July 20, 2008

Understanding the Concept of Heaven

by Rev. Dr. Jim Carlson

Genesis 28: 10-19

Opening Illustration – Reflection on the image. Observe the open space in between. If neither side of the sculpture is going away, what might grow in the space in between?

What might God be saying to us about ourselves and God as we hold together in our minds both this story and this piece of art? Connected at the bottom.

Our relationship to the physical world and that which is beyond us.

Jewish people struggled with the same question.

Exiled people reassurance – God gave them the land.

Story of Jacob’s stairway helped them talk about both issues.

Jacob – fleeing Esau; finding a wife.

Slept under the stars at Luz (Slide)

Stone pillow. Analogy to land of Israel.

Dream of a stairway to heaven.

Analogy of the Four Rungs. (Slide)

Jacob recognizes God’s presence. Bethel

Sets up sacred stone – anoints it.

Place was sacred from Jeroboam I to Josiah (Slide)

After the land was invaded, faithful Jews and Christians realized God wasn’t only accessible if you were in the right place. Prayer is universal.

We still want to have connection with God. Two things we learn about connecting with heaven through prayer.

First – Prayer is not merely an exercise in asking for favors or thanking God for good things that happen to us.

What kind of relationship does that imply?

Prayer is unity with God.

NT has the church eating the body and drinking the blood of Christ in communion.

Second – If we’re going to be unified with God in prayer, then prayer is really for us; it’s not for God’s good.

Don’t try to effect a change in God’s attitude toward you. That’s not the issue.

Prayer is a way of reminding ourselves that God is with us throughout all the stages of life.

Jacob woke up and realized his opportunity to connect with God. God reminded Jacob of God’s faithfulness.

Final Illustration – My struggle with prayer.

We may be disappointed to realize that prayer is for our good and not for God’s.

Prayer is much more helpful if we see it as a way of connecting with God just because God created the universe.

We don’t need a stairway to heaven. Not only did Jesus come down, but he opened up the way for us to come into God’s own throne room.

We don’t need to be in a particular place to ascend to heaven. We can connect wherever we are. There are lots of ways to do it. But the most important thing is for us to regain our perspective and remind ourselves that God is God and we’re not God.