Renewal and Restoration: God's Grace in Our Messiness
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we conclude our journey through the life of Jacob in Genesis, focusing on how God’s grace can renew and restore even the messiest of lives. As we delve into Genesis 35, we see Jacob being called by God to return to Bethel, a place of spiritual significance where God had previously appeared to him. Jacob instructs his family to rid themselves of foreign gods and purify themselves, symbolizing a return to faithfulness and obedience. This act of repentance and renewal is crucial for spiritual restoration.
Jacob’s life was filled with turmoil and sin, but God’s call to return to Bethel signifies a fresh start. Despite the messiness of our lives, God sees potential and offers us the power to be renewed through His grace. This is evident in Jacob’s transformation from a spiritual wreck in Genesis 34 to a man blessed and renamed Israel by God in Genesis 35. The contrast between these chapters highlights the transformative power of God’s presence and call.
We also explored the importance of repentance and renewal in worship. Jacob’s decisive act of burying idols and purifying his family underscores the need to remove distractions and sins that hinder our relationship with God. True spiritual renewal involves putting away sin and turning wholeheartedly to God in worship.
Finally, we discussed how God uses messy people to accomplish His perfect plan. Despite the ongoing messiness in Jacob’s life, including the sin of his son Reuben and the death of his beloved wife Rachel, God’s covenant and promises remain steadfast. This reminds us that our messiness does not thwart God’s plans. He continues to work through our imperfections to fulfill His divine purposes.
### Key Takeaways
1. God’s Call to Renewal: God’s call to Jacob to return to Bethel signifies a fresh start and spiritual renewal. Despite the messiness of our lives, God sees potential and offers us the power to be renewed through His grace. This call to return to Him is the first step towards spiritual restoration. [36:27]
2. Repentance and Renewal in Worship: True spiritual renewal involves repentance and the removal of idols and sins that hinder our relationship with God. Jacob’s act of burying idols and purifying his family underscores the need for decisive action in turning away from sin and turning towards God in worship. [53:38]
3. God’s Faithfulness in Our Messiness: Despite the ongoing messiness in Jacob’s life, God’s covenant and promises remain steadfast. This reminds us that our messiness does not thwart God’s plans. He continues to work through our imperfections to fulfill His divine purposes. [57:11]
4. The Transformative Power of God’s Presence: The contrast between Genesis 34 and 35 highlights the transformative power of God’s presence. While Genesis 34 is filled with sin and turmoil, Genesis 35 is filled with God’s blessings and renewal. This transformation is a testament to the power of God’s grace in our lives. [44:01]
5. God’s Sovereign Plan: God’s plan is not thwarted by our messiness. Despite the sin of Reuben and the death of Rachel, God’s covenant with Jacob remains intact. This reminds us that God’s sovereign plan will continue, and He will use our lives, despite our imperfections, to accomplish His divine purposes. [01:09:11]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [36:27] - Introduction and Prayer
3. [36:56] - Reading Genesis 35:1-15
4. [37:26] - God’s Call to Jacob
5. [37:56] - Jacob’s Family Purifies Themselves
6. [38:26] - God Renames Jacob to Israel
7. [39:27] - Prayer for Transformation
8. [40:27] - Illustration: Chip and Joanna Gaines
9. [42:30] - God’s Power to Restore
10. [44:01] - The Contrast Between Genesis 34 and 35
11. [45:30] - Three Ways to Restore Our Lives
12. [47:00] - Call to Spiritual Renewal
13. [49:00] - God’s First Step in Renewal
14. [53:38] - Repentance and Renewal in Worship
15. [57:11] - God’s Faithfulness in Our Messiness
16. [01:09:11] - God’s Sovereign Plan
17. [01:14:23] - Call to Action and Prayer
18. [01:25:15] - Announcements and Offering
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Genesis 35:1-15
- John 3:7
- Psalm 24:3-5
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions did God give to Jacob in Genesis 35:1-3?
2. How did Jacob and his family respond to God's call to purify themselves and remove foreign gods? ([37:56])
3. What significant changes occurred in Jacob's life between Genesis 34 and 35? ([44:01])
4. How does the sermon describe the contrast between Genesis 34 and 35 in terms of God's presence and blessings? ([44:01])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Jacob's act of burying idols symbolize in the context of repentance and renewal? ([53:38])
2. How does the sermon illustrate the transformative power of God's presence in Jacob's life? ([44:01])
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's faithfulness remains steadfast despite the messiness in our lives? ([57:11])
4. How does the sermon explain the significance of God renaming Jacob to Israel? ([38:26])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to a fresh start or spiritual renewal. How did you respond to that call, and what steps did you take to move towards God? ([36:27])
2. Are there any "idols" or distractions in your life that you need to bury to restore your relationship with God? What practical steps can you take this week to remove them? ([53:38])
3. How can you apply the lesson of God's faithfulness in your own life, especially during times of messiness and turmoil? ([57:11])
4. The sermon mentions that true spiritual renewal involves repentance and turning wholeheartedly to God in worship. What specific actions can you take to renew your worship and devotion to God? ([53:38])
5. Think about a situation in your life where you felt like giving up due to messiness or failure. How can you trust in God's sovereign plan and allow Him to use your imperfections for His divine purposes? ([57:11])
6. How can you support others in your small group or community who are going through a period of spiritual messiness? What practical ways can you offer encouragement and help them see God's potential in their lives? ([45:30])
7. Identify one area in your life where you need to experience God's transformative power. What steps will you take this week to invite God's presence into that area and seek His renewal? ([44:01])
Devotional
### Day 1: God’s Call to Renewal
God’s call to Jacob to return to Bethel signifies a fresh start and spiritual renewal. Despite the messiness of our lives, God sees potential and offers us the power to be renewed through His grace. This call to return to Him is the first step towards spiritual restoration. Jacob’s journey back to Bethel is a powerful reminder that no matter how far we have strayed, God’s grace is always available to us. He invites us to leave behind our past mistakes and embrace a new beginning in His presence. This act of returning to Bethel symbolizes a return to faithfulness and obedience, setting the stage for a transformed life.
