Introduction:     Stephen is being stoned for preaching the gospel. As the stones begin to strike him, he looks toward heaven.  He looked up “steadfastly.” Recognizing the danger and the effect his speech had produced – seeing that there was no safety in the great council of the nation and no prospect of justice at their hands ‑ he cast his eyes to heaven. When dangers threaten us our hope of safety lies in heaven. As Stephen looks towards heaven, he sees Jesus standing. Why is Jesus "standing" and not sitting? He is standing clearly to express the eager interest with which He watched the scene that was going on earth. Heaven has an interest in the child of God. How do I know heaven is on my side? How do I know that heaven is interested in me? I know that Heaven is for the child of God…

I.          BECAUSE OF MY INTERCESSOR (Romans 8:32-39)

My intercessor puts all of heaven on my side. Thank God, I am bound in a living partnership to Christ. And because He stands, I will never perish. Notice:

A.                 His Person (v.32) the Son of God

Mount Moriah was the high point in Abraham's experience. He began his walk with God by giving up his father and ended it by giving up his son. The giving up of Isaac was the greatest single act in his life as God Himself acknowledged. "Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me" (Gen. 22:12). The word "withheld" is rendered by “spared” in other places in the Old Testament. Just as Abraham spared not Isaac, God spared not His Son, Jesus. It is difficult to believe that Abraham could have ever held back anything from God after sparing not his son. Likewise it is hard to imagine God could hold back anything from us after giving up His Son.

B.         His Position (v.34)

Where is He? At the right hand of the Father. Heaven doesn’t say, “He was here, and He will be right back after a while.” NO..........He is ever near to the Father.

C.        His Passion (vv.38-39)

What love He has for us and nothing can separate us from that love! 

II.          BECAUSE OF MY INFIRMITIES (26)

Heaven is on our side because of our weaknesses. My infirmities include:

A.        My Ignorance - “know not”

If you don’t know - you are ignorant of some-things. We are not as smart as we think we are.

B.         My Inabilities

We’re not able to acknowledge what we do have in Christ. We are unable to comprehend what we could have by just asking. (Eph 3:20) “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”

·        God is able to do not only what we "ask" but also what we "think."

God’s power is bigger than we can think. Sure it’s impossible...sure it’s outside of your power...sure it seems hopeless...sure it’s beyond your ability...BUT PRAISE THE LORD GOD IS BOTH Able and Willing.

·        He is able to do all that we ask or think.

Not merely some or even most, but even our loftiest conceptions. Furthermore, He is able to do above all that we ask or think, exceeding our highest aspirations and largest requests. Better still,

·        He is able to do abundantly above all that we ask or think.

Oh, that the Holy Spirit would enable us to understand that and strengthen our faith to obtain a better grip upon it. Best of all,

·        He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.

Human language is utterly incapable of expressing the infinite sufficiency and unlimitied bounty of the One to whom prayer is addressed. As long as we are coming to God with our needs and burdens, there is hope. O what hope there is in coming to our God in prayer!

III.          BECAUSE OF MY INHERITANCE (I Peter 1:4)

I have an inheritance reserved in glory. Children of God are TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED. See Romans 8:32 - “All things.” Jesus Christ wrote us into His will, and He wrote the will with His own blood. He died so that the will would be in force; but then He arose from the dead and returned to heaven that He might enforce the will Himself and distribute the inheritance.

A.         The inheritance has no limit- “all things”

B.         The inheritance has no labor “freely”

You don’t have to work for it.

C.        The inheritance has no loan

There is no payment book.

Conclusion:       Heaven is on our side. Heaven is where I am heard, where I am helped, and where I am headed, Heaven is on my side. I have got connections in a high and holy place.