WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:29.980 Thank you. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:59.980 Thank you. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:02.000 Thank you. 00:01:05.120 --> 00:01:06.519 Genesis 28. 00:01:06.920 --> 00:01:09.680 Sorry, I'm just waiting on some water to arrive. 00:01:09.680 --> 00:01:10.680 Amen. 00:01:10.680 --> 00:01:11.680 Amen. 00:01:11.680 --> 00:01:12.680 Amen. 00:01:12.680 --> 00:01:13.680 Amen. 00:01:13.680 --> 00:01:15.680 Amen. 00:01:15.680 --> 00:01:16.680 Amen. 00:01:16.680 --> 00:01:17.680 Amen. 00:01:17.680 --> 00:01:18.680 Amen. 00:01:18.680 --> 00:01:20.680 Amen. 00:01:24.680 --> 00:01:25.680 Amen. 00:01:25.680 --> 00:01:47.460 So we've been looking at this family, the family of Abraham, his son Isaac and Isaac's son Jacob. 00:01:47.460 --> 00:01:55.400 And this is where we turn to today as we think about Jacob, this ancient family that yet speaks to us today. 00:01:56.160 --> 00:02:01.740 As God works and deals with them, it's the same God who works in us. 00:02:02.580 --> 00:02:07.260 So let's hear God's word, Genesis 28, starting at verse 10. 00:02:10.180 --> 00:02:13.840 Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran. 00:02:14.640 --> 00:02:19.960 When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. 00:02:19.960 --> 00:02:26.780 Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. 00:02:28.300 --> 00:02:35.600 He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth with its top reaching to heaven. 00:02:35.599 --> 00:02:40.900 And the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 00:02:42.340 --> 00:02:45.639 There above it stood the Lord. 00:02:46.759 --> 00:02:47.759 And he said, 00:02:47.759 --> 00:02:53.099 I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. 00:02:53.840 --> 00:02:57.739 I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. 00:02:58.859 --> 00:03:06.879 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. 00:03:06.879 --> 00:03:11.960 All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. 00:03:13.579 --> 00:03:20.240 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go and I will bring you back to this land. 00:03:21.240 --> 00:03:24.840 I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. 00:03:24.840 --> 00:03:29.719 When Jacob woke from his sleep, he thought, 00:03:30.240 --> 00:03:35.340 Surely the Lord is in this place and I was not aware of it. 00:03:36.300 --> 00:03:38.199 He was afraid and said, 00:03:38.599 --> 00:03:41.640 How awesome is this place! 00:03:42.800 --> 00:03:45.719 This is none other than the house of God. 00:03:46.759 --> 00:03:48.939 This is the gate of heaven. 00:03:48.939 --> 00:03:56.039 Early the next morning, Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head, 00:03:56.699 --> 00:03:59.819 set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. 00:04:00.199 --> 00:04:02.400 He called that place Bethel. 00:04:03.819 --> 00:04:06.840 Through the city used to be called Luz. 00:04:08.060 --> 00:04:10.039 Then Jacob made a vow saying, 00:04:11.060 --> 00:04:16.899 If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking 00:04:16.899 --> 00:04:20.439 and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear 00:04:20.439 --> 00:04:24.439 so that I return safely to my father's household, 00:04:25.319 --> 00:04:28.000 then the Lord will be my God. 00:04:28.939 --> 00:04:33.779 And this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house. 00:04:34.579 --> 00:04:36.560 And of all that you give me, 00:04:37.560 --> 00:04:39.859 I will give you a tenth. 00:04:42.120 --> 00:04:44.120 Well, let's keep our Bibles open 00:04:44.120 --> 00:04:46.519 and let's pray. 00:04:46.899 --> 00:04:57.479 Father God, 00:04:58.239 --> 00:05:04.019 and by your Spirit will you be our teacher this morning. 00:05:05.279 --> 00:05:07.739 That the words that I speak 00:05:07.739 --> 00:05:11.419 would be words from God. 00:05:11.420 --> 00:05:15.720 words that you use 00:05:15.720 --> 00:05:18.180 to change each of us. 00:05:19.379 --> 00:05:22.199 That we would stand in awe 00:05:22.199 --> 00:05:25.540 of how great you are 00:05:25.540 --> 00:05:28.139 and be amazed 00:05:28.139 --> 00:05:31.040 at your wonderful grace 00:05:31.040 --> 00:05:33.300 to people like us. 00:05:33.300 --> 00:05:34.300 teach us. 00:05:34.300 --> 00:05:36.480 Teach us. 00:05:37.980 --> 00:05:39.540 Work in us, we pray. 00:05:40.639 --> 00:05:41.160 Amen. 00:05:41.160 --> 00:05:47.700 Well, Jacob is not in a good place. 00:05:48.540 --> 00:05:51.500 His sinful choices and selfish decisions 00:05:51.500 --> 00:05:53.900 have begun to catch up with him. 00:05:54.780 --> 00:05:57.180 You see, with the help of his scheming mother, 00:05:57.440 --> 00:05:59.340 Jacob had deceived his father 00:05:59.340 --> 00:06:02.020 and he had robbed his brother 00:06:02.020 --> 00:06:03.920 of his blessing. 00:06:03.920 --> 00:06:06.740 And the effects were devastating and destructive. 00:06:07.259 --> 00:06:10.920 You can look back to chapter 27, verse 41. 00:06:11.379 --> 00:06:13.640 Here's how Jacob's brother responded 00:06:13.639 --> 00:06:17.439 to Jacob's deceiving and lies. 00:06:18.139 --> 00:06:19.860 27, verse 41. 00:06:20.339 --> 00:06:22.479 Esau held a grudge 00:06:22.479 --> 00:06:24.259 against his brother Jacob 00:06:24.259 --> 00:06:25.839 because of the blessing 00:06:25.839 --> 00:06:27.680 his father had given him. 00:06:28.180 --> 00:06:29.319 He said to himself, 00:06:29.319 --> 00:06:31.420 The days of mourning 00:06:31.420 --> 00:06:32.860 for my father are near. 00:06:33.319 --> 00:06:36.399 Then I will kill my brother Jacob. 00:06:37.519 --> 00:06:39.740 So in fear of his life, 00:06:40.599 --> 00:06:43.199 back to chapter 28, verse 10, 00:06:44.519 --> 00:06:46.480 Jacob left Beersheba 00:06:46.480 --> 00:06:49.199 and set out for Haran. 00:06:50.379 --> 00:06:52.899 When he reached a certain place, 00:06:53.420 --> 00:06:55.319 he stopped for the night 00:06:55.319 --> 00:06:57.459 because the sun had set. 00:06:57.459 --> 00:07:01.539 Now we don't know the name of this place 00:07:01.539 --> 00:07:03.799 where he stopped for a sleep, 00:07:04.359 --> 00:07:06.620 but I guess we could call it 00:07:06.620 --> 00:07:09.819 Not in a Good Place. 00:07:11.079 --> 00:07:12.120 Verse 11. 00:07:13.359 --> 00:07:15.159 Taking one of the stones there, 00:07:15.219 --> 00:07:16.620 he put it under his head 00:07:16.620 --> 00:07:19.000 and lay down to sleep. 00:07:20.240 --> 00:07:22.759 Picture him there all alone. 00:07:24.179 --> 00:07:26.639 The only thing that he owns is a stone. 00:07:27.459 --> 00:07:28.620 To put his head on. 00:07:30.459 --> 00:07:33.539 Now our stories and struggles may differ, 00:07:33.739 --> 00:07:37.199 but I think we understand that place. 00:07:38.560 --> 00:07:40.019 You may have a friend 00:07:40.019 --> 00:07:42.060 or someone in your family 00:07:42.060 --> 00:07:46.000 who's in that kind of place right now. 00:07:47.139 --> 00:07:49.679 In fact, you might be here this morning 00:07:49.680 --> 00:07:53.439 and you find yourself in that place. 00:07:54.959 --> 00:07:57.500 Maybe it's been your sinful decisions 00:07:57.500 --> 00:07:59.040 or selfish choices 00:07:59.040 --> 00:08:03.400 that leave us not in a good place. 00:08:04.680 --> 00:08:08.220 Or perhaps it's been what others have done. 00:08:08.759 --> 00:08:12.060 Or the circumstances we just find ourselves in 00:08:12.060 --> 00:08:16.040 and we say this is not a good place. 00:08:17.839 --> 00:08:22.939 How does God respond to Jacob in such a situation? 00:08:23.120 --> 00:08:25.240 How does he respond to us today? 00:08:25.939 --> 00:08:29.699 What kind of counsel can we offer 00:08:29.699 --> 00:08:32.000 to our friends and family, 00:08:32.340 --> 00:08:36.299 to one another when we are not in a good place? 00:08:36.299 --> 00:08:37.459 What do we say? 00:08:38.959 --> 00:08:40.759 Well, in our text this morning, 00:08:40.759 --> 00:08:42.319 we're going to discover that 00:08:42.319 --> 00:08:44.919 there is no place we can go. 00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:48.559 There is no depth that we could possibly descend 00:08:48.559 --> 00:08:51.719 where God is not there. 00:08:54.019 --> 00:08:56.959 Four big things we want to see this morning 00:08:56.960 --> 00:08:58.780 is God's grace, 00:08:59.540 --> 00:09:00.720 God's promise, 00:09:01.860 --> 00:09:03.060 God's presence, 00:09:03.980 --> 00:09:05.379 and God's assurance. 00:09:07.160 --> 00:09:09.019 This is how God responds 00:09:09.019 --> 00:09:12.960 when we are not in a good place. 00:09:13.980 --> 00:09:17.820 First, let's be surprised 00:09:17.820 --> 00:09:19.980 by God's grace. 00:09:21.460 --> 00:09:23.660 God's response is certainly not 00:09:23.660 --> 00:09:25.240 how we might respond 00:09:25.240 --> 00:09:28.240 to deceivers and robbers. 00:09:28.700 --> 00:09:29.720 Look at verse 12. 00:09:30.159 --> 00:09:31.879 Jacob had a dream 00:09:31.879 --> 00:09:34.200 in which he saw a stairway 00:09:34.200 --> 00:09:35.500 resting on the earth 00:09:35.500 --> 00:09:39.220 with its top reaching into the heavens. 00:09:39.919 --> 00:09:41.860 What's going on here? 00:09:42.879 --> 00:09:44.700 Well, as he looked in his dream, 00:09:44.879 --> 00:09:46.399 there were angels of God 00:09:46.399 --> 00:09:48.220 and they were ascending 00:09:48.220 --> 00:09:50.299 and they were descending 00:09:50.299 --> 00:09:52.779 up and down the steps. 00:09:53.139 --> 00:09:54.360 What's going on? 00:09:54.360 --> 00:09:56.320 What's going to happen to Jacob? 00:09:56.320 --> 00:09:57.759 Verse 13. 00:09:58.240 --> 00:09:59.639 There above it 00:09:59.639 --> 00:10:03.340 stood the Lord. 00:10:04.779 --> 00:10:07.300 Or some of our translations might have 00:10:07.300 --> 00:10:09.820 there beside him 00:10:09.820 --> 00:10:11.960 stood the Lord. 00:10:13.580 --> 00:10:14.159 You see, 00:10:14.419 --> 00:10:16.560 we mightn't bother with a Jacob, 00:10:17.620 --> 00:10:20.240 but God is desperately concerned 00:10:20.240 --> 00:10:21.539 for Jacob. 