Genesis 28:16
The sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing God's presence in our lives, even in unexpected places, and highlights the reasons why people may struggle to feel God's presence.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the omnipresence of God, illustrating how Jacob, in a moment of desperation and loneliness, encountered God's presence at Bethel. Despite being in a barren place, Jacob's dream revealed a ladder connecting heaven and earth, symbolizing Jesus as the way to God. Smith points out that many people fail to recognize God's presence due to busy lives, sinful lifestyles, and spiritual apathy. He encourages believers to be aware of God's constant presence, even in the most unlikely circumstances.
Text
"THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF GOD"
Intro: The omni-presence of God is a part of Christian theology. Though we believe it, we so
often fail to recognize it.
I. "SURELY THE LORD IS IN THIS PLACE."
A. Jacob was fleeing for his life.
1. His brother threatened to kill him.
2. Jacob had disguised himself and received his brother's patriarchal
blessing.
3. Running for his life he arrived tired, lonely and weary at Bethel.
B. Bethel is a rocky barren area.
1. Nothing there to suggest presence of God.
2. It is interesting how in the lonely nights in a barren time, we
so often become aware of God.
C. The consciousness came through a dream.
1. We have all the ingredients for dreaming; a guilty conscience, a hard
journey, an uncomfortable bed.
2. A ladder set on the earth reaching heaven. Angels ascending and
descending. The Lord stood above it and spoke to Jacob words of promise.
D. We think of God as being in heaven.
1. As Jacob laid down to sleep he could see the thousands of stars.
a. He probably was thinking somewhere up there exists a great God. If
I could only somehow reach Him.
b. "God who at different times and various places spoke to
our fathers."
1. God spoke through the dream of a ladder reaching
to heaven.
c. When the Son of God came to give us a clear revelation, Philip
heard Him.
1. He brought Nathaniel to Jesus.
2. Jesus said, "O henceforth you will see the heavens
opened..." Jesus is the ladder by which men can reach God.
E. His awakening consciousness was "truly the Lord is in this place."
1. Not just in heaven, He is here.
2. We discover God in the most unlikely places.
a. Not lust in the sanctuary.
b. Uncrowded freeway.
3. Not was in this place, but is.
II. "I KNEW IT NOT" WHAT KEEPS US FROM THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF GOD?
A. Busy schedules. "The cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, the desire
of things."
1. So many have just crowded God out of their lives.
2. They have no. time for God. How foolish.
a. You will have plenty of time later, but if you do not establish
a relationship now, you will have no opportunity then.
B. Evil lifestyles. Romans 1.
1. "They did not want to retain God in their conscience so God gave them over
to reprobate minds.
2. Some of your lifestyles are so corrupt, you do not want to think of God.
C. Spiritual apathy.
1. There is a part of you that is totally undeveloped.
a. People are so concerned for physical and emotional
development.
b. Spiritually, they are worse off than the 97 pound weakling
They rank somewhere below the moron.
Sermon Outline
- The Consciousness of God points: - Jacob's Experience at Bethel - God's Presence in Unexpected Places - The Ladder of Dreams - Jesus as the Ladder to God - The Awakening Consciousness
- What Keeps Us from the Consciousness of God? points: - Busy Schedules - Evil Lifestyles - Spiritual Apathy
Key Quotes
“Surely the Lord is in this place.” — Chuck Smith
“We think of God as being in heaven. As Jacob laid down to sleep he could see the thousands of stars. He probably was thinking somewhere up there exists a great God. If I could only somehow reach Him.” — Chuck Smith
“Jesus is the ladder by which men can reach God.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Make time for God in your busy schedule to cultivate a deeper awareness of His presence.
- Recognize the need for spiritual growth and seek help from others to overcome spiritual apathy.
- Prioritize your relationship with God and commit to a deeper understanding of His presence in your life.