Discipleship Week 6: Gospel-Centered Self-Denial

Philippians 1:24-26

“But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.”

In the previous passage Paul rejoices because despite his imprisonment, the gospel message has continued to advance. Here he continues to rejoice in verse 19, in the hope of his deliverance. I would know that for me, if I was in Paul’s situation I would think of my deliverance as being freed from prison. My prayers would most likely be along the lines of “get me out of jail God!” My guess is that many of you would pray the same prayer! But Paul does not see deliverance in those terms. Rather, he sees deliverance in terms of vindication; regardless of what happens to him, life or death, his hope is that Christ will be honored in him. This is an awesome act of selflessness for the glory of Jesus Christ!

This selflessness continues as he asks a hypothetical question of himself: is it better for him to die and go to heaven, or live and continue in ministry? It is hypothetical because he has no power to determine his own fate. He is in prison after all! But his selflessness is seen in that while it would clearly be better for him to die and be in heaven with Christ, he recognizes that it is better for the Philippians for him to live and continue his ministry when he gets out of prison.

So Paul’s desire to live has nothing to do with himself. He has no interest in long life, prosperity, personal success, health, and wealth. His sole concern is that those he has reached with the gospel continue to grow in the gospel! The spiritual health of the Philippians stands at the center of Paul’s self-denial. This is gospel-centered, self-denial.

What does this mean for us? Well, is the salvation of others and the spiritual health of others the basis for your own self-denial? Are you willing to deny yourself for the sake of others around you? There are so many things in our world that are not necessarily bad but that can make us selfish: money, technology, careers, grades…even friendships and family can become more about us than about others. But are we willing to set aside our selfishness and deny ourselves for the sake of those around us being reached with the gospel?

1. In what ways is self-denial easy for you? In what ways is it difficult?

2. There are an almost endless number of ways that we can participate in furthering the gospel, both here at home and around the world. In what ways are you prepared to deny yourself to participate in this mission to advance the gospel? If God called you to surrender long term career goals, financial stability, and more to participate in spreading the gospel, would you do it? If not, why not?

3. What are some ways that you are selfish instead of selfless? What would your life look like if you emulated Paul’s selflessness in those areas where you are currently selfish?