Back To Bethel

Genesis 35.1-5

This direction from the LORD was a call back to Jacob to his first meeting with God. We meet the LORD when He saves us from our sins, when we ask Him into our hearts.

Remember that moment?... that place? The LORD wanted Jacob to return there.

In Revelation 2.1-7 Jesus speaks to the Church at Ephesus along these very lines. Return to your first love.

There are paradoxes in the Christian Life. We are to be mature children of God. Not mature (that loses its punch) by itself or childish.

verse one

1. GO UP TO BETHEL

The direction was up. Closer to LORD. This is the direction for the child of God- inwardly and outwardly.

30 years earlier Jacob was in the House of God. He had to get out of there because Esau was going to kill him. There are a whole group of kids now in their 40's and 50's who thirty years ago were in this House of God we are sitting in. Some are across the country and other across town, but too many are no longer in the House of God- they need to return. Join me in this prayer, "LORD, send back the prodigals!"

This return for Jacob meant a fresh start, a new era. He was coming back a different man.

v.2 Rid yourselves of good luck charms, horoscopes and inward superstitions.

Purify yourselves- clean up your act!

Change Clothes Confess your sins/wholesome everyday living

Colossians 3.12-14 Clothe yourselves

Romans 13.14 Clothe yourselves in the LORD Jesus Christ

2. SETTLE THERE

Stop fleeing! Jacob had this "I'm getting out here thinking.

Time to end the running and get back to the House of God.

Remain Psalm 27.14

Ephesians 6.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God... after you have done everything, to STAND.

Be established, Get the roots down, bear fruit

3. BUILD AN ALTAR THERE TO GOD

God appeared to you- Get back to that!

At a time when you were in great need- don't forget those times of difficulty and need- maybe 30 years ago or 60 years ago...

Going back to Bethel is to remind you of God's provisions in times of difficulty and danger. The altar is for worship, sacrifice, thanksgiving, fellowship

July 4, 1776 The Declaration of Independence was signed. We need to get back to Bethel as a nation. Look what has happened to this Day, the LORD's Day in the past 40 years- the world has squeezed the church in the United States into its own mold.

Yesterday coming home from Stony Brook Hospital with our district superintendent, Art Alexander, an Amber Alert came up on the sign above the LIE. An 11 year old girl in a 1991 white Dodge. We began to talk about the crimes against children. Our country needs to get back to Bethel in its protecting the elderly and the children, the most vulnerable of any society.

It is time!

John Adams wrote on July 5, 1776, "Yesterday, the greatest question was decided, which ever was debated in America and a greater perhaps, never was or will be decided among men... It ought to be commemorated as a Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty."

God bless America. He has. And this country has and is a blessing

throughout the world. God help America. God mend thine every flaw.