For Your Progress and Joy Philippians 1 22 to 26 • Marty Beamer • Bethel Baptist Sunday Worship • Dec 5 2021

Paul lays bare his dilemma: depart to be with Christ (which is “far better”) or remain for the church. He chooses to stay—for the progress and joy of the Philippians’ faith. This message calls the church to pursue joyful gospel advancement within the body, rejecting self-centered “self-care” and embracing Christlike service that helps others boast in Jesus.

Key points

• Two holy desires press Paul: to be with Christ vs to remain for the church (vv.23–24).
• “To live in the flesh” means fruitful labor aimed at believers’ growth, not personal acclaim (v.22).
• God often completes His work in a church through people (cf. Phil 1 6 → 1 25).
• True pastoral aim: your progress and joy in the faith—so you ...