Sermon - The Ladder to Heaven
(Psalms 39; Mark 16:16; Galatians 1:1) Dear beloved believers who long to reach the higher place—heaven’s upper floor! From the beginning until now, we have not remained as the infants we once were on the day we were born. Just as we have grown physically, so we must also grow in wisdom and understanding.
Yes, the intelligence we had as children is far surpassed by the wisdom we gain as we grow older. Thus, it is evident we are growing mentally just as we grow physically. These two areas—bodily growth and mental maturity—are essential to human life. But they are both limited to this earthly life.
Our bodies remain here. And with the knowledge we gain, we are able to earn food, clothing, and shelter. We labor in fields, study in schools, and work in offices. But none of these things exist in heaven.
Yes, the intelligence we had as children is far surpassed by the wisdom we gain as we grow older. Thus, it is evident we are growing mentally just as we grow physically. These two areas—bodily growth and mental maturity—are essential to human life. But they are both limited to this earthly life.
Our bodies remain here. And with the knowledge we gain, we are able to earn food, clothing, and shelter. We labor in fields, study in schools, and work in offices. But none of these things exist in heaven.
As long as we live on this earth, we must also prepare to enter heaven. On this earth, there are two major levels of growth:
1.Growth in the body
2.Growth in intelligence
These are both great in human terms. But greater still is the level of entering heaven—a spiritual elevation beyond the physical and mental. If we practice these earthly disciplines well, they can help us in our journey toward heaven. Yet, when we leave this world, we must leave our bodies behind. We must also leave behind the knowledge we gained for food, clothing, education, and profession. None of these follow us into heaven.
What exists in heaven is greater than the body and greater than intellect. Is it not more worthy, then, to long for those eternal things?
1.Growth in the body
2.Growth in intelligence
These are both great in human terms. But greater still is the level of entering heaven—a spiritual elevation beyond the physical and mental. If we practice these earthly disciplines well, they can help us in our journey toward heaven. Yet, when we leave this world, we must leave our bodies behind. We must also leave behind the knowledge we gained for food, clothing, education, and profession. None of these follow us into heaven.
What exists in heaven is greater than the body and greater than intellect. Is it not more worthy, then, to long for those eternal things?
So, even though our attention is often focused on the necessities of this world—which are important—we must shift our vision toward heaven. That is even more necessary.
1.To learn about the things of heaven
2.To understand the higher level of spiritual life
The church is the essential place for this understanding. That is why we come to the house of God every Sunday—to listen to teaching and prepare ourselves for the heavenly call.
In this church, the teaching is not that “we will remain here forever” or “our life ends here,” but rather the teaching is that while we are here, we must prepare for heaven. One of the great blessings that God has granted us is the church. This heavenly-focused teaching is not only found in church, but also in Christian schools, family prayer, and revival fellowships.
1.In families
2.In schools (especially theological or Bible-based schools)
3.In revival gatherings
4.In churches
—this teaching forms a single spiritual sequence. All of these are instruments that prepare us not to remain in this world, but to be taken to heaven. If we neglect any one of these, we will miss the "upper floor"—that is, the spiritual ascent toward heaven.
Though these four elements appear separate, they are actually all part of one body. Just as a small hole in a boat the size of a fingertip can still sink it, even one missing element among these four can weaken our spiritual journey. Yet, these four come together in one central point:
That is personal prayer in the presence of God—solitary, private, and intimate communion with Him. When all four merge into this fifth—divine presence (personal devotion)—we experience the full richness of Christian life.
1.To learn about the things of heaven
2.To understand the higher level of spiritual life
The church is the essential place for this understanding. That is why we come to the house of God every Sunday—to listen to teaching and prepare ourselves for the heavenly call.
In this church, the teaching is not that “we will remain here forever” or “our life ends here,” but rather the teaching is that while we are here, we must prepare for heaven. One of the great blessings that God has granted us is the church. This heavenly-focused teaching is not only found in church, but also in Christian schools, family prayer, and revival fellowships.
1.In families
2.In schools (especially theological or Bible-based schools)
3.In revival gatherings
4.In churches
—this teaching forms a single spiritual sequence. All of these are instruments that prepare us not to remain in this world, but to be taken to heaven. If we neglect any one of these, we will miss the "upper floor"—that is, the spiritual ascent toward heaven.