Genesis 35:1-3 (ESV): "God said to Jacob, 'Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there. Make an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.' So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, 'Put away the foreign gods that are among you and purify yourselves and change your garments. Then let us arise and go up to Bethel, so that I may make there an altar to the God who answers me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel distant from God? How can you take a step towards spiritual renewal today? [36:27]
### Day 2: Repentance and Renewal in Worship
True spiritual renewal involves repentance and the removal of idols and sins that hinder our relationship with God. Jacob’s act of burying idols and purifying his family underscores the need for decisive action in turning away from sin and turning towards God in worship. This act of purification is not just a physical act but a spiritual one, symbolizing a heart that is fully devoted to God. It is a call to examine our lives, identify the idols that distract us, and take concrete steps to remove them, allowing us to worship God with a pure heart.
1 Samuel 7:3 (ESV): "And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, 'If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.'"
Reflection: What are the "idols" in your life that distract you from fully worshiping God? What steps can you take today to remove these distractions? [53:38]
### Day 3: God’s Faithfulness in Our Messiness
Despite the ongoing messiness in Jacob’s life, God’s covenant and promises remain steadfast. This reminds us that our messiness does not thwart God’s plans. He continues to work through our imperfections to fulfill His divine purposes. Jacob’s life was far from perfect, yet God’s faithfulness never wavered. This is a powerful reminder that God’s love and promises are not dependent on our perfection but on His unchanging nature. Even in our weakest moments, God’s grace is sufficient, and His plans for us remain intact.
2 Timothy 2:13 (ESV): "If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself."
Reflection: In what ways have you seen God’s faithfulness in your life despite your imperfections? How can you trust in His steadfast love today? [57:11]
### Day 4: The Transformative Power of God’s Presence
The contrast between Genesis 34 and 35 highlights the transformative power of God’s presence. While Genesis 34 is filled with sin and turmoil, Genesis 35 is filled with God’s blessings and renewal. This transformation is a testament to the power of God’s grace in our lives. When we invite God’s presence into our lives, He brings about a change that is profound and lasting. It is a reminder that no matter how chaotic our circumstances may be, God’s presence has the power to bring peace, order, and blessing.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
Reflection: How has God’s presence transformed a difficult situation in your life? How can you seek His presence more intentionally today? [44:01]
### Day 5: God’s Sovereign Plan
God’s plan is not thwarted by our messiness. Despite the sin of Reuben and the death of Rachel, God’s covenant with Jacob remains intact. This reminds us that God’s sovereign plan will continue, and He will use our lives, despite our imperfections, to accomplish His divine purposes. God’s sovereignty means that He is in control, and His plans are perfect. Even when we face trials and setbacks, we can trust that God is working all things together for our good and His glory.
Isaiah 46:10 (ESV): "Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust in God’s sovereign plan? How can you surrender this area to Him today? [01:09:11]
Quotes
1. "We see by God's grace, even in our messy lives, he gives us the power to be renewed and restored from our messy lives." [36:27] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Even in the messiest things of our life, God has the power to look beyond that and see the good things that he can make it. This is where we find Jacob in his life." [42:30] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "In the point of the text is that no matter where we find our messiness in life, God is calling us, enabling us, empowering us to be renewed in him. God is ready to restore you. He doesn't abandon the things that are falling apart. Instead he calls us back to himself." [44:01] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Walk away from messiness by obeying God's call on your life. Today my prayer for you is that you even see and hear us reading this text today as a call from God to walk away from your messiness. That God is calling you out of your messy lives to be renewed to him in obedience." [46:00] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Despite the mess God didn't abandon Jacob but called him back to himself. He called him to a place to be awakened to him. He told him go back to Bethel. Get up and go." [47:00] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Friends this reminds us that even in our messiest place God will call us back to him. God will reach out to us in the midst of the most chaotic moments and say get up and go to Bethel. He will say get up out of what you were doing and come back to me. Remember my son Jesus Christ who has died for you and come back to him." [48:00] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Friends you need to respond to God's call on your life today. Away from the messiness. Out of the messiness. Back to him. Which begs the question that we must all wrestle with first. Have you trusted in Christ for salvation? Have you answered his call? Have you answered his call in your life to come to him and be saved?" [52:02] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Friends we can only be saved from God by God. His wrath towards our sin was only saved by Jesus coming to earth fully God, fully man coming and hanging on the cross taking the punishment for our sin, raising to life, three days later showing that if those who have faith in him can be born again and be saved." [52:29] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Friends spiritual renewal comes as we return to obedience and worship of God and we will experience His peace and purpose again you know maybe some of us need to clean some of our idols and sins out of our hearts and lives." [01:00:54] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Friends God's grace in your life is that your messiness does not thwart his promise you can surrender to him today in the messiness we know through obedience and grace God can restore us to him isn't it good isn't it good that God helps us be renewed in our lives God sees the masterpiece in your messiness and you can come back to him today." [01:14:56] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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