00:10:21.539 --> 00:10:23.699 And let's be clear, 00:10:23.799 --> 00:10:25.339 this is not a stairway 00:10:25.339 --> 00:10:26.419 or a ladder 00:10:26.419 --> 00:10:27.139 for Jacob 00:10:27.139 --> 00:10:27.919 to somehow 00:10:27.919 --> 00:10:29.579 climb up to God. 00:10:29.799 --> 00:10:31.039 This is a vision 00:10:31.039 --> 00:10:32.299 in which God, 00:10:32.419 --> 00:10:33.099 the Almighty, 00:10:33.679 --> 00:10:34.919 descends down 00:10:34.919 --> 00:10:35.959 to Jacob. 00:10:37.419 --> 00:10:38.000 Remember, 00:10:38.199 --> 00:10:39.019 Jacob has gone 00:10:39.019 --> 00:10:39.799 to sleep. 00:10:40.599 --> 00:10:41.519 He hasn't read 00:10:41.519 --> 00:10:42.199 his Bible 00:10:42.199 --> 00:10:42.860 that night. 00:10:42.959 --> 00:10:43.480 He hasn't 00:10:43.480 --> 00:10:45.419 done his bedtime prayers. 00:10:45.679 --> 00:10:47.319 There's no calling out 00:10:47.319 --> 00:10:47.779 to God 00:10:47.779 --> 00:10:48.299 for help. 00:10:48.299 --> 00:10:49.759 It's not Jacob 00:10:49.759 --> 00:10:50.919 who's lying there 00:10:50.919 --> 00:10:52.379 looking for God. 00:10:52.599 --> 00:10:53.579 It's God 00:10:53.579 --> 00:10:54.740 who is coming 00:10:54.740 --> 00:10:55.459 down 00:10:55.459 --> 00:10:57.039 to Jacob. 00:10:58.479 --> 00:10:59.539 God takes 00:10:59.539 --> 00:11:00.339 the initiative. 00:11:00.839 --> 00:11:01.979 He intervenes 00:11:01.979 --> 00:11:03.500 and he descends 00:11:03.500 --> 00:11:04.659 in grace. 00:11:06.000 --> 00:11:06.719 It's not 00:11:06.719 --> 00:11:08.099 what we expect. 00:11:08.539 --> 00:11:09.339 It takes us 00:11:09.339 --> 00:11:10.319 by surprise 00:11:10.319 --> 00:11:10.819 because 00:11:10.819 --> 00:11:12.120 this isn't 00:11:12.120 --> 00:11:13.339 what is deserved. 00:11:13.340 --> 00:11:18.360 And what does God 00:11:18.360 --> 00:11:19.399 do when he comes 00:11:19.399 --> 00:11:19.879 down? 00:11:21.180 --> 00:11:22.500 Well, he speaks 00:11:22.500 --> 00:11:24.019 a word of grace. 00:11:24.860 --> 00:11:25.639 Verse 13, 00:11:26.160 --> 00:11:26.720 There 00:11:26.720 --> 00:11:28.480 beside him 00:11:28.480 --> 00:11:30.240 stood the Lord 00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:31.600 and he said, 00:11:32.420 --> 00:11:33.500 I am the Lord, 00:11:33.620 --> 00:11:34.399 the God of your 00:11:34.399 --> 00:11:35.480 father Abraham 00:11:35.480 --> 00:11:37.240 and the God 00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:38.820 of Isaac. 00:11:38.820 --> 00:11:40.700 Jacob, 00:11:40.960 --> 00:11:41.780 just as I 00:11:41.780 --> 00:11:42.460 was God 00:11:42.460 --> 00:11:43.180 to Abraham 00:11:43.180 --> 00:11:44.660 your grandfather, 00:11:45.340 --> 00:11:46.320 just as I 00:11:46.320 --> 00:11:46.860 was God 00:11:46.860 --> 00:11:47.700 to your father 00:11:47.700 --> 00:11:48.360 Isaac, 00:11:48.940 --> 00:11:49.960 so Jacob, 00:11:50.740 --> 00:11:51.600 I am 00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:52.400 your God 00:11:52.400 --> 00:11:53.180 too. 00:11:56.700 --> 00:11:57.340 Silence 00:11:57.340 --> 00:11:58.180 can be a 00:11:58.180 --> 00:11:59.000 terrible thing, 00:11:59.080 --> 00:11:59.620 can't it? 00:12:00.520 --> 00:12:01.300 I think we've 00:12:01.300 --> 00:12:01.860 all known 00:12:01.860 --> 00:12:03.320 this experience 00:12:03.320 --> 00:12:03.840 where you've 00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:04.820 done something 00:12:04.820 --> 00:12:05.960 or you've 00:12:05.960 --> 00:12:06.860 said something 00:12:06.860 --> 00:12:07.780 that has offended 00:12:07.780 --> 00:12:08.680 the other person, 00:12:08.679 --> 00:12:09.719 maybe a spouse 00:12:09.719 --> 00:12:10.699 or someone 00:12:10.699 --> 00:12:11.239 within your 00:12:11.239 --> 00:12:11.859 family or 00:12:11.859 --> 00:12:12.479 someone in 00:12:12.479 --> 00:12:13.000 your work 00:12:13.000 --> 00:12:13.899 and you know 00:12:13.899 --> 00:12:14.639 the response 00:12:14.639 --> 00:12:15.039 you get, 00:12:15.139 --> 00:12:15.719 you get the 00:12:15.719 --> 00:12:16.839 silent treatment. 00:12:17.919 --> 00:12:18.439 They won't 00:12:18.439 --> 00:12:19.379 talk to you. 00:12:20.279 --> 00:12:20.979 They cut off 00:12:20.979 --> 00:12:21.539 communication, 00:12:21.959 --> 00:12:22.639 they don't 00:12:22.639 --> 00:12:23.319 answer your 00:12:23.319 --> 00:12:23.759 text, 00:12:23.919 --> 00:12:24.479 they might 00:12:24.479 --> 00:12:25.259 even block 00:12:25.259 --> 00:12:25.539 you, 00:12:25.919 --> 00:12:26.679 they disown 00:12:26.679 --> 00:12:26.839 you, 00:12:26.919 --> 00:12:27.659 you know 00:12:27.659 --> 00:12:28.579 that silent 00:12:28.579 --> 00:12:29.139 treatment. 00:12:31.099 --> 00:12:31.639 Well, 00:12:31.659 --> 00:12:32.339 that's how we 00:12:32.339 --> 00:12:33.039 might deal 00:12:33.039 --> 00:12:33.839 with each other 00:12:33.839 --> 00:12:34.879 but God 00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:35.620 doesn't give 00:12:35.620 --> 00:12:36.399 the silent 00:12:36.399 --> 00:12:36.959 treatment. 00:12:36.960 --> 00:12:38.960 He moves 00:12:38.960 --> 00:12:40.280 towards us, 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:41.220 he always 00:12:41.220 --> 00:12:41.680 does. 00:12:41.780 --> 00:12:42.060 You see, 00:12:42.160 --> 00:12:42.780 there is no 00:12:42.780 --> 00:12:43.620 place we 00:12:43.620 --> 00:12:44.300 can be in, 00:12:44.600 --> 00:12:45.120 there's no 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:45.920 depth that 00:12:45.920 --> 00:12:46.320 we can 00:12:46.320 --> 00:12:46.879 descend, 00:12:47.259 --> 00:12:47.980 where God 00:12:47.980 --> 00:12:49.220 doesn't come 00:12:49.220 --> 00:12:50.300 and speak 00:12:50.300 --> 00:12:51.360 a word of 00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:51.879 grace. 00:12:52.460 --> 00:12:53.639 I am 00:12:53.639 --> 00:12:54.700 your God 00:12:54.700 --> 00:12:55.540 too. 00:12:59.040 --> 00:12:59.800 You see, 00:12:59.900 --> 00:13:00.740 our society, 00:13:00.940 --> 00:13:01.580 our culture 00:13:01.580 --> 00:13:02.440 works on the 00:13:02.440 --> 00:13:03.259 basis that 00:13:03.259 --> 00:13:04.440 if you want 00:13:04.440 --> 00:13:05.060 to get on 00:13:05.060 --> 00:13:05.660 in life 00:13:05.660 --> 00:13:07.180 or if you 00:13:07.180 --> 00:13:08.200 find yourself 00:13:08.200 --> 00:13:08.980 in a difficult 00:13:08.980 --> 00:13:09.800 situation, 00:13:10.360 --> 00:13:11.220 you've got 00:13:11.220 --> 00:13:11.900 to pull 00:13:11.900 --> 00:13:12.980 yourself together 00:13:12.980 --> 00:13:14.140 and lift 00:13:14.140 --> 00:13:14.940 yourself up 00:13:14.940 --> 00:13:15.640 because no 00:13:15.640 --> 00:13:16.220 one else is 00:13:16.220 --> 00:13:16.700 going to do 00:13:16.700 --> 00:13:17.380 it for you. 00:13:17.700 --> 00:13:18.420 You've got 00:13:18.420 --> 00:13:19.100 to get on 00:13:19.100 --> 00:13:19.640 and make 00:13:19.640 --> 00:13:20.140 your life 00:13:20.140 --> 00:13:20.560 better. 00:13:21.840 --> 00:13:22.400 Instead, 00:13:22.660 --> 00:13:23.260 the message 00:13:23.260 --> 00:13:24.500 today is 00:13:24.500 --> 00:13:25.340 to stop 00:13:25.340 --> 00:13:26.560 and wonder 00:13:26.560 --> 00:13:27.800 at the grace 00:13:27.800 --> 00:13:28.420 of God 00:13:28.420 --> 00:13:29.420 who sees 00:13:29.420 --> 00:13:30.020 us where 00:13:30.020 --> 00:13:30.560 we are, 00:13:30.900 --> 00:13:31.600 who takes 00:13:31.600 --> 00:13:32.660 the initiative, 00:13:32.659 --> 00:13:34.199 who intervenes, 00:13:34.500 --> 00:13:35.339 who descends 00:13:35.339 --> 00:13:36.019 into our 00:13:36.019 --> 00:13:37.360 darkest place, 00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:38.600 who enters 00:13:38.600 --> 00:13:39.339 into our 00:13:39.339 --> 00:13:40.879 not in a 00:13:40.879 --> 00:13:41.879 good place 00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:44.500 and speaks 00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:45.219 a word of 00:13:45.219 --> 00:13:45.719 grace. 00:13:47.079 --> 00:13:48.059 I am 00:13:48.059 --> 00:13:49.459 your God 00:13:49.459 --> 00:13:50.240 too. 00:13:53.240 --> 00:13:54.559 So first, 00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:56.199 let us be 00:13:56.199 --> 00:13:57.240 surprised 00:13:57.240 --> 00:13:58.679 by the 00:13:58.679 --> 00:13:59.220 grace of 00:13:59.220 --> 00:13:59.600 God. 00:13:59.600 --> 00:14:03.700 second, 00:14:04.700 --> 00:14:05.659 let us 00:14:05.659 --> 00:14:05.920 be 00:14:05.920 --> 00:14:06.960 encouraged 00:14:06.960 --> 00:14:08.820 by God's 00:14:08.820 --> 00:14:09.460 promise. 00:14:10.700 --> 00:14:11.259 You see, 00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:11.779 God's 00:14:11.779 --> 00:14:12.480 word of 00:14:12.480 --> 00:14:13.159 grace is 00:14:13.159 --> 00:14:13.800 filled 00:14:13.800 --> 00:14:15.180 with great 00:14:15.180 --> 00:14:15.759 promise. 00:14:16.379 --> 00:14:17.019 Here God 00:14:17.019 --> 00:14:18.080 reminds Jacob 00:14:18.080 --> 00:14:18.820 of what 00:14:18.820 --> 00:14:19.720 he is going 00:14:19.720 --> 00:14:20.080 to do. 00:14:20.159 --> 00:14:20.779 In fact, 00:14:21.460 --> 00:14:22.159 this shouldn't 00:14:22.159 --> 00:14:22.800 be new to 00:14:22.800 --> 00:14:23.019 us. 00:14:23.100 --> 00:14:23.440 These are 00:14:23.440 --> 00:14:24.120 the same 00:14:24.120 --> 00:14:24.800 promises 00:14:24.800 --> 00:14:26.040 that God 00:14:26.040 --> 00:14:26.580 gave to 00:14:26.580 --> 00:14:27.019 Abraham 00:14:27.019 --> 00:14:28.040 and to 00:14:28.040 --> 00:14:28.519 Isaac. 00:14:28.519 --> 00:14:29.439 let's 00:14:29.439 --> 00:14:29.840 see what 00:14:29.840 --> 00:14:30.220 they are. 00:14:30.299 --> 00:14:30.539 Verse 00:14:30.539 --> 00:14:31.199 13, 00:14:31.679 --> 00:14:32.100 there was 00:14:32.100 --> 00:14:32.919 the promise 00:14:32.919 --> 00:14:34.120 of land. 00:14:35.679 --> 00:14:36.000 God 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:36.259 said, 00:14:36.379 --> 00:14:36.559 I will 00:14:36.559 --> 00:14:37.319 give you 00:14:37.319 --> 00:14:37.639 and your 00:14:37.639 --> 00:14:38.159 descendants 00:14:38.159 --> 00:14:39.039 the land 00:14:39.039 --> 00:14:39.539 on which 00:14:39.539 --> 00:14:39.860 you are 00:14:39.860 --> 00:14:40.279 lying. 