Title: “The Heavenly Highway”
Scripture: Isaiah 35:4-10
Introduction:
Although man has made many great expressways, highways, and turnpikes in this world, God has surpassed them all. He has established a distinct highway, which leads to heaven. Let us note the features of the heavenly highway that God has prepared for His people.
The heavenly highway is:
I. A HALLOWED WAY
“And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called the way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.”
(Isaiah 35:8)
A. As we travel through life we are confronted with the choice between two ways – a “highway” or a “low way”
1. Many travel the “low way” of greed and sensuality, which leads finally to destruction
2. Few travel the “highway” of holiness and righteousness, which leads finally to contentment
B. The “highway” is God’s way of purity and truth, that progresses through the infinite sunshine of God’s love
C. This “hallowed highway” “shall be called the way of holiness”
1. Those who totally commit their will to God are enabled by the Holy Spirit to travel the heavenly highway which leads to eternal life with the Lord
2. Those who refuse to commit their will to God are influenced by the Prince of Darkness to travel the incriminating way which leads to eternal damnation
II. A HARMLESS WAY
“No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:” (Isaiah 35:9)
A. Ours is a dangerous world
1. Theft, drug abuse, rape, and murder are common
2. Hatred, strife, separation, and divorce invade many homes
B. Satan is going about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he can devour (1 Peter 5:8)
1. However, Christ is more than a match for the devil
2. We are more than conquerors through Him
C. Jesus Christ is the way
1. We can follow Him safely
2. Keep on praying, reading God’s promises, working, trusting, and traveling on God’s heavenly highway (Psalms 91:15)
III. A HOME WAY
“And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads…” (Isaiah 35:10)
A. Every road is good if it leads us home—no matter how rough, steep, or winding it may be
1. God’s royal highway will take the Christian to his heavenly home
2. God’s illustrious road will take the Christian to his divine residence
B. There will be mountains of trial to climb and valleys of sorrow to descend, but the trials of the road will seem insignificant at our journey’s end
C. The apostle Paul wrote, “For I reckon that the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us (Romans 8:18)
IV. A HAPPY WAY
“They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Isaiah 35:10)
A. Happiness is often sought in the form of sinful pleasures and selfish possessions; but the happiness thus found is short-lived and disappointing
B. We can find true happiness only as we find God
1. We cannot enjoy ourselves in the highest sense unless we enjoy God
2. He is the source of real and lasting happiness
C. When we accept Christ as Savior and Lord, we begin to travel the heavenly highway, which is God’s happy way to life eternal
1. There joy and gladness shall reign forever
2. There all “sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isaiah 35:10)
Conclusion:
Are you traveling the “highway of holiness?” If not, trust Jesus as your personal Savior, and begin walking on the heavenly highway.
