The Potter's House

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What happens at Bethel

Adam Dragoon

Sermon Summary

In Genesis 35, we find Jacob on a journey back to Bethel, a place of profound spiritual significance. Bethel, meaning "house of God," is where Jacob first encountered God in a dream, seeing a ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending. This encounter marked a pivotal moment in Jacob's life, symbolizing God's presence and promises. As Jacob returns to Bethel, he is reminded of God's faithfulness and the need for obedience and sanctification.

Jacob's journey is a powerful reminder that God is not confined to a specific location. Wherever we are, God is with us. As believers, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and God's presence dwells within us. This truth challenges us to recognize that every place can be a Bethel, a place of divine encounter, if we are open to God's presence and leading.

Jacob's story also highlights the importance of obedience and the need to rid our lives of idols. Despite his experiences with God, Jacob's household harbored foreign gods. Before returning to Bethel, Jacob instructs his family to put away these idols and purify themselves. This act of cleansing symbolizes repentance and the need to leave behind anything that hinders our relationship with God.

God's call to Jacob to return to Bethel is a call to obedience and transformation. As Jacob responds, God protects him and his family, placing a divine terror on the surrounding cities, ensuring their safety. This protection is a testament to God's faithfulness and the supernatural covering that comes with obedience.

In our lives, God calls us to obedience, promising protection and blessing. The journey to Bethel is not just a physical journey but a spiritual one, requiring us to leave behind idols and embrace God's call. As we do, we experience God's presence, protection, and the fulfillment of His promises.

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Message Study Guide

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  • [00:00] - Welcome

  • [02:00] - Introduction to Jacob's Journey

  • [04:31] - God's Presence Everywhere

  • [06:39] - Jacob's Encounter with God

  • [09:38] - The Call to Obedience

  • [12:12] - Ridding Our Lives of Idols

  • [14:33] - The Symbolism of Changing Garments

  • [17:27] - The Importance of Sanctification

  • [20:40] - God's Supernatural Protection

  • [23:54] - The Safest Place in God's Plan

  • [26:07] - Testimonies of God's Protection

  • [28:30] - Biblical Examples of Divine Protection

  • [32:03] - Confidence in God's Protection

  • [34:25] - The Blessing of Obedience

  • [36:44] - Responding to God's Call

  • [39:16] - Invitation to Salvation

  • [41:26] - Call to Believers

  • [44:44] - Closing Prayer and Altar Call

Key Takeaways

  1. God's Presence Everywhere: God's presence is not limited to a specific location. As believers, we carry the presence of God with us, making every place a potential Bethel, a place of divine encounter. This truth challenges us to be aware of God's presence in our daily lives and to seek His guidance and leading in every situation. [04:31]

  2. The Call to Obedience: God's call to Jacob to return to Bethel is a call to obedience and transformation. Obedience to God's call requires us to leave behind idols and anything that hinders our relationship with Him. This act of obedience leads to supernatural protection and blessing. [09:38]

  3. Ridding Our Lives of Idols: Jacob's instruction to his family to put away foreign gods highlights the importance of ridding our lives of idols. Idols can take many forms, including pride, possessions, and worldly desires. True repentance involves a daily commitment to turn away from these idols and pursue a life of holiness. [12:12]

  4. God's Supernatural Protection: As Jacob obeys God's call, God places a divine terror on the surrounding cities, ensuring their safety. This supernatural protection is a testament to God's faithfulness and the covering that comes with obedience. It reminds us that God is watching over us and protecting us from unseen dangers. [20:40]

  5. The Blessing of Obedience: Obedience to God's call leads to transformation and blessing. Jacob's journey to Bethel symbolizes a spiritual journey of transformation, where God appears, renames, reaffirms His covenant, and speaks personally to Jacob. This journey is a reminder that God's greatest blessings are hidden behind the doors of obedience. [34:25]

Bible Reading

  • Gen 35:1-5 NKJV - 1 Then God said to Jacob, "Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother." 2 And Jacob said to his household and to all who [were] with him, "Put away the foreign gods that [are] among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. 3 "Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone." 4 So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods which [were] in their hands, and the earrings which [were] in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree which [was] by Shechem. 5 And they journeyed, and the terror of God was upon the cities that [were] all around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob.

  • Gen 28:12-16 NKJV - 12 Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder [was] set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 And behold, the LORD stood above it and said: "I [am] the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. 14 "Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 15 "Behold, I [am] with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you." 16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know [it]."

  • Col 3:5 NKJV - 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Observation Questions

  1. What significant event happened to Jacob at Bethel according to Genesis 28:12-16, and how did it impact his life? [06:39]

  2. In Genesis 35:1-5, what instructions did God give to Jacob, and how did Jacob respond to these instructions? [09:38]

  3. What does Genesis 35:5 reveal about God's protection over Jacob and his family during their journey? [20:40]

  4. According to Colossians 3:5, what are some of the "idols" that believers are instructed to rid themselves of, and how does this relate to Jacob's story? [14:33]

Interpretation Questions

  1. How does Jacob's journey back to Bethel symbolize a spiritual journey for believers today? What does Bethel represent in a believer's life? [34:25]

  2. What does the act of Jacob instructing his family to put away foreign gods and purify themselves signify about the process of repentance and sanctification? [12:12]

  3. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of God's presence being everywhere, and how does this challenge the traditional view of sacred spaces? [04:31]

  4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that obedience to God leads to supernatural protection and blessing? How is this demonstrated in Jacob's story? [20:40]

Application Questions

  1. Reflect on your daily life. Are there places or situations where you might not typically expect to encounter God's presence? How can you become more aware of God's presence in these everyday moments? [04:31]

  2. Consider any "idols" in your life that might be hindering your relationship with God. What steps can you take to remove these idols and pursue a life of holiness? [12:12]

  3. Think about a time when you felt God's protection in your life. How did this experience strengthen your faith, and how can you share this testimony with others? [20:40]

  4. How can you respond to God's call in your life with obedience, even when it requires sacrifice or change? What specific actions can you take this week to align more closely with God's will? [09:38]

  5. In what ways can you create a "Bethel" in your own life, a place or time dedicated to encountering God and seeking His guidance? How can this practice transform your spiritual journey? [34:25]

  6. Reflect on the concept of repentance as a daily practice. How can you incorporate regular self-examination and repentance into your spiritual routine? [14:33]

  7. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's protection and provision, especially during challenging times? What scriptures or prayers can you turn to for reassurance? [32:03]

Keep an eye on our Facebook Page for Daily Devotionals based on this message over the next five days.

Written with Love by Pastor Adam Dragoon

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