WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.500 Please take your Bibles and open them up this morning to the book of Genesis. 00:00:04.500 --> 00:00:11.140 ! Book of Genesis, our passage this morning is chapter 28, verses 10 through 22. 00:00:11.140 --> 00:00:26.460 We've been walking through the book of Genesis and continuing that series this morning as we make our way here in the section of Jacob and Esau and this famous passage of Jacob's ladder, stairway to heaven. 00:00:26.460 --> 00:00:34.939 I promised our musicians there'd be no guitar solos this morning, but we will take a look at this glorious vision of the Lord. 00:00:35.079 --> 00:00:40.960 So if you would, when you found that Genesis 28, 10 through 22, let's stand in honor of the reading of God's word this morning. 00:00:49.179 --> 00:00:51.760 Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran. 00:00:51.759 --> 00:00:56.039 And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night because the sun had set. 00:00:56.719 --> 00:01:01.500 And taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. 00:01:01.960 --> 00:01:02.859 And he dreamed. 00:01:03.280 --> 00:01:07.700 And behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth and the top of it reached to heaven. 00:01:08.420 --> 00:01:12.319 And behold, angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 00:01:12.319 --> 00:01:21.039 And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, I am the Lord, the God of Abraham, your father and the God of Isaac. 00:01:21.319 --> 00:01:24.719 The land on which you lie, I will give to you and to your offspring. 00:01:25.519 --> 00:01:32.759 Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south. 00:01:33.419 --> 00:01:37.759 And in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 00:01:37.760 --> 00:01:47.780 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land where I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. 00:01:48.760 --> 00:01:54.300 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, surely the Lord is in this place and I did not know it. 00:01:54.840 --> 00:01:58.219 And he was afraid and said, how awesome is this place. 00:01:58.640 --> 00:02:00.540 This is none other than the house of God. 00:02:00.640 --> 00:02:02.500 And this is the gate of heaven. 00:02:02.500 --> 00:02:09.960 So early in the morning, Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on top of it. 00:02:10.659 --> 00:02:14.759 He called the name of that place Bethel, but the name of the city was Luz at the first. 00:02:15.520 --> 00:02:26.180 Then Jacob made a vow saying, if God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear so that I come again to my father's house in peace, 00:02:26.180 --> 00:02:32.700 then the Lord shall be my God and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar shall be God's house. 00:02:33.080 --> 00:02:37.700 And of all that you give me, I will give a full tenth to you. 00:02:38.780 --> 00:02:43.360 The grass withers and the flower fades, but the word of the Lord endures forever. 00:02:44.080 --> 00:02:44.719 Would you pray with me? 00:02:44.840 --> 00:02:51.659 Father, we ask now as we open up your word that you would meet with us. 00:02:51.659 --> 00:02:54.479 And that you would speak to us. 00:02:55.500 --> 00:02:57.919 And that you would reveal yourself to us. 00:02:58.680 --> 00:03:01.800 And you would assure us of all your promises to us in Christ. 00:03:02.599 --> 00:03:04.039 We pray all this in Jesus' name. 00:03:04.979 --> 00:03:05.280 Amen. 00:03:06.319 --> 00:03:07.400 You may be seated. 00:03:08.780 --> 00:03:13.060 Well, some of you know that I took a quick trip, very quick trip to New York last week. 00:03:13.639 --> 00:03:15.800 I'd been to upstate New York before. 00:03:15.939 --> 00:03:21.240 I had some family up there in upstate New York, but never been to the New York, to the city, New York City. 00:03:21.659 --> 00:03:22.180 Before. 00:03:22.560 --> 00:03:28.139 And we took just about every form of transportation known to man to arrive to the city. 00:03:28.319 --> 00:03:30.740 We drove to the airport here in Charleston. 00:03:31.259 --> 00:03:34.599 And then an airplane from Charleston over to JFK. 00:03:34.939 --> 00:03:41.019 And then from JFK, we had to take an air train to the subway station where we got on a subway train, 00:03:41.439 --> 00:03:43.120 which took us to our stop. 00:03:43.219 --> 00:03:49.859 And finally, once we arrived there, we crawled up out of the underground with all of our luggage. 00:03:49.860 --> 00:03:54.580 And we looked up and we were somewhere wandering in the streets of New York City. 00:03:55.380 --> 00:04:01.880 And from that point forward, for the rest of the day, we just started walking up and down the street, 00:04:02.020 --> 00:04:06.020 this street and that street, walking all over the place, soaking in as much as we could see. 00:04:06.260 --> 00:04:13.300 We were on a mission because we had two days to see as much of New York City as we could possibly cram in. 00:04:13.300 --> 00:04:19.920 And my watch, my Fitbit, it said that we walked about 26,000 steps that day, which is highly unusual for us. 00:04:19.980 --> 00:04:22.240 We're not used to that sort of walking. 00:04:23.139 --> 00:04:31.360 But even as we walked and saw all these different sites, we really only had just kind of this small perspective of where we were. 00:04:31.500 --> 00:04:34.600 We were locked in with buildings on either side. 00:04:35.000 --> 00:04:38.040 We couldn't see beyond those buildings to the next street over here. 00:04:38.040 --> 00:04:41.800 We really just had a ground level view of the city. 00:04:42.220 --> 00:04:44.819 That is until that night, later that night. 00:04:45.640 --> 00:04:54.740 We went to the Rockefeller Center and we got into this elevator that took us up to the top of the tallest building in the Rockefeller Center. 00:04:54.879 --> 00:05:02.160 It went up 70 floors to where we were now 850 feet above the street level down below. 00:05:02.160 --> 00:05:08.520 And from way up there, we had a view of the whole city. 00:05:09.760 --> 00:05:17.800 And so now finally, we had a whole big picture perspective of the grand thing that we had been walking through that entire day. 00:05:17.900 --> 00:05:22.560 We had a much better, broader perspective than we had down at the ground level. 00:05:22.680 --> 00:05:28.100 We were no longer walking on a mission, putting one foot in front of the next, trying to make it to the next stop. 00:05:28.100 --> 00:05:35.879 We were still, and we could see with a greater perspective the entire city. 00:05:35.980 --> 00:05:39.220 We could look and see, oh, there's that street that we walked down earlier this morning. 00:05:39.360 --> 00:05:41.240 And we got a bagel from over here. 00:05:41.879 --> 00:05:43.400 And oh, there's the Statue of Liberty. 00:05:43.520 --> 00:05:45.520 We rode past that on the ferry this morning. 00:05:45.920 --> 00:05:48.920 And oh, there's the Empire State Building. 00:05:49.000 --> 00:05:52.439 We walked all around it all day long, and we never had a great view until now. 00:05:52.439 --> 00:05:57.720 We could finally pause and get perspective on our journey. 00:05:57.720 --> 00:06:04.320 And I thought this week, as I read this passage about Jacob's journey here to Haran, 00:06:04.400 --> 00:06:09.520 I thought, you know, sometimes our life can feel a bit like this, can't it? 00:06:10.960 --> 00:06:12.860 You and I can get so busy. 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:14.800 We live down on the ground level. 00:06:14.940 --> 00:06:21.520 And so week to week, day to day, we get so preoccupied with just putting one step in front of the next. 00:06:21.920 --> 00:06:27.420 So busy and preoccupied with navigating to the next stop and making it to the next attraction. 00:06:27.420 --> 00:06:31.379 That we can lose sight of the big picture. 00:06:32.680 --> 00:06:37.540 Some of you, I know that your work is so difficult, you're just trying to survive and make it to the next day. 00:06:38.780 --> 00:06:40.660 Others of you, I know, are raising children. 00:06:40.920 --> 00:06:45.200 And I know that between the practices and between the events and between the parties, 00:06:45.460 --> 00:06:49.080 just keeping the fridge stocked up, that is a battle every single week. 00:06:49.079 --> 00:06:52.419 Others of you maybe are past all that. 00:06:52.560 --> 00:07:01.099 You're retired, you're empty nesters, and maybe the slowness of your journey has left you feeling like you've lost a sense of purpose. 00:07:02.199 --> 00:07:11.860 And what we all need more than anything is to pause and to have God give us a big picture perspective on our journey. 00:07:11.860 --> 00:07:16.000 And that's exactly what God does for Jacob here in our passage this morning. 00:07:16.980 --> 00:07:22.460 Jacob, as far as he's concerned, you remember he is on a journey to go and find a wife. 00:07:22.540 --> 00:07:23.600 His head is down. 00:07:24.080 --> 00:07:25.020 He's on a mission. 00:07:25.180 --> 00:07:26.960 He's got one step in front of the next. 00:07:27.100 --> 00:07:27.980 He's on his way. 00:07:28.360 --> 00:07:36.960 But on his way, God interrupts this journey and gives him this big picture reminder that puts everything in perspective. 00:07:36.959 --> 00:07:41.879 And so let's take a look this morning and what we'll see is three parts of the journey. 00:07:42.620 --> 00:07:44.719 Three parts of the journey. 00:07:45.239 --> 00:07:47.439 This will be our outline this morning if you're taking notes. 00:07:48.039 --> 00:07:56.919 And what we'll see is that these three summaries of Jacob's journey, they overlap and they are also three parts of our journey in Christ. 00:07:57.699 --> 00:08:05.979 Our journey, like Jacob's, involves fleeing, meeting, and responding. 00:08:06.959 --> 00:08:11.959 Fleeing, fleeing, meeting, and responding first. 00:08:12.979 --> 00:08:16.000 We see the journey involves fleeing. 00:08:16.219 --> 00:08:17.759 If you look there with me starting in verse 10. 00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:23.899 You remember Jacob is leaving Beersheba and he's heading towards Haran. 