Though these four elements appear separate, they are actually all part of one body. Just as a small hole in a boat the size of a fingertip can still sink it, even one missing element among these four can weaken our spiritual journey. Yet, these four come together in one central point:
That is personal prayer in the presence of God—solitary, private, and intimate communion with Him. When all four merge into this fifth—divine presence (personal devotion)—we experience the full richness of Christian life.
So in the Christian Church, these five experiences come together:
1. Family prayer
2. Teaching from schools
3. Revival gatherings
4. Church fellowship
5. Personal (solitary) prayer in God’s presence
Those who newly join this Christian fellowship—a spiritual structure with five ascending steps—should rejoice especially in the fifth: the blessing of drawing near to God personally. This Christian church is the boat that carries us to heaven.
This boat has no holes. It is easy to get into this boat, but the divisions among humans sometimes make it difficult. Why does this Christian boat have no holes? Because it was established by God Himself, through His incarnation as man. Just as there is no flaw in God, there is no flaw in this church.
Long ago, when sin had spread greatly among people, God could not bear to tolerate it. If that sinful generation had remained, their sin would have spread to future generations, multiplying evil even more. Therefore, God decided to remove them from the earth—and a great flood was prepared in heaven. That overwhelming flood was sent in response to their sins.
That great rain was not sent to water the fields, nor to grow trees, nor to fill rivers, nor to quench thirst. It was not a life-giving rain. Rather, it was prepared to destroy and drown the wicked sinners.
At that time, God instructed an elderly man named Noah, saying:
"Noah! Build an ark. Soon, a mighty, violent rain will descend from heaven. You must:
Build the ark,
Know that the rain is surely coming,
Understand that it will destroy all around,
And only those who enter the ark beforehand will live."**
Yet, at that time:
There were no clouds in the sky,
People considered Noah’s words madness, and no one believed him.
Still, God graciously gave them 120 years—a period for:
1. Believing,
2. Understanding,
3. Preparing.
These three stages were necessary for them, and God gave them the time. During that period, the Noah preached to help them understand. That preaching was their time of understanding. After hearing, they were meant to ponder, and upon pondering, to believe. No one can truly believe without thoughtful reflection. So, meditation was the key moment.
Thus, there were three divinely granted opportunities:
1. A time to hear the message,
2. A time to think over what was heard,
3. A time to get ready and enter the ark.
Just as those sinners of old were given these three opportunities, God is granting the same three chances to us today.
There is still time to enter the ark. As said earlier, the Christian Church is the ark in today’s world. And it is a joy that some have come today to step into this ark! Those who once heard the message, reflected on the teaching, and believed in the Lord, have come forward now to be baptized.
Through baptism, they enter from the outside world into the ark of the Christian faith. This ark is setting out from the world and heading toward the throne of God, to the place where the saints, angels, and the glorious presence of Heaven dwell.
This ark is not heading to a place filled with human needs like food, clothes, vegetables, grains, and earthly supplies. Rather, it is going to a place where such needs do not exist—a place where all needs are already fulfilled. It is going to a land free from the troubles of this world.
There is a place where there will be no more:
1.Family troubles
2.Sickness
3.Hardships
4.Death
This is the place where the Christian ark—the Church—is heading. Therefore, those who are entering into this fellowship today will leave behind these four earthly sufferings. Instead, they will enter into:
1.Light
2.Joy
3.Comfort
4.The radiant presence of God
5.The eternal throne of God
Blessed and fortunate are those who step into this ark today, for they are preparing to experience such heavenly glory.
Today is a great celebration for those who are receiving baptism. It is a festival for those who are boarding the ark, and it is equally a day of joy for those who are already inside the ark, seeing others join.
As in the days of Noah, even now, many refuse to enter. Noah toiled for 120 years to build the ark. In the end, it was only:
The animals
The birds
And the eight people of Noah’s family who entered.
The unbelievers did not step in. When the rain came, they climbed onto rooftops, hoping to escape. But the rain drove them down. They climbed trees—the rain reached them there too. They climbed mountains—but even the mountains could not save them, for that rain was meant to flood and destroy.
Even when they finally thought to enter the ark, the door was shut. What use was that thought now? Though they may have desired to climb aboard, it was too late—they would be swept away and drown.
The invitation was clearly given:
“Come”
“Get on the ark”
This call came from:
God Himself
Noah, the elder preacher
The flood itself
Every creature within the ark
Noah’s family of eight
The birds flying to the ark
Even the terrifying rain
All of these voices said, “Come!” Yet still they refused to listen—and were destroyed.
