+I. The Christian's life.+--1. _It is a life in Christ._ (1) Begun in
regeneration. (2) Realised by faith. (3) Sustained and increased by
Divine knowledge.
2. _It is a life for Christ._--(1) The example of Christ is its
model. (2) The will of Christ is its laws. (3) The glory of Christ is
its end.
+II. The Christian's death.+--1. _The Christian's death is a gain by
being deprived of something._ (1) Deprived of the sinful body.
(2) Freed from temptation. (3) From his enemies. (4) From suffering.
(5) From death.
2. _The Christian's death is a gain by acquiring
something._--(1) Accelerated liberty to worship God. (2) The ultimate
addition of the glorified body with its exalted form and powers.
(3) The blessed reunion and fellowship with departed friends. (4) The
presence and companionship of Christ for ever.
_Christian Life and Death._
+I. The apostle's language exhibits the proper scope and character of
all truly Christian life.+--The end and substance of the Christian
life is Christ.
+II. What Christian death is and how it ought to be regarded.+--Death
is not simply altered life. It is life elevated and ennobled. It is
gain compared with life in the flesh. Death raises the saint to be
with Christ.
+III. The text puts Christian life and death before us regarded as an
alternative.+--Whether life be more or less desirable, less or more
desired, it should be spent under the strong and penetrating
assurance that to die is gain. Be death ever so desirable, it is our
own fault if the happiness of life does not more than counterbalance
the trial of it.--_J. D. Geden._
"For me to live is Christ." _Enthusiasm for Christ._
+I. Enthusiasm for Christ in the home-life.+
"The highest duties oft are found
Lying upon the lowest ground;
In hidden and unnoticed ways,
In household work on common days,
Whate'er is done for God alone
Thy God acceptable will own."
+II. Enthusiasm for Christ in public life.+
"Trust no future, howe'er pleasant,
Let the dead past bury its dead;
Act, act in the living present,
Heart within and God o'erhead."
+III. Enthusiasm for Christ in Church-life.+
"Come, labour on,
No time for rest till glows the western sky,
While the long shadows o'er our pathway lie,
And a glad sound comes with the setting sun,
Servants, well done!"
--_J. M. Forson._
_The Christian's estimate of living and dying._
+I. The Christian's estimate of living should be a life in
Christ.+--1. _A life of which Christ is the Source._ 2. _A life of
which Christ is the Sustainer._ 3. _A life of which Christ is the
Sphere._
+II. The Christian's estimate of living should be a life for
Christ.+--1. _A life spent in labouring for Him alone._ 2. _A life of
continued suffering for Him._ 3. _A life of daring everything for
Him._
+III. The Christian's estimate of dying should be that it is
gain.+--1. _Because death leads to closer and more uninterrupted
union with Christ._ 2. _Because death lands the true believer in
absolute security._
+Lessons.+--1. _In some sense the utterance of the apostle is true of
every Christian._ 2. _In its full sense it is only true of preeminent
Christians._ 3. _The more it is true of any, the happier and more
useful Christians they are.--Homiletic Quarterly._
_The Believer's Portion in both Worlds._
+I. The believer's life.+--1. _Is originated by Christ._ 2. _Is
sustained by Christ._ 3. _Is spent to the glory of Christ._
+II. The believer's end.+--1. _The gain of sorrows escaped._ 2. _The
gain of joys secured._
+Lessons.+--1. _Improve life._ 2. _Prepare for death.--C. Clayton,
M.A._