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Living Outside the Gate

TITLE: Living Outside the Gate

Text: Genesis 28:16,17

Genesis 28:16—And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not. 17 And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

INTRODUCTION

The Greatest privilege of the Believer is to dwell in the presence of God. There is no more desirable place than where you are fully aware of the awesome presence of God.

Ps 140:13 _Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence._
  • I AM WITH THEE
  • AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST
  • NO FEAR GOD IS WITH YOU
  • COMFORT ASSURANCE SAFETY

INTO HIS PRESENCE

  • You must come in by the gate! (Ladder – CHRIST) Nathanel Joh 1:51

  1. THERE IS NOTHING PARTICULARY UNIQUE ABOUT JACOB AND HIS IGNORANCE, BUT WHAT IS TRULY REMARKABLE IS HOW OFTEN JACOB’ STORY IS REPEATED.

     _Surely the LORD is in this place; and <span style="text-decoration:underline;">I knew it not</span>_


 Most people live their lives entirely without the presence of God.


 Jacob was running for his life but getting nowhere!

  • He was ambitious but born the younger son.

  • Deceived his father to gain what he wanted.

  • Earned his brother’s hatred.

  • Running for his life to Haran and first stop was Luz, but couldn’t make the 48 mile journey. NOTHING WORKING

  • Because he thought his safety was in making it to LUZ.

      OUTSIDE THE GATE:

  • Is a place for BEGGARS.

  • Is a place for LEPERS.

  • Is the place for stoning criminals.

  • Christ was taken outside of the gates of Jerusalem

  • “Eye of the needle”

  • This is a very dark place, but our eyes can become accustomed to the darkness!

  • This always is evidence of our own ignorance and unbelief— ‘unaware’ of God.

  1. THERE IS NOTHING ESPECIALLY UNIQUE ABOUT THE LADDER TO HEAVEN, WHAT IS TRULY REMARKABLE HOW FEW EVER SEE IT.

God is omnipresent

He is never farther than a prayer faith can reach Him!

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.


Ps 139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
  • Daniel found Him in the lion’s den.
  • 3 Hebrew children found Him in fiery furnace.
  • David found God on the battle field.
  • Blind Bartimaeus found Him in midst of his darkness!

BUT STILL CAIN WENT OUT FROM THE PRESENCE OF GOD. (Gen. 4:16)

Phineas’ wife with child “ Ichabod”

  • Nothing matters when God’s presence is far from us.

Livng outside the gate of God’s presence is always a personal problem.

The mole is not born without eyes or born blind, but has very good eyes. They merely deteriorate for lack of use.

CONCLUSION—“SHUT OUT”

**Zephaniah 1:6,7_—And them that are turned back from the LORD; and <span style="text-decoration:underline;">those that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him</span>. 7 ¶ Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests._**
  • BE SILENT, HE HAS BID HIS GUESTS!
  • V.12 SEARCH JERUSALEM WITHCANDLES & PUNISH THOSE SETTLED ON THEIR LEES
    • UNDISTURBED EASECARELESS AND NOT ESPECIALLY RELIGIOUS, NOT ATHIESTIC, JUST BUSIED WITH NATURAL CARES WITH NOT THOUGHT OF GOD.
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