Our Theme Verse for 2017 1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 1
Rainbow Forest Mission Statement Connecting the Disconnected to Christ, Community and the Call Our Purpose To glorify God in everything we say and do Connecting Through the Word Knowing and Experiencing the God of Jacob Genesis 25 35 2
Genesis 28:10-22 10 Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran. 11 And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. 12 And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! 13 And behold, the LORD stood above it and said, I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. 14 Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. 16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it. 17 And 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. 3
18 So early in the morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. 19 He called the name of that place Bethel, but the name of the city was Luz at the first. 20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, 21 so that I come again to my father s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God, 22 and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God s house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you. Genesis 32:22-32 22 The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. 24 And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. 25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, Let me go, for the day has broken. But Jacob said, I will not let you go unless you bless me. 4
27 And he said to him, What is your name? And he said, Jacob. 28 Then he said, Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed. 29 Then Jacob asked him, Please tell me your name. But he said, Why is it that you ask my name? And there he blessed him. 30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered. 31 The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. 32 Therefore to this day the people of Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh that is on the hip socket, because he touched the socket of Jacob s hip on the sinew of the thigh. 5
Hebrews 11:21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. Psalm 146:5-7 Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the Lord his God, Who made heaven and earth, The sea, and all that is in them; Who keeps truth forever, Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry. The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners. Exodus 3:4-6 4 So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." 5 Then He said, "Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground." 6 Moreover He said, "I am the God of your father--the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God. Exodus 3:15 Moreover God said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: 'The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.' 6
Exodus 4:4-5 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Reach out your hand and take it by the tail" (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand), "that they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you." Interestingly, in the Bible 9 times we find the phrase: God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 3 times Abraham, Isaac and Israel 1 time God of Abraham alone Never God of Isaac alone 15 times God of Jacob 200 times God of Israel Name Abram or Abraham 312 times in Bible Name Jacob 382 times in Bible Name Israel 2579 times in Bible 7
What does this mean to us? If God can be the God of Jacob He can be the God of Mike He can be my God too!!!!!! He can be your God too!!!!! Jacob A picture of the Christian who knows and experiences God but still tries to accomplish God s will in the arm of the flesh! Jacob means conniver schemer plotter - deceiver "holder of the heel" or "supplanter", Or some believe it means "may God protect" After his breaking experience at Peniel his name is changed to Israel Means literally Prince with God. Yet, his life story is still one of great suffering and pain. 8
At Shechem his daughter is raped his sons take vengeance He then goes back to Bethel Gen 35:7 built an altar and called the name of the place El Bethel.. Rachel gives birth to Benjamin his 12 th son then she dies. In the same chapter his oldest son Reuben went in and had an immoral sexual relationship with Bilhah. His son Judah has twin sons by his daughter in law Tamar. Gen 39 His son Joseph is sold into slavery by 10 of his sons and then they led Jacob to believe that he was killed by an animal. After the famine in the land Simeon is in prison in Egypt they need to take Benjamin Genesis 42:36 And Jacob their father said to them, You have bereaved me: Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you want to take Benjamin. All these things are against me. 9
Yet Jacob ends his life in Egypt blessing Pharaoh, and on his death bed, he blesses his 12 sons. Hebrews 11:21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. Ecclesiastes 7:8 The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Some lessons from the life of Jacob Despite Jacob s short comings God was still there for him. The lesson of hope. Jacob felt like quitting but he never did. He reminded God of His promises. Hope Has to do with the future a better tomorrow Has to do with believing God s promises 10
1 Thessalonians 1 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 11
Remember The God of Jacob 15 times The God of Israel 200 times You have a God That is revealing Himself to you!!!!! A God never gives up on you!!!!!! A God that has given you a new name!!!!! Psalm 146:5-7 Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the Lord his God, 12