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:41.939 Beginning 00:14:41.939 --> 00:14:42.399 of verse 00:14:42.399 --> 00:14:43.179 14 is 00:14:43.179 --> 00:14:43.879 the promise 00:14:43.879 --> 00:14:44.620 of a 00:14:44.620 --> 00:14:45.360 great nation. 00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:45.679 Your 00:14:45.679 --> 00:14:46.319 descendants 00:14:46.319 --> 00:14:46.720 will be 00:14:46.720 --> 00:14:47.159 like the 00:14:47.159 --> 00:14:47.699 dust of 00:14:47.699 --> 00:14:48.019 the earth. 00:14:48.079 --> 00:14:48.220 You're 00:14:48.220 --> 00:14:48.460 going to 00:14:48.460 --> 00:14:49.100 spread out 00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:49.659 north, 00:14:49.819 --> 00:14:50.059 south, 00:14:50.179 --> 00:14:50.399 east, 00:14:50.480 --> 00:14:50.879 and west. 00:14:50.879 --> 00:14:51.379 You're 00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:51.519 going to 00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:51.840 be a 00:14:51.840 --> 00:14:52.319 huge 00:14:52.319 --> 00:14:53.199 nation. 00:14:54.679 --> 00:14:54.879 And the 00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:55.279 rest of 00:14:55.279 --> 00:14:55.879 verse 00:14:55.879 --> 00:14:57.039 14 is 00:14:57.039 --> 00:14:57.659 the promise 00:14:57.659 --> 00:14:58.059 of being 00:14:58.059 --> 00:14:58.699 a blessing 00:14:58.699 --> 00:14:59.219 to all 00:14:59.219 --> 00:14:59.639 nations. 00:14:59.899 --> 00:15:00.179 All 00:15:00.179 --> 00:15:00.759 peoples 00:15:00.759 --> 00:15:01.360 on earth 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:02.099 will be 00:15:02.099 --> 00:15:02.500 blessed 00:15:02.500 --> 00:15:03.879 through you. 00:15:04.679 --> 00:15:05.159 This is 00:15:05.159 --> 00:15:06.159 what I'm 00:15:06.159 --> 00:15:06.599 going to 00:15:06.599 --> 00:15:07.299 do for 00:15:07.299 --> 00:15:07.599 you, 00:15:07.740 --> 00:15:08.039 Jacob. 00:15:10.039 --> 00:15:10.639 Well, 00:15:10.679 --> 00:15:11.079 all that 00:15:11.079 --> 00:15:11.879 sounds grand 00:15:11.879 --> 00:15:12.500 and great, 00:15:12.599 --> 00:15:13.199 doesn't it? 00:15:14.199 --> 00:15:14.639 But what 00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:15.179 about the 00:15:15.179 --> 00:15:15.579 now? 00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:17.559 You see, 00:15:17.659 --> 00:15:18.299 Jacob's 00:15:18.299 --> 00:15:19.059 present 00:15:19.059 --> 00:15:20.279 experience, 00:15:21.079 --> 00:15:21.860 lying down 00:15:21.860 --> 00:15:22.240 with his 00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:22.819 head on a 00:15:22.819 --> 00:15:23.379 stone, 00:15:23.779 --> 00:15:24.259 is a 00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:24.819 long way 00:15:24.819 --> 00:15:26.220 off God's 00:15:26.220 --> 00:15:26.639 great 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:27.259 promises. 00:15:27.779 --> 00:15:28.100 Instead 00:15:28.100 --> 00:15:29.019 of having 00:15:29.019 --> 00:15:29.679 a land, 00:15:29.960 --> 00:15:30.500 all he's 00:15:30.500 --> 00:15:30.879 got is 00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:31.480 a stone. 00:15:32.360 --> 00:15:32.620 Instead 00:15:32.620 --> 00:15:33.179 of being 00:15:33.179 --> 00:15:33.679 a great 00:15:33.679 --> 00:15:34.220 nation, 00:15:34.659 --> 00:15:35.100 all he 00:15:35.100 --> 00:15:35.480 is, 00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:36.740 is himself. 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:37.259 He hasn't 00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:37.799 even got a 00:15:37.799 --> 00:15:38.319 wife or 00:15:38.319 --> 00:15:38.799 children. 00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:40.379 Instead 00:15:40.379 --> 00:15:40.840 of being 00:15:40.840 --> 00:15:41.439 a blessing, 00:15:42.159 --> 00:15:42.360 well, 00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:42.860 he's been 00:15:42.860 --> 00:15:43.460 a curse 00:15:43.460 --> 00:15:43.899 to his 00:15:43.899 --> 00:15:44.559 own family 00:15:44.559 --> 00:15:44.960 and he's 00:15:44.960 --> 00:15:45.259 running 00:15:45.259 --> 00:15:45.720 for his 00:15:45.720 --> 00:15:46.039 life. 00:15:46.600 --> 00:15:47.039 God's 00:15:47.039 --> 00:15:47.340 great 00:15:47.340 --> 00:15:47.840 promises, 00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:48.659 yes, 00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:48.980 they're 00:15:48.980 --> 00:15:49.419 great, 00:15:49.559 --> 00:15:49.799 they're 00:15:49.799 --> 00:15:50.279 brilliant, 00:15:50.740 --> 00:15:51.179 but what 00:15:51.179 --> 00:15:51.939 about me 00:15:51.939 --> 00:15:52.620 today? 00:15:54.259 --> 00:15:56.639 God's 00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:57.059 promises 00:15:57.059 --> 00:15:57.539 are 00:15:57.539 --> 00:15:58.059 important 00:15:58.059 --> 00:15:58.799 to us. 00:15:59.679 --> 00:15:59.899 They 00:15:59.899 --> 00:16:00.240 mightn't 00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:00.819 be fully 00:16:00.819 --> 00:16:01.080 and 00:16:01.080 --> 00:16:01.639 immediately 00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:02.480 fulfilled, 00:16:03.019 --> 00:16:03.580 but they 00:16:03.580 --> 00:16:04.460 will be 00:16:04.460 --> 00:16:05.679 in God's 00:16:05.679 --> 00:16:06.120 time. 00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:07.460 You see, 00:16:07.559 --> 00:16:08.179 what Jacob 00:16:08.179 --> 00:16:08.679 had to 00:16:08.679 --> 00:16:09.419 understand 00:16:09.419 --> 00:16:10.220 and what 00:16:10.220 --> 00:16:10.840 we need 00:16:10.840 --> 00:16:11.399 to learn 00:16:11.399 --> 00:16:11.740 and to 00:16:11.740 --> 00:16:12.139 grasp 00:16:12.139 --> 00:16:12.679 is that 00:16:12.679 --> 00:16:13.120 there is 00:16:13.120 --> 00:16:13.840 a now 00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:14.779 and a 00:16:14.779 --> 00:16:15.659 not yet 00:16:15.659 --> 00:16:16.960 to God's 00:16:16.960 --> 00:16:17.419 promises. 00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:18.559 There's a 00:16:18.559 --> 00:16:19.279 now and a 00:16:19.279 --> 00:16:19.939 not yet 00:16:19.939 --> 00:16:20.559 to God's 00:16:20.559 --> 00:16:20.939 promises. 00:16:21.340 --> 00:16:21.779 Look what 00:16:21.779 --> 00:16:22.460 God says 00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:23.059 to Jacob 00:16:23.059 --> 00:16:23.580 in these 00:16:23.580 --> 00:16:23.939 verses. 00:16:24.259 --> 00:16:24.659 They're 00:16:24.659 --> 00:16:24.919 all 00:16:24.919 --> 00:16:25.639 future, 00:16:25.779 --> 00:16:26.039 aren't 00:16:26.039 --> 00:16:26.279 they? 00:16:26.960 --> 00:16:27.439 He says, 00:16:27.559 --> 00:16:28.200 I will 00:16:28.200 --> 00:16:29.139 give you 00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:29.659 a land. 00:16:30.759 --> 00:16:31.439 I will 00:16:31.439 --> 00:16:32.200 make you 00:16:32.200 --> 00:16:33.019 into a 00:16:33.019 --> 00:16:33.259 great 00:16:33.259 --> 00:16:33.639 nation. 00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:34.919 I will 00:16:34.919 --> 00:16:35.559 make you 00:16:35.559 --> 00:16:36.100 a blessing 00:16:36.100 --> 00:16:37.039 to the 00:16:37.039 --> 00:16:37.480 nations. 00:16:38.620 --> 00:16:39.100 In other 00:16:39.100 --> 00:16:39.379 words, 00:16:39.679 --> 00:16:40.240 not all 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:40.799 of God's 00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:41.240 promises 00:16:41.240 --> 00:16:42.419 are here 00:16:42.419 --> 00:16:43.139 and now. 00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:44.039 Most 00:16:44.039 --> 00:16:45.220 are yet 00:16:45.220 --> 00:16:45.879 to come. 00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:47.919 Now, 00:16:47.980 --> 00:16:48.419 from our 00:16:48.419 --> 00:16:48.980 perspective 00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:49.500 today, 00:16:49.580 --> 00:16:50.139 if we are 00:16:50.139 --> 00:16:50.720 Christians, 00:16:51.059 --> 00:16:51.819 we have 00:16:51.819 --> 00:16:53.159 many promises 00:16:53.159 --> 00:16:54.000 to come. 00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:55.279 not least 00:16:55.279 --> 00:16:56.039 the promise 00:16:56.039 --> 00:16:56.500 of the 00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:57.500 new heavens 00:16:57.500 --> 00:16:57.899 and the 00:16:57.899 --> 00:16:58.439 new earth, 00:16:58.559 --> 00:16:59.340 the new 00:16:59.340 --> 00:17:00.019 creation, 00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:01.659 the ultimate 00:17:01.659 --> 00:17:02.980 land, 00:17:03.720 --> 00:17:04.819 where God's 00:17:04.819 --> 00:17:05.960 people from 00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:06.759 all nations 00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:07.200 will be 00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:08.240 gathered and 00:17:08.240 --> 00:17:08.940 will enjoy 00:17:08.940 --> 00:17:09.900 God's blessing 00:17:09.900 --> 00:17:11.359 forever and 00:17:11.359 --> 00:17:11.799 forever, 00:17:12.200 --> 00:17:13.000 the eternal 00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:14.059 home where 00:17:14.059 --> 00:17:14.660 there is no 00:17:14.660 --> 00:17:15.440 more suffering, 00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:16.379 no more 00:17:16.379 --> 00:17:16.859 death, 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:17.920 and no more 00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:18.359 tears. 00:17:18.359 --> 00:17:18.559 others. 