To Die Is Gain
Phil. 1:21-24

Introduction:
A. The hope of all Christians is eternal life. When Paul spoke 
   the phrase, "to die is gain," he was expressing his desire 
   of realizing the hope of eternal life. He spoke of being 
   with Christ and declared it to be far better than this pre-
   sent life, which is understood by all who truly understand 
   what it means to have hope of eternal life.
B. Most people do not look at death as gain. They look at it as
   loss. And it is true, for those left behind at the death of 
   a loved one; there is a sense of loss. And for the one, who
   does not have genuine hope for salvation, there is eternal 
   loss.
C. Yet for faithful Christians death is not a loss but a gain.
   It is important to be continually reminded of what the 
   Christian gains at death, because we live in a world that 
   would take us away from Christ with all its' false promises.
   Sin is so very deceptive, and if we are not careful, we may
   believe the lies of the devil, thereby losing our hope 
   (Heb. 3:13).

I. Gain Heaven
   A. How does Jesus describe Heaven?
      1. A great reward - Matt. 5:12
         a. Said as Jesus discussed persecution disciple would
            suffer.
         b. He indicates suffering persecution is reason for 
            rejoicing because those who remain faithful through
            such will receive a great reward in Heaven.
      2. A Treasure - Lk. 12:33
         a. Unlike earthly treasure, heavenly treasure does not
            fail. It can never be stolen or destroyed. It never
            runs out.
         b. Nor can it be forcibly taken from you once you 
            have it.
         c. Matt. 6:20
      3. His father's House - Jn. 14:1-2
         a. What do you think of when you think of a mansion?
            (1). A place where the rich reside?
            (2). A place with everything necessary for one's 
                 comfort?
            (3). Although Heaven is not a physical place, it is
                 a place prepared for the children of God; 
                 those who are heirs of God and joint heirs 
                 with Christ - Rom. 8:17.
   B. Wonderful descriptions indeed.
      1. No wonder Paul said "to die is gain."
      2. He looked beyond the separation of the soul from the
         body to the eternal abode of the soul.

II. Gain Reunification With The Faithful Who Have Already Gone
    Ahead.
   A. Death is a separator.
      1. It separates us for our loved ones, and brings sorrow
         for the loss.
      2. But why do we sorrow at the death of a loved one?
         a. Because they are separated form us (no longer in 
            our presence).
         b. No longer part of our lives (causes us to grieve).
   B. Remember the son born to David and Bathsheba?
      1. Because of David's sin the child would die.
      2. 2 Sam. 12 gives us David's reaction.
         a. Sorrowed greatly
         b. Refused to eat for seven days.
         c. Wouldn't respond to his servants.
      3. So great was his sorrow the servants were afraid to 
         tell him when the child died.
      4. Yet he did not react at all as they had expected - 
         2 Sam. 12:19-20.
      5. The servants did not understand, but David explained 
         his actions - 2 Sam. 12:22-23.
      6. David understood that death was a separation, but he
         also understood that it was a reunification. One day 
         he would be united with the child again.

III. Gain A Home With Jesus.
   A. Paul said in being absent from this body he would be with
      Christ.
      1. Yet there is a sense in which Christ is with us each 
         day.
         a. Jesus is our mediator when necessary - 1 Tim. 2:5
         b. His promise to His disciples - Matt. 28:20
         c. Matt. 18:20
      2. But in Heaven we will be with Him in a different 
         sense.
         a. 2 Cor. 5:6-8
         b. Our present condition (walk by faith).
      3. We do not actually see Jesus, yet we know He is pre-
         sent in our lives as we conform our will to His. But 
         in Heaven we will be in the very presence of the Lord.
   B. Death is something fearful to most.
      1. Ancient mapmakers used drawings of dragons on their 
         maps in unknown places.
      2. Death is our dragon. It is unknown for no one sitting
         here has experienced it.
      3. But, as Christians, we should have no fear of death 
         because it is our door into the presence of the Lord.

IV. Gain A Perfect Abode.
   A. Some ways in which it will be perfect.
      1. A Place where there will be no tears - Rev. 7:17
      2. The Lord Himself will welcome us there - Matt. 25:23
      3. There will be no more pain - Rev. 21:4
      4. There will be rest from earthly labors - Rev. 14:13
   B. With the absence of things which cause sorrow, joy will
      become immeasurable.
      1. This is the gain of the faithful Christian
      2. This is why Paul; could so boldly state, "For me to 
         live is Christ, and to die is gain."

Conclusion:
A. The Christian can truthfully say, "Dying is what I have been
   living for." To die truly is gain. Yet the only way we can
   view death as gain is if we are living as faithful 
   Christians in this life.
B. The question each must ask themselves is, "Can I truthfully
   say, 'For me to live is Christ and to die is gain?'"