Philippians 1:19-26

This is our Sunday teaching from Senior Pastor, Tom Thompson. Recorded live at our service in Harris Academy Purley, Croydon on Sunday 6th July, 2025. Below you can find the full talk audio, and a summary article.

Want to lead a Connect Group session on this teaching? The notes are here!

Talk Summary - To Live is Christ, To Die is Gain: A Hope-Filled Vision of Life and Death

In a week where many in the UK have been reflecting on the sudden death of Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota and his brother, our Sunday teaching turned to Philippians 1, where Paul — writing from prison — speaks of death not with fear, but with eager anticipation. “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

This striking phrase captures Paul’s eternal perspective: life is meaningful when lived for Jesus, but death brings us into something even better — the presence of Christ Himself. In a culture that avoids talking about death, Paul models a faith that is unafraid. Why? Because the Christian hope is not just about surviving this life, but about thriving in the next. The Bible’s vision of what’s to come isn’t vague or abstract — it’s intimate, joyful, and full of purpose: to be with Christ, our King, forever.

What makes that future so good? It depends how you see Jesus. If He feels distant or dull, eternity may not sound appealing. But if you’ve begun to know His wisdom, kindness, creativity, and love — you’ll realise that being close to Him is better than any beauty or thrill this world offers. He is the Artist, the Chef, the King, the Friend beyond comparison.

That’s why Paul says he longs to go — but also gladly stays, because his life can still bring fruit. He writes not with despair, but with purpose and joy. Whether through his words or presence, others will be better off because he remains. And that’s our invitation too: to live as doulos — voluntary servants of King Jesus, choosing His way, not ours.

To live like that is to find win-win in every circumstance. If we suffer, we grow in intimacy with Jesus. If we’re fruitful, others are blessed. If we’re weak, He helps us. If we’re strong, He uses us. This is the call of the Christian life — to be God’s gift wherever we are, and to trust Him with whatever comes next.

So are you ready for your death? That’s not a morbid question, but a hopeful one. If the Spirit has made Jesus real to you, death is not defeat — it’s gain. And while you wait, you can choose to live as His doulos: joyfully, fruitfully, and helpfully.