00:17:19.459 --> 00:17:20.019 These are 00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:20.659 God's 00:17:20.659 --> 00:17:21.399 grand, 00:17:21.599 --> 00:17:22.419 big promises 00:17:22.419 --> 00:17:23.500 to people 00:17:23.500 --> 00:17:24.119 like us, 00:17:24.199 --> 00:17:24.699 to his 00:17:24.699 --> 00:17:25.219 children. 00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:26.339 One day 00:17:26.339 --> 00:17:26.919 he's telling 00:17:26.919 --> 00:17:27.559 us that we 00:17:27.559 --> 00:17:27.959 will be 00:17:27.959 --> 00:17:28.819 raised with 00:17:28.819 --> 00:17:29.699 brand new 00:17:29.699 --> 00:17:30.139 bodies. 00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:30.979 One day 00:17:30.979 --> 00:17:31.519 we are going 00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:32.240 to enter 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:32.899 into our 00:17:32.899 --> 00:17:33.519 glorious 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:34.299 inheritance 00:17:34.299 --> 00:17:35.199 that can 00:17:35.199 --> 00:17:36.259 never perish, 00:17:36.699 --> 00:17:37.379 spoil or 00:17:37.379 --> 00:17:37.740 fade. 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:38.579 Great 00:17:38.579 --> 00:17:39.159 promises 00:17:39.159 --> 00:17:40.000 for us. 00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:43.359 But what 00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:44.079 about now? 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:47.240 What about 00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:47.720 today? 00:17:49.779 --> 00:17:50.720 What about 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:51.559 the place 00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:53.059 I am in 00:17:53.059 --> 00:17:54.059 right now? 00:17:56.519 --> 00:17:57.119 Well, 00:17:57.160 --> 00:17:57.660 listen to 00:17:57.660 --> 00:17:58.200 what God 00:17:58.200 --> 00:17:58.759 says. 00:17:59.039 --> 00:17:59.940 Verse 15. 00:18:03.599 --> 00:18:04.400 I am 00:18:04.400 --> 00:18:04.900 with you. 00:18:06.619 --> 00:18:07.420 I will 00:18:07.420 --> 00:18:08.079 watch over 00:18:08.079 --> 00:18:08.579 you wherever 00:18:08.579 --> 00:18:09.220 you go. 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:11.140 I will 00:18:11.140 --> 00:18:11.680 bring you 00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:12.160 back to 00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:12.779 this land. 00:18:13.700 --> 00:18:14.480 I will 00:18:14.480 --> 00:18:15.240 not leave 00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:15.799 you until 00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:16.339 I have 00:18:16.339 --> 00:18:17.519 done what 00:18:17.519 --> 00:18:17.880 I have 00:18:17.880 --> 00:18:18.220 promised 00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:18.579 you. 00:18:19.839 --> 00:18:20.339 No 00:18:20.339 --> 00:18:21.500 longer is 00:18:21.500 --> 00:18:22.259 it future 00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:23.140 and I 00:18:23.140 --> 00:18:23.539 will, 00:18:23.740 --> 00:18:24.000 but, 00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:25.259 verse 15, 00:18:25.880 --> 00:18:26.339 I 00:18:26.339 --> 00:18:27.460 am. 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:29.759 I 00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:30.559 am 00:18:30.559 --> 00:18:31.380 with 00:18:31.380 --> 00:18:31.819 you 00:18:31.819 --> 00:18:32.519 when 00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:33.019 you are 00:18:33.019 --> 00:18:33.660 not 00:18:33.660 --> 00:18:34.599 in a 00:18:34.599 --> 00:18:34.819 good 00:18:34.819 --> 00:18:35.420 place. 00:18:36.900 --> 00:18:37.700 And I'm 00:18:37.700 --> 00:18:38.400 not about 00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:39.099 to leave 00:18:39.099 --> 00:18:39.740 you there 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:40.539 either. 00:18:40.539 --> 00:18:42.720 I will 00:18:42.720 --> 00:18:43.620 not leave 00:18:43.620 --> 00:18:44.579 you until 00:18:44.579 --> 00:18:45.099 I have 00:18:45.099 --> 00:18:45.660 done 00:18:45.660 --> 00:18:47.559 what I 00:18:47.559 --> 00:18:47.759 have 00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:48.099 promised 00:18:48.099 --> 00:18:48.460 you. 00:18:51.339 --> 00:18:52.240 You see, 00:18:52.359 --> 00:18:52.620 there are 00:18:52.620 --> 00:18:53.500 many promises 00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:54.200 yet to 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:54.519 come. 00:18:55.819 --> 00:18:56.640 But as we 00:18:56.640 --> 00:18:57.480 wait in 00:18:57.480 --> 00:18:58.000 the now 00:18:58.000 --> 00:18:58.559 and look 00:18:58.559 --> 00:18:59.359 forward to 00:18:59.359 --> 00:18:59.759 the not 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:00.240 yet, 00:19:02.019 --> 00:19:03.160 please hear 00:19:03.160 --> 00:19:03.779 God's 00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:04.359 encouraging 00:19:04.359 --> 00:19:04.900 promise. 00:19:04.900 --> 00:19:05.580 God's 00:19:05.580 --> 00:19:06.160 promise, 00:19:06.160 --> 00:19:06.980 I am 00:19:06.980 --> 00:19:07.620 with you. 00:19:08.660 --> 00:19:09.440 I am 00:19:09.440 --> 00:19:10.200 not going 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:10.740 to leave 00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:10.960 you. 00:19:11.900 --> 00:19:12.759 I will 00:19:12.759 --> 00:19:13.400 bring you 00:19:13.400 --> 00:19:14.140 into a 00:19:14.140 --> 00:19:14.400 new 00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:15.040 place, 00:19:15.700 --> 00:19:16.460 a place 00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:17.040 where you 00:19:17.040 --> 00:19:17.940 will one 00:19:17.940 --> 00:19:18.200 day 00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:19.259 experience 00:19:19.259 --> 00:19:20.360 the blessings 00:19:20.360 --> 00:19:21.120 of God 00:19:21.120 --> 00:19:22.040 forever 00:19:22.040 --> 00:19:23.400 and forever. 00:19:23.400 --> 00:19:23.480 forever. 00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:25.960 And I 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:26.460 will stay 00:19:26.460 --> 00:19:26.920 with you 00:19:26.920 --> 00:19:27.480 until you 00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:28.019 get there. 00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:31.340 Isn't 00:19:31.340 --> 00:19:31.759 that the 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:32.320 message 00:19:32.320 --> 00:19:34.900 of Psalm 00:19:34.900 --> 00:19:36.019 23 that 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:36.440 we all 00:19:36.440 --> 00:19:36.980 know so 00:19:36.980 --> 00:19:37.240 well? 00:19:37.400 --> 00:19:37.840 Listen, 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:39.280 listen to 00:19:39.280 --> 00:19:40.060 these words. 00:19:42.320 --> 00:19:42.759 Even 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.400 though I 00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:43.860 walked 00:19:43.860 --> 00:19:44.400 through the 00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:44.860 darkest 00:19:44.860 --> 00:19:45.400 valley, 00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:47.960 that was 00:19:47.960 --> 00:19:48.620 his not 00:19:48.620 --> 00:19:49.120 in a good 00:19:49.120 --> 00:19:49.740 place. 00:19:49.740 --> 00:19:51.099 even 00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:51.660 though I 00:19:51.660 --> 00:19:52.099 walked 00:19:52.099 --> 00:19:52.539 through the 00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:53.000 deepest, 00:19:53.620 --> 00:19:54.000 darkest 00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:54.579 valley, 00:19:55.259 --> 00:19:56.079 I will 00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:56.720 fear no 00:19:56.720 --> 00:19:57.079 evil. 00:19:57.240 --> 00:19:57.480 Why? 00:19:58.599 --> 00:19:59.180 For you 00:19:59.180 --> 00:20:00.180 are with 00:20:00.180 --> 00:20:00.519 me. 00:20:01.559 --> 00:20:02.380 Your rod 00:20:02.380 --> 00:20:03.240 and your 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:03.900 staff, 00:20:04.299 --> 00:20:05.440 they comfort 00:20:05.440 --> 00:20:05.799 me. 00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:08.000 Surely 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:08.960 your 00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:09.539 goodness 00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:11.039 and love 00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:12.380 will follow 00:20:12.380 --> 00:20:12.859 me. 00:20:14.220 --> 00:20:14.880 How 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:15.180 long? 00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:16.900 All 00:20:16.900 --> 00:20:18.039 the days 00:20:18.039 --> 00:20:18.420 of my 00:20:18.420 --> 00:20:18.839 life. 00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:21.099 and I 00:20:21.099 --> 00:20:21.779 will 00:20:21.779 --> 00:20:23.240 dwell in 00:20:23.240 --> 00:20:23.680 the house 00:20:23.680 --> 00:20:24.019 of the 00:20:24.019 --> 00:20:24.359 Lord 00:20:24.359 --> 00:20:25.380 forever. 00:20:27.819 --> 00:20:28.460 Jacob, 00:20:28.940 --> 00:20:30.380 I am 00:20:30.380 --> 00:20:30.859 with you. 00:20:31.940 --> 00:20:32.799 I will 00:20:32.799 --> 00:20:33.380 not leave 00:20:33.380 --> 00:20:33.620 you. 00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:36.279 You see, 00:20:36.380 --> 00:20:36.900 sometimes 00:20:36.900 --> 00:20:37.559 what we 00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:38.019 need to 00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:39.400 hear is 00:20:39.400 --> 00:20:39.960 that word 00:20:39.960 --> 00:20:40.640 of grace, 00:20:41.620 --> 00:20:42.079 God's 00:20:42.079 --> 00:20:43.200 promise of 00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:43.839 encouragement. 