Sermon snippet – Simply Heaven – Part I
INTRODUCTION – The title “Simply Heaven” has a twofold meaning. First, we need a specific focus on heaven. Colossians 3:1-2 says, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Times were difficult then, as they are now. We need this wise counsel. Second, I will try to keep the message simple in the sense of it being brief. The text of the message is Genesis 28:10-22, which speaks directly of “heaven” in verse 12.
- WE SEE THE REALITY OF HEAVEN
A cynic might suggest that anyone sleeping on a pillow of stones might dream anything. However, it was a custom of that time, and the stones would have been padded with extra garments. Jacob’s present reality was not good, for he was leaving his homeland and running for his life. What he discovered is that both here and heaven are real. Trouble and triumph, confusion and clarity, grief and glory – both sides of life are real. Which one will we set our affections on?
- WE SEE THE REALITY OF ANGELS
Note in verse 12 that they are “the angels of God.” If we trust in God, we thus must logically believe in the existence of angels. Jacob saw them on a stairway (“ladder”), indicating that they are indeed “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister” to believers (Hebrews 1:14). The concept of guardian angels is thus Biblical (see also Matthew 18:10). Angels are deeply interested in our salvation (I Peter 1:12) and deeply involved in caring for God’s people at death (Luke 16:22; Jude 9). We find in Revelation 4 that we will worship alongside the angels, for they are fellow residents of heaven.
- WE SEE THE REALITY OF GOD’S INTERVENTION FOR AND INVOLVEMENT WITH US
The dream itself, before any of God’s Word was written down, was the means that God chose to communicate with Jacob. The stairway was certainly symbolic of connection, as were the angels “ascending and descending.” Moreover, all of this was sealed by the promises of God, the promise of the land of Israel, of a people, and of a Messiah (verse 14 – “in they seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed”). Even as Jacob was fleeing this land, God promised it to him. These promises have been fulfilled.
CONCLUSION – Jacob’s response, including constructing a place of worship and promising a tithe (verse 22 – “tenth”), indicate that the existence of heaven should transform how we view and live life. We must trust in Jesus, God the Son, Who came down from heaven, died for our sins on His Cross, rose from the dead, and ascended back to His rightful place in heaven. Yes, Jesus came down from heaven to take us back with Him.