Philippians 1:21-26

v21-22: Death is a great gain for all who live for Christ, with His glory as the goal of their life, His grace the motivating force of their life, and His Word their rule.  It is a great gain "because it is the end of all their weakness and misery and the perfection of their comforts and accomplishment of their hopes."

v23-24: If we "know the value of Christ and heaven" we "will readily acknowledge that it is far better to be in heaven than to be in this world," because "if we go to be with Christ, we say farewell to sin and temptation, sorrow and death, forever."

v25-26: "God will do whatever is best for the church" and this will include providing pastors who are committed to a local church, "not only for the conviction and conversion of sinners but also for the building up of saints and their progress in spiritual advancement."  When this happens, it "should be a matter of joy" for those "who wish the church and its interests well."