00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:45.680 Today, 00:20:46.180 --> 00:20:47.259 I am 00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:47.759 enough for 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:47.980 you. 00:20:47.980 --> 00:20:49.680 today, 00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:51.079 I am 00:20:51.079 --> 00:20:51.620 sufficient. 00:20:54.059 --> 00:20:54.620 So, 00:20:55.500 --> 00:20:56.819 we are 00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:57.500 encouraged 00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:59.299 by the 00:20:59.299 --> 00:21:00.079 promises of 00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:00.420 God. 00:21:03.019 --> 00:21:03.920 Third, 00:21:05.920 --> 00:21:06.839 surprised, 00:21:07.059 --> 00:21:07.579 encouraged, 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:08.500 let us be 00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:09.860 astonished 00:21:09.860 --> 00:21:11.640 by God's 00:21:11.640 --> 00:21:12.259 presence. 00:21:12.259 --> 00:21:12.379 promise. 00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:13.960 You see, 00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:14.700 the reality 00:21:14.700 --> 00:21:15.480 of what's 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:16.319 going on 00:21:16.319 --> 00:21:17.359 for Jacob 00:21:17.359 --> 00:21:18.660 begins to 00:21:18.660 --> 00:21:19.640 hit home. 00:21:20.140 --> 00:21:20.980 Verse 16, 00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:22.960 when Jacob 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:24.099 woke from 00:21:24.099 --> 00:21:24.740 his sleep, 00:21:24.819 --> 00:21:25.400 he thought, 00:21:26.299 --> 00:21:27.779 surely the 00:21:27.779 --> 00:21:28.799 Lord is in 00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:29.839 this place 00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:30.480 and I was 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:31.039 not aware 00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:31.539 of it. 00:21:32.579 --> 00:21:32.960 You see, 00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:33.680 Jacob not 00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:34.480 only has 00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:35.319 God's 00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:35.680 great 00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:36.299 promises, 00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:38.059 Jacob also 00:21:38.059 --> 00:21:39.119 has the 00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:39.740 promiser. 00:21:39.740 --> 00:21:41.299 God 00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:42.359 himself 00:21:42.359 --> 00:21:43.740 is present. 00:21:44.620 --> 00:21:45.160 The God 00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:45.880 who made 00:21:45.880 --> 00:21:46.120 him, 00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:46.859 the God 00:21:46.859 --> 00:21:47.180 of the 00:21:47.180 --> 00:21:47.720 universe, 00:21:47.940 --> 00:21:48.480 is in 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:49.180 this 00:21:49.180 --> 00:21:49.980 place. 00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:50.859 Jacob 00:21:50.859 --> 00:21:51.400 is in 00:21:51.400 --> 00:21:52.220 the presence 00:21:52.220 --> 00:21:53.200 of greatness 00:21:53.200 --> 00:21:54.480 and glory. 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:55.720 Verse 17, 00:21:55.940 --> 00:21:56.460 he was 00:21:56.460 --> 00:21:57.380 afraid and 00:21:57.380 --> 00:21:57.700 said, 00:21:58.120 --> 00:21:59.559 how awesome 00:21:59.559 --> 00:22:00.440 is this 00:22:00.440 --> 00:22:00.980 place. 00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:03.240 This is 00:22:03.240 --> 00:22:03.779 none other 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:04.220 than the 00:22:04.220 --> 00:22:04.819 house of 00:22:04.819 --> 00:22:05.240 God. 00:22:06.140 --> 00:22:06.559 This 00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:07.680 is the 00:22:07.680 --> 00:22:08.200 gate of 00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:08.559 heaven. 00:22:08.559 --> 00:22:10.519 God 00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:11.980 has come 00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:13.419 down and 00:22:13.419 --> 00:22:14.000 has made 00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:15.059 his home 00:22:15.059 --> 00:22:16.259 with Jacob 00:22:16.259 --> 00:22:17.679 in that 00:22:17.679 --> 00:22:18.339 moment, 00:22:18.659 --> 00:22:19.539 in that 00:22:19.539 --> 00:22:20.139 place. 00:22:20.619 --> 00:22:21.519 This is 00:22:21.519 --> 00:22:22.740 heaven on 00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:23.259 earth. 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:28.339 But for 00:22:28.339 --> 00:22:28.899 Jacob, 00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:30.579 God's 00:22:30.579 --> 00:22:31.579 presence was 00:22:31.579 --> 00:22:32.139 only ever 00:22:32.139 --> 00:22:32.859 going to be 00:22:32.859 --> 00:22:33.740 a temporary 00:22:33.740 --> 00:22:35.259 experience. 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:35.379 Jesus. 00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:37.519 So to 00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:37.940 remember 00:22:37.940 --> 00:22:38.420 what had 00:22:38.420 --> 00:22:38.920 happened, 00:22:39.920 --> 00:22:40.140 well, 00:22:40.200 --> 00:22:40.480 what did 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:40.839 he do? 00:22:40.940 --> 00:22:41.579 Verse 18, 00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:42.420 he took 00:22:42.420 --> 00:22:43.259 that stone 00:22:43.259 --> 00:22:43.619 that he 00:22:43.619 --> 00:22:44.140 used as 00:22:44.140 --> 00:22:44.539 a pillow 00:22:44.539 --> 00:22:44.920 and he 00:22:44.920 --> 00:22:45.700 set it 00:22:45.700 --> 00:22:46.019 up as 00:22:46.019 --> 00:22:46.500 a pillar, 00:22:46.500 --> 00:22:46.879 as a 00:22:46.879 --> 00:22:47.359 memorial, 00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:47.799 and he 00:22:47.799 --> 00:22:48.400 put oil 00:22:48.400 --> 00:22:48.879 on it, 00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:49.740 and then 00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:50.500 verse 19, 00:22:50.500 --> 00:22:51.059 he called 00:22:51.059 --> 00:22:51.700 that place 00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:52.319 Bethel, 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:53.500 which means, 00:22:53.599 --> 00:22:53.960 if you look 00:22:53.960 --> 00:22:54.379 at the bottom 00:22:54.379 --> 00:22:54.680 of your 00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:55.019 Bible, 00:22:55.140 --> 00:22:55.440 the little 00:22:55.440 --> 00:22:56.039 note there, 00:22:56.099 --> 00:22:56.559 it means 00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:57.640 the house 00:22:57.640 --> 00:22:58.319 of God. 00:22:58.319 --> 00:23:00.960 God had 00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:01.559 come down 00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:02.059 to him. 00:23:03.399 --> 00:23:03.960 This was 00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:04.819 an experience 00:23:04.819 --> 00:23:05.359 he would 00:23:05.359 --> 00:23:06.139 never forget 00:23:06.139 --> 00:23:06.859 and he 00:23:06.859 --> 00:23:07.539 wanted to 00:23:07.539 --> 00:23:08.460 remember it. 00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:10.259 You see, 00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:11.359 this is the 00:23:11.359 --> 00:23:12.220 kind of God 00:23:12.220 --> 00:23:12.599 that we 00:23:12.599 --> 00:23:13.259 have. 00:23:14.619 --> 00:23:15.439 God doesn't 00:23:15.439 --> 00:23:16.500 hide himself 00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:17.819 from messy, 00:23:18.099 --> 00:23:19.019 broken people 00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:19.659 like us. 00:23:19.859 --> 00:23:20.639 He moves 00:23:20.639 --> 00:23:22.059 into the 00:23:22.059 --> 00:23:22.379 mess. 00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:23.579 He reaches 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:24.859 down to 00:23:24.859 --> 00:23:25.539 sinners like 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:25.819 us. 00:23:26.339 --> 00:23:26.839 God 00:23:26.839 --> 00:23:27.960 himself 00:23:27.960 --> 00:23:29.039 comes 00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:29.819 to us. 00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:32.240 In fact, 00:23:32.319 --> 00:23:32.860 what God 00:23:32.860 --> 00:23:33.380 did for 00:23:33.380 --> 00:23:33.900 Jacob, 00:23:34.380 --> 00:23:34.799 God has 00:23:34.799 --> 00:23:35.340 done for 00:23:35.340 --> 00:23:35.740 us in 00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:36.319 a full 00:23:36.319 --> 00:23:36.980 and 00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:37.539 complete 00:23:37.539 --> 00:23:37.960 way. 00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:40.480 Turn 00:23:40.480 --> 00:23:40.860 with me, 00:23:40.980 --> 00:23:41.200 please, 00:23:41.299 --> 00:23:41.940 to John's 00:23:41.940 --> 00:23:42.380 Gospel. 00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:48.559 John's 00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:48.940 Gospel, 00:23:49.180 --> 00:23:49.500 chapter 00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:49.900 one. 00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:58.960 verse one. 00:23:58.960 --> 00:24:00.200 Here the 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:02.120 apostle John 00:24:02.120 --> 00:24:02.759 captures 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:04.940 for us 00:24:04.940 --> 00:24:05.620 what God 00:24:05.620 --> 00:24:06.360 has done. 00:24:08.819 --> 00:24:09.680 We're going 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:10.079 to pick it 00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:10.440 up in 00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:10.779 verse 00:24:10.779 --> 00:24:11.680 one. 00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:19.700 John 00:24:19.700 --> 00:24:20.420 chapter one, 00:24:20.480 --> 00:24:20.960 verse one. 00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:21.579 In the 00:24:21.579 --> 00:24:22.000 beginning, 00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:22.099 beginning. 