Aim: To be good stewards of life and death (earth and heaven).
Doctrine: As wonderful as heaven is, God may be more glorified by His saints remaining on earth. The church triumphant suffers no pain, but the church militant has the privilege of propagating Christ's joyful gospel.
Exegesis: The believing perspectives on life and death: Christ's (immediate) presence and His merciful grace are both very great (v. 22); what is most comfortable for us may not be what is best for the church (vv. 23-24); joyful faith is so Christ-honoring that it is worth whatever labor or suffering it calls for (vv. 25-26).
Further application: How to think about earth and heaven: they are united by one Christ and one church, and both of them have unique advantages (that we are to enjoy and exploit).
Key verse: v. 22 ''But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.''
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Rev. Mark Henninger received his Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, and he has been Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Peoria, Illinois for more than 30 years.
