hades, resurrection and judgment and go straight to heaven?

Dig a little deeper

  1. Study the context (1:21-23)

    1. Life is Christ

    2. Die is gain

    3. Live means fruit from my labor

    4. Can not choose which he would prefer

    5. Hard pressed

    6. Desire to depart

    7. Be with Christ

  2. Examine the original meaning

    1. Greek tense – duration more than time

    2. Aorist tense = point action – not with any duration

    3. Aorist tense – stomp foot, shoot gun

    4. Here – be with Christ = aorist – die and instantly be with Christ

  3. Understand the term “be with”

    1. Can be physical – next to, in the same location Mark 3:14

    2. Can be emotional – support, stand by, offer help John 17:24

    3. Can be spiritual – John 3:2

      1. 2 or 3 gathered – Matthew 18:20

      2. I am with you always Matthew 28:20

    4. Is Paul planning to skip Hades, resurrection and judgment?

    5. OR Does Paul know that at death he will be in the hands of Jesus?

Conclusion

  1. We have the same choice / struggle

  2. Live for Christ / work for the Lord

  3. Die and be in the hands of our Lord




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