00:08:24.039 --> 00:08:26.539 And do you remember why he's doing this in the first place? 00:08:27.419 --> 00:08:29.419 Do you remember why he's setting out on this journey? 00:08:29.579 --> 00:08:31.639 It's two main reasons why. 00:08:31.639 --> 00:08:37.559 For one thing, he's leaving because his brother Esau wants to kill him. 00:08:38.340 --> 00:08:40.220 And that's a pretty good reason to get up and leave, isn't it? 00:08:40.819 --> 00:08:41.860 Now you remember what happened. 00:08:42.000 --> 00:08:47.679 Jacob has lied and cheated his way into this blessing that belonged to Esau. 00:08:47.819 --> 00:08:49.439 And so we saw this last week. 00:08:49.519 --> 00:08:53.199 Jacob tricked his father Isaac and he inherited this blessing. 00:08:53.620 --> 00:08:55.960 And so now Esau is fed up with all this trickery. 00:08:55.960 --> 00:09:00.400 He's fed up with Jacob and his cheating and he wants him dead. 00:09:00.519 --> 00:09:01.420 So Jacob hits the road. 00:09:01.500 --> 00:09:02.160 That's one reason. 00:09:02.780 --> 00:09:07.900 But a second reason why Jacob's on this journey is because his parents, Isaac and Rebekah, 00:09:08.420 --> 00:09:11.800 they want Jacob to marry a nice young woman. 00:09:12.639 --> 00:09:14.680 In other words, not a Hittite woman. 00:09:15.160 --> 00:09:16.660 Not a Canaanite woman. 00:09:17.139 --> 00:09:19.900 And they want him to go and find one of their kinsmen. 00:09:20.000 --> 00:09:22.879 They want him to go find Laban and marry one of Laban's daughters. 00:09:22.879 --> 00:09:26.639 In other words, they don't want him to behave like Esau. 00:09:27.740 --> 00:09:32.259 You remember how Esau married these Hittite women and it made life miserable. 00:09:32.399 --> 00:09:35.799 It says it made life bitter for Isaac and for Rebekah. 00:09:35.939 --> 00:09:42.240 And so second reason why Jacob's on his journey, he does not want to be like Esau. 00:09:43.340 --> 00:09:46.419 Now think about these two reasons here for a minute. 00:09:46.759 --> 00:09:51.759 Flee your enemy for one thing and do not behave like him for another. 00:09:51.759 --> 00:09:57.159 Flee your enemy and do not behave like him. 00:09:57.220 --> 00:10:01.299 On the ground level, if we just stay here in the immediate context, 00:10:01.939 --> 00:10:04.220 Jacob is on the run from his brother. 00:10:04.299 --> 00:10:05.439 His brother's mad at him. 00:10:05.500 --> 00:10:06.179 We understand this. 00:10:06.220 --> 00:10:07.740 This is a dysfunctional family. 00:10:08.319 --> 00:10:14.419 But you zoom out a little bit and you remember there is a bigger picture at play here, isn't there? 00:10:15.080 --> 00:10:19.340 There's a bigger conflict at play here than just this family drama. 00:10:19.340 --> 00:10:25.820 If you remember all the way back from Genesis chapter 3, the Lord promised, he told the serpent, 00:10:26.480 --> 00:10:33.980 I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your offspring and her offspring. 00:10:34.220 --> 00:10:41.000 And so we know there's going to be ongoing conflict, ongoing enmity between the offspring of that serpent, 00:10:41.340 --> 00:10:44.220 Satan, and the offspring of the Lord. 00:10:44.220 --> 00:10:52.460 But ultimately, God promises, he says, I will send one offspring who will crush the head of the serpent. 00:10:53.500 --> 00:11:03.180 The enemy is at work here through Esau to try and snuff out this promise of a coming snake crusher. 00:11:03.179 --> 00:11:06.899 The enemy does not want the Messiah to come. 00:11:07.779 --> 00:11:11.799 He knows, of course, God has promised that this Messiah is going to come through Jacob. 00:11:12.159 --> 00:11:17.939 And so now he wants to try and snuff this out and destroy the coming Messiah before he even comes. 00:11:19.199 --> 00:11:22.159 Jacob's not just on the run from his angry brother, is he? 00:11:22.819 --> 00:11:26.219 Jacob is on the run from all the powers of darkness. 00:11:26.220 --> 00:11:32.019 Jacob is on the run from the enemy Satan that not only wants to crush him, 00:11:32.100 --> 00:11:35.759 but wants to make sure that none of God's promises come true for him. 00:11:37.399 --> 00:11:41.360 Christian, I wonder if you realize that the same is true for you. 00:11:44.779 --> 00:11:47.580 If you are in Christ, 00:11:47.580 --> 00:11:53.759 Do you realize that you, like Jacob, have been blessed by the Father? 00:11:54.960 --> 00:11:57.940 That we haven't cheated and schemed our way into this blessing. 00:11:58.080 --> 00:12:02.120 By his grace, Ephesians 1 tells us that by his grace, 00:12:02.220 --> 00:12:08.360 God has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. 00:12:09.040 --> 00:12:09.700 He says, 00:12:09.700 --> 00:12:12.660 In him we have redemption through his blood. 00:12:13.200 --> 00:12:17.680 In him we have the forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches of his grace. 00:12:17.940 --> 00:12:18.259 He says, 00:12:18.400 --> 00:12:21.080 In him we have obtained an inheritance. 00:12:22.080 --> 00:12:24.800 And we were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. 00:12:25.520 --> 00:12:31.680 Here's the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it to the praise of his glory. 00:12:31.680 --> 00:12:35.280 We have been blessed in such incredible ways in Christ. 00:12:35.580 --> 00:12:38.040 And do you realize that the enemy is not happy about this? 00:12:38.039 --> 00:12:44.199 Do you realize that the enemy makes it his personal mission 00:12:44.199 --> 00:12:48.839 to try to keep you from realizing the promises of God for you in Christ? 00:12:50.480 --> 00:12:54.740 You know, we get so distracted with our heads down in the weeds of our life, 00:12:54.799 --> 00:12:56.599 just one step in front of the next, 00:12:56.939 --> 00:12:58.539 navigating to the next stop, 00:12:58.759 --> 00:13:00.360 making our way to the next thing, 00:13:00.360 --> 00:13:06.539 that we can forget we are being pursued by a spiritual enemy who wants us dead. 00:13:08.039 --> 00:13:10.539 The enemy hates that you've been blessed by God. 00:13:11.620 --> 00:13:15.259 He hates that we have this beautiful inheritance ahead of us in Christ. 00:13:16.399 --> 00:13:19.339 Do you realize he hates you and wants to destroy you? 00:13:19.439 --> 00:13:21.199 Are you fleeing from your enemy? 00:13:23.259 --> 00:13:27.559 Not only this, but are you pursuing righteousness? 00:13:27.559 --> 00:13:30.859 Are you fleeing from him? 00:13:30.859 --> 00:13:36.939 And are you by the grace of God working and laboring to be different than him? 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:38.299 You remember Jacob's second reason. 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:41.379 He's fleeing the danger, but he's also, 00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:44.699 he's distancing himself from the ways of Esau. 00:13:44.779 --> 00:13:46.939 He's trying to not be like Esau. 00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:50.479 He wants to behave differently and have a different pursuit. 00:13:50.799 --> 00:13:53.359 The same is true of us, Christian. 00:13:53.360 --> 00:13:59.019 We're called to flee the enemy and we're called to not be like him. 00:14:00.159 --> 00:14:05.519 I've heard someone say before that no one naturally drifts towards holiness. 00:14:05.919 --> 00:14:07.539 Have you found that to be true in your own life? 00:14:08.360 --> 00:14:10.840 You take your foot off the gas pedal, where do you drift? 00:14:10.899 --> 00:14:12.580 You don't drift towards Christ. 00:14:13.180 --> 00:14:15.220 You drift towards the ways of the world, don't you? 00:14:15.960 --> 00:14:21.759 We have to pursue holiness, pursue righteousness by the grace of God. 00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:23.819 And so we're told in the pages of the New Testament, 00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:28.200 flee from sexual immorality, 1 Corinthians 6. 00:14:29.139 --> 00:14:33.659 Flee from idolatry, 1 Corinthians 10. 00:14:34.740 --> 00:14:39.220 Flee youthful passions, 2 Timothy 2. 00:14:39.379 --> 00:14:43.360 And not only that, it says, but also pursue righteousness, 00:14:44.600 --> 00:14:50.100 pursue faith, pursue love, pursue peace. 00:14:50.100 --> 00:14:56.340 And not by yourself, but pursue this along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 00:14:56.440 --> 00:15:02.500 Christian, we need to pause and be reminded and not get so down in the weeds of our life, 00:15:02.600 --> 00:15:08.100 putting one step in front of the next that we forget that there is an enemy to be resisted 00:15:08.639 --> 00:15:11.440 and there is righteousness to be pursued. 00:15:12.300 --> 00:15:15.899 And we see here, first, our journey is marked by fleeing. 00:15:15.899 --> 00:15:21.639 Not only this, second, second, our journey is also marked by meeting. 00:15:22.539 --> 00:15:25.360 Our journey is marked by meeting. 00:15:25.500 --> 00:15:26.279 Look there to verse 11. 00:15:28.019 --> 00:15:31.139 Jacob flees and on his way, verse 11 says, 00:15:31.699 --> 00:15:35.959 he came to a certain place and stayed there that night because the sun has set. 00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:39.500 And he's just so tired from this journey, he lays down to rest. 00:15:39.559 --> 00:15:41.220 He gets a stone for a pillow. 00:15:41.220 --> 00:15:45.340 I don't know how tired you got to be, but apparently he was exhausted. 00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:48.320 He goes to sleep with a stone for his pillow. 00:15:48.460 --> 00:15:51.500 And it says, as he sleeps, he dreams. 00:15:52.700 --> 00:15:53.680 And what does he dream? 00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:59.779 Verse 12 says, behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth. 00:15:59.840 --> 00:16:01.519 We could also call it a stairway. 00:16:01.519 --> 00:16:07.139 And at the top of the ladder, it reached all the way up from the bottom of the ground, 00:16:07.259 --> 00:16:09.039 all the way up to heaven. 00:16:09.419 --> 00:16:10.840 And behold, what does he see? 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:15.939 The angels of God are ascending and descending on the ladder. 