Buying A Stairway To Heaven

The pastor at our church (Dr. Carroll Marr) has been doing a sermon series for the last few weeks called "Classic Rock." It was a three week series with a break in the center for a special guest speaker who was also connected to the classic rock and roll era.

Dr. Marr picked three of the most popular classic rock songs from the 60s and 70s. The first was "American Pie" by Don McLean, about the deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper in 1959. It was about how each of us can experience something in our lives that stops the music; stops the happiness - and the only way to get it back is through our faith in Christ.

The second song was... get this... "Hotel California" by The Eagles. He played part of each song at the beginning of the sermon and more than once said "Some of you are singing along. Some of you are remembering even if you're not singing, and some of you are thinking "I can't believe he's playing this music in church!"

The Hotel California sermon was about how great things can appear when living a life away from God. So many earthly pleasures and so many things that look so inviting. Then, when you're in too deep and want out it's nearly impossible to go. "You can check out anytime you like - but you can never leave." Not without the power of Christ in your life, anyway.

The third Sunday was a detour but not very far. Our guest speaker was Ken Mansfield, former CEO of Apple Records, USA, and friend of the Beatles. Mr. Mansfield spoke of his relationship with the Beatles and also of his acceptance of Christ as his savior during a time when he was at his lowest. It was a fascinating testimony and one well worth seeing.

The final sermon this past Sunday was based on Led Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven." As you can probably imagine - the sermon was about how a person goes about getting to heaven. You cannot buy your way. Good works don't get you there. Living a good life doesn't work either.

Jesus spelled it out very specifically in John 14:6 when He said "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." There is nothing in His words that say good works, living a good life, or being an all around nice person will get you to heaven. There is only one way and it is documented in the most popular and most read non-fiction book that has ever existed. 

We cannot buy a stairway to heaven. The good thing is - we don't have to because that stairway has already been bought and paid for by the only man who could ever do it. Jesus Christ, through His death on the cross, bought that stairway for all who believe in Him. It's still there and open for all to climb if you simply believe in what He said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

By the way - anyone can watch and listen to these sermons at "http://www.southcliff.com/media/". The final one about a stairway has not been posted as of today but should be shortly. Check it out.