Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- Speaking on v12
- Some context
- v10 - this was a life changing night for Jacob
- Have you been changed by the living God?
- Christian conversion is dramatic
- It is a change within
- It is no dream
- It is not something your forget
- 5 steps of the ladder to life:
- Jacob Asleep (v11)
- Jacob Awake (v16)
- Jacob Aware (v16)
- Jacob Afraid (v17)
- Jacob Alive (v20)
Jacob Asleep (v11)
- Jacob was on the run and tired
- He lay down to sleep and dreamed
- v12 - he dreamed
- Before the Scriptures came to be - God revealed certain things about Himself in dream
- e.g. Jacob and Nebuchadnezzar
- v13 - Who was in the dream
- God
- Even the Lord Jesus Christ - compare to John 1:51
- This was a "theophany"
- v13-15 – What was said
- God is committing Himself to Jacob and to Israel
- Will you take a step on the ladder towards Jesus Christ
- The cross of Calvary is no dream
Jacob Awake (v16)
- What sort of a night did Jacob have?
- He knew that God was in this place
- God was at the top of the ladder giving him access to heaven
- It was experiential
- In our conversion - we know that something is happening
- The event was "awesome"
- Meaning reverential fear
- A life changing spiritual experience is awesome
- Not always a Damascus Road experience
- It occurred in Bethel
- Previously called Luz - known for its bad name
- He placed a stone and poured oil on it
- He called the place Bethel
- Bethel meaning "House of God"
- Personal example
- God is in our towns and cities
- Example from Mark 5:39
- It is time to get up and start a new day
- Are you still asleep or have you awoken?
Jacob Aware (v16)
- He was unaware of the presence of God
- It is possible to be in God's presence but not be aware/recognise Him
- John 1:10 - Jesus' own people did not recognise Him
- Luke 23:34
- Who else could do the works and miracles of Jesus?
- When you come to church - are you aware that God is here?
- v17 - this is house of God, the gate of heaven
- The gate gives entrance and the ladder gives elevation
- God is inviting us into the kingdom of heaven
- Jesus said "I am the door, whoever enters through Me will be saved"
- Example of sheep pen
- Jesus Christ laid down His life so you could enter the kingdom of heaven
Jacob Afraid (v17)
- Why was he afraid?
- Personal example of fear of the dark - He was not afraid of the dark
- Was it a fear of the unknown? - No
- It was because he met God
- Matt 14:25-26
- When we meet God the fear of God is in our soul
- God has come to take our sin and fear away
- Are you afraid of the consequences?
- Do not let your fears stop you coming to God/Christ
Jacob Alive (v20)
- He believed the promises of God - v13 & 15
- I will give you
- I am with you
- I will keep you
- I will bring you back
- I will not leave you
- An example of redemption love
- Jesus speaks to us through the Gospel
- John 3:16
- Are you running from anything this morning?
- Do you need rest?
- John 10:27-28
- Jacob committed himself to God
- Example of Grandpa Howard
- Are you making excuses this morning?
- Believe in God
- Make God the Lord of your life
- Rom 10:9-10
- 1 John 5:12
Closing Remarks