00:16:16.179 --> 00:16:19.000 They're going up and down and up and down. 00:16:19.100 --> 00:16:21.220 This is much more than just a strange dream, isn't it? 00:16:22.179 --> 00:16:24.179 This is a vision. 00:16:24.179 --> 00:16:33.819 Jacob gets this vision to see and perceive into the spiritual realm that exists all around us, 00:16:33.899 --> 00:16:36.519 but we don't always have this sight to see it, do we? 00:16:37.299 --> 00:16:41.739 And he sees these angels, which Hebrews, the book of Hebrews tells us, 00:16:42.159 --> 00:16:44.199 angels are ministering spirits. 00:16:44.839 --> 00:16:49.039 It's sent out to minister, to serve those who are to inherit salvation. 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:52.719 Angels are ministers and messengers of God. 00:16:52.720 --> 00:16:58.279 And here, Jacob, he sees these angelic beings just going up and down, 00:16:58.340 --> 00:17:02.300 up and down this stairway, and all the way at the top, 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:06.160 Jacob sees the Lord. 00:17:07.640 --> 00:17:09.880 He's standing above it all. 00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:15.839 And for this moment, whatever it is that Jacob was fleeing from, 00:17:16.100 --> 00:17:18.480 and whatever it is that Jacob is heading towards, 00:17:18.559 --> 00:17:20.539 I mean, he's fleeing from something dangerous. 00:17:20.539 --> 00:17:23.899 He's heading towards something good, a good thing. 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:28.279 But right here in this moment, none of that matters. 00:17:28.420 --> 00:17:29.759 It's all blocked out. 00:17:29.980 --> 00:17:32.759 He is meeting with the Lord. 00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:39.059 And at the top of the staircase, the Lord speaks to Jacob. 00:17:40.059 --> 00:17:42.279 And he does two important things here. 00:17:42.839 --> 00:17:45.539 He reveals and he reminds. 00:17:45.539 --> 00:17:49.960 The Lord reveals himself in this meeting. 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:56.079 He says, I am the Lord, the God of Abraham, your father, 00:17:56.920 --> 00:17:58.720 the God of Isaac. 00:17:58.980 --> 00:18:01.159 He reveals himself again to Jacob. 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:07.139 And in this meeting, he reminds Jacob of all of his promises. 00:18:07.140 --> 00:18:10.520 And you notice, I mean, they're not new promises, are they? 00:18:11.280 --> 00:18:13.120 This isn't really new information, is it? 00:18:13.180 --> 00:18:18.000 These are the same promises that we've heard over and over and over and over again 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:21.600 since we first heard them back when God first gave them to Abraham. 00:18:22.320 --> 00:18:27.560 It's this promise of prosperity, of posterity, and of place. 00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:29.500 We've seen this time and time again, haven't we? 00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:32.840 He says, Jacob, the land on which you lie, 00:18:33.020 --> 00:18:34.880 I will give this to your offspring. 00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:36.700 That's a promise of a future place. 00:18:37.660 --> 00:18:40.380 He says, your offspring will be like the dust of the earth. 00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:44.500 You will spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south. 00:18:44.860 --> 00:18:48.740 And in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 00:18:48.840 --> 00:18:53.360 That's a promise of posterity that's ultimately fulfilled in Christ and his people. 00:18:54.520 --> 00:18:58.560 And he says, in all of this, Jacob, behold, I am with you. 00:18:59.080 --> 00:19:01.120 And I will keep you wherever you go. 00:19:01.560 --> 00:19:03.300 I will bring you back to this land. 00:19:03.299 --> 00:19:06.680 I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. 00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:08.639 That's a promise of prosperity, isn't it? 00:19:09.619 --> 00:19:11.700 God with him. 00:19:12.519 --> 00:19:15.359 His presence will be with him. 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:16.759 Can you imagine a greater blessing? 00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:24.059 Here, Jacob is running from his life on one end, trying to get married on the other. 00:19:24.180 --> 00:19:25.659 He's left everything behind. 00:19:25.660 --> 00:19:27.200 And he is sleeping on rocks. 00:19:27.580 --> 00:19:35.300 And God quite literally parts the clouds to speak with him and remind him of the bigger picture. 00:19:36.420 --> 00:19:46.360 He says, Jacob, who I am and what I have promised you are the most important things going on in your life right now. 00:19:46.359 --> 00:19:51.059 And notice, he doesn't tell him how he's going to protect him from Esau. 00:19:51.479 --> 00:19:52.119 What does he say? 00:19:52.799 --> 00:19:55.019 He says, I will be with you, Jacob. 00:19:55.919 --> 00:19:57.459 I won't leave you. 00:19:58.339 --> 00:20:01.000 He doesn't tell him how he's going to marry his spouse. 00:20:01.079 --> 00:20:02.519 He doesn't tell him who he's going to marry. 00:20:02.599 --> 00:20:04.339 He doesn't tell him how he's going to find her. 00:20:04.419 --> 00:20:04.979 What does he say? 00:20:05.259 --> 00:20:09.399 Jacob, I promise your offspring are going to be more than the dust on the earth. 00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:17.840 This meeting with the Lord, it completely resets Jacob's perspective. 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:20.100 And Christian, what a gift it is to know. 00:20:21.120 --> 00:20:27.019 Whatever it is that you're running from, and whatever it is that you're heading to, 00:20:28.280 --> 00:20:33.080 we can set aside time to meet with the living God whenever we want. 00:20:33.079 --> 00:20:39.740 We can set aside time to lift up our eyes out of the trials of this life, 00:20:39.819 --> 00:20:41.460 out of the pursuits of your life, 00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:46.599 and be reminded of who he is and what he's promised you in Christ. 00:20:48.159 --> 00:20:49.359 Don't you need this perspective? 00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:54.179 Don't we need this holy interruption in our lives? 00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:58.439 When we're worried about the attacks from the enemy, 00:20:58.440 --> 00:21:03.420 we meet with God, and we remember God is with you. 00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:11.960 The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob is also the God of Steve and Treg and James and Pete. 00:21:13.019 --> 00:21:16.640 The God who's promised us these glorious promises here to Jacob 00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:20.100 has also promised us incredible promises in Christ. 00:21:21.120 --> 00:21:24.940 And he will not leave us until he's fulfilled every word. 00:21:25.059 --> 00:21:26.019 Don't we need this reminder? 00:21:26.019 --> 00:21:30.920 But when we're unsure about what our next steps will be, 00:21:31.019 --> 00:21:32.180 how we'll make it to tomorrow, 00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:34.119 how we might pay our bills, 00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:35.579 how we might handle our children, 00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:40.220 how we might do everything that we've set out to do and accomplish in our life, 00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:44.119 friend, slow down, open up this book, 00:21:44.440 --> 00:21:45.599 meet with the Lord, 00:21:45.720 --> 00:21:47.740 and remember who he is 00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:50.019 and what he's promised you in Christ. 00:21:51.400 --> 00:21:55.000 What comfort it is to meet with God and rest 00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:58.079 in the promises of the Lord. 00:21:58.200 --> 00:21:59.900 We need more than anything 00:21:59.900 --> 00:22:01.779 to meet with him 00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:05.880 and have this perspective that we're meant to see, 00:22:06.140 --> 00:22:07.440 that we're meant to see that Christ, 00:22:07.859 --> 00:22:11.900 Jesus, is infinitely more worthy of our praise and attention 00:22:11.900 --> 00:22:15.200 than anything else that's going on in our lives right now. 00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:18.160 Now, it's interesting, 00:22:18.400 --> 00:22:21.160 you know, Jesus references this passage. 00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:23.039 We just read from it from John chapter one. 00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:26.660 John is the only writer that includes this story. 00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:27.660 I don't know why. 00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:29.840 And he never even picks up on it later on. 00:22:29.880 --> 00:22:31.640 He doesn't even tell us how this ends up. 00:22:31.700 --> 00:22:33.360 He doesn't even give us Nathanael's reaction. 00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:36.160 John chapter one, 00:22:36.160 --> 00:22:37.820 Jesus says to Nathanael, 00:22:37.900 --> 00:22:38.200 he says, 00:22:38.360 --> 00:22:40.080 truly, truly, I say to you, 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:43.400 you will see heaven opened 00:22:43.400 --> 00:22:45.380 and the angels of God 00:22:45.380 --> 00:22:47.500 ascending and descending 00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:48.740 on the Son of Man. 00:22:48.880 --> 00:22:51.120 What in the world is Jesus talking about? 00:22:52.540 --> 00:22:54.340 What in the world is Jesus saying? 00:22:55.920 --> 00:22:56.759 Well, for one thing, 00:22:57.040 --> 00:22:59.060 you notice Jesus is claiming 00:22:59.060 --> 00:23:02.400 that he is the Son of Man. 00:23:02.400 --> 00:23:06.040 As you recognize that title from Daniel chapter seven, 00:23:06.759 --> 00:23:08.220 it's this image of the Son of Man, 00:23:08.340 --> 00:23:09.780 one like the Son of Man coming 00:23:09.780 --> 00:23:12.500 and being presented before the ancient of days 00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:15.100 and to him was given dominion 00:23:15.100 --> 00:23:18.340 and glory and this everlasting kingdom. 