HEART FOR THE HOUSE SUNDAY

“There’s no place like it”

Genesis 28:10–22 ESV

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.” 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.”

--------

PRAY

---------

Title: “There’s no place like it”

Why is it a placed that has no comparison?

What is it about Gods house that makes HIS house. His Place .... SO SPECIAL?

Becaue Jacob was blown away, and it was because HE RECOGNIZED SOME THINGS

What qas it that Jacob Experienced and We can also through Jesus experience when it comes to this.

1.God’s house is awesome.

Genesis 28:17

Genesis 28:17 (NLT)

17 But he was also afraid and said, “What an awesome place this is! It is none other than the house of God, the very gateway to heaven!”

“what an awesome place”.

I love the WORD Awesome:this is the first instance we see it in Genesis and carries significance because it describes the Lord!

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Awe, Awesome

The term refers to an emotion combining honor, fear, and respect before someone of superior office or actions

Psalm 33:8 “8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!”

1 Samuel 12:18 “18 So Samuel called upon the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.”

In Jesus;s ministry:

Luke 5:25-26 “25 And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. 26 And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.””

If God is AWESOME, His House is Too.

If God is awesome, His PLACE is as well.

Gods House is a PLACE thats AWESOME.

“What an awesome place this is, none other than the house of God: the very gateway to heaven”.

[I pray our church, Colonial CHurch would in the seasons to come people will testify to this being a place like Jacobs decleration: this is the very gate of heaven: where every week we stand in AWE of an awesome GOD. behold. This is Gods house.]

2.Gods house is wonder-ful.

What is it.... its a HOUSE “Filled with WONDER”

Gods house is WONDERFUL.

Do you still believe that God does SIGNS and WONDERS today?

Let me read the same passage in the msg:

Genesis 28:16-17

Genesis 28:16–17 The Message

16 Jacob woke up from his sleep. He said, “God is in this place—truly. And I didn’t even know it!” 17 He was terrified. He whispered in awe, “Incredible. Wonderful. Holy. This is God’s House. This is the Gate of Heaven.”

Gods house, like we see early in our bibles was always meant to be a WONDERFUL place.

I can think of some wonderful and NOT-SO Wonderful places: Airport Security lines, The DMV.... A library!

What are some wonderful places? Disney? thats a wonderful place..... What about that favourite restaurant you like.... you know ITS WONDER FUL because when you get there you JUST know the FOOD is gonna be WONDERFUL! I think about the beach: thats a WONDER-FUL place.

But its in Gods house WHERE there is TRUE HEAVENLY WOnder. Where HEAVEN connects with EARTH every single week.

ITS WONDER-FUL / FULL OF WONDER!

3.Gods house is where God is.

and therefore where transformation happens: Where His presence changes us, turns our lives upside down & around.!

Genesis 28:16 “16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.””

why dod we come to church, Why do we sow into it, why do we commit our lives to the building of it?

Q&A PANEL SHARE: HEARING FROM PEOPLE WHO LOVE THE HOUSE OF GOD ON HEART FOR THE HOUSE SUNDAY.

Jason & Charisse / Rick & jen.

Q: What do you love about CHURCH?

Q: Whats your favourite part of Colonial?

Q: How has the Wonder of the House of God shaped and / changed your life?

Q: what would you to say to someone who hasn’t had your experience yet.... how would you encoruage them to sow into the house?

SHANNON:

Q: How long has it been now for you @ Colonial?

Q: Tell everyone what you do here!

Q: Why is church Awesome? How awesome is Colonial Kids and how does Heart for the house matter to them?

Q:Colonial Kids will also be taking up their own Heart For The House Offering. So if you see kiddos with their jars, let's celebrate that! So amazing that kids are growing up in generosity.

Q: what would you to say to someone who hasn’t had your experience yet.... how would you encoruage them to sow into the house?

OFFERING TIME:

Our Vision Initiatives: NOW IS THE TIME

Next Years marriage conference -

Warehouse Development

Colonial Kids Investment

Good Friday @ the AMP.

People can use all of the normal ways to give to give towards H4H. If giving online or through the App, select 'Heart For The House' as giving type. If writing a check, include 'Heart For The House' in the memo. Also, the amazing Colonial Kids will also be taking up their own Heart For The House Offering. So if you see kiddos with their jars, let's celebrate that! So amazing that kids are growing up in generosity.

First 10% away......

$65 per day to house a youth and give them a place to sleep, meals, showers, laundry, and a place to work

$73 per day to house a family with minor children and give them a place to sleep, meals, and basic provisions

$71 per day to house an adult and give them a place to sleep and basic provisions

$33 per day to support one outreach worker