00:24:23.539 --> 00:24:24.000 This is 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:25.700 before time 00:24:25.700 --> 00:24:26.160 began. 00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:26.500 In the 00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:27.299 beginning was 00:24:27.299 --> 00:24:27.980 the Word, 00:24:28.079 --> 00:24:28.420 and the 00:24:28.420 --> 00:24:29.019 Word was 00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:29.960 with God, 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:30.319 and the 00:24:30.319 --> 00:24:31.819 Word was 00:24:31.819 --> 00:24:32.779 God. 00:24:34.059 --> 00:24:34.779 And what 00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:35.200 did the 00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:36.420 Word do? 00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:37.339 Well, 00:24:37.400 --> 00:24:37.759 look down 00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:38.180 at verse 00:24:38.180 --> 00:24:38.900 14. 00:24:40.420 --> 00:24:40.660 The 00:24:40.660 --> 00:24:41.319 Word 00:24:41.319 --> 00:24:43.299 became 00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:44.059 flesh, 00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:44.980 became like 00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:45.640 one of us, 00:24:45.720 --> 00:24:46.299 and made 00:24:46.299 --> 00:24:47.579 his dwelling 00:24:47.579 --> 00:24:49.039 among us. 00:24:49.039 --> 00:24:49.779 we have 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.220 seen 00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:51.319 his glory, 00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:52.039 the glory 00:24:52.039 --> 00:24:52.460 of the 00:24:52.460 --> 00:24:52.940 one and 00:24:52.940 --> 00:24:53.639 only Son 00:24:53.639 --> 00:24:54.659 who came 00:24:54.659 --> 00:24:55.399 from the 00:24:55.399 --> 00:24:55.859 Father, 00:24:56.279 --> 00:24:57.420 full of 00:24:57.420 --> 00:24:58.700 grace and 00:24:58.700 --> 00:24:59.279 truth. 00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:01.299 God 00:25:01.299 --> 00:25:02.500 moved 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:03.339 into the 00:25:03.339 --> 00:25:03.799 world 00:25:03.799 --> 00:25:04.759 through the 00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:06.059 person of 00:25:06.059 --> 00:25:06.579 Jesus. 00:25:07.259 --> 00:25:08.579 He moved 00:25:08.579 --> 00:25:09.619 into our 00:25:09.619 --> 00:25:10.159 place. 00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:11.079 He set 00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:11.759 up home 00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:12.599 in the 00:25:12.599 --> 00:25:13.079 neighbourhood, 00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:13.599 as it 00:25:13.599 --> 00:25:13.819 were. 00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:14.779 He did 00:25:14.779 --> 00:25:15.339 this so 00:25:15.339 --> 00:25:15.740 that we 00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:16.519 might know 00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:17.359 and experience 00:25:17.359 --> 00:25:18.000 God 00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:18.799 intimately 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:19.599 and 00:25:19.599 --> 00:25:20.359 personally. 00:25:21.940 --> 00:25:22.339 You see, 00:25:22.419 --> 00:25:23.299 Jesus tells 00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:24.440 us why 00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:25.339 he came 00:25:25.339 --> 00:25:25.759 into the 00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:26.079 world. 00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:27.019 Go to 00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:27.460 the end 00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:28.019 of chapter 00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:28.500 1, 00:25:29.899 --> 00:25:31.039 verse 51. 00:25:32.359 --> 00:25:32.659 Here 00:25:32.659 --> 00:25:33.359 Jesus is 00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:34.059 speaking with 00:25:34.059 --> 00:25:34.599 one of the 00:25:34.599 --> 00:25:35.859 first followers 00:25:35.859 --> 00:25:37.440 and look 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:38.039 to what he 00:25:38.039 --> 00:25:38.419 says, 00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:39.139 listen to 00:25:39.139 --> 00:25:39.480 what he 00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:39.740 says. 00:25:39.819 --> 00:25:40.079 He's 00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:40.539 speaking 00:25:40.539 --> 00:25:41.279 about his 00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:42.279 death to 00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:42.680 come. 00:25:43.460 --> 00:25:43.799 Chapter 00:25:43.799 --> 00:25:44.139 1, 00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:44.879 verse 51, 00:25:45.099 --> 00:25:46.099 he added, 00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:47.259 very 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:48.079 truly, 00:25:48.079 --> 00:25:48.799 I tell 00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:49.099 you, 00:25:49.419 --> 00:25:49.960 you will 00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:50.559 see 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:51.980 heaven 00:25:51.980 --> 00:25:52.559 open 00:25:52.559 --> 00:25:54.059 and the 00:25:54.059 --> 00:25:54.759 angels of 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:55.079 God 00:25:55.079 --> 00:25:55.759 ascending 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:56.000 and 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:56.519 descending 00:25:56.519 --> 00:25:57.259 on, 00:25:58.339 --> 00:25:59.019 what are 00:25:59.019 --> 00:25:59.500 they going, 00:26:00.379 --> 00:26:01.099 on the 00:26:01.099 --> 00:26:01.779 Son of 00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:02.240 Man, 00:26:02.799 --> 00:26:04.079 on Jesus. 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:05.740 You see, 00:26:05.939 --> 00:26:06.740 there's no 00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:08.019 steps or 00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:09.079 stairs here 00:26:09.079 --> 00:26:11.139 because 00:26:11.139 --> 00:26:11.819 Jesus 00:26:11.819 --> 00:26:13.039 is the 00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:13.779 stairway 00:26:13.779 --> 00:26:15.000 to God. 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:16.319 through 00:26:16.319 --> 00:26:16.859 through his 00:26:16.859 --> 00:26:17.819 death on 00:26:17.819 --> 00:26:18.380 the cross, 00:26:18.859 --> 00:26:19.640 Jesus will 00:26:19.640 --> 00:26:20.640 open up 00:26:20.640 --> 00:26:21.259 the way 00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:21.980 into 00:26:21.980 --> 00:26:22.660 God's 00:26:22.660 --> 00:26:23.119 presence. 00:26:23.640 --> 00:26:23.940 Jesus 00:26:23.940 --> 00:26:25.160 comes to 00:26:25.160 --> 00:26:25.920 take our 00:26:25.920 --> 00:26:26.680 sin and 00:26:26.680 --> 00:26:27.119 judgment 00:26:27.119 --> 00:26:27.920 so that 00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:28.599 people like 00:26:28.599 --> 00:26:29.119 us can 00:26:29.119 --> 00:26:29.900 know God 00:26:29.900 --> 00:26:30.819 intimately 00:26:30.819 --> 00:26:32.180 and personally. 00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:33.220 In fact, 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:34.220 it is God 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:34.839 who makes 00:26:34.839 --> 00:26:35.460 his home 00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:36.839 with us. 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:38.559 Listen to 00:26:38.559 --> 00:26:39.180 what Jesus 00:26:39.180 --> 00:26:39.839 says to 00:26:39.839 --> 00:26:40.779 those who 00:26:40.779 --> 00:26:41.519 follow him. 00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:42.000 it comes 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:42.660 later in 00:26:42.660 --> 00:26:43.700 John 14 00:26:43.700 --> 00:26:45.039 verse 23. 00:26:45.279 --> 00:26:46.000 Jesus says, 00:26:46.460 --> 00:26:47.220 my father 00:26:47.220 --> 00:26:48.139 will love 00:26:48.139 --> 00:26:48.339 them. 00:26:48.400 --> 00:26:48.980 He's talking 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:49.740 to followers 00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:50.420 of Jesus. 00:26:50.619 --> 00:26:51.240 My father 00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:51.819 will love 00:26:51.819 --> 00:26:52.759 them and 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.539 we will 00:26:53.539 --> 00:26:54.180 come to 00:26:54.180 --> 00:26:55.099 them and 00:26:55.099 --> 00:26:55.960 make our 00:26:55.960 --> 00:26:57.460 home with 00:26:57.460 --> 00:26:57.839 them. 00:26:58.599 --> 00:26:59.139 God 00:26:59.139 --> 00:27:00.160 takes up 00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:01.559 residence in 00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:02.299 our life 00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:04.139 eternally so 00:27:04.139 --> 00:27:05.660 whatever place 00:27:05.660 --> 00:27:06.519 we are in, 00:27:06.859 --> 00:27:07.579 he is with 00:27:07.579 --> 00:27:08.599 us in that 00:27:08.599 --> 00:27:09.240 place. 