00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:19.180 Jesus says, 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:21.160 I am the Son of Man. 00:23:22.140 --> 00:23:23.340 Nathanael, you're going to see 00:23:23.340 --> 00:23:25.980 that I am the one who reigns forever 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:28.120 over the eternal kingdom of God. 00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:30.340 As kingdoms come and go 00:23:30.340 --> 00:23:31.360 and rise and fall, 00:23:31.359 --> 00:23:32.639 you will see me 00:23:32.639 --> 00:23:34.719 at the center of everything 00:23:34.719 --> 00:23:36.299 ruling over heaven and earth. 00:23:36.379 --> 00:23:37.359 You will see it. 00:23:38.399 --> 00:23:38.959 But also, 00:23:39.079 --> 00:23:39.839 did you see the connection 00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:41.419 with our passage here in Genesis? 00:23:42.819 --> 00:23:43.619 Jesus says, 00:23:43.719 --> 00:23:44.159 Nathanael, 00:23:44.419 --> 00:23:47.000 you will see the angels 00:23:47.000 --> 00:23:51.179 ascending and descending on me. 00:23:53.399 --> 00:23:54.479 Jesus says, 00:23:54.719 --> 00:23:55.099 Nathanael, 00:23:55.159 --> 00:23:56.740 you probably know the story, right? 00:23:56.799 --> 00:23:59.059 Of Jacob and this ladder, 00:23:59.219 --> 00:24:00.559 the stairway out in the wilderness. 00:24:00.559 --> 00:24:02.319 What you may not realize, 00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:03.419 but what you will, 00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:06.960 is that I am the ladder. 00:24:08.399 --> 00:24:10.919 I am the stairway to heaven. 00:24:11.859 --> 00:24:15.139 I am the one who sends my angels 00:24:15.139 --> 00:24:18.319 to and from to accomplish all my will. 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:21.079 I am the one who defends you 00:24:21.079 --> 00:24:22.539 from all the powers of darkness. 00:24:23.019 --> 00:24:25.059 I am the one who has come down 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:26.099 from heaven to earth 00:24:26.099 --> 00:24:27.899 in order to bring sinners like you 00:24:27.900 --> 00:24:28.920 up to God. 00:24:29.180 --> 00:24:30.280 You will see it. 00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:32.500 In fact, 00:24:32.540 --> 00:24:33.480 let's go a little bit deeper. 00:24:33.620 --> 00:24:34.240 If you stick with me 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:34.780 just for a minute, 00:24:34.920 --> 00:24:36.759 I got to chase this rabbit trail here. 00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:39.620 When Jesus tells Nathanael, 00:24:40.040 --> 00:24:41.440 you will see me, 00:24:42.620 --> 00:24:45.019 the you there is not singular. 00:24:46.340 --> 00:24:48.860 The you there is plural. 00:24:49.060 --> 00:24:50.220 He's talking to Nathanael, 00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:51.360 but he says, 00:24:51.360 --> 00:24:53.620 you all will see. 00:24:53.700 --> 00:24:54.539 If he was from Allendahl, 00:24:54.600 --> 00:24:55.000 he might say, 00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:55.940 y'all gonna see. 00:24:57.380 --> 00:24:58.980 Y'all all will see. 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:01.279 Not just you, 00:25:01.420 --> 00:25:03.079 but all y'all will see 00:25:03.079 --> 00:25:04.940 the angels ascending 00:25:04.940 --> 00:25:06.039 and descending 00:25:06.039 --> 00:25:07.339 on the Son of Man, 00:25:07.440 --> 00:25:08.100 Jesus Christ. 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:09.160 Not just you, 00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:09.559 Nathan, 00:25:10.420 --> 00:25:12.600 but all who know Jesus by faith. 00:25:12.819 --> 00:25:14.000 All y'all will see 00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:15.079 the angels descending 00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:16.299 and ascending 00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:17.960 on the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:25:17.960 --> 00:25:18.720 And again, 00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:20.779 John never picks back up 00:25:20.779 --> 00:25:21.759 on this in his gospel. 00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:22.920 He never tells us 00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:24.819 what this is gonna look like. 00:25:24.860 --> 00:25:25.940 When is this gonna happen? 00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:28.120 And so I wonder, 00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:30.700 when is this going to happen? 00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:33.259 I can think of 00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:34.600 at least two ways 00:25:34.600 --> 00:25:35.420 in one sense. 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:38.200 If you are a believer, 00:25:39.079 --> 00:25:41.519 you have seen this by faith, 00:25:41.880 --> 00:25:42.319 haven't you? 00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:45.220 If you have put your faith 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:46.160 in Christ, 00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:48.440 what God has done in you 00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:49.980 is he has given you 00:25:49.980 --> 00:25:51.640 by his spirit in you, 00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:52.740 he has given you 00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:54.460 spiritual sight 00:25:54.460 --> 00:25:56.220 to see Christ 00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:57.600 for who he is. 00:25:58.360 --> 00:25:59.100 He has given you 00:25:59.100 --> 00:26:00.180 eyes to see 00:26:00.180 --> 00:26:02.019 and a heart to comprehend 00:26:02.019 --> 00:26:03.320 this truth 00:26:03.320 --> 00:26:05.759 that Christ is God. 00:26:06.320 --> 00:26:07.840 That he is the centerpiece 00:26:07.840 --> 00:26:08.680 of human history. 00:26:09.380 --> 00:26:10.220 That he alone 00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:11.019 is your savior. 00:26:11.279 --> 00:26:12.120 That he's king 00:26:12.120 --> 00:26:12.759 of the universe. 00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:13.580 So in one sense, 00:26:13.680 --> 00:26:14.840 we see this now 00:26:14.840 --> 00:26:15.380 by faith, 00:26:15.440 --> 00:26:15.759 don't we? 00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:18.279 But in another sense, 00:26:18.339 --> 00:26:19.519 this is just fascinating to me. 00:26:19.640 --> 00:26:20.279 Stick with me here, 00:26:20.440 --> 00:26:20.680 please. 00:26:21.539 --> 00:26:22.440 I learned about this 00:26:22.440 --> 00:26:23.660 in an article 00:26:23.660 --> 00:26:25.140 from Dr. Warren Gage. 00:26:25.940 --> 00:26:26.759 When you look 00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:27.379 to the book 00:26:27.379 --> 00:26:28.379 of Revelation, 00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:30.220 which was written 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:30.980 by, guess what? 00:26:31.920 --> 00:26:32.740 By John. 00:26:34.480 --> 00:26:35.940 You get this image 00:26:35.940 --> 00:26:37.240 of this vision 00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:38.579 of seven angels. 00:26:38.759 --> 00:26:39.119 And I want you 00:26:39.119 --> 00:26:39.519 just to try 00:26:39.519 --> 00:26:40.539 and visualize this 00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:41.039 in your mind 00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:41.579 because Revelation 00:26:41.579 --> 00:26:43.879 is a very visual book. 00:26:43.880 --> 00:26:45.280 seven angels 00:26:45.280 --> 00:26:46.740 and all of these angels 00:26:46.740 --> 00:26:47.760 are positioned 00:26:47.760 --> 00:26:48.940 strategically. 00:26:49.260 --> 00:26:49.960 Each angel 00:26:49.960 --> 00:26:50.860 has a pair. 00:26:50.960 --> 00:26:51.400 They all have 00:26:51.400 --> 00:26:52.460 a counterpart. 00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:53.500 They all have a partner 00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:55.840 except for the fourth angel 00:26:55.840 --> 00:26:56.760 which makes him 00:26:56.760 --> 00:26:57.580 the centerpiece. 00:26:57.700 --> 00:26:57.840 Okay? 00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:58.840 Are you tracking with me? 00:26:59.840 --> 00:27:00.540 And you look 00:27:00.540 --> 00:27:01.700 at where they are located. 00:27:01.820 --> 00:27:02.380 Picture this. 00:27:02.760 --> 00:27:03.420 The first 00:27:03.420 --> 00:27:04.640 and the seventh angel 00:27:04.640 --> 00:27:05.940 are positioned on earth. 00:27:06.040 --> 00:27:06.560 They're at the bottom. 00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:08.240 The second 00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:09.400 and the sixth angel 00:27:09.400 --> 00:27:10.420 are descending. 00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:11.100 And so they're 00:27:11.100 --> 00:27:12.000 somewhere in the middle. 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:12.680 They're between 00:27:12.680 --> 00:27:13.819 heaven and earth 00:27:13.819 --> 00:27:14.579 midway up. 00:27:15.059 --> 00:27:15.720 The third 00:27:15.720 --> 00:27:16.799 and the fifth angel 00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:17.420 where are they? 00:27:17.940 --> 00:27:19.200 They are in heaven. 00:27:19.380 --> 00:27:19.819 So do you have 00:27:19.819 --> 00:27:20.640 this image in your mind? 00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:22.519 What does it look like 00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:22.900 to you? 00:27:24.460 --> 00:27:25.660 It's staggered 00:27:25.660 --> 00:27:26.460 a little bit 00:27:26.460 --> 00:27:27.700 like a staircase. 00:27:28.539 --> 00:27:29.460 Two on the bottom. 