E - Sermon

Treasures from Heaven

Liv ing Under An open Heaven

Oh that you would rend the heavens! That you would come down! That the mountains may shake at your Presence. Isaiah 64:1-3 Many talk about an open heaven, but only a few have the experience of it! An open heaven is an open invitation to enjoy or experience everything God has for you today! We have become satisfied with the same religious stuff (and believe me, charismatics can be religious too), and have become accustomed to the pat me on the back ministry, and the social networking that has become the Facebook of the Church! We are more inspired and awestruck by the programs and the lighting of our modern church facilities, than we are with the presence of God. Entertainment is high on the list of priorities as we endeavour to bring in the unchurched. The gifts of the Holy Spirit now take second place to the gifts or talents of those who lead us in worship. What is an open heaven? The Bible provides some good examples of those who experienced it. Ezekiel saw an open heaven. Jacob had a dream of an open heaven with angelic activity. Peter saw heaven open while praying on the housetop. The upper room disciples had heaven open on them as Gods glory and power came on them. Jesus himself had this experience as He walked in obedience to His Father by being water baptised. In the book of Samuel we read the story of Hannah who gave birth to Samuel. She made a vow to give him to the Lords service and placed him in the care of Eli the priest. 1 Samuel chapter 3 opens with a closed heaven..Now the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation. (1Samuel 3:1) It is a sad day when the priest or pastor of the house cannot hear from God! It took Samuel, a young boy to hear from God, and from that moment the heavens were opened, and Gods voice was heard again in the nation.Then the LORD appeared again in Shiloh. For the LORD revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD. (1 Samuel 3:21) We read the story of king Uzziah in 2 Chronicles chapter 26 and find that he is a very successful king as he submits to the word of the Lord through the prophet Zechariah. This prophet of God was not just one in title but he had experiences of God and shared with Uzziah the instructions from heaven. Read of his successes. But, the kings arrogance and pride gets the better of him and thinks that his success qualifies him to stand at the altar to do the work only the dedicated priests should do. How many people that are in the church today who think that they could do what they want based on their personal wealth or success in life. There are people doing the work of the pastor who dont belong at the altar. The priests become upset with Uzziah and challenge him. From that day he becomes leprous until the day that he dies. I have asked this question, what does it take to experience an open heaven? And this is what the Lord gave me; 1. Dwell in the secret place - This is the place not many want to go to. Its the place of prayer. It is time spent with the One who alone can speak things you have never heard before. (Psalm 91:1) 2. Tithes and Offering - Whether you agree or not, the Bible is clear that when we do this, that He will open up the windows of heaven..! 3. Obedience - I am not talking about general obedience. I am talking about obedience to a particular instruction! When Gods says to you to fast...will you do it? Or to invite a family for dinner etc Will you be obedient to an instruction? Deuteronomy 28:12 says that He will open up the windows of heaven for you. 4. Honesty and sincerity - Nathanael is introduced to Jesus who recognises him and says about him that he is a man in whom their is no deceit. Jesus says that he from that moment he will see heaven open. We all need to see or experience that manifestation of the awesome God that we serve. Heaven is open to us, but I believe that the above points is the action that is required from us to experience the fullness of God in our life and in the life of the Church. Be Blessed Pastor Tony Sands (Note: this is abbreviated notes on a recent message).