New Testament | Philippians 1:21-27 (with Tom Gastil)

Opening Song:
To Live is Christ by Ben McDonald, Casey Brown, David Frey, and Jonathan Smith

Lyrics:
If I rise let me rise on You
Not on all of my successes
My esteem or my pursuits
If I lose let me lose my life
'Cause if I belong to Jesus
The flesh is crucified

For me to live is Christ
For me to live is Christ
For me to live is Christ
To die is gain

If I grow let me grow in You
Wilt the seeds of wanting more
Ripping pride out by the roots
And if I'm still let me hear You speak
Not the tone of my transgressions
But the song of the redeemed

My great desire is to be with You
But this is the place You chose for me
This is the place You chose for me
To lift my cross and give ev'rything
This is the time You gave to me
This is the time You gave to me

For me to live is Christ
For me to live is Christ
For me to live is Christ
To die is gain
I'll never be the same
I'll never be the same
For me to live is Christ
To die is gain

Passage:
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
(Philippians 1:21–27 ESV)

Musical Reflection:
“Be Thou My Vision,” old Irish folk tune

Reflection Notes:
The hymn commonly known as “Be Thou My Vision” is set to the tune SLANE, which is an old Irish folk tune. It samples both major and minor tonalities, with a perfect balance between the two.

Prayer:
Eternal God, we bless you for all people holy and humble of heart who served you here of whom also you did make trial and found them worthy for yourself. Happy are the souls who, being loosed from the earthly prison, go freely into heaven, there to behold their dearest Lord face to face, and are no more disquieted by any fear of death but rejoice in glory everlasting. And we ask you so to guide and defend us that finally we may attain to that glory and to the gladsome praises of your godhead, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, forever and forevermore. Amen.
-Augustine