00:27:10.119 --> 00:27:10.500 God 00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:11.460 himself is 00:27:11.460 --> 00:27:11.859 there. 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:12.599 You see, 00:27:12.700 --> 00:27:13.039 if we are 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:13.920 trusting in 00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:14.299 Jesus, 00:27:14.700 --> 00:27:15.119 we are 00:27:15.119 --> 00:27:15.859 continually 00:27:15.859 --> 00:27:16.940 in the 00:27:16.940 --> 00:27:17.980 presence of 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:19.240 greatness and 00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:20.440 glory and 00:27:20.440 --> 00:27:20.880 grace. 00:27:21.079 --> 00:27:21.839 We can't 00:27:21.839 --> 00:27:22.440 get away 00:27:22.440 --> 00:27:23.200 from it. 00:27:24.420 --> 00:27:25.039 No matter 00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:25.960 how dark 00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:27.019 or how deep 00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:27.940 the place 00:27:27.940 --> 00:27:28.779 we are in, 00:27:29.299 --> 00:27:29.819 God is 00:27:29.819 --> 00:27:30.440 present. 00:27:31.500 --> 00:27:31.700 His 00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:32.599 greatness and 00:27:32.599 --> 00:27:33.440 glory and 00:27:33.440 --> 00:27:34.599 grace is 00:27:34.599 --> 00:27:35.460 among us. 00:27:38.640 --> 00:27:38.940 Now, 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.339 doesn't 00:27:39.339 --> 00:27:39.899 God's 00:27:39.899 --> 00:27:40.500 presence 00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:41.599 astonish you? 00:27:43.220 --> 00:27:43.659 Don't 00:27:43.659 --> 00:27:43.959 you, 00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:44.319 like 00:27:44.319 --> 00:27:44.799 Jacob, 00:27:44.939 --> 00:27:45.399 want to 00:27:45.399 --> 00:27:46.059 cry out 00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:46.699 in worship, 00:27:47.179 --> 00:27:48.539 how awesome 00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:49.519 is this 00:27:49.519 --> 00:27:50.059 place? 00:27:53.179 --> 00:27:53.959 You see, 00:27:54.059 --> 00:27:54.879 sometimes we 00:27:54.879 --> 00:27:55.299 need to 00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:55.980 stop. 00:27:57.599 --> 00:27:58.419 We need 00:27:58.419 --> 00:27:59.199 to sit. 00:28:00.279 --> 00:28:00.959 Or better 00:28:00.959 --> 00:28:01.720 still, we 00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:02.379 need to get 00:28:02.379 --> 00:28:02.759 on our 00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:03.179 knees, 00:28:03.259 --> 00:28:03.819 whether that's 00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:04.119 in the 00:28:04.119 --> 00:28:04.879 quietness of 00:28:04.879 --> 00:28:05.339 our own 00:28:05.339 --> 00:28:05.779 homes, 00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:06.720 and just 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:07.859 bow down 00:28:07.859 --> 00:28:09.000 in thankfulness 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:09.799 and praise 00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:10.859 to say, 00:28:11.379 --> 00:28:12.839 God is 00:28:12.839 --> 00:28:13.480 with me. 00:28:15.619 --> 00:28:16.579 God is 00:28:16.579 --> 00:28:17.139 with me. 00:28:19.059 --> 00:28:19.379 So, 00:28:19.519 --> 00:28:19.879 third, 00:28:20.839 --> 00:28:21.599 let us be 00:28:21.599 --> 00:28:22.579 astonished 00:28:22.579 --> 00:28:23.759 by the 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:24.539 presence of 00:28:24.539 --> 00:28:25.720 God in 00:28:25.720 --> 00:28:26.899 us and 00:28:26.899 --> 00:28:27.639 with us. 00:28:27.640 --> 00:28:31.640 fourth, 00:28:32.600 --> 00:28:35.759 we're 00:28:35.759 --> 00:28:36.740 changed by 00:28:36.740 --> 00:28:37.220 God's 00:28:37.220 --> 00:28:37.700 assurance. 00:28:39.620 --> 00:28:40.220 You see, 00:28:40.360 --> 00:28:40.660 when we, 00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:41.080 let's go 00:28:41.080 --> 00:28:41.700 back to 00:28:41.700 --> 00:28:42.880 Genesis 28, 00:28:44.200 --> 00:28:44.580 you see, 00:28:44.640 --> 00:28:45.000 when we 00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:45.680 encounter 00:28:45.680 --> 00:28:46.880 God's 00:28:46.880 --> 00:28:47.460 grace for 00:28:47.460 --> 00:28:47.860 ourselves, 00:28:48.020 --> 00:28:48.980 when we 00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:50.160 experience 00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:51.200 God's 00:28:51.200 --> 00:28:51.700 presence, 00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:53.620 it doesn't 00:28:53.620 --> 00:28:54.480 leave us 00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:55.259 where we 00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:55.480 are. 00:28:55.480 --> 00:28:56.200 He takes 00:28:56.200 --> 00:28:57.099 us out 00:28:57.099 --> 00:28:57.599 of that 00:28:57.599 --> 00:28:58.380 place and 00:28:58.380 --> 00:28:59.519 He changes 00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:00.579 us in 00:29:00.579 --> 00:29:01.380 that place. 00:29:03.120 --> 00:29:04.019 God comes 00:29:04.019 --> 00:29:04.819 close to 00:29:04.819 --> 00:29:05.200 Jacob, 00:29:05.339 --> 00:29:05.579 doesn't 00:29:05.579 --> 00:29:05.759 He? 00:29:05.980 --> 00:29:06.539 Not to 00:29:06.539 --> 00:29:07.079 condemn 00:29:07.079 --> 00:29:07.500 him, 00:29:07.900 --> 00:29:08.740 but ultimately 00:29:08.740 --> 00:29:10.180 to change 00:29:10.180 --> 00:29:10.519 him. 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:12.140 Look at 00:29:12.140 --> 00:29:12.940 verse 20. 00:29:13.579 --> 00:29:14.259 Jacob makes 00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:14.720 a vow, 00:29:14.880 --> 00:29:15.599 he has a 00:29:15.599 --> 00:29:16.259 promise of 00:29:16.259 --> 00:29:16.700 commitment, 00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:17.819 but notice 00:29:17.819 --> 00:29:18.360 that this 00:29:18.360 --> 00:29:18.900 is all 00:29:18.900 --> 00:29:19.700 motivated, 00:29:19.860 --> 00:29:20.519 his promise 00:29:20.519 --> 00:29:20.920 and his 00:29:20.920 --> 00:29:21.839 vow is 00:29:21.839 --> 00:29:22.839 motivated by 00:29:22.839 --> 00:29:23.860 the assurances 00:29:23.860 --> 00:29:25.000 that God 00:29:25.000 --> 00:29:25.920 gives to 00:29:25.920 --> 00:29:26.259 Jacob. 00:29:26.359 --> 00:29:26.579 It's 00:29:26.579 --> 00:29:27.619 almost a 00:29:27.619 --> 00:29:28.460 summary of 00:29:28.460 --> 00:29:29.140 everything that 00:29:29.140 --> 00:29:29.900 God has 00:29:29.900 --> 00:29:31.440 already done. 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:32.680 Verse 20, 00:29:34.079 --> 00:29:35.079 Jacob makes 00:29:35.079 --> 00:29:35.920 a vow saying, 00:29:36.339 --> 00:29:37.200 if God or 00:29:37.200 --> 00:29:38.980 since God 00:29:38.980 --> 00:29:39.859 will be with 00:29:39.859 --> 00:29:40.960 me and 00:29:40.960 --> 00:29:41.660 will watch 00:29:41.660 --> 00:29:42.720 over me on 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:43.440 this journey 00:29:43.440 --> 00:29:44.460 I am taking 00:29:44.460 --> 00:29:45.519 and will give 00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:46.539 me food to 00:29:46.539 --> 00:29:47.259 eat and 00:29:47.259 --> 00:29:48.059 clothes to 00:29:48.059 --> 00:29:49.160 wear so 00:29:49.160 --> 00:29:49.720 that I 00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:50.880 return safely 00:29:50.880 --> 00:29:51.400 to my 00:29:51.400 --> 00:29:51.980 father's 00:29:51.980 --> 00:29:52.599 household, 00:29:52.599 --> 00:29:53.679 then, 00:29:54.839 --> 00:29:55.500 then, 00:29:56.099 --> 00:29:57.179 because of 00:29:57.179 --> 00:29:57.879 what God 00:29:57.879 --> 00:29:58.419 has done, 00:29:58.819 --> 00:29:59.740 because of 00:29:59.740 --> 00:30:00.740 this assurance, 00:30:01.219 --> 00:30:02.599 then the 00:30:02.599 --> 00:30:03.579 Lord will 00:30:03.579 --> 00:30:04.659 be my 00:30:04.659 --> 00:30:05.419 God. 00:30:06.379 --> 00:30:07.199 This isn't 00:30:07.199 --> 00:30:07.779 an attempt 00:30:07.779 --> 00:30:08.419 to earn 00:30:08.419 --> 00:30:08.859 God's 00:30:08.859 --> 00:30:09.439 favour. 00:30:10.039 --> 00:30:10.719 Jacob has 00:30:10.719 --> 00:30:11.879 already received 00:30:11.879 --> 00:30:12.579 God's favour. 00:30:13.000 --> 00:30:13.500 This is 00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:14.659 Jacob's response 00:30:14.659 --> 00:30:15.559 to the grace 00:30:15.559 --> 00:30:16.579 and promise 00:30:16.579 --> 00:30:17.579 and presence 00:30:17.579 --> 00:30:18.359 of God. 00:30:18.359 --> 00:30:18.399 God, 00:30:18.719 --> 00:30:20.359 because you 00:30:20.359 --> 00:30:20.899 are God 00:30:20.899 --> 00:30:21.459 to me, 00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:22.359 then you 00:30:22.359 --> 00:30:22.899 will be 00:30:22.899 --> 00:30:23.859 my God. 00:30:25.479 --> 00:30:26.559 What else 00:30:26.559 --> 00:30:27.259 could Jacob 00:30:27.259 --> 00:30:27.819 say? 00:30:29.399 --> 00:30:30.119 What else 00:30:30.119 --> 00:30:30.740 can we 00:30:30.740 --> 00:30:31.839 say to 00:30:31.839 --> 00:30:32.319 a God 00:30:32.319 --> 00:30:32.719 who has 00:30:32.719 --> 00:30:33.539 intervened 00:30:33.539 --> 00:30:34.299 in our 00:30:34.299 --> 00:30:34.699 life? 00:30:36.139 --> 00:30:37.000 That's the 00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:37.979 impact that 00:30:37.979 --> 00:30:38.719 grace has 00:30:38.719 --> 00:30:39.119 on us. 00:30:39.299 --> 00:30:39.759 When it 00:30:39.759 --> 00:30:40.500 grabs a 00:30:40.500 --> 00:30:40.959 hold of 00:30:40.959 --> 00:30:41.199 us, 00:30:41.439 --> 00:30:42.159 it moves 00:30:42.159 --> 00:30:42.639 us to 00:30:42.639 --> 00:30:43.099 humbly 00:30:43.099 --> 00:30:43.579 say, 00:30:44.439 --> 00:30:45.519 you will 00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:46.000 be my 00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:46.379 God. 00:30:46.380 --> 00:30:48.520 you are 00:30:48.520 --> 00:30:48.900 mine. 00:30:51.900 --> 00:30:52.500 Now, 00:30:52.560 --> 00:30:53.100 these aren't 00:30:53.100 --> 00:30:54.020 just empty 00:30:54.020 --> 00:30:55.360 promises and 00:30:55.360 --> 00:30:56.480 words from 00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:56.880 Jacob. 