If Stones Could Talk - #3 Growing Through Our Going
If the stones of the Bible could talk, what might they say to us? The usage of pillars (stones) in the Bible were always used to communicate something of importance...the things God wants us to remember.
0 Likes
0 Views
32 cards
16 min read
Pinned
Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month. Our next Meet & Greet will be held on May 25th following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions ([email protected]).
Each Saturday in May is an opportunity to help prepare the church grounds for summer at a Grace Church Work Day! Come join in on the fun & fellowship between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm on a Saturday in May. Contact Ryan Hickey with any questions ([email protected]).
As Pastor Don shared on Sunday, former long-time Maple Valley football coach Guenther Mittelstaedt passed away on Sunday morning. If you feel led to send a card to the family (wife-Jan, daughter-Jenny, son-Joel) here is their address: 8741 North Island Dr. Stanwood, MI 49346. A memorial service is being planned for Saturday, June 28th at 1:00 pm at Maple Valley High School.
Sunday, May 18th - Hannah Bernheisel
Monday, May 19th - Leslie Booher, Tim Braden
Tuesday, May 20th - Andrew Hoxie, Steve & Stephanie Hester
Saturday, May 24th - Paul Schilz
Monday, May 19th - Leslie Booher, Tim Braden
Tuesday, May 20th - Andrew Hoxie, Steve & Stephanie Hester
Saturday, May 24th - Paul Schilz
Cards
Our series this month is: If Stones Could Talk
The underlying theme is that of remembering. The Bible often uses stones (or pillars) to focus our attention upon some person, place, event or moment.
The underlying theme is that of remembering. The Bible often uses stones (or pillars) to focus our attention upon some person, place, event or moment.
We are looking at the four stone pillars that are associated with the Jewish patriarch, Jacob, and drawing lessons that we can apply to our lives today.
Jacob was not a perfect person but yet about one dozen times in the Bible we read a phrase spoken by God in Exodus 3:15.
The name speaks of the covenant God made with His chosen people, the Hebrews. Jacob's life teaches us that despite our sin and selfishness, God still loves us.
Jacob was not a perfect person but yet about one dozen times in the Bible we read a phrase spoken by God in Exodus 3:15.
The name speaks of the covenant God made with His chosen people, the Hebrews. Jacob's life teaches us that despite our sin and selfishness, God still loves us.
Exodus 3:15
BSB
15 God also told Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered in every generation.
BSB
Today we continue to follow Jacob as he and his family make their 600 mile trek home. Along the way, Jacob and his family face a number of painful and tragic trials, but God's faithfulness never wavers.
His journey reveals a number of lessons that he learns along the way, thus the title of this week's message...Growing through our Going.
We've all learned lessons from the tragedies and hard times we've encountered in life.
His journey reveals a number of lessons that he learns along the way, thus the title of this week's message...Growing through our Going.
We've all learned lessons from the tragedies and hard times we've encountered in life.
Today we look at the third stone, The Pillar of TRANSFORMATION and our text is Genesis 35:1-15.
Genesis 35:1-15
BSB
1 Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel, and settle there. Build an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.”
2 So Jacob told his household and all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods that are among you. Purify yourselves and change your garments.
3 Then let us arise and go to Bethel. I will build an altar there to God, who answered me in my day of distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.”
4 So they gave Jacob all their foreign gods and all their earrings, and Jacob buried them under the oak near Shechem.
5 As they set out, a terror from God fell over the surrounding cities, so that they did not pursue Jacob’s sons.
6 So Jacob and everyone with him arrived in Luz (that is, Bethel) in the land of Canaan.
7 There Jacob built an altar, and he called that place El-bethel, because it was there that God had revealed Himself to Jacob as he fled from his brother.
8 Now Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died and was buried under the oak below Bethel. So Jacob named it Allon-bachuth.
9 After Jacob had returned from Paddan-aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him.
10 And God said to him, “Though your name is Jacob, you will no longer be called Jacob. Instead, your name will be Israel. ” So God named him Israel.
11 And God told him, “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation—even a company of nations—shall come from you, and kings shall descend from you.
