20131103 Wrestling with God

Jacob was on the run

cheated Esau, cheated Laban
Esau is approaching with an army of 400+ men
Jacob sends his family ahead.

alone, awaiting the confrontation with Esau,
he wrestles with a messenger from God
he wrestles all night
he is injured
yet he is blessed and transformed
 from Jacob = Deceiver to Israel: God rules

 


1) Who is Jacob?
You and me
full of self sufficiency!

 

2) Why Wrestle?

It is God's process to break your self sufficiency

 

Transform you
deep personal encounter with God

other biblical figures wrestled

The Psalmist
Paul
Jesus

If you are in such a situation
wrestle with god
be transformed
it is painful
it is a struggle
but it is worth the sacrifice


we dont like the process
we can either run away or accept it and wrestle
God says
"Do it my way
Surrender your self sufficiency"

God loves us enough to come down and wrestle with us
for as long as it takes
persevere
God will stay with you
till your own self suffiency is replaced with God dependancy
TRANSFORMATION
let God's grace reach you till you are changed
till you know his love