October 27, 2024

                                          FAITH WORTH FOLLOWING: FOLLOWING FAITHFULLY                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              October 27, 2024

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

S.M. Lockridge, a pastor in the 1900’s, preached a sermon entitled “That’s My King,” on knowing who God is. It is perfect for today’s sermon, as we strive to know Who God is. This is only a part of the message: “Who is your King? My King is the King of Israel, the King of Righteousness, the King of the Ages, King of Heaven, of Glory, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! He’s Unparalleled and Unprecedented! My King is Sovereign, with no means of Measure, Enduringly Strong, Entirely Sincere, Eternally Steadfast, Immortally Graceful, Empirically Powerful, Impartially Merciful. I wonder, do you know Him? My King is God’s Son, the Sinner’s Savior, the Centerpiece of Civilization, and the Only One qualified to be the All-Sufficient Savior! I wonder, do you know Him?”

You can still listen to this powerful message. It will thrill your soul. Is this your view of God? Today, join as we see Jacob mature to an awareness of how to serve and worship God..

Focal Passage: Genesis 35:1-15.

Following God requires preparation:

  • Read Gen. 35:2-4. What had Jacob been through during the past few years? What had God told him in verse 1? When the Bible says, “God said to Jacob,” what goes through your mind? Read Acts 10:4 and Acts 9:5-7, 10-11. Did God (or Jesus) stop speaking to man when the Scriptures were completed? What do you think when someone today says, “God told me…”? How does He usually reveal His will to us?
  • What three things did Jacob tell his house in this passage? How did he know there were “gods” among them? Name the gods we would put away if Jesus said he was coming to our house? If there are things that come to your mind, what does that tell you? Why do we not realize He is always with us? What is the second thing Jacob told them to do? What do we need to purify? How do we do that? Read 1 Jn. 1:9.
  • What was the third thing? What was He speaking of? In the ‘old days,’ people wore their best clothes to church. Is that what we should do? What matters most to God?

God’s protection is unmatched:

  • Read Gen. 35:5. Does anyone recall what had recently happened to cause Jacob concern for the safety of his family (and rightly so)? Do you think this protection was for Jacob alone, or something available to all of God’s children?
  • What/who are some of the enemies we have? When God marks us as His children, are the times in life when His secret—or hidden will (not His ‘revealed will’) is going to bring Him glory that only comes through our suffering?

Recognize God’s place in your life:

  • Read 35:6-7. In 28:13-22, Jacob had set up a stone and poured oil (a drink offering) in Bethel; now he does it again in this passage. What was he doing? Was there anything sacred about the stone? What was sacred? What can we learn from this?
  • Do we have to be in church to worship God, to pray, or to have His protection? Why or why not? Why does the church building seem sacred? Is it?

Know Who God is:

  • Read 35:9-11. What did Jacob’s old name mean? Do you think he felt shame when God asked his name? If your name means something despicable, would it embarrass you to tell Him your name? What was Jacob’s new name?
  • What did God mean, “I am God Almighty”? What other names does He have? If we do not know His what He is, how will we KNOW Him? Do His names help us to see Him for Who He is?

Always celebrate God’s presence:

  • Read vv. 13-15. Does this sound familiar? We read the same situation in 28:17-19, and afterwards Jacob went into Canaan. Why did he tarry there?
  • As Jacob raised the pillar and anointed it with oil, why was he setting a place of worship? God had been with him all along—did he realize that? Do you?

TAKE AWAYS:

  • It is difficult today to separate ourselves from the temptations of the world but we must be intentional in doing so. We can’t reflect God by accident, it takes work.
  • Don’t fear attacks or criticism from the world, as a follower of Christ you are marked and can’t be harmed. We may be attacked, but God will protect us, though there are times His hidden will takes precedence for His glory.
  • Focus more on His presence than yours. Simply showing up at church is not enough. Seek Him.
  • Never stop celebrating the goodness of God. When you find yourself discouraged, remember what He’s done for you in the past so you can recognize His help now.

Close:  How like Jacob we are! Conceived with his twin, Esau, God had other plans for Jacob. God would call Jacob to be the one to carry on the blessing given to his grandfather, Abraham. Isaac inherited the blessing of Abraham, but if he aspired to the greatness of faith of his father, the Bible does not record it. However, Jacob, leaving his family to find a bride within the extended family of Laban in Haran, where he stayed twenty years, does not return to Canaan until he is fleeing from Laban. Laban behind him, Esau in front, with many mistakes over the years. Aren’t we like that? We get hemmed in, then call out to God.  Finally, Jacob matures in his faith, and eventually the deceiver, supplanter, and liar turns into Prince of God (Israel). Would that we would mature in such a manner, without all the mistakes! If so, keep that short account, having only seconds between a sinful thought and repentance. Celebrate God’s presence in your life—you can’t sin and celebrate at the same time. If He’s worth following, then do your best.

By Sandy Day                                                                                                                                                                                    October 27, 2024

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