I Didn't Even Realise

Introduction

Mandarin Tree - we didn’t even realise we had a tree in our backyard with arguably the most delicious citrus fruit in the whole world. Once we knew it changed the game. We checked for fruit frequently, the girls loved picking the fruit, we got annoyed at the cockatoos who ate it. When we were aware of this - it changed things. It’s very easy to go about life; pursue our career dreams, build a family and a home, enjoy the pleasures of money, holidays, video games, movies, reels, even go through the motions of church life and activity and not even realise that God is here. If you were to rate your awareness to God right now out of 10 - where would it sit?

It’s imperative that we have this awareness. Why? A world without vision of God - is a perishing world. Your life without God is a life pershing, without aim, without a future, without purpose, without heaven, without growth. The reality of God being here in this place is the most important thing we can have.

My life without God was fun, but destructive. I was alive physically, but dead spiritually. I was active, but scared. If you’re lacking vision, direction, guidance, conviction, attitude, courage - in the presence of God that shift. God is going to shift today (Nov Rain - Christmas Maybe)

Jacob came from a family with rich history of knowing who God is. His father was Isaac, and his Grandfather was Abraham - God has primosed to bless the whole world through their family. Jacob would have known about God, but found himself in a season where “he just wasn’t aware” to the degree he should have been that God was right there. Sometimes, we just “dont realise”, or we forget.

A reminder for some, a new reality for others. If Glow Church became anything but a Church where “GOD IS” - burn it down. There’s no point. It’s why every service, meeting, connect we declare God is here. This is not just a huddle, a gathering, a dinner - God is here! Jacob was missing this awareness, and his life was slowly slipping away.

Context

Jacob is a character on the run. His name means “Heal grabber” He is the younger son Just stole his brothers blessing Tricked is brother into taking his birthright His Mum helped him And now he flees to save his life.

Read. v10-11 (Tired, on the run etc)

How do we find and carry the awareness of God being here more consistently?

Lesson # 1 - Jacob is on the run and he is tired (Context & Geography)

Read v10-11

See above

He is a man IMO that is trying to outwork his calling. Back story, mum’s help etc.

Now he is here

In the land, God proimised his Father and Grand Father

Lesson # 2 - God meets him in a dream

Read v12-15

The timing of this dream is very interesting. Why now? The exact time, Jacob needs God to show up

Th exact thing Jacob needs to here. You would think a word of warning, condemnation - what are you doing???? Jacob recieves an encouragement, a blessing.

First time God meets Jacob personally

Dreams are significant ways of God speaking. No Bible then

“On top” vs” next to” - tension of God being both above and with

The moment God wants to amp up his calling.

Why??? HUTZPAH

God declares his backing of Jacob “I am with you!”

Lesson # 3 - I didn’t even realise

Read v16-17

“I wasn’t even aware of it”

All this for Jacob to learn one key thing “God is here”

If you could learn one thing today - it’s this “God is here”

Lesson # 4 - Capture his presence

Read v18-19

Jacob knew he needed to remember this moment

Stones - to remember

Oil - to represent something Holy

There are a few significant moments in my life. Like markers that i look back on and say “Wow, God showed me something” (Calling, crying for lost, revelation of importance of D/Ship, moved for my family/marriage)

Lesson # 5 - Commit

This vow makes some of us feel un easy. Why? It’s like he’s testing God. It’s conditional

We all commit to God because of what he’s done. We just have the full gospel now.

With Jacob he’s got a few good stories to off.

God is very considerate and understanding of where you are. He meets you in that place.

Conclusion

From “I didn’t even realise” to Gen 35:2-3 “Has been with me wherever I have Gone”

“We are now going to Bethel, where I will build an altar to the God who answered my prayers when I was in distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.” NLT

Today you might not have even realised God is really here. But tomorrow I declare He will have been with you everywhere you have Gone. It’s why when Jesus says “Surely I will be with you until the very end of the age” - He’s got a track record of faithfulness of showing up consistently. Although Jesus reigns with authority as he alwasy has - he came down the ladder to stand next to us on earth - and opened the gateway to heaven for us. Bethel means “House of God” - you are a bethel - you are housing the living God. Let’s take it into our marriage, social hangs, turn it up in connect groups, as we worship together, in work conversations, as we choose what music to listen to in the car. If we turn up the awareness, we turn up the light - like a dimmer. Turn it up and let others see.