Sermon Outlines

By Frederick F. Schwindt, Evangelist

GOD'S STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

1. Jacob was a privileged character to whom God gave specific promises:
   1. He was a prophet. Seven revelations are recorded given to him at different times. Compare Gen. 28:12 with chapters 31:11-13; 32:1, 2, 24-30; 32:9-12; 35:1; 46:1-4
   2. The first heavenly vision came to him at a time when he felt his need of encouragement most.
2. He lived in constant fear of his brother:
   1. Esau had vowed to kill Jacob.
   2. He felt that he was to be blamed for his difficulties with his brother. The devil plagued him constantly.
   3. God, in mercy, brought encouragement to him in the hour of need.

1. The scene in Jacob's dream reveals:
   1. God's interest in our destiny.
   2. His love and compassion were manifested in the Garden of Eden to Adam and Eve at a time when they deserved it least - Gen. 3:15, 16
2. Bible students know that God's mercy comes to mortals when they deserve it least:
   1. That was true in the experience of King David - 2 Sam. 11:12
   2. It was true in the experience of Lot and his family - Gen. 14:16; 19:1-22
   3. That was true in the life of Saul, who became Paul - Acts 9:1-16; 1 Tim. 1:15
   4. That was true in the experience of the thief on the cross - Luke 23:42-44
   5. That is true in the case of every sinner drawn by the cords of divine love - John 3:16; 1 Tim. 1:15
   6. I know that is true in my own life. Only eternity will reveal the depth of God's mercy to undeserving sinners.
   7. Dear soul, when you are at the point of discouragement and despair, keep looking up, remember God's stairway to heaven.

1. Jacob's vision:
   1. He saw a ladder set up on earth, and the top of it reached to heaven.
   2. He saw the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
   3. And the Lord stood above it.
2. Thus we have a brief, but very enlightening picture of the plan of redemption in miniature:
   1. Christ is God's stairway connecting heaven and earth.
   2. The ladder stood on the earth, and the Son of God came to this earth to become the connecting link between earth and heaven.
   3. "No man cometh unto the Father, but by me" - John 14:6
   4. The angels of God are sent to minister unto them that are to be heirs of salvation - Heb. 1:13, 14
   5. At the head of the Ladder is our heavenly Father; He is the moving source of the plan of redemption - John 3:16
3. Blessed assurance to God's people, who are, like Jacob was, conscious of their many shortcomings, and their need of divine aid:
   1. Christ is their stairway to heaven. He is the connecting link between God and men.
   2. He is our advocate with the Father - 1 John 2:1-3; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 7:26, 27
   3. He is the throne of grace to which we are invited - Heb. 4:15, 16
   4. He is our assurance that we have free access unto God's mercy seat - John 14:1-3; 17:1-22
   5. All God's promises are yea and amen in Him - 2 Cor. 1:20
4. The Son of God has been and still is the only stairway from sin, sickness, and death to complete liberty, and in the end eternal life:
5. Let us use this stairway to break away from sin and sorrow which follows a life of sin: