Song – When We All Get to Heaven

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Song – When We All Get to Heaven

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr


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SERMONS FROM SONGS

Hymns for Worship, #194

 

Tonight, we want to examine another hymn that we sing from time to time.  This particular hymn has some special consideration as the chorus is worded different that Sacred Selections that we used here for several decades.  I will address that when we get to the chorus of this song.

The song was written by Eliza Hewitt and put to music by Emily D. Wilson.  It is a song to encourage us to faithfulness by reminding us of our home in heaven when this life is over.  Many of the songs we sing are about, or at least make reference to, heaven.  And that only makes sense as consider our purpose for singing is 1) To worship God in heaven, and 2) To teach and admonish one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16).  We are here to help each other get to heaven.  This song, directly speaks about that goal and encourages us to do our part to ensure we reach that goal.

 

  1. 1 – Jesus made it possible
    1. Sing the wondrous love of Jesus – we know that Jesus came because of His love for us. Ephesians 5:2 reminds us of this.  Consider also 1 John 3:16, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
    2. Sing His mercy and His grace – Jesus is also merciful and gracious
      1. Ephesians 2:4-5 describes the rich mercy and grace of God because of His love. 2 Corinthians 8:9 notes the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for us He became poor that we might become rich.
      2. Hebrews 2:17- notes that in all things Jesus became “like His brethren” that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
      3. 2 Timothy 2;1, Paul urged Timothy to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”  John 1:16-17 tells us that “grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
      4. The grace and mercy of God cannot be separated from His Son. It is a spiritual blessing through which we ought to be singing praises to Him.
    3. In the mansions bright and blessed He’ll prepare for us a place – John 14:1-3. We have that promise that He is coming again and has prepared a place for us. In our NT studies, we are keenly aware that heaven is a real place where we will spend eternity with the Lord.
  2. 2 – When troubled, keep your eye on heaven
    1. While we walk the pilgrim pathway – we are sojourners and pilgrims on this earth. 1 Peter 2:11 (cf. 1 Peter 1:1).  Philippians 3:20 – our citizenship is in heaven.  We must continually remind ourselves that this world is not our home.  We are aliens on earth spiritually.  And as each day progresses, as Christians, that ought to become more abundant.  This world is rushing (no longer just drifting) further and further away from God.
    2. Clouds will overspread the sky – when I think of clouds in this context, I think of trials in one form or another. Whether it be persecutions, difficulties as we make our stand for faith, or just the troubles of life (be it social, family, economical, legally, etc.) we are going to face “cloudy days”.  Many of these are just associated with life in general, but sometimes they are brought on or intensified because of our faith.  Will we let such things keep us from serving God or standing up for Jesus?
      We have been warned that in the last days (which we are in) perilous times will come – 2 Timothy 3:1-5.  We are to be prepared for such.  1 Peter 4:12 reminds us that we should not be surprised when we face trials.
    3. But when traveling days are over not a shadow or a sigh – one day we will finish our journey on this earth and face God for our eternal reward. When we get to heaven there we be no “shadows” or “sighing”.  Revelation 21:4 – God will wipe away every tear…  Revelation 21:27 notes there will by no means enter in anything that defiles or causes an abomination.  Romans 8:18, For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.  2 Corinthians 4:17 describes the toils of this life as “our light affliction”
  3. 3 – A resolve to remain faithful
    1. Let us then be true and faithful – considering our hope, let us live with resolve.
      1. Consider our lesson this morning about perseverance.  We do not quit.  The reward will only come to those who remain “faithful until death” (Revelation 2:10).   Hebrews 10:38 notes, “Now the just shall live by faith…” 
    2. Trusting, serving every day – serving God is not a part time job. It is all day, every day.  1 Corinthians 15:58 notes that we must be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.  Romans 12:1 calls for us to present our bodies a living sacrifice.
    3. Just one glimpse of Him in glory, will the toils of life repay – 1 John 3:1-3, a verse of great comfort. In that day we will see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope purifies himself even as He is pure.  This is a point I have often made – I believe that we will not be in heaven but a moment before we realize that everything we endured and sacrificed in this life will be worth it.  2 Corinthians 4:17 again reminds us of “our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”.
  4. Chorus – When we all get to heaven.
    1. Some are hesitant to sing this song because of the realization that all will not get to heaven.
      1. Sacred Selections actually changed the wording to “When the Saved Get to Heaven”.
      2. While that is certainly clear, I have no problem with our current rendition.  This is why:
        1. Virtually everyone who knows and sings this song realizes that not everyone will be saved. Unless you are a universalist, then you know this.  In fact, we know that the majority will be lost.  With that in mind, “all” as used in this hymn can mean, “all who are saved” and that is how I understand and sing the statement.
        2. That is also emphasized in the message of the song as it challenges us to be faithful and serve Him every day.
        3. Be reminded that the church is supposed to be the body of the saved in a given location. Singing is designed primarily to build each other up as Christians (i.e., the saved).  We are singing to “one another” (Christians, “the saved”) so we can sing this as a group of God’s saved people on earth.  We are trying to “teach and admonish one another” to do the very things this song speaks about, so it serves as a reminder that “when we all get there” it will be a great day of rejoicing.
        4. What if there are unsaved in the audience? I contend they too understand that only the saved will be in heaven. Songs like this might actually cause them to question their condition and make changes so that can be in that number.
        5. Also consider, can we have confidence in our salvation? Can we know that we are saved? The Bible says so! Consider 1 John 5:13, 2:3-5 – we can know that we are in Him – WHEN we keep His word.
      3. When we all get to heaven – THOSE THAT DO MAKE IT – i.e., the saved
      4. What a day of rejoicing that will be – we emphasized some of this in verse 3. Certainly, when we are finally in the presence of God and with the faithful of all ages – it will be a day of great joy and rejoicing.  1 Peter 1:6-8, where Peter speaks of being grieved no, but we greatly rejoice because of what we know is ahead – the end of our faith – salvation of our souls.  David in Psalm 16:11 said, You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
      5. When we all see Jesus – 1 Thessalonians 4:17 notes that when we are caught up in the air, we will “aways be with the Lord.” Again remember 1 John 3:2-3, we will see Him as He is and be like Him.
      6. We’ll sing and shout the victory – Revelation 14:3 speaks of those belonging to the Lord in heaven singing as it were “a new song before the throne”.   1 Corinthians 15:54-57 speaking of death being conquered noted, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

 

And thus we have a song designed to give us hope.  We need to remind ourselves of heaven when this life is over.  We need to sing of that often, especially as we fact troubling times.   That is the message of this song.

There is a 4th stanza, which was available in Sacred Selections.  It says, “Onward to the prize before us, soon His beauty we’ll behold; Soon the pearly gates will open; We shall tread the streets of gold.” It simply describes our home in heaven.

What about you?  Can you sing this song with a hope of heaven?  Do you see yourself in that number?  If not, let me encourage you to do whatever is needed to make your salvation sure (cf. 2 Peter 1:10).  If we can help you, let us.  Think about it!

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