Going Back To Bethel

Dedicated To The Men of God Who Preach the Word of God As It Is To Men As They Are

"Preach The Word"

GOING BACK TO BETHEL

TEXT: GENESIS 35:1-10

INTRODUCTION:

WE ARE LIVING IN DAYS WHEN IT SEEMS THAT EVERYONE IS TRYING TO GET AHEAD BUT AS WE READ THESE VERSES, WE SEE THAT IT MIGHT DO SOME OF US GOOD TO GO BACK.

I. BETHEL WAS A PLACE OF ACQUAINTANCE - VS. 1

It was here that Jacob saw the angels going up and down the ladder and it was here that he raised up the stone and named that place "Bethel' which means "The House of God".

Some people knew more about God when they first got saved than they do now - II Peter 1:9.

A. Sampson went back and found Power.

B. David went back and found Purity.

C. Simon Peter went back and found Peace.

It would be painful for a loom fixer in the mill to go back and start sweeping and it is painful for a child of God to have to go back, but when we run ahead, it must be done.

II. BETHEL WAS A PLACE OF AFFIRMATION - GENESIS 28:22

It was here he affirmed his faith and said "If God be with me, I will give him a tenth of all I possess

A. We need to go back and affirm our Grace.

B. We need to go back and affirm our Goal.

C. We need to go back and affirm our God.

III. BETHEL WAS A PLACE OF ALTARS - VS. 1

Jacob was away from Bethel; settled down among the heathens and his family was reaping the dividends.

Chapter 34:2 - His daughter had committed adultery.

Chapter 34:25 - His sons had committed murder.

Chapter 35:4 - His family had many strange gods.

Notice what was involved in going back:

A. Repentance - Ch. 35:4 - "Put away strange gods".