00:27:30.140 --> 00:27:31.319 Two a step up. 00:27:31.859 --> 00:27:32.799 Two up all the way 00:27:32.799 --> 00:27:33.440 at the top. 00:27:34.140 --> 00:27:35.700 And right there 00:27:35.700 --> 00:27:36.759 at the top 00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:38.160 what is in the middle? 00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:39.599 Where's the fourth angel? 00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:41.519 He's right there 00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:42.259 standing 00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:43.400 at the top. 00:27:43.440 --> 00:27:44.059 And what does 00:27:44.059 --> 00:27:45.460 John see 00:27:45.460 --> 00:27:46.539 with this vision 00:27:46.539 --> 00:27:47.720 of the fourth angel? 00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:50.039 He says, 00:27:50.119 --> 00:27:51.220 I saw heaven opened 00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:52.660 and behold 00:27:52.660 --> 00:27:54.220 a white horse. 00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:56.519 The one sitting on it 00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:56.940 is called 00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:57.639 Faithful 00:27:57.639 --> 00:27:58.639 and True. 00:27:59.259 --> 00:28:00.279 And in righteousness 00:28:00.279 --> 00:28:01.139 he judges 00:28:01.139 --> 00:28:02.460 and makes war. 00:28:03.299 --> 00:28:03.920 His eyes 00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:04.779 are like a flame 00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:05.400 of fire 00:28:05.400 --> 00:28:06.460 and on his head 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:07.639 are many diadems. 00:28:08.420 --> 00:28:09.139 And he has a name 00:28:09.139 --> 00:28:09.779 written on it 00:28:09.779 --> 00:28:11.079 that no one knows 00:28:11.079 --> 00:28:11.680 but himself. 00:28:11.879 --> 00:28:13.019 He is clothed 00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:13.639 in a robe 00:28:13.639 --> 00:28:14.720 dipped in blood 00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:15.619 in the name 00:28:15.619 --> 00:28:16.920 by which he is called 00:28:16.920 --> 00:28:17.920 is the word 00:28:17.920 --> 00:28:18.779 of God. 00:28:19.519 --> 00:28:20.539 And the armies 00:28:20.539 --> 00:28:21.139 of heaven 00:28:21.139 --> 00:28:23.220 arrayed in fine linen 00:28:23.220 --> 00:28:24.339 white and pure 00:28:24.339 --> 00:28:25.799 were following him 00:28:25.799 --> 00:28:27.000 on white horses. 00:28:27.920 --> 00:28:28.960 And from his mouth 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:30.119 comes a sharp sword 00:28:30.119 --> 00:28:31.019 with which to strike 00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:31.899 down the nations 00:28:31.899 --> 00:28:33.440 and he will rule them 00:28:33.440 --> 00:28:34.740 with a rod of iron. 00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:35.740 He will tread 00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:36.700 the winepress 00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:37.660 of the fury 00:28:37.660 --> 00:28:38.259 of the wrath 00:28:38.259 --> 00:28:39.259 of God the Almighty. 00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:40.519 On his robe 00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:41.420 and on his thigh 00:28:41.420 --> 00:28:42.279 he has a name 00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:42.740 written 00:28:42.740 --> 00:28:44.319 King of Kings 00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:46.160 and Lord of Lords. 00:28:48.400 --> 00:28:49.519 This is a vision 00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:51.680 of the risen 00:28:51.680 --> 00:28:53.920 Lord Jesus Christ. 00:28:55.220 --> 00:28:57.360 King of heaven 00:28:57.360 --> 00:28:58.559 and earth. 00:28:59.860 --> 00:29:00.500 John looks 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:02.200 and he sees 00:29:02.200 --> 00:29:02.860 a staircase. 00:29:03.299 --> 00:29:04.440 He sees angels 00:29:04.440 --> 00:29:05.180 ascending 00:29:05.180 --> 00:29:06.240 and descending 00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:07.279 and right 00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:08.380 at the top 00:29:08.380 --> 00:29:09.740 right at the center 00:29:09.740 --> 00:29:10.620 he sees 00:29:10.620 --> 00:29:11.500 the Lord 00:29:11.500 --> 00:29:12.980 Jesus Christ 00:29:12.980 --> 00:29:13.779 ruler 00:29:13.779 --> 00:29:15.259 of the world. 00:29:15.600 --> 00:29:16.160 Jesus says 00:29:16.160 --> 00:29:17.600 y'all gonna see that. 00:29:19.380 --> 00:29:20.580 You will see. 00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:23.559 You will see me 00:29:23.559 --> 00:29:25.580 for who I am. 00:29:27.180 --> 00:29:27.840 Friend to know 00:29:27.840 --> 00:29:28.279 Jesus 00:29:28.279 --> 00:29:29.420 is to see him 00:29:29.420 --> 00:29:30.700 as the son of man 00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:31.340 to know him 00:29:31.340 --> 00:29:32.200 by faith 00:29:32.200 --> 00:29:33.440 is to know 00:29:33.440 --> 00:29:34.559 that he is 00:29:34.559 --> 00:29:35.200 the way 00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:36.340 and the truth 00:29:36.340 --> 00:29:37.220 and the life. 00:29:37.660 --> 00:29:38.259 No one 00:29:38.259 --> 00:29:39.259 comes to the father. 00:29:39.680 --> 00:29:40.080 No one 00:29:40.080 --> 00:29:41.420 ascends the stairway 00:29:41.420 --> 00:29:42.759 except by him. 00:29:43.019 --> 00:29:43.740 To know him 00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:44.299 is to know 00:29:44.299 --> 00:29:45.220 that he is 00:29:45.220 --> 00:29:46.000 the centerpiece 00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:47.660 of all human history. 00:29:47.660 --> 00:29:48.680 The one who 00:29:48.680 --> 00:29:49.580 descended 00:29:49.580 --> 00:29:50.559 to live 00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:51.299 and to die 00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:52.120 and to rise 00:29:52.120 --> 00:29:53.200 so that by faith 00:29:53.200 --> 00:29:53.920 in him 00:29:53.920 --> 00:29:55.200 sinners like us 00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:55.660 might become 00:29:55.660 --> 00:29:56.480 heirs of all 00:29:56.480 --> 00:29:57.000 the promises 00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:57.600 of God. 00:29:57.599 --> 00:30:00.699 is also 00:30:00.699 --> 00:30:02.079 to know 00:30:02.079 --> 00:30:02.759 that one day 00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:03.139 friend 00:30:03.139 --> 00:30:04.459 we will look 00:30:04.459 --> 00:30:04.899 up 00:30:04.899 --> 00:30:05.879 and we will 00:30:05.879 --> 00:30:06.839 see him 00:30:06.839 --> 00:30:07.939 with our very eyes 00:30:07.939 --> 00:30:09.279 coming in the clouds 00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:09.740 of heaven 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:11.059 to judge 00:30:11.059 --> 00:30:11.459 the living 00:30:11.459 --> 00:30:12.059 and the dead. 00:30:13.939 --> 00:30:14.500 Friend 00:30:14.500 --> 00:30:14.859 as we 00:30:14.859 --> 00:30:16.379 navigate 00:30:16.379 --> 00:30:17.199 our journey 00:30:17.199 --> 00:30:18.219 here in this life 00:30:18.219 --> 00:30:18.959 we need to be 00:30:18.959 --> 00:30:20.059 constantly reminded 00:30:20.059 --> 00:30:21.059 that we need 00:30:21.059 --> 00:30:22.439 this spiritual sight 00:30:22.439 --> 00:30:22.899 don't we? 00:30:24.259 --> 00:30:25.199 We need to meet 00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:26.019 with the Lord 00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:27.319 and hear 00:30:27.319 --> 00:30:28.460 from his word 00:30:28.460 --> 00:30:28.840 and be 00:30:28.840 --> 00:30:30.640 reminded of his promises 00:30:30.640 --> 00:30:31.759 and see 00:30:31.759 --> 00:30:32.519 King Jesus 00:30:32.519 --> 00:30:33.640 for who he is. 00:30:35.440 --> 00:30:36.220 Jacob saw 00:30:36.220 --> 00:30:36.920 this vision 00:30:36.920 --> 00:30:37.299 and he 00:30:37.299 --> 00:30:39.019 heard these promises 00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:39.759 and guess what? 00:30:41.019 --> 00:30:42.420 It absolutely 00:30:42.420 --> 00:30:43.779 shook him 00:30:43.779 --> 00:30:45.120 to his core. 00:30:46.600 --> 00:30:47.200 And in the rest 00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:47.740 of the passage 00:30:47.740 --> 00:30:48.319 what we see 00:30:48.319 --> 00:30:49.160 is Jacob 00:30:49.160 --> 00:30:50.080 responding 00:30:50.080 --> 00:30:50.980 to this meeting 00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:51.680 with the Lord. 00:30:51.819 --> 00:30:52.420 So third 00:30:52.420 --> 00:30:53.840 third 00:30:53.839 --> 00:30:55.139 and we see 00:30:55.139 --> 00:30:55.679 our journey 00:30:55.679 --> 00:30:56.359 is marked 00:30:56.359 --> 00:30:56.859 by 00:30:56.859 --> 00:30:58.359 responding. 00:31:00.059 --> 00:31:00.959 Verse 16 00:31:00.959 --> 00:31:02.379 says that 00:31:02.379 --> 00:31:02.699 Jacob 00:31:02.699 --> 00:31:03.839 wakes up 00:31:03.839 --> 00:31:04.720 from his dream 00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:05.659 I would imagine 00:31:05.659 --> 00:31:06.539 his neck's got to be 00:31:06.539 --> 00:31:07.159 a little sore 00:31:07.159 --> 00:31:09.439 probably a big imprint 00:31:09.439 --> 00:31:10.019 of a rock 00:31:10.019 --> 00:31:11.039 somewhere on his face 00:31:11.039 --> 00:31:13.179 but he wakes up 00:31:13.179 --> 00:31:13.759 and immediately 00:31:13.759 --> 00:31:14.339 he says 00:31:14.339 --> 00:31:15.419 surely the Lord 00:31:15.419 --> 00:31:16.359 was in this place. 