1/11/26                                                                               Rentz

 

 

An Encounter with God

Genesis 28:10-22

 

Introduction—The account of Jacob in Scripture gives me hope that God can work in any life, including mine.  Jacob had already shown that he was willing to use trickery and deception if it helped him gain his desired goal.  In this text we see that his life was about to take a remarkable change of course when he had a genuine encounter with God.

 

I. An Encounter with God Can Challenge Unexpectedly

    (10-12)

                A. Jacob was fleeing from the wrath of his brother

                B. He had deceived his father and tarnished his

                   reputation

                C. God has the power to take us from where we are

                    and change our course (I Cor.15:9-10)

 

II. An Encounter with God Will Confirm God’s Promises

    (13-15)

                A. God was going to keep the promises He had made

                    to Abraham and Isaac

                B. God has a Divine plan for each life, but we must

                    be obedient to His voice (Lk.3:7-8)

                C. The promises of God are secure and we are

                    blessed as we claim them in faith (II Cor.1:20)

 

III. An Encounter with God Will Convey Us to Reverence

    (16-18)

                A. “Reverence”—fearfully awed in the presence of

                    God

                B. Reverence will lead us to genuine worship—

                    worship does not always equal emotionalism

                C. Reverence will lead us to put away the “strange

                    gods” (Gen.35:1-4)

 

IV. An Encounter with God Will Compel Us to Commitment

    (19-22)

                A. “Bethel”—house of God

                B. Jacob committed his welfare, his future, and his

                    possessions to the hand of God

                C. How deep is our commitment with Jesus?

                                1. Do we trust Him alone for our

                                    justification? (Acts 4:12)

                                2. Do we trust Him with all we are and all

                                    we possess?

                                3. Have we had our own personal “Bethel

                                    experience”?  (Illus.—A Test to

                                    Determine If We Have Had a Bethel

                                    Experience)

 

Conclusion—Jacob still had lessons to learn in his walk with God, but the encounter at Bethel changed him forever.  God is calling to each of us and desires to have a personal relationship with us.  If you have ever had an encounter with God it made a difference in your life.  If that notion seems foreign to you, Jesus is calling you to come in faith to Him today.