In today’s world, it is the same. Teachers preach, songs proclaim, street sermons are delivered, and even written tracts are published. Yet the people do not listen.
1. Family prayer
2. Teaching from schools
3. Revival gatherings
4. Church fellowship
5. Personal (solitary) prayer in God’s presence
Those who newly join this Christian fellowship—a spiritual structure with five ascending steps—should rejoice especially in the fifth: the blessing of drawing near to God personally. This Christian church is the boat that carries us to heaven.
This boat has no holes. It is easy to get into this boat, but the divisions among humans sometimes make it difficult. Why does this Christian boat have no holes? Because it was established by God Himself, through His incarnation as man. Just as there is no flaw in God, there is no flaw in this church.
Long ago, when sin had spread greatly among people, God could not bear to tolerate it. If that sinful generation had remained, their sin would have spread to future generations, multiplying evil even more. Therefore, God decided to remove them from the earth—and a great flood was prepared in heaven. That overwhelming flood was sent in response to their sins.
That great rain was not sent to water the fields, nor to grow trees, nor to fill rivers, nor to quench thirst. It was not a life-giving rain. Rather, it was prepared to destroy and drown the wicked sinners.
At that time, God instructed an elderly man named Noah, saying:
"Noah! Build an ark. Soon, a mighty, violent rain will descend from heaven. You must:
Build the ark,
Know that the rain is surely coming,
Understand that it will destroy all around,
And only those who enter the ark beforehand will live."**
Yet, at that time:
There were no clouds in the sky,
People considered Noah’s words madness, and no one believed him.
Still, God graciously gave them 120 years—a period for:
1. Believing,
2. Understanding,
3. Preparing.
These three stages were necessary for them, and God gave them the time. During that period, the Noah preached to help them understand. That preaching was their time of understanding. After hearing, they were meant to ponder, and upon pondering, to believe. No one can truly believe without thoughtful reflection. So, meditation was the key moment.
Thus, there were three divinely granted opportunities:
1. A time to hear the message,
2. A time to think over what was heard,
3. A time to get ready and enter the ark.
Just as those sinners of old were given these three opportunities, God is granting the same three chances to us today.
There is still time to enter the ark. As said earlier, the Christian Church is the ark in today’s world. And it is a joy that some have come today to step into this ark! Those who once heard the message, reflected on the teaching, and believed in the Lord, have come forward now to be baptized.
Through baptism, they enter from the outside world into the ark of the Christian faith. This ark is setting out from the world and heading toward the throne of God, to the place where the saints, angels, and the glorious presence of Heaven dwell.
This ark is not heading to a place filled with human needs like food, clothes, vegetables, grains, and earthly supplies. Rather, it is going to a place where such needs do not exist—a place where all needs are already fulfilled. It is going to a land free from the troubles of this world.
There is a place where there will be no more:
1.Family troubles
2.Sickness
3.Hardships
4.Death
This is the place where the Christian ark—the Church—is heading. Therefore, those who are entering into this fellowship today will leave behind these four earthly sufferings. Instead, they will enter into:
1.Light
2.Joy
3.Comfort
4.The radiant presence of God
5.The eternal throne of God
Blessed and fortunate are those who step into this ark today, for they are preparing to experience such heavenly glory.
Today is a great celebration for those who are receiving baptism. It is a festival for those who are boarding the ark, and it is equally a day of joy for those who are already inside the ark, seeing others join.
As in the days of Noah, even now, many refuse to enter. Noah toiled for 120 years to build the ark. In the end, it was only:
The animals
The birds
And the eight people of Noah’s family who entered.
The unbelievers did not step in. When the rain came, they climbed onto rooftops, hoping to escape. But the rain drove them down. They climbed trees—the rain reached them there too. They climbed mountains—but even the mountains could not save them, for that rain was meant to flood and destroy.
Even when they finally thought to enter the ark, the door was shut. What use was that thought now? Though they may have desired to climb aboard, it was too late—they would be swept away and drown.
The invitation was clearly given:
“Come”
“Get on the ark”
This call came from:
God Himself
Noah, the elder preacher
The flood itself
Every creature within the ark
Noah’s family of eight
The birds flying to the ark
Even the terrifying rain
All of these voices said, “Come!” Yet still they refused to listen—and were destroyed.
In today’s world, it is the same. Teachers preach, songs proclaim, street sermons are delivered, and even written tracts are published. Yet the people do not listen.
However, praise God that some have heard the message and come today! May the Lord bless them! May He prepare them! May He establish them in the faith! Amen.
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