00:31:17.579 --> 00:31:18.980 I did not know it. 00:31:20.740 --> 00:31:21.639 He recognizes 00:31:21.640 --> 00:31:24.060 he has been 00:31:24.060 --> 00:31:25.220 in the presence 00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:26.100 of God. 00:31:26.259 --> 00:31:27.180 Now here's what's 00:31:27.180 --> 00:31:27.780 important for us 00:31:27.780 --> 00:31:28.200 to see. 00:31:28.560 --> 00:31:28.980 Christian 00:31:28.980 --> 00:31:29.900 when we meet 00:31:29.900 --> 00:31:30.580 with God 00:31:30.580 --> 00:31:33.220 and when we hear 00:31:33.220 --> 00:31:34.160 from his word 00:31:34.160 --> 00:31:36.900 and when by his grace 00:31:36.900 --> 00:31:38.680 we see Christ 00:31:38.680 --> 00:31:39.780 for who he is 00:31:39.780 --> 00:31:41.700 we don't just 00:31:41.700 --> 00:31:42.360 get up 00:31:42.360 --> 00:31:43.220 and keep moving 00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:44.100 as if nothing 00:31:44.100 --> 00:31:44.900 has happened. 00:31:45.840 --> 00:31:46.700 We can't. 00:31:47.860 --> 00:31:48.660 With that meeting 00:31:48.660 --> 00:31:49.400 with the Lord 00:31:49.400 --> 00:31:50.660 that spiritual side 00:31:50.660 --> 00:31:51.620 of the glory of God 00:31:51.620 --> 00:31:52.480 that is meant 00:31:52.480 --> 00:31:54.200 to change us 00:31:54.200 --> 00:31:55.220 and we're meant 00:31:55.220 --> 00:31:55.940 to respond 00:31:55.940 --> 00:31:56.940 to these things. 00:31:57.040 --> 00:31:57.400 It's not just 00:31:57.400 --> 00:31:58.360 information 00:31:58.360 --> 00:31:59.240 that we're gathering. 00:31:59.400 --> 00:32:00.600 This is transformative 00:32:00.600 --> 00:32:01.680 for our lives. 00:32:03.100 --> 00:32:04.160 You see Jacob's response 00:32:04.160 --> 00:32:04.779 here in the text. 00:32:05.480 --> 00:32:06.220 Jacob responds 00:32:06.220 --> 00:32:06.900 to this meeting 00:32:06.900 --> 00:32:07.440 with God 00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:08.600 in three key ways 00:32:08.600 --> 00:32:09.060 here. 00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:09.640 For one 00:32:09.640 --> 00:32:11.420 he responds 00:32:11.420 --> 00:32:12.200 with reverence 00:32:12.200 --> 00:32:13.220 to the Lord. 00:32:14.480 --> 00:32:14.960 Verse 17 00:32:14.960 --> 00:32:15.720 says he was 00:32:15.720 --> 00:32:16.460 afraid. 00:32:16.720 --> 00:32:17.300 Now why in the world 00:32:17.300 --> 00:32:18.019 would he be afraid? 00:32:18.019 --> 00:32:21.619 Everything that God 00:32:21.619 --> 00:32:22.119 just said 00:32:22.119 --> 00:32:22.960 was pretty positive 00:32:22.960 --> 00:32:23.619 wasn't it? 00:32:24.379 --> 00:32:25.279 God just promised 00:32:25.279 --> 00:32:26.259 to be for him. 00:32:26.359 --> 00:32:26.859 He just promised 00:32:26.859 --> 00:32:27.599 all these wonderful 00:32:27.599 --> 00:32:28.639 things to Jacob 00:32:28.639 --> 00:32:29.160 that he's going 00:32:29.160 --> 00:32:29.819 to be in Jacob's 00:32:29.819 --> 00:32:30.200 corner. 00:32:30.339 --> 00:32:30.700 He's going to 00:32:30.700 --> 00:32:31.900 help Jacob. 00:32:31.980 --> 00:32:32.279 He's going to 00:32:32.279 --> 00:32:32.859 bless Jacob. 00:32:33.200 --> 00:32:34.059 Why is Jacob 00:32:34.059 --> 00:32:34.900 afraid? 00:32:37.160 --> 00:32:38.240 Jacob has just 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:39.119 peeked into 00:32:39.119 --> 00:32:39.759 the glory 00:32:39.759 --> 00:32:40.519 of heaven. 00:32:42.259 --> 00:32:42.940 He has just 00:32:42.940 --> 00:32:44.700 seen angels 00:32:44.700 --> 00:32:45.619 and more than that 00:32:45.619 --> 00:32:46.919 he has seen 00:32:46.919 --> 00:32:47.659 and heard 00:32:47.659 --> 00:32:48.359 the voice 00:32:48.359 --> 00:32:49.299 of almighty 00:32:49.299 --> 00:32:49.859 God. 00:32:51.479 --> 00:32:52.179 This is the same 00:32:52.179 --> 00:32:52.759 voice that 00:32:52.759 --> 00:32:54.000 God spoke 00:32:54.000 --> 00:32:54.659 and created 00:32:54.659 --> 00:32:55.939 all things. 00:32:56.039 --> 00:32:56.439 This is the same 00:32:56.439 --> 00:32:56.899 voice that 00:32:56.899 --> 00:32:57.500 thundered 00:32:57.500 --> 00:32:58.039 from the top 00:32:58.039 --> 00:32:58.939 of Mount Sinai. 00:33:00.079 --> 00:33:00.759 This is the same 00:33:00.759 --> 00:33:01.219 Lord, 00:33:01.500 --> 00:33:02.199 the same glorious 00:33:02.199 --> 00:33:03.379 God that hid 00:33:03.379 --> 00:33:04.219 Moses in the 00:33:04.219 --> 00:33:05.019 cleft of the rock 00:33:05.019 --> 00:33:05.679 as his glory 00:33:05.679 --> 00:33:06.459 passed by 00:33:06.459 --> 00:33:07.119 so that he 00:33:07.119 --> 00:33:07.419 wouldn't be 00:33:07.419 --> 00:33:08.339 destroyed at 00:33:08.339 --> 00:33:08.959 the sight of 00:33:08.959 --> 00:33:09.199 him. 00:33:09.799 --> 00:33:10.699 Surely in this 00:33:10.699 --> 00:33:11.399 moment Jacob 00:33:11.399 --> 00:33:12.799 realizes his 00:33:12.799 --> 00:33:13.899 unworthiness 00:33:13.900 --> 00:33:15.400 holiness. 00:33:15.680 --> 00:33:16.500 He understands 00:33:16.500 --> 00:33:17.400 that this is 00:33:17.400 --> 00:33:18.640 not a God 00:33:18.640 --> 00:33:19.120 to treat 00:33:19.120 --> 00:33:19.940 casually 00:33:19.940 --> 00:33:22.040 and flippantly. 00:33:22.200 --> 00:33:22.820 This is a God 00:33:22.820 --> 00:33:24.280 to be feared. 00:33:25.720 --> 00:33:26.720 Not only this 00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:28.360 but he also 00:33:28.360 --> 00:33:30.040 responds with 00:33:30.040 --> 00:33:30.660 worship. 00:33:32.040 --> 00:33:32.460 This is the 00:33:32.460 --> 00:33:33.320 second response 00:33:33.320 --> 00:33:34.480 here that 00:33:34.480 --> 00:33:35.940 Jacob does. 00:33:36.060 --> 00:33:36.340 He says, 00:33:36.600 --> 00:33:37.340 how awesome 00:33:37.340 --> 00:33:38.460 is this place? 00:33:38.560 --> 00:33:39.340 This is none 00:33:39.340 --> 00:33:39.840 other than the 00:33:39.840 --> 00:33:40.600 house of God. 00:33:41.519 --> 00:33:42.240 This is the 00:33:42.240 --> 00:33:43.120 gate of heaven. 00:33:43.900 --> 00:33:44.780 And so what 00:33:44.780 --> 00:33:45.320 does he do? 00:33:46.160 --> 00:33:47.300 He takes his 00:33:47.300 --> 00:33:49.120 pillow and 00:33:49.120 --> 00:33:49.740 he turns it 00:33:49.740 --> 00:33:50.420 into a 00:33:50.420 --> 00:33:50.980 pillar. 00:33:52.100 --> 00:33:52.800 Some of y'all 00:33:52.800 --> 00:33:53.300 with a thick 00:33:53.300 --> 00:33:53.920 country accent, 00:33:54.000 --> 00:33:54.320 that's how you 00:33:54.320 --> 00:33:54.840 pronounce pillow 00:33:54.840 --> 00:33:55.480 anyways, right? 00:33:55.720 --> 00:33:56.259 He takes his 00:33:56.259 --> 00:33:56.940 pillar and he 00:33:56.940 --> 00:33:57.380 turns it into 00:33:57.380 --> 00:33:57.759 a pillar. 00:33:58.540 --> 00:33:59.540 And he pours 00:33:59.540 --> 00:34:00.280 some oil on 00:34:00.280 --> 00:34:01.940 top of it and 00:34:01.940 --> 00:34:02.940 he renames this 00:34:02.940 --> 00:34:03.500 place from 00:34:03.500 --> 00:34:04.380 Luz to 00:34:04.380 --> 00:34:05.620 Bethel, which 00:34:05.620 --> 00:34:06.200 means the 00:34:06.200 --> 00:34:07.340 house of God. 00:34:07.420 --> 00:34:07.860 What is he 00:34:07.860 --> 00:34:08.099 doing? 00:34:09.240 --> 00:34:10.519 He is marking 00:34:10.519 --> 00:34:12.599 the place and 00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:13.400 marking the 00:34:13.400 --> 00:34:15.380 occasion as 00:34:15.380 --> 00:34:16.000 a holy 00:34:16.000 --> 00:34:17.000 moment of 00:34:17.000 --> 00:34:17.299 worship. 00:34:17.639 --> 00:34:18.719 This is where 00:34:18.719 --> 00:34:19.319 I have met 00:34:19.319 --> 00:34:19.659 with the 00:34:19.659 --> 00:34:19.940 Lord. 00:34:21.019 --> 00:34:21.619 This is no 00:34:21.619 --> 00:34:22.579 ordinary place. 00:34:23.619 --> 00:34:24.199 This is where 00:34:24.199 --> 00:34:25.059 I have been 00:34:25.059 --> 00:34:25.839 reminded of 00:34:25.839 --> 00:34:26.440 who God 00:34:26.440 --> 00:34:27.079 is. 00:34:27.960 --> 00:34:28.460 This is where 00:34:28.460 --> 00:34:29.039 I have heard 00:34:29.039 --> 00:34:29.920 his promises. 00:34:30.239 --> 00:34:30.599 This is where 00:34:30.599 --> 00:34:31.679 I have encountered 00:34:31.679 --> 00:34:32.019 him. 00:34:32.219 --> 00:34:32.599 This is where 00:34:32.599 --> 00:34:32.860 I have been 00:34:32.860 --> 00:34:33.319 given the 00:34:33.319 --> 00:34:34.039 sight of the 00:34:34.039 --> 00:34:35.039 glory of 00:34:35.039 --> 00:34:35.639 God and 00:34:35.639 --> 00:34:36.460 the worth 00:34:36.460 --> 00:34:37.219 of Jesus. 00:34:37.420 --> 00:34:38.039 This is no 00:34:38.039 --> 00:34:38.579 ordinary 00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:39.239 occasion. 00:34:39.239 --> 00:34:42.559 We don't 00:34:42.559 --> 00:34:43.139 set up 00:34:43.139 --> 00:34:44.279 pillars anymore, 00:34:44.500 --> 00:34:44.819 but you know 00:34:44.819 --> 00:34:45.139 what we do 00:34:45.139 --> 00:34:45.439 have, 00:34:45.619 --> 00:34:45.859 Christian? 00:34:47.339 --> 00:34:48.259 We have 00:34:48.259 --> 00:34:48.939 the regular 00:34:48.939 --> 00:34:50.179 gathering of 00:34:50.179 --> 00:34:51.259 God's people 00:34:51.259 --> 00:34:53.119 on the 00:34:53.119 --> 00:34:53.739 Lord's Day 00:34:53.739 --> 00:34:55.639 each and 00:34:55.639 --> 00:34:56.819 every week. 00:34:58.719 --> 00:34:59.159 And what a 00:34:59.159 --> 00:35:00.019 tragedy it is 00:35:00.019 --> 00:35:01.399 that many 00:35:01.399 --> 00:35:02.279 Christians view 00:35:02.279 --> 00:35:03.139 this holy 00:35:03.139 --> 00:35:03.979 moment as 00:35:03.979 --> 00:35:05.379 optional 00:35:05.380 --> 00:35:07.599 or ordinary 00:35:07.599 --> 00:35:09.280 and just 00:35:09.280 --> 00:35:09.700 something that 00:35:09.700 --> 00:35:10.099 you do 00:35:10.099 --> 00:35:10.599 because you 00:35:10.599 --> 00:35:11.599 should, 00:35:11.740 --> 00:35:12.500 you come in, 00:35:12.579 --> 00:35:13.220 you sing the 00:35:13.220 --> 00:35:13.640 songs, 00:35:13.840 --> 00:35:14.700 you hear 00:35:14.700 --> 00:35:15.019 something, 00:35:15.200 --> 00:35:15.640 hopefully it 00:35:15.640 --> 00:35:16.280 motivates you, 00:35:16.360 --> 00:35:16.940 you go off 00:35:16.940 --> 00:35:17.860 and you live 00:35:17.860 --> 00:35:18.320 your life. 00:35:18.420 --> 00:35:18.619 No, 00:35:19.900 --> 00:35:21.099 this is a 00:35:21.099 --> 00:35:22.000 moment of 00:35:22.000 --> 00:35:23.300 holy meeting 00:35:23.300 --> 00:35:23.840 with the 00:35:23.840 --> 00:35:24.480 risen Lord 00:35:24.480 --> 00:35:25.320 Jesus Christ. 