12 The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.”
13 Then God went up from the place where He had spoken with him.
14 So Jacob set up a pillar in the place where God had spoken with him—a stone marker—and he poured out a drink offering on it and anointed it with oil.
15 Jacob called the place where God had spoken with him Bethel.
2 So Jacob told his household and all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods that are among you. Purify yourselves and change your garments.
3 Then let us arise and go to Bethel. I will build an altar there to God, who answered me in my day of distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.”
4 So they gave Jacob all their foreign gods and all their earrings, and Jacob buried them under the oak near Shechem.
5 As they set out, a terror from God fell over the surrounding cities, so that they did not pursue Jacob’s sons.
6 So Jacob and everyone with him arrived in Luz (that is, Bethel) in the land of Canaan.
7 There Jacob built an altar, and he called that place El-bethel, because it was there that God had revealed Himself to Jacob as he fled from his brother.
8 Now Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died and was buried under the oak below Bethel. So Jacob named it Allon-bachuth.
9 After Jacob had returned from Paddan-aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him.
10 And God said to him, “Though your name is Jacob, you will no longer be called Jacob. Instead, your name will be Israel. ” So God named him Israel.
11 And God told him, “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation—even a company of nations—shall come from you, and kings shall descend from you.
12 The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.”
13 Then God went up from the place where He had spoken with him.
14 So Jacob set up a pillar in the place where God had spoken with him—a stone marker—and he poured out a drink offering on it and anointed it with oil.
15 Jacob called the place where God had spoken with him Bethel.
BSB
Last week we left Jacob in Genesis 31 as he began his 600 mile journey back to the Promised Land.
Jacob followed the instructions of the Lord as he managed all of these people and the dangers and tough times that came with the journey. The journey was slow going, but yet we see evidence that Jacob was growing slowly.
Jacob followed the instructions of the Lord as he managed all of these people and the dangers and tough times that came with the journey. The journey was slow going, but yet we see evidence that Jacob was growing slowly.
In Genesis 32-34 we get the background to chapter 35. We see that Jacob's steps of faith provided him with opportunities to deepen his relationships with God and with his family.
But we also see that this time provided new problems for Jacob.
- an encounter with his estranged brother Esau which Jacob didn't handle very well
- another encounter with God that humbled him and the Lord changed his name from Jacob to Israel
The name Jacob means: "one who takes the place of another, often through cunning or strategic means. In other words, a deceiver or conniver."
The name Israel means: "God prevails" This shows that God is able to change one's character and destiny to accomplish His will.
But we also see that this time provided new problems for Jacob.
- an encounter with his estranged brother Esau which Jacob didn't handle very well
- another encounter with God that humbled him and the Lord changed his name from Jacob to Israel
The name Jacob means: "one who takes the place of another, often through cunning or strategic means. In other words, a deceiver or conniver."
The name Israel means: "God prevails" This shows that God is able to change one's character and destiny to accomplish His will.
But growth is not always instantaneous, it happens slowly as we go through life learning the lessons God has for us.
In our background chapters, we see Jacob setting aside God's directives as he decided to stay in central Israel for a few years instead of returning to his family as God instructed.
This hesitation and resistance to continue the path God had revealed to Jacob led to incredible pain (daughter raped, two sons were murderers and thieves, and reputation of Jacob, his family, and his God were trashed).
In our background chapters, we see Jacob setting aside God's directives as he decided to stay in central Israel for a few years instead of returning to his family as God instructed.
This hesitation and resistance to continue the path God had revealed to Jacob led to incredible pain (daughter raped, two sons were murderers and thieves, and reputation of Jacob, his family, and his God were trashed).
All of this leads to Genesis 35:1-15 where we see God giving Jacob a new beginning. Along his 1,200 + mile/20 + year journey, Jacob learned some tough lessons.
Many of us are just like Jacob in that we are Growing through our Going!
Many of us are just like Jacob in that we are Growing through our Going!
1. God DELIGHTS in restoring His children.
Genesis 35:1
Genesis 35:1
Genesis 35:1
BSB
1 Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel, and settle there. Build an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.”
