Encountering God: Lesson 1

Pastors Bible Class Thomas Road Baptist Church

Series: Jacob: From Deceiver to Saint

Lesson 1: Encountering God

A. WHO WAS JACOB?

1. Second twin son born to Isaac and Rebekah.

a. Famous grandfather Abraham.

b. Fraternal twins.

c. The line to Messiah, Christ.

d. Predicted leader. “The older shall serve the younger” (25:23).

2. Jacob’s name means deceiver.

a. Birthright, spiritual leadership.

b. Blessing, inheritance.

3. Obedient.

a. Obeyed mother to deceive Esau.

b. Obeyed mother to not marry Canaanite girl.

c. Obeyed, went to family for wife.

4. On the run from Esau. “I will kill my brother” (27:41).

Who Does God Encounter and Call?

 Those who mess up

 Those with a conscience (resisted his mother)

 Those who have a blotched past

 Those who will respond to a challenge from God

 Those with spiritual echoes of God’s past working

 Those from a dysfunctional family

5. Potential of being a spiritual giant.

“Jacob left home in Beersheba on his way to his mother’s home in Mesopotamia. He spent the first night in the mountains near Bethel. When the sun set suddenly he just laid down to sleep where he was. In this dream he saw a ladder from earth to heaven and angels were going up and down on it. The Lord was standing at the top of the ladder and said, ‘I am the Lord God of Abraham and Isaac. I will give you the land where you are lying, and all that surrounds it. You will be a great nation and have many

children, and the Messiah will come from you to bless the world. I will go with you on your journey, keep you safe and bring you back here.’ Jacob awoke and was scared because God was there. ‘This is God’s house and the door to heaven. If God will keep me safe, give me bread and clothes, and bring me back here, then I will serve the Lord, and make this place God’s house, and will give God a tenth of all I have’” (Gen. 28:10-22, Condensed).

B. WHAT IS A GOOD ENCOUNTER?

1. How failure changes us?

a. Jacob is supposed to lead, but failed.

b. Jacob got the inheritance, but he leaves; Esau got the money.

c. Negative self-image. “I failed.”

d. Broke, only a walking stick and clothes on his back.

e. Jacob’s an empty vessel.

2. Greatly used people had a long cold dark night. They learned:

a. Uselessness of the flesh.

b. Their need for God.

c. To turn around.

Joseph 14 years in prison

David 13 years in the wilderness

Moses 40 years on backside of desert

Elijah 3 years alone by the creek

Jesus 40 days fasting

Jacob 20 years away from home

3. What was the nature of Jacob’s encounter with God?

a. Knew he was in the presence of God – scared.

b. Knew the only way to God – ladder and gate.

c. Knew his way failed.

d. Knew God’s call.

e. Knew what God wanted him to do – great nation and Messiah.

f. Knew he must repent; yes to God.

g. Knew a token symbolized his commitment – oil and rock and promise of tithe.

What Are Our Tokens Today?

 Baptism, first step of obedience

 Repentance, from lust of flesh, eyes, and pride of life

 Preparation, God’s call to serve includes God’s call to prepare

 Marry, not unsaved or unspiritual, separation

 Outward, commitment – oil and a rock

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord,

I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

For more information on the TRBC Pastor’s Bible Class, log on to the Internet www.itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-elmer-towns .