00:35:26.019 --> 00:35:26.860 We come 00:35:26.860 --> 00:35:27.920 here to 00:35:27.920 --> 00:35:28.940 meet with 00:35:28.940 --> 00:35:29.500 the Lord. 00:35:30.180 --> 00:35:30.660 We come 00:35:30.660 --> 00:35:31.099 here to 00:35:31.099 --> 00:35:32.320 hear from 00:35:32.320 --> 00:35:33.000 his promises. 00:35:33.840 --> 00:35:34.220 We come 00:35:34.220 --> 00:35:34.579 here to be 00:35:34.579 --> 00:35:35.240 reminded of 00:35:35.239 --> 00:35:35.959 who he is 00:35:35.959 --> 00:35:36.599 and all 00:35:36.599 --> 00:35:36.919 that he's 00:35:36.919 --> 00:35:37.799 promised us 00:35:37.799 --> 00:35:38.399 together in 00:35:38.399 --> 00:35:38.739 Christ. 00:35:38.859 --> 00:35:39.159 We come 00:35:39.159 --> 00:35:39.500 here to 00:35:39.500 --> 00:35:40.500 meet with 00:35:40.500 --> 00:35:41.359 God. 00:35:42.699 --> 00:35:43.099 Each of 00:35:43.099 --> 00:35:43.500 us comes 00:35:43.500 --> 00:35:44.799 from various 00:35:44.799 --> 00:35:45.399 trials, 00:35:45.619 --> 00:35:46.399 various stresses, 00:35:46.619 --> 00:35:47.559 various issues 00:35:47.559 --> 00:35:48.219 going on in 00:35:48.219 --> 00:35:48.579 your life. 00:35:48.639 --> 00:35:48.959 I don't know 00:35:48.959 --> 00:35:49.379 what all you've 00:35:49.379 --> 00:35:49.699 been through 00:35:49.699 --> 00:35:50.239 this week, 00:35:50.419 --> 00:35:50.979 but we put 00:35:50.979 --> 00:35:51.659 all of that 00:35:51.659 --> 00:35:52.559 aside and 00:35:52.559 --> 00:35:53.019 for this 00:35:53.019 --> 00:35:53.779 moment we're 00:35:53.779 --> 00:35:55.019 reminded of 00:35:55.019 --> 00:35:55.859 who the 00:35:55.859 --> 00:35:57.079 Lord is 00:35:57.079 --> 00:36:01.000 and to 00:36:01.000 --> 00:36:01.639 respond to 00:36:01.639 --> 00:36:03.599 him and 00:36:03.599 --> 00:36:04.059 worship. 00:36:05.239 --> 00:36:06.679 you realize 00:36:06.679 --> 00:36:06.879 that when 00:36:06.879 --> 00:36:07.219 the church 00:36:07.219 --> 00:36:07.819 gathers we 00:36:07.819 --> 00:36:08.259 get a 00:36:08.259 --> 00:36:08.839 vision of 00:36:08.839 --> 00:36:09.059 heaven. 00:36:11.299 --> 00:36:11.739 This 00:36:11.739 --> 00:36:12.339 once a 00:36:12.339 --> 00:36:12.500 week 00:36:12.500 --> 00:36:13.199 gathering is 00:36:13.199 --> 00:36:13.359 an 00:36:13.359 --> 00:36:13.859 interruption 00:36:13.859 --> 00:36:14.379 of our 00:36:14.379 --> 00:36:15.000 normal 00:36:15.000 --> 00:36:15.579 rhythms of 00:36:15.579 --> 00:36:16.000 our life, 00:36:16.099 --> 00:36:16.299 yes, 00:36:16.359 --> 00:36:16.799 but truly 00:36:16.799 --> 00:36:17.119 in the 00:36:17.119 --> 00:36:17.539 span of 00:36:17.539 --> 00:36:17.959 eternity, 00:36:17.959 --> 00:36:18.419 what's the 00:36:18.419 --> 00:36:18.879 interruption? 00:36:20.099 --> 00:36:20.799 It's all 00:36:20.799 --> 00:36:21.299 that out 00:36:21.299 --> 00:36:21.939 there that's 00:36:21.939 --> 00:36:22.619 the interruption. 00:36:23.679 --> 00:36:24.399 Heaven is 00:36:24.399 --> 00:36:24.979 filled with 00:36:24.979 --> 00:36:25.619 the gathering 00:36:25.619 --> 00:36:26.099 of the 00:36:26.099 --> 00:36:26.419 saints 00:36:26.419 --> 00:36:27.419 worshiping 00:36:27.419 --> 00:36:27.919 the risen 00:36:27.919 --> 00:36:28.299 Lord 00:36:28.299 --> 00:36:28.939 Christ. 00:36:28.940 --> 00:36:29.019 Christ, 00:36:29.659 --> 00:36:30.159 as we 00:36:30.159 --> 00:36:30.360 come 00:36:30.360 --> 00:36:30.800 together 00:36:30.800 --> 00:36:31.159 and as 00:36:31.159 --> 00:36:31.599 we worship 00:36:31.599 --> 00:36:32.039 together, 00:36:32.200 --> 00:36:32.619 we get 00:36:32.619 --> 00:36:33.440 this vision 00:36:33.440 --> 00:36:33.760 of what 00:36:33.760 --> 00:36:34.260 heaven will 00:36:34.260 --> 00:36:34.920 be like. 00:36:37.260 --> 00:36:37.780 And we 00:36:37.780 --> 00:36:38.079 don't just 00:36:38.079 --> 00:36:38.420 leave it 00:36:38.420 --> 00:36:38.700 there, 00:36:39.019 --> 00:36:39.320 church. 00:36:40.179 --> 00:36:40.800 We go 00:36:40.800 --> 00:36:41.800 from here 00:36:41.800 --> 00:36:42.920 with renewed 00:36:42.920 --> 00:36:43.579 devotion. 00:36:43.820 --> 00:36:44.059 That's the 00:36:44.059 --> 00:36:44.800 last response 00:36:44.800 --> 00:36:45.039 here. 00:36:45.200 --> 00:36:46.679 Jacob responds 00:36:46.679 --> 00:36:47.599 to the Lord 00:36:47.599 --> 00:36:48.400 with renewed 00:36:48.400 --> 00:36:49.460 devotion. 00:36:49.679 --> 00:36:50.200 You can tell 00:36:50.200 --> 00:36:50.519 that this 00:36:50.519 --> 00:36:51.139 encounter has 00:36:51.139 --> 00:36:52.420 changed him, 00:36:52.599 --> 00:36:52.960 can't you? 00:36:54.220 --> 00:36:55.079 You can tell 00:36:55.079 --> 00:36:55.400 that this 00:36:55.400 --> 00:36:55.940 encounter has 00:36:55.940 --> 00:36:57.099 impacted him. 00:36:57.099 --> 00:36:57.739 verse 20, 00:36:57.839 --> 00:36:58.159 it says, 00:36:58.759 --> 00:36:59.500 Jacob makes 00:36:59.500 --> 00:37:00.279 this vow, 00:37:00.519 --> 00:37:00.779 saying, 00:37:00.980 --> 00:37:01.380 if God 00:37:01.380 --> 00:37:01.739 will be 00:37:01.739 --> 00:37:02.400 with me 00:37:02.400 --> 00:37:02.799 and will 00:37:02.799 --> 00:37:03.699 keep me 00:37:03.699 --> 00:37:03.980 in this 00:37:03.980 --> 00:37:04.339 way that 00:37:04.339 --> 00:37:04.739 I go 00:37:04.739 --> 00:37:05.139 and will 00:37:05.139 --> 00:37:05.779 give me 00:37:05.779 --> 00:37:06.440 bread to 00:37:06.440 --> 00:37:06.819 eat and 00:37:06.819 --> 00:37:07.380 clothing to 00:37:07.380 --> 00:37:07.779 wear so 00:37:07.779 --> 00:37:07.960 that I 00:37:07.960 --> 00:37:08.339 come again 00:37:08.339 --> 00:37:08.599 to my 00:37:08.599 --> 00:37:08.980 father's 00:37:08.980 --> 00:37:09.380 house in 00:37:09.380 --> 00:37:09.699 peace, 00:37:10.299 --> 00:37:10.860 the Lord 00:37:10.860 --> 00:37:11.420 shall be 00:37:11.420 --> 00:37:12.139 my God 00:37:12.139 --> 00:37:12.460 and this 00:37:12.460 --> 00:37:13.099 stone which 00:37:13.099 --> 00:37:13.500 I've set 00:37:13.500 --> 00:37:13.940 up for a 00:37:13.940 --> 00:37:14.440 pillar shall 00:37:14.440 --> 00:37:15.119 be God's 00:37:15.119 --> 00:37:15.579 house. 00:37:16.279 --> 00:37:16.699 And of 00:37:16.699 --> 00:37:17.219 all that 00:37:17.219 --> 00:37:17.599 you give 00:37:17.599 --> 00:37:17.880 me, 00:37:18.420 --> 00:37:18.779 I will 00:37:18.779 --> 00:37:19.059 give a 00:37:19.059 --> 00:37:19.380 full 00:37:19.380 --> 00:37:20.719 tenth to 00:37:20.719 --> 00:37:21.019 you. 00:37:22.259 --> 00:37:22.799 Now this 00:37:22.799 --> 00:37:24.039 is one of 00:37:24.039 --> 00:37:24.360 the early 00:37:24.360 --> 00:37:25.139 foundations for 00:37:25.139 --> 00:37:25.500 what would 00:37:25.500 --> 00:37:26.159 become the 00:37:26.159 --> 00:37:26.739 tithe. 00:37:27.099 --> 00:37:27.940 And that 00:37:27.940 --> 00:37:28.519 word tithe, 00:37:28.599 --> 00:37:29.159 it literally 00:37:29.159 --> 00:37:29.900 means a 00:37:29.900 --> 00:37:30.259 tenth. 00:37:31.380 --> 00:37:31.819 But Jacob 00:37:31.819 --> 00:37:32.239 gets very 00:37:32.239 --> 00:37:33.079 practical here, 00:37:33.099 --> 00:37:33.440 doesn't he? 00:37:33.440 --> 00:37:33.839 He doesn't 00:37:33.839 --> 00:37:34.259 just leave 00:37:34.259 --> 00:37:34.739 this in 00:37:34.739 --> 00:37:36.420 general terms. 00:37:36.519 --> 00:37:36.739 He gets 00:37:36.739 --> 00:37:37.639 very practical, 00:37:37.839 --> 00:37:38.579 very specific. 00:37:38.940 --> 00:37:39.219 He says, 00:37:39.299 --> 00:37:39.579 I'm going to 00:37:39.579 --> 00:37:39.880 give the 00:37:39.880 --> 00:37:40.319 Lord a 00:37:40.319 --> 00:37:41.059 tenth of 00:37:41.059 --> 00:37:41.679 all that 00:37:41.679 --> 00:37:42.199 he gives 00:37:42.199 --> 00:37:42.440 me. 00:37:42.539 --> 00:37:43.159 He makes 00:37:43.159 --> 00:37:43.719 a plan of 00:37:43.719 --> 00:37:44.460 action for 00:37:44.460 --> 00:37:44.880 how he's 00:37:44.880 --> 00:37:45.079 going to 00:37:45.079 --> 00:37:46.019 respond to 00:37:46.019 --> 00:37:46.460 the Lord 00:37:46.460 --> 00:37:46.739 and what 00:37:46.739 --> 00:37:47.539 change this 00:37:47.539 --> 00:37:48.000 meeting is 00:37:48.000 --> 00:37:48.179 going to 00:37:48.179 --> 00:37:48.500 make in 00:37:48.500 --> 00:37:49.039 his life. 00:37:49.039 --> 00:37:51.559 some of 00:37:51.559 --> 00:37:51.800 you have 00:37:51.800 --> 00:37:52.539 asked me 00:37:52.539 --> 00:37:53.460 before, 00:37:53.800 --> 00:37:54.340 how do 00:37:54.340 --> 00:37:54.800 I know 00:37:54.800 --> 00:37:55.480 how much 00:37:55.480 --> 00:37:56.699 money I 00:37:56.699 --> 00:37:57.159 should give 00:37:57.159 --> 00:37:57.800 to the 00:37:57.800 --> 00:37:58.139 church? 00:37:58.320 --> 00:37:58.519 And let 00:37:58.519 --> 00:37:58.820 the record 00:37:58.820 --> 00:37:59.159 show, 00:37:59.800 --> 00:38:01.079 in three 00:38:01.079 --> 00:38:01.460 and a half, 00:38:01.539 --> 00:38:01.940 almost four 00:38:01.940 --> 00:38:02.259 years, 00:38:02.420 --> 00:38:03.039 I haven't 00:38:03.039 --> 00:38:04.539 preached much 00:38:04.539 --> 00:38:05.619 on tithing. 00:38:06.179 --> 00:38:06.800 But we do 00:38:06.800 --> 00:38:07.420 when it comes 00:38:07.420 --> 00:38:07.800 up in the 00:38:07.800 --> 00:38:08.079 text, 00:38:08.199 --> 00:38:08.539 don't we? 00:38:08.599 --> 00:38:09.380 Here it is, 00:38:10.039 --> 00:38:10.579 and so we 00:38:10.579 --> 00:38:11.119 talk about 00:38:11.119 --> 00:38:11.320 it. 00:38:12.380 --> 00:38:12.900 The Old 00:38:12.900 --> 00:38:13.440 Testament, 00:38:13.940 --> 00:38:14.860 it gives 00:38:14.860 --> 00:38:15.440 more of a 00:38:15.440 --> 00:38:16.139 quantitative 00:38:16.139 --> 00:38:17.480 principle. 00:38:17.779 --> 00:38:18.119 Here we 00:38:18.119 --> 00:38:19.039 see 10%, 00:38:19.039 --> 00:38:19.339 but you 00:38:19.339 --> 00:38:19.719 add in 00:38:19.719 --> 00:38:20.420 the temple 00:38:20.420 --> 00:38:21.099 tax as you 00:38:21.099 --> 00:38:21.539 get later 00:38:21.539 --> 00:38:21.739 in the 00:38:21.739 --> 00:38:22.239 Old Testament. 00:38:22.400 --> 00:38:22.739 Some say 00:38:22.739 --> 00:38:24.559 that's 20%, 00:38:24.559 --> 00:38:25.500 even as high 00:38:25.500 --> 00:38:26.719 up as 30% 00:38:26.719 --> 00:38:27.059 that was 00:38:27.059 --> 00:38:28.400 required of 00:38:28.400 --> 00:38:28.920 the Israelites 00:38:28.920 --> 00:38:29.500 there in the 00:38:29.500 --> 00:38:30.059 Old Testament. 