BSB
2. God EXPECTS transformation as evidence of their faith.
Genesis 35:2-4
Question: If you were God, looking at your life - What area(s) would He want to see change?
Genesis 35:2-4
Question: If you were God, looking at your life - What area(s) would He want to see change?
Genesis 35:2-4
BSB
2 So Jacob told his household and all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods that are among you. Purify yourselves and change your garments.
3 Then let us arise and go to Bethel. I will build an altar there to God, who answered me in my day of distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.”
4 So they gave Jacob all their foreign gods and all their earrings, and Jacob buried them under the oak near Shechem.
3 Then let us arise and go to Bethel. I will build an altar there to God, who answered me in my day of distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.”
4 So they gave Jacob all their foreign gods and all their earrings, and Jacob buried them under the oak near Shechem.
BSB
3. God KEEPS His promises no matter what we face.
Genesis 35:5-8
Genesis 28:15
We have to trust the promises of God and do what the Lord asks of us.
Genesis 35:5-8
Genesis 28:15
We have to trust the promises of God and do what the Lord asks of us.
Genesis 35:5-8
BSB
5 As they set out, a terror from God fell over the surrounding cities, so that they did not pursue Jacob’s sons.
6 So Jacob and everyone with him arrived in Luz (that is, Bethel) in the land of Canaan.
7 There Jacob built an altar, and he called that place El-bethel, because it was there that God had revealed Himself to Jacob as he fled from his brother.
8 Now Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died and was buried under the oak below Bethel. So Jacob named it Allon-bachuth.
6 So Jacob and everyone with him arrived in Luz (that is, Bethel) in the land of Canaan.
7 There Jacob built an altar, and he called that place El-bethel, because it was there that God had revealed Himself to Jacob as he fled from his brother.
8 Now Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died and was buried under the oak below Bethel. So Jacob named it Allon-bachuth.
BSB
Genesis 28:15
BSB
15 Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
BSB
4. God REVEALS the next step of His plan when we obey the current step.
Genesis 35:9-15
Genesis 35:9-15
Genesis 35:9-15
BSB
9 After Jacob had returned from Paddan-aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him.
10 And God said to him, “Though your name is Jacob, you will no longer be called Jacob. Instead, your name will be Israel. ” So God named him Israel.
11 And God told him, “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation—even a company of nations—shall come from you, and kings shall descend from you.
12 The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.”
13 Then God went up from the place where He had spoken with him.
14 So Jacob set up a pillar in the place where God had spoken with him—a stone marker—and he poured out a drink offering on it and anointed it with oil.
15 Jacob called the place where God had spoken with him Bethel.
10 And God said to him, “Though your name is Jacob, you will no longer be called Jacob. Instead, your name will be Israel. ” So God named him Israel.
11 And God told him, “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation—even a company of nations—shall come from you, and kings shall descend from you.
12 The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.”
13 Then God went up from the place where He had spoken with him.
14 So Jacob set up a pillar in the place where God had spoken with him—a stone marker—and he poured out a drink offering on it and anointed it with oil.
15 Jacob called the place where God had spoken with him Bethel.
BSB
CLOSING:
This week do some assessment of your life. Where do you find yourself? What positive steps will you take?
1. Running from your problems
2. Making a bunch of bad choices and suffering the consequences
3. Living for this world and your whims
4. Trusting God each day for guidance
5. Obeying what the Lord has already revealed to you
6. Serving faithfully in the midst of your unpleasant circumstances
7. Worshipping the Lord with a full heart
8. Reorganizing and cleaning up your life
9. Influencing others to follow God
This week do some assessment of your life. Where do you find yourself? What positive steps will you take?
1. Running from your problems
2. Making a bunch of bad choices and suffering the consequences
3. Living for this world and your whims
4. Trusting God each day for guidance
5. Obeying what the Lord has already revealed to you
6. Serving faithfully in the midst of your unpleasant circumstances
7. Worshipping the Lord with a full heart
8. Reorganizing and cleaning up your life
9. Influencing others to follow God
