Podcast Summary
Podcast: Cornerstone Chapel - Audio Podcast
Episode: Torn between Two Worlds
Date: February 1, 2026
Host/Speaker: Pastor (A)
Main Theme & Purpose
This episode, titled "Torn between Two Worlds," explores the Apostle Paul’s profound statement from Philippians 1:21, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." The pastor unpacks Paul’s divided longing between continuing a fruitful life on Earth and the hope of eternal life in heaven, encouraging listeners to find joy and confidence in Christ regardless of life’s circumstances.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Background Context: Paul’s Imprisonment in Rome (00:00–05:00)
- Philippians is one of Paul's "prison epistles," written around 62 A.D. while he awaited trial under Emperor Nero.
- Despite his dire situation, Paul expresses joy repeatedly—14 times in four chapters.
- Remarkably, Paul's imprisonment serves a divine purpose: sharing the Gospel with Caesar’s household.
Quote:
"God had it in his heart, wasn't necessarily in Paul's heart, that the people, even in Caesar's palace, needed to hear the good news of Jesus. So this is really a divine appointment where Paul is imprisoned by God's assignment..." (02:45 – 03:20)
2. Joy in All Circumstances: Reasons to Rejoice from Philippians (05:00–08:30)
- Reason 1: God will finish what He starts (Philippians 1:6).
- Reason 2: God uses our “chains”—our undesirable circumstances—for His purposes.
- Reason 3: The focus of today’s teaching—"To live is Christ, to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21).
Quote:
"To live is Christ and to die is gain. Now this raises for me two questions. Number one...why is that a reason to rejoice? ...And is this a death wish on Paul's part?" (08:10)
3. Paul’s Heaven Wish versus a Death Wish (08:30–13:30)
- Paul is “hard pressed between two”: earth and heaven.
- Paul does not have a death wish (dark thoughts, suicidal ideation), but a heaven wish—a desire to finish life well and be with Christ when God calls.
- Life’s struggles can make believers long for heaven, but it’s not about escaping life; it’s about hope and anticipation of eternity.
Quote:
"He doesn’t have a death wish here, but what he does have is what I’ve coined a heaven wish... you welcome the idea of heaven whenever God says it’s your time." (10:22)
- Reference to Phil Wickham’s song "Homesick for Heaven", expressing this longing (13:20–16:30).
4. What the Bible Says about Heaven (16:30–32:10)
4.1. Heaven is God’s Dwelling Place & Immediate Destination for Believers (16:50)
- No support for doctrines like purgatory or soul sleep.
"To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord..." (18:55) - “Lamb’s Book of Life” as the register of heaven’s citizens.
4.2. Heaven’s Location and Description (20:05)
- Paul’s “third heaven” (beyond outer space).
"Heaven is this place beyond outer space, where God dwells..." (21:25) - Spectacular beauty: streets of gold, gates of pearl, walls of jasper, river of life (Revelation 21–22).
4.3. Heaven Illuminated by God’s Presence (25:35)
- No sun or moon needed; God’s glory and Jesus are its light.
4.4. Heaven as a Place of Reunion and Recognition (26:50)
- Reunions with loved ones who knew Christ, with full recognition and improved glorified bodies (Matthew 17, John 21, 1 Corinthians 13:12).
Quote:
"When we get to heaven, we will recognize our loved ones. We will bear the resemblance, only a whole lot better than who we currently are. Everything's only better in heaven, everybody." (28:10)
4.5. Death is Graduation, Not Defeat (30:50)
- Joyful anticipation for believers.
- But—"You cannot say as Paul did, 'to die is gain,' until you are first able to say, 'to live is Christ.'" (31:10)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Divine Appointments in Adversity:
“God will use our chains for his divine purposes.” (07:10) -
On Christian Longing for Heaven:
"If you’ve never had a heaven wish, you’ve not lived long enough. ... At some point in your life...you will at times have a heaven wish, be like 'God, you know...whenever you're ready for me to go, I'm ready for heaven.'" (10:40) -
On Heaven’s Appeal:
"Eternity in heaven will be absolutely amazing...for the Christian, death is not defeat. It is graduation to glory." (25:50) -
On Assurance of Heaven:
“You cannot say as Paul did, 'to die is gain,' until you are first able to say, 'to live is Christ.'” (31:10)
Key Segments & Timestamps
- Introduction & Context – Paul’s Imprisonment: 00:00–05:00
- Overview of “Reasons to Rejoice” in Philippians: 05:00–08:30
- Paul’s “Heaven Wish” Explained: 08:30–13:30
- “Homesick for Heaven” Lyrics Read: 13:20–16:30
- Teaching on Heaven's Nature and Entry: 16:30–25:35
- Will We Recognize Loved Ones in Heaven?: 26:50–30:10
- To Live Is Christ... To Die Is Gain – Invitation & Close: 31:10–End
Conclusion & Call to Response
The episode closes with a passionate appeal: each listener should consider what (or whom) they are living for. Only through trusting Jesus can one confidently echo Paul’s statement, “to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” The speaker invites listeners who don’t know Christ to pray for salvation and offers a Bible as a keepsake of that decision.
Tone:
Warm, pastoral, instructional, and encouraging—rich with biblical explanation and practical application.