00:38:30.579 --> 00:38:31.279 The New 00:38:31.279 --> 00:38:32.119 Testament doesn't 00:38:32.119 --> 00:38:32.739 give us so 00:38:32.739 --> 00:38:33.199 much of a 00:38:33.199 --> 00:38:33.900 quantitative 00:38:33.900 --> 00:38:35.619 responsibility as 00:38:35.619 --> 00:38:36.219 it does a 00:38:36.219 --> 00:38:36.920 qualitative 00:38:36.920 --> 00:38:38.139 responsibility. 00:38:38.339 --> 00:38:38.779 What is it? 00:38:39.799 --> 00:38:40.579 God loves 00:38:40.579 --> 00:38:41.339 a what? 00:38:42.460 --> 00:38:43.359 A cheerful 00:38:43.359 --> 00:38:44.019 giver. 00:38:45.079 --> 00:38:45.679 The principle 00:38:45.679 --> 00:38:46.159 of the New 00:38:46.159 --> 00:38:47.559 Testament is 00:38:47.559 --> 00:38:48.619 responding to 00:38:48.619 --> 00:38:49.480 all that God 00:38:49.480 --> 00:38:50.279 has done for 00:38:50.279 --> 00:38:51.299 us in Christ 00:38:51.299 --> 00:38:52.440 with a response 00:38:52.440 --> 00:38:53.279 of a generous 00:38:53.279 --> 00:38:54.559 heart and an 00:38:54.559 --> 00:38:55.539 open hand to 00:38:55.539 --> 00:38:56.799 say all that I 00:38:56.799 --> 00:38:58.019 have, including 00:38:58.019 --> 00:38:59.379 my money, but 00:38:59.379 --> 00:38:59.919 not just my 00:38:59.919 --> 00:39:00.960 money, my 00:39:00.960 --> 00:39:02.199 time, my 00:39:02.199 --> 00:39:03.359 talents, my 00:39:03.359 --> 00:39:04.819 treasures, my 00:39:04.819 --> 00:39:05.599 thoughts, my 00:39:05.599 --> 00:39:06.299 actions, my 00:39:06.299 --> 00:39:06.940 steps, my 00:39:06.940 --> 00:39:08.319 words, all of 00:39:08.319 --> 00:39:09.319 this belongs to 00:39:09.319 --> 00:39:09.799 you. 00:39:10.799 --> 00:39:11.279 And so how 00:39:11.279 --> 00:39:12.079 can I then 00:39:12.079 --> 00:39:13.139 respond to 00:39:13.139 --> 00:39:14.719 you, respond to 00:39:14.719 --> 00:39:15.339 your worth, 00:39:15.340 --> 00:39:16.440 respond to 00:39:16.440 --> 00:39:17.280 this meeting 00:39:17.280 --> 00:39:18.340 with you in 00:39:18.340 --> 00:39:19.140 a life of 00:39:19.140 --> 00:39:19.500 worship? 00:39:23.100 --> 00:39:23.920 Jacob here 00:39:23.920 --> 00:39:24.820 devotes himself 00:39:24.820 --> 00:39:26.180 to the Lord 00:39:26.180 --> 00:39:27.120 all his life, 00:39:27.680 --> 00:39:28.200 all his 00:39:28.200 --> 00:39:28.940 actions, all 00:39:28.940 --> 00:39:29.720 his words, all 00:39:29.720 --> 00:39:30.500 his money, all 00:39:30.500 --> 00:39:31.860 his heart, all 00:39:31.860 --> 00:39:32.900 of it belongs 00:39:32.900 --> 00:39:34.039 to the Lord. 00:39:34.140 --> 00:39:34.500 And so he 00:39:34.500 --> 00:39:35.380 determines what 00:39:35.380 --> 00:39:36.260 he will do in 00:39:36.260 --> 00:39:37.780 response to the 00:39:37.780 --> 00:39:38.760 living God. 00:39:38.860 --> 00:39:39.640 I wonder if you 00:39:39.640 --> 00:39:40.480 have determined 00:39:40.480 --> 00:39:41.180 how you will 00:39:41.180 --> 00:39:41.820 respond to the 00:39:41.820 --> 00:39:42.079 Lord. 00:39:42.079 --> 00:39:44.860 I wonder if 00:39:44.860 --> 00:39:46.340 you have put 00:39:46.340 --> 00:39:48.219 steps to your 00:39:48.219 --> 00:39:48.880 response to 00:39:48.880 --> 00:39:49.099 him. 00:39:50.599 --> 00:39:51.219 I wonder if 00:39:51.219 --> 00:39:52.639 you will put 00:39:52.639 --> 00:39:53.739 this meeting 00:39:53.739 --> 00:39:54.460 into action 00:39:54.460 --> 00:39:55.440 this week. 00:39:56.860 --> 00:39:57.880 I wonder how 00:39:57.880 --> 00:39:59.239 this will change 00:39:59.239 --> 00:39:59.819 your life. 00:40:01.420 --> 00:40:02.000 We sometimes 00:40:02.000 --> 00:40:02.659 sing a song, 00:40:02.900 --> 00:40:03.279 we should have 00:40:03.279 --> 00:40:03.920 sung it today if 00:40:03.920 --> 00:40:04.380 I had planned a 00:40:04.380 --> 00:40:04.819 little bit better, 00:40:05.139 --> 00:40:05.659 maybe we would 00:40:05.659 --> 00:40:05.840 have. 00:40:05.840 --> 00:40:08.059 take my life 00:40:08.059 --> 00:40:08.480 and let it 00:40:08.480 --> 00:40:10.820 be consecrated 00:40:10.820 --> 00:40:11.860 Lord to 00:40:11.860 --> 00:40:12.160 thee. 00:40:12.760 --> 00:40:13.480 Take my 00:40:13.480 --> 00:40:14.680 moments in 00:40:14.680 --> 00:40:15.400 my days, 00:40:15.620 --> 00:40:16.400 let them flow 00:40:16.400 --> 00:40:17.420 in ceaseless 00:40:17.420 --> 00:40:18.100 praise. 00:40:18.780 --> 00:40:19.500 Take my 00:40:19.500 --> 00:40:20.200 hands and let 00:40:20.200 --> 00:40:21.059 them move at 00:40:21.059 --> 00:40:21.940 the impulse of 00:40:21.940 --> 00:40:22.539 thy love. 00:40:22.640 --> 00:40:22.940 Take my 00:40:22.940 --> 00:40:23.720 feet, let 00:40:23.720 --> 00:40:24.760 them be swift 00:40:24.760 --> 00:40:25.420 and beautiful 00:40:25.420 --> 00:40:25.980 for thee. 00:40:26.380 --> 00:40:26.820 Take my 00:40:26.820 --> 00:40:27.800 voice, let 00:40:27.800 --> 00:40:28.880 me sing always 00:40:28.880 --> 00:40:30.519 only for my 00:40:30.519 --> 00:40:30.820 king. 00:40:30.940 --> 00:40:31.260 Take my 00:40:31.260 --> 00:40:31.980 lips, let 00:40:31.980 --> 00:40:32.700 them be filled 00:40:32.700 --> 00:40:33.400 with messages 00:40:33.400 --> 00:40:34.280 from thee. 00:40:34.280 --> 00:40:35.680 Take my 00:40:35.680 --> 00:40:36.340 silver and 00:40:36.340 --> 00:40:37.280 my gold, not 00:40:37.280 --> 00:40:38.120 a mite would 00:40:38.120 --> 00:40:38.740 I withhold. 00:40:39.560 --> 00:40:40.100 Take my 00:40:40.100 --> 00:40:41.060 intellect and 00:40:41.060 --> 00:40:41.680 use every 00:40:41.680 --> 00:40:42.400 power as 00:40:42.400 --> 00:40:42.880 thou shalt 00:40:42.880 --> 00:40:43.360 choose. 00:40:43.460 --> 00:40:43.800 Take my 00:40:43.800 --> 00:40:44.400 will and 00:40:44.400 --> 00:40:44.720 make it 00:40:44.720 --> 00:40:45.120 thine. 00:40:45.920 --> 00:40:46.240 It shall 00:40:46.240 --> 00:40:46.620 be no 00:40:46.620 --> 00:40:47.340 longer mine. 00:40:47.440 --> 00:40:47.800 Take my 00:40:47.800 --> 00:40:48.440 heart, it 00:40:48.440 --> 00:40:48.900 is thine 00:40:48.900 --> 00:40:49.220 own. 00:40:49.820 --> 00:40:50.220 It shall 00:40:50.220 --> 00:40:50.780 be thy 00:40:50.780 --> 00:40:51.740 royal throne. 00:40:51.880 --> 00:40:52.260 Take my 00:40:52.260 --> 00:40:53.460 love, my 00:40:53.460 --> 00:40:53.920 Lord I 00:40:53.920 --> 00:40:54.280 pour. 00:40:54.920 --> 00:40:55.360 At thy 00:40:55.360 --> 00:40:55.940 feet it's 00:40:55.940 --> 00:40:56.280 treasure 00:40:56.280 --> 00:40:56.860 store. 00:40:57.600 --> 00:40:57.860 Take 00:40:57.860 --> 00:40:58.640 myself and 00:40:58.640 --> 00:40:59.280 I will be 00:40:59.280 --> 00:41:00.700 ever only 00:41:00.700 --> 00:41:02.320 all for 00:41:02.320 --> 00:41:02.600 thee. 00:41:02.740 --> 00:41:03.040 Friend, 00:41:03.039 --> 00:41:04.739 this is 00:41:04.739 --> 00:41:05.239 the theme 00:41:05.239 --> 00:41:05.699 song of 00:41:05.699 --> 00:41:05.860 our 00:41:05.860 --> 00:41:06.159 journey. 00:41:08.440 --> 00:41:08.800 Can you 00:41:08.800 --> 00:41:09.300 honestly say 00:41:09.300 --> 00:41:09.699 this morning 00:41:09.699 --> 00:41:10.519 that this 00:41:10.519 --> 00:41:11.219 is true 00:41:11.219 --> 00:41:12.199 for you? 00:41:14.179 --> 00:41:14.619 As you 00:41:14.619 --> 00:41:15.380 leave here 00:41:15.380 --> 00:41:15.980 this morning 00:41:15.980 --> 00:41:16.659 and go 00:41:16.659 --> 00:41:17.259 off to the 00:41:17.259 --> 00:41:17.820 week ahead, 00:41:17.920 --> 00:41:18.279 whatever it 00:41:18.279 --> 00:41:18.659 is that 00:41:18.659 --> 00:41:19.779 awaits you 00:41:19.779 --> 00:41:20.219 this week, 00:41:20.579 --> 00:41:21.300 don't get 00:41:21.300 --> 00:41:22.320 so distracted 00:41:22.320 --> 00:41:22.960 by putting 00:41:22.960 --> 00:41:23.900 one foot in 00:41:23.900 --> 00:41:24.579 front of the 00:41:24.579 --> 00:41:25.380 next and 00:41:25.380 --> 00:41:25.920 making your 00:41:25.920 --> 00:41:26.500 way to the 00:41:26.500 --> 00:41:27.360 next stop, 00:41:27.719 --> 00:41:28.559 navigating the 00:41:28.559 --> 00:41:29.159 streets of 00:41:29.159 --> 00:41:30.079 your life that 00:41:30.079 --> 00:41:31.019 you forget 00:41:31.019 --> 00:41:31.719 the big 00:41:31.719 --> 00:41:32.420 picture. 00:41:32.420 --> 00:41:33.280 there is 00:41:33.280 --> 00:41:34.240 a God 00:41:34.240 --> 00:41:34.940 in heaven 00:41:34.940 --> 00:41:35.760 who loves 00:41:35.760 --> 00:41:37.019 you and 00:41:37.019 --> 00:41:37.480 is for 00:41:37.480 --> 00:41:38.579 you and 00:41:38.579 --> 00:41:39.200 has promised 00:41:39.200 --> 00:41:40.019 you such 00:41:40.019 --> 00:41:40.840 wonderful 00:41:40.840 --> 00:41:41.480 blessings in 00:41:41.480 --> 00:41:41.880 Christ. 00:41:42.680 --> 00:41:43.440 Let's pray. 00:41:43.740 --> 00:41:43.980 Father, 00:41:44.980 --> 00:41:47.360 we pray that 00:41:47.360 --> 00:41:47.900 we would be 00:41:47.900 --> 00:41:48.639 reminded of 00:41:48.639 --> 00:41:49.960 your faithfulness, 00:41:50.200 --> 00:41:50.579 God, that we 00:41:50.579 --> 00:41:50.860 would be 00:41:50.860 --> 00:41:51.519 reminded of 00:41:51.519 --> 00:41:53.460 the glory of 00:41:53.460 --> 00:41:53.880 Christ. 00:41:55.079 --> 00:41:55.740 We pray that 00:41:55.740 --> 00:41:57.200 as we 00:41:57.200 --> 00:41:57.940 navigate whatever 00:41:57.940 --> 00:41:58.840 lies ahead this 00:41:58.840 --> 00:41:59.099 week, 00:41:59.200 --> 00:41:59.420 Father, 00:41:59.420 --> 00:42:00.119 that we would 00:42:00.119 --> 00:42:01.639 be constantly 00:42:01.639 --> 00:42:02.500 meeting with 00:42:02.500 --> 00:42:02.960 you in 00:42:02.960 --> 00:42:03.440 your word 00:42:03.440 --> 00:42:03.799 and in 00:42:03.799 --> 00:42:04.339 prayer and 00:42:04.339 --> 00:42:05.079 then responding 00:42:05.079 --> 00:42:05.940 to you 00:42:05.940 --> 00:42:06.759 with a 00:42:06.759 --> 00:42:07.159 transformed 00:42:07.159 --> 00:42:07.879 life that 00:42:07.879 --> 00:42:08.519 belongs to 00:42:08.519 --> 00:42:08.759 you. 00:42:10.000 --> 00:42:10.759 We pray 00:42:10.759 --> 00:42:11.199 all this in 00:42:11.199 --> 00:42:11.739 Jesus' name. 00:42:12.859 --> 00:42:13.099 Amen. 00:42:13.099 --> 00:42:13.239 Amen. 00:42:13.239 --> 00:42:13.739 Amen. 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:13.739 00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:43.719 Thank you.