00:30:58.400 --> 00:30:58.980 Jacob's 00:30:58.980 --> 00:30:59.840 commitment is 00:30:59.840 --> 00:31:00.560 demonstrated 00:31:00.560 --> 00:31:01.840 in his 00:31:01.840 --> 00:31:02.300 life. 00:31:03.140 --> 00:31:03.520 Look at 00:31:03.520 --> 00:31:03.860 the end 00:31:03.860 --> 00:31:04.180 of verse 00:31:04.180 --> 00:31:04.760 22. 00:31:05.980 --> 00:31:06.460 He says, 00:31:06.540 --> 00:31:06.960 all that 00:31:06.960 --> 00:31:07.440 you give 00:31:07.440 --> 00:31:07.780 me, 00:31:08.860 --> 00:31:09.300 I will 00:31:09.300 --> 00:31:09.780 give you 00:31:09.780 --> 00:31:10.380 a tenth. 00:31:11.220 --> 00:31:11.660 So, 00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:12.120 all that 00:31:12.120 --> 00:31:12.800 he receives 00:31:12.800 --> 00:31:13.440 from God, 00:31:14.440 --> 00:31:15.260 he will 00:31:15.260 --> 00:31:16.000 give back. 00:31:17.380 --> 00:31:17.980 Now, 00:31:18.040 --> 00:31:18.340 I don't 00:31:18.340 --> 00:31:18.840 think we 00:31:18.840 --> 00:31:19.480 need to 00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:19.920 take from 00:31:19.920 --> 00:31:20.380 this that 00:31:20.380 --> 00:31:20.980 we must 00:31:20.980 --> 00:31:21.420 give a 00:31:21.420 --> 00:31:22.500 tenth of 00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:23.140 everything that 00:31:23.140 --> 00:31:23.780 we have. 00:31:24.800 --> 00:31:25.560 As we 00:31:25.560 --> 00:31:26.120 read through 00:31:26.120 --> 00:31:26.620 scripture, 00:31:26.800 --> 00:31:27.260 it becomes 00:31:27.260 --> 00:31:28.020 very clear 00:31:28.020 --> 00:31:28.700 that God 00:31:28.700 --> 00:31:29.340 teaches 00:31:29.340 --> 00:31:30.640 generosity, 00:31:31.640 --> 00:31:32.180 which could 00:31:32.180 --> 00:31:32.660 be more 00:31:32.660 --> 00:31:33.020 than, 00:31:33.360 --> 00:31:33.680 it could 00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:34.160 be less 00:31:34.160 --> 00:31:34.540 than a 00:31:34.540 --> 00:31:34.800 tenth. 00:31:35.100 --> 00:31:35.460 What it 00:31:35.460 --> 00:31:36.040 means is 00:31:36.040 --> 00:31:37.040 that we 00:31:37.040 --> 00:31:38.100 give out 00:31:38.100 --> 00:31:38.340 of the 00:31:38.340 --> 00:31:38.800 blessings 00:31:38.800 --> 00:31:39.420 God has 00:31:39.420 --> 00:31:39.900 given us. 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:40.480 The point 00:31:40.480 --> 00:31:40.840 is, 00:31:41.320 --> 00:31:41.860 grace 00:31:41.860 --> 00:31:43.180 changed a 00:31:43.180 --> 00:31:43.960 deceiver 00:31:43.960 --> 00:31:45.760 into a 00:31:45.760 --> 00:31:46.360 giver. 00:31:46.380 --> 00:31:48.200 God's 00:31:48.200 --> 00:31:49.020 assurances 00:31:49.020 --> 00:31:49.360 to 00:31:49.360 --> 00:31:49.720 Jacob 00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:50.820 led to 00:31:50.820 --> 00:31:51.580 Jacob's 00:31:51.580 --> 00:31:52.420 commitment. 00:31:54.060 --> 00:31:54.440 You see, 00:31:54.520 --> 00:31:54.900 when we 00:31:54.900 --> 00:31:55.840 take time 00:31:55.840 --> 00:31:57.520 to open 00:31:57.520 --> 00:31:57.960 up our 00:31:57.960 --> 00:31:58.400 Bibles, 00:31:58.540 --> 00:31:58.880 when we 00:31:58.880 --> 00:31:59.580 take time 00:31:59.580 --> 00:32:01.140 to rehearse 00:32:01.140 --> 00:32:02.140 God's 00:32:02.140 --> 00:32:02.780 assurances 00:32:02.780 --> 00:32:03.440 to us, 00:32:03.680 --> 00:32:04.160 as we 00:32:04.160 --> 00:32:04.980 reflect on 00:32:04.980 --> 00:32:05.760 God's 00:32:05.760 --> 00:32:06.600 generosity 00:32:06.600 --> 00:32:07.520 and his 00:32:07.520 --> 00:32:08.120 kindness 00:32:08.120 --> 00:32:08.800 to us, 00:32:09.040 --> 00:32:09.940 we repent 00:32:09.940 --> 00:32:10.420 of our 00:32:10.420 --> 00:32:10.860 selfish 00:32:10.860 --> 00:32:11.500 choices, 00:32:11.840 --> 00:32:12.260 and we 00:32:12.260 --> 00:32:12.840 turn and 00:32:12.840 --> 00:32:13.400 trust in 00:32:13.400 --> 00:32:13.820 the one 00:32:13.820 --> 00:32:14.660 who makes 00:32:14.660 --> 00:32:15.040 us 00:32:15.040 --> 00:32:16.240 selfless 00:32:16.240 --> 00:32:16.620 and 00:32:16.620 --> 00:32:17.420 sacrificial, 00:32:17.420 --> 00:32:18.259 we are 00:32:18.259 --> 00:32:19.160 changed 00:32:19.160 --> 00:32:19.660 into 00:32:19.660 --> 00:32:20.680 generous 00:32:20.680 --> 00:32:21.180 givers 00:32:21.180 --> 00:32:21.660 of our 00:32:21.660 --> 00:32:22.300 time 00:32:22.300 --> 00:32:22.820 and 00:32:22.820 --> 00:32:23.440 resources 00:32:23.440 --> 00:32:24.000 and our 00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:24.380 gifts 00:32:24.380 --> 00:32:25.240 to those 00:32:25.240 --> 00:32:25.980 around us 00:32:25.980 --> 00:32:27.100 because God 00:32:27.100 --> 00:32:27.540 has been 00:32:27.540 --> 00:32:28.320 good to 00:32:28.320 --> 00:32:29.140 us. 00:32:29.140 --> 00:32:36.920 God's 00:32:36.920 --> 00:32:37.620 assurances 00:32:37.620 --> 00:32:38.940 change us. 00:32:42.060 --> 00:32:43.020 So what 00:32:43.020 --> 00:32:43.580 does God 00:32:43.580 --> 00:32:44.300 do with 00:32:44.300 --> 00:32:44.860 a Jacob 00:32:44.860 --> 00:32:46.880 who is 00:32:46.880 --> 00:32:47.240 in a 00:32:47.240 --> 00:32:47.780 dark, 00:32:48.740 --> 00:32:49.000 deep 00:32:49.000 --> 00:32:49.700 place? 00:32:49.700 --> 00:32:52.360 what does 00:32:52.360 --> 00:32:53.080 God do 00:32:53.080 --> 00:32:53.700 when we 00:32:53.700 --> 00:32:54.400 are in 00:32:54.400 --> 00:32:56.640 not a 00:32:56.640 --> 00:32:56.819 good 00:32:56.819 --> 00:32:57.420 place? 00:32:59.180 --> 00:32:59.900 Well, 00:32:59.940 --> 00:33:00.779 he intervenes 00:33:00.779 --> 00:33:01.299 by his 00:33:01.299 --> 00:33:01.799 grace. 00:33:03.240 --> 00:33:04.440 He speaks 00:33:04.440 --> 00:33:04.900 to us 00:33:04.900 --> 00:33:05.500 his promise. 00:33:06.980 --> 00:33:08.360 He amazes 00:33:08.360 --> 00:33:08.860 us with 00:33:08.860 --> 00:33:09.700 his presence 00:33:09.700 --> 00:33:12.039 and he 00:33:12.039 --> 00:33:12.640 gives us 00:33:12.640 --> 00:33:13.400 his assurance. 00:33:14.900 --> 00:33:15.160 He 00:33:15.160 --> 00:33:15.799 changes 00:33:15.799 --> 00:33:16.860 people like 00:33:16.860 --> 00:33:17.920 us so 00:33:17.920 --> 00:33:18.680 that we 00:33:18.680 --> 00:33:19.340 might go 00:33:19.339 --> 00:33:20.039 to others 00:33:20.039 --> 00:33:20.720 who are 00:33:20.720 --> 00:33:21.480 not in 00:33:21.480 --> 00:33:21.919 a good 00:33:21.919 --> 00:33:22.459 place 00:33:22.459 --> 00:33:23.099 today 00:33:23.099 --> 00:33:24.740 or this 00:33:24.740 --> 00:33:25.179 week. 00:33:26.379 --> 00:33:27.259 Someone in 00:33:27.259 --> 00:33:27.879 your family, 00:33:28.539 --> 00:33:29.059 someone in 00:33:29.059 --> 00:33:29.639 your neighbourhood, 00:33:30.199 --> 00:33:30.980 someone you 00:33:30.980 --> 00:33:31.759 work with, 00:33:32.459 --> 00:33:34.119 they're not 00:33:34.119 --> 00:33:34.579 in a good 00:33:34.579 --> 00:33:35.139 place 00:33:35.139 --> 00:33:37.220 and we 00:33:37.220 --> 00:33:37.679 go 00:33:37.679 --> 00:33:39.619 and remind 00:33:39.619 --> 00:33:40.000 them 00:33:40.000 --> 00:33:41.179 of a 00:33:41.179 --> 00:33:41.659 great 00:33:41.659 --> 00:33:43.059 and glorious 00:33:43.059 --> 00:33:43.619 God. 00:33:46.740 --> 00:33:47.579 Let's 00:33:47.579 --> 00:33:47.859 pray. 00:33:49.339 --> 00:34:10.420 Father God, 00:34:10.420 --> 00:34:13.400 we are 00:34:13.400 --> 00:34:14.039 amazed, 00:34:14.619 --> 00:34:16.099 we're 00:34:16.099 --> 00:34:16.860 surprised, 00:34:17.099 --> 00:34:17.219 we're 00:34:17.219 --> 00:34:18.139 astonished 00:34:18.139 --> 00:34:21.059 that you 00:34:21.059 --> 00:34:21.599 would come 00:34:21.599 --> 00:34:22.319 close to 00:34:22.319 --> 00:34:22.799 us, 00:34:23.919 --> 00:34:25.599 that you 00:34:25.599 --> 00:34:26.139 would enter 00:34:26.139 --> 00:34:26.699 into the 00:34:26.699 --> 00:34:27.119 darkness 00:34:27.119 --> 00:34:31.539 and you 00:34:31.539 --> 00:34:32.139 would rescue 00:34:32.139 --> 00:34:32.699 us and 00:34:32.699 --> 00:34:33.519 save us 00:34:33.519 --> 00:34:36.619 and promise 00:34:36.619 --> 00:34:37.339 to be with 00:34:37.339 --> 00:34:38.059 us throughout 00:34:38.059 --> 00:34:38.879 our journey 00:34:38.879 --> 00:34:39.579 of life, 00:34:40.579 --> 00:34:41.719 whatever may 00:34:41.719 --> 00:34:42.119 come, 00:34:42.119 --> 00:34:45.039 reassuring 00:34:45.039 --> 00:34:45.719 us that 00:34:45.719 --> 00:34:46.179 you will 00:34:46.179 --> 00:34:46.659 provide 00:34:46.659 --> 00:34:47.920 for us 00:34:47.920 --> 00:34:48.579 in our 00:34:48.579 --> 00:34:49.019 journey 00:34:49.019 --> 00:34:52.739 until we 00:34:52.739 --> 00:34:53.299 see you 00:34:53.299 --> 00:34:53.940 face to 00:34:53.940 --> 00:34:54.380 face. 00:34:57.079 --> 00:34:58.079 You will 00:34:58.079 --> 00:34:58.639 not let 00:34:58.639 --> 00:34:59.159 us down. 00:35:01.239 --> 00:35:01.980 Your 00:35:01.980 --> 00:35:02.599 grace is 00:35:02.599 --> 00:35:03.000 enough. 00:35:04.699 --> 00:35:05.380 Your 00:35:05.380 --> 00:35:06.179 presence is 00:35:06.179 --> 00:35:06.619 sufficient. 00:35:06.619 --> 00:35:09.099 Your 00:35:09.099 --> 00:35:09.960 promises are 00:35:09.960 --> 00:35:10.319 good. 00:35:12.739 --> 00:35:13.440 How 00:35:13.440 --> 00:35:14.019 awesome, 00:35:14.639 --> 00:35:16.460 how 00:35:16.460 --> 00:35:17.000 awesome 00:35:17.000 --> 00:35:17.839 are you. 00:35:19.920 --> 00:35:20.859 Thank you, 00:35:20.960 --> 00:35:21.199 God. 00:35:23.339 --> 00:35:24.259 Amen. 00:35:24.259 --> 00:35:24.460 Amen. 00:35:24.460 --> 00:35:37.440 Lord, 00:35:37.559 --> 00:35:37.800 we sing 00:35:37.800 --> 00:35:39.960 we sing 00:35:39.960 --> 00:35:40.440 not just 00:35:40.440 --> 00:35:40.720 because