Bill leads in a study of the Magi and what we can learn about generosity from them.

Downey Adventist Church Sermon

How to be Generous like the Magi

Living a Generous Life series

by Bill Aumack

10 Jan. 2026

www.downeychurch.org

Being Confident

Read Philippians 1:23-24. What does Paul mean when he says that "to depart, and be with Christ" is "far better"?

This passage has been greatly misunderstood through the ages. In this week's passage for study, Paul dealt with the contrast between living and dying. The Christian lives for Christ and may even die for Him. In that sense it is "gain" because our witness is that much more powerful and persuasive (Phil. 1:21). No doubt a person believes when willing to die for that belief.

But we must also recognize that the dead are really dead. They "know nothing." They rest in the grave till the resurrection (see Eccl. 9:5; John 5:28-29). That's why Jesus said of Lazarus, who had died, "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep" (John 11:11).

If, when people die, they go immediately to heaven, imagine how that would be for Lazarus. After four days of Lazarus frolicking in Paradise, an angel comes with the "bad" news: "Sorry, Lazarus, but Jesus is calling you back to earth. You can't stay here."

When we follow error to its logical conclusion, we see how erroneous it is. Death is like a dreamless sleep from which Jesus will awaken His faithful followers at the Second Advent; then, together with the living saints, they will be caught up and taken to heaven to be with Jesus forever (see 1 Thess. 4:16-17).

Paul's "departing" from the present life to be with Christ means to be with Him in suffering and dying (2 Tim. 4:6) in order to "attain to the resurrection from the dead" (Phil. 3:11, NKJV). Also, he was no doubt aware that he would close his eyes in death and that the very next thing he would know, in the twinkling of an eye, would be seeing Jesus, who would take him, with all God's people, to the place Jesus has prepared for all who love Him (John 14:3, 1 Cor. 2:9).

Though willing to die for Christ, Paul knew it would be better for the Philippians if he would "remain in the flesh" (Phil. 1:24, NKJV). Interestingly, for the Christian, whether it is better to live for Christ or die for Him is not necessarily easy to answer. Paul was "hard-pressed between the two" (Phil. 1:23, NKJV), between staying alive or resting in the grave.

Again, however much no one wants to die, have you ever thought about how the moment you die, the next thing you will know is the return of Christ? How might that thought help you understand Paul's thinking here?

To Die Is Gain

In case you have not noticed, we are all, as believers especially, involved in the great controversy, which rages all around us and, indeed, in us as well. We all, in one way or another, experience the reality of this cosmic struggle, and we will until the day we die, whenever or however that happens.

Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-6. What is the basis of the spiritual war we wage, and what are our weapons?

The most deadly spiritual weapons are ideas, good and bad. Satan uses criticism, betrayal, embarrassment, fear, peer pressure, and a host of similar tools that Christians should never employ. We are, instead, to use love, mercy, peace, gentleness, longsuffering, kindness, and self-control. Our most powerful weapon, judiciously used, is "the Word of God" wielded by the Spirit (Eph. 6:17, AMP), because only God can bring the truth home to a person's heart. We are merely the instrument that God uses to accomplish His purposes.

Read Philippians 1:21-22. How do we understand Paul's point, especially in the context of the great controversy?

Because the battle is spiritual, we're in a war of ideas and values. Yet, Christ has won the victory at the cross for us, and as long as we stay connected to Him, we can never be defeated, even if we are killed. Paul surrendered his life to whatever happened to him here on earth, however unjust, because he entrusted his life and his future to a higher court.

As Christians, we should not fight so much for our rights as for what is right. It's not "might makes right," but "right makes might." Submission to God's will is honorable; in fact, it is the only way to be victorious in the war in which we find ourselves. Jesus, of course, is the quintessential example of submission to the will of God, as Paul will bring out in Philippians 2.

In what ways, right now, are you experiencing the reality of the great controversy? How can you draw comfort and strength from knowing that Christ has won the victory for us already?

Uniting Heaven and Earth: Christ in Philippians and Colossians — Life and Death — “Christ Will Be Magnified”

Join us as we study the Bible Study Guide for the first quarter of 2026 called Uniting Heaven and Earth: Christ in Philippians and Colossians. We are studying the lesson for week 3 called Life and Death.    

Text your prayer request to 979-575-2035.

Support us: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=a7a8a06e-85ab-4da7-ab62-0020abcd4211

https://www.facebook.com/aLifeSDAC

Subscribe to our YouTube channel http://tinyurl.com/aLifeSDAC

#LifeAndDeath #ChristWillBeMagnified #11January2026 #UnitingHeavenandEarthChristinPhilippiansandColossians  #SabbathSchool #Week3 #AbundantLife #FirstQuarter2026

Sermon at Newmarket Adventist Group l Newmarket, Ontario, Canada

Newmarket Seventh-day Adventists is the official church group of the Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. In collaboration with Paradise Health Clinic, Newmarket Adventists shares life-changing Adventist health principles and the gospel in the context of the Three Angels’ Messages to prepare people for the soon coming of Christ.

Learn more:

Newmarket Seventh-day Adventists

Paradise Health Clinic

Paradise Fields

One Week In Paradise

Ontario Conference of SDA

Seventh-day Adventists World Church

Contact us!

[email protected]

289-763-5994