February 6, 2005
Carlon Tschetter, Covenant Community Church, Yukon, Oklahoma

MESSAGE: "The Way Back"          Genesis 35:1-29

Big Idea: God is always anxious for His children to experience the joy
of fellowship with Him. The way back is always open.

I. Review: The Lessons of Genesis 34
           A. Sin is always the source of heartache and pain.
           B. There is neither joy nor blessing without obedience.
                    
II. Restoration to Fellowship
           A. The Call of God vs. 1
                      1. God's call is part of His pursuit of us.
                      2. God's call is God's command.
           B. The Response of Jacob vs. 2-8
                      1. Repentence = turning from whatever hinders our walk with God
                      2. Separation = we must find a way to live in the "land" and be faithful
                      3. Worship = declaring God's greatness, remembering God's blessing
Observations:
                      1. The best thing you can do for your children is to walk with God.
                      2. Even when we are walking with God, it does not mean life is easy.

           C. The Appearance of God vs. 9-13
                      1. A reminder of God's work of sanctification
                      2. A re-affirmation of the Covenant
           D. The Response of Jacob vs. 14-15
                      1. Worship
                      2. Re-dedication

III. Fellowship Put to the Test
           A. The Death of Rachel vs. 16-20
           B. The Sin of Reuben vs. 21-22
           C. The Completion of the Family vs. 23-27
       Leah           Rachel            Bilhah            Zilpah
       Reuben      Joseph             Dan               Gad
       Simeon      Benjamin         Naphtali        Asher
       Levi
       Judah
       Issachar
       Zebulun 

           D. The Death of Isaac vs. 28-29

IV. Applications
      A. You cannot judge the state of one's soul by outward appearance.
      B. Life is not static, you are either progressing or regressing.
      C. You are never too old (or too young) for renewal.