RESTORING THE HOUSE OF GOD

THE HOUSE OF GOD 

  

TEXT: Genesis 28:10-17

In Hebrew, the “house of God” is Bethel, which is the name that Jacob gave to the place where God met him on the run (Gen. 28:19).

This is an Awesome house of prayer, intercession, praise and worship.  The awesome house of God is an exciting place.  It’s a place where the Spirit of God moves powerfully. It’s a place where prophetic revelation flows freely. It’s a place where heaven seems near. It’s a place where God is truly Lord and King. It’s a place where His glory abides!

When Jacob woke up the next morning he made a statement – “This is none either than the House of God and this is the Gateway of Heaven.” Gen.28:17

How does that apply to us? Where is the House of God? 1 Cor. 6:19 says “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” Your body is a temple. (My body is a temple) The house of God is the gateway of Heaven – you are the temple or house of God.

You are temple where there is access to the Gateway of Heaven. The angels of God are seen ascending and descending upon this house (temple) and conversation with the Lord is face to face. That is what we are! We the temple of God are to be continually walking under an open Heaven, talking to Him face to face and seeing angelic activity.

For Jacob, Bethel was a place of divine encounter: a House of Vision, a House of Voice, and a House of Visitation.

1) A HOUSE OF VISION – OPEN YOUR EYES AND SEE

Jacob had a dream that night unlike any he had ever had before. He saw angels ascending and descending a ladder that reached from the earth to Heaven.  It was a powerful vision in which even God Himself appeared to Jacob.

2) A HOUSE OF HIS VOICE – OPEN YOUR EARS AND HEAR

Jacob had a vision at Bethel in which he saw God. In his vision Jacob also heard the voice of God. BETHEL WAS also the place to hear God’s voice. God spoke directly to Jacob. For us when we are in the house of God, we can hear the voice of God. God speaks to us directly and personally.  The question is; are we listening?  Last Days churches in Revelation – Jesus says, “Let him who have ears let him hear.”  Hear and Live!

3) A HOUSE OF HIS VISITATION – OPEN YOUR HEARTS AND BELIEVE

One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. (Acts 16:14)

When Jacob awake from his dream, everything around him looked different.  On the surface nothing had changed, but Jacob was different. He had received a divine visitation from God. Bethel was a place of visitation.

“Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place and I did not know it.” He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place!”  This is none other than the house of God and this is the gate of heaven. The Visitation of God.  (Gen 28:16-17) The hour is Coming! God is visiting His People again and making all things new. "Behold I make all things new" 

4) A HOUSE  OF REMEMBRANCE – OPEN YOUR MOUTH AND SPEAK

 Bethel was a place of Remembrance - Gen. 28:18-22

Jacob arrived at Bethel as a schemer and a man who lived by his wits, he left as a man who walked with God. 

a) What this says to us – We should never give up hope no matter what we have done, no matter what mistakes we have made, no matter how low we have fallen or how sneaky we have been. As long as we desire to change and repent – God will meet us and turn our lives around.

b) For Jacob, Bethel was a place of remembrance to which he could always point and say, “That’s where God met me and changed my life.”  All of us need such a place of remembrance, a place of God making somebody new like you and me.

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Outlines points taken from Dr. Frank M. Reid, III book "Restoring the House of God"