Bulldog Faith
Notes
Transcript
24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
31 And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.
I. Bulldogs
I. Bulldogs
A. These dogs are known for their tenacious bite.
A. These dogs are known for their tenacious bite.
B. They were originally bread for bull-baiting (fighting with tethered bulls)
B. They were originally bread for bull-baiting (fighting with tethered bulls)
1. Bulldogs, being known for their strength, tenacity, and powerful jaws were specifically bred for this sport. The dogs had to be fearless and capable of clamping onto the bull and holding on despite being shaken or thrown by the bull.
1. Bulldogs, being known for their strength, tenacity, and powerful jaws were specifically bred for this sport. The dogs had to be fearless and capable of clamping onto the bull and holding on despite being shaken or thrown by the bull.
2. I want it to be known that I am not advocating for this type of activity, rather just explaining why a bulldog was bred to become.
2. I want it to be known that I am not advocating for this type of activity, rather just explaining why a bulldog was bred to become.
C. "Tenacious" means holding fast or firmly, often with determination and persistence. It describes someone or something that is not easily discouraged, relinquished, or giving up on a goal or position. In the context of behavior, being tenacious implies being resolute, persistent, and stubbornly maintaining one's efforts or adherence to something.
C. "Tenacious" means holding fast or firmly, often with determination and persistence. It describes someone or something that is not easily discouraged, relinquished, or giving up on a goal or position. In the context of behavior, being tenacious implies being resolute, persistent, and stubbornly maintaining one's efforts or adherence to something.
1. For example, a tenacious person might persist in achieving their goals despite obstacles or setbacks. Similarly, a tenacious grip would be one that is firm and not easily loosened.
1. For example, a tenacious person might persist in achieving their goals despite obstacles or setbacks. Similarly, a tenacious grip would be one that is firm and not easily loosened.
2. These types of people would have what I’m going to have Bulldog Faith/Determination!
2. These types of people would have what I’m going to have Bulldog Faith/Determination!
II. Jacob had bulldog faith!
II. Jacob had bulldog faith!
A. Jacob had a determination that he was not letting go until he received the blessing!
A. Jacob had a determination that he was not letting go until he received the blessing!
1. That very next day he was going to have to face something that could potentially cost him his life and the life of the ones that he loved.
1. That very next day he was going to have to face something that could potentially cost him his life and the life of the ones that he loved.
2. He was going back to meet Esau, his twin brother, from whom he had stolen the birthright and the firstborn's blessing.
2. He was going back to meet Esau, his twin brother, from whom he had stolen the birthright and the firstborn's blessing.
B. The Scripture tells us that he wrestled with a man through the night!
B. The Scripture tells us that he wrestled with a man through the night!
1. The man told Jacob to let him go:
1. The man told Jacob to let him go:
26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
2. The man asked Jacob to come to grips with who he was:
2. The man asked Jacob to come to grips with who he was:
27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
i. The angel that he was wrestling with made Jacob pronounce WHO Jacob was!
i. The angel that he was wrestling with made Jacob pronounce WHO Jacob was!
ii. In the original Jacob meant: heel-catcher, supplanter, cheater, deceiver!
ii. In the original Jacob meant: heel-catcher, supplanter, cheater, deceiver!
3. In this moment Jacobs life was changed! His identity was changed!
3. In this moment Jacobs life was changed! His identity was changed!
28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
III. Blessing that comes through your Bulldog Faith!
III. Blessing that comes through your Bulldog Faith!
A. I’m sure during the night while he wrestled the thoughts came to Jacob:
A. I’m sure during the night while he wrestled the thoughts came to Jacob:
1. Why am I doing this? Nothing is going to change when I go see Esau.
1. Why am I doing this? Nothing is going to change when I go see Esau.
2. Is it really even worth holding on?
2. Is it really even worth holding on?
3. All of us are going to find ourselves in positions where the enemy whispers these very thoughts into our minds!
3. All of us are going to find ourselves in positions where the enemy whispers these very thoughts into our minds!
B. We need a tenacity like Jacob! I’m not letting go until I get my blessing!
B. We need a tenacity like Jacob! I’m not letting go until I get my blessing!
1. Your wrestling may not be with an actual man like Jacob’s was, but yours will be within your own mind!
1. Your wrestling may not be with an actual man like Jacob’s was, but yours will be within your own mind!
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
a. This means I am going to do what is right even when I don’t feel like it!
a. This means I am going to do what is right even when I don’t feel like it!
b. There WILL BE times in your walk with God that you don’t feel like it and that you want to give up!
b. There WILL BE times in your walk with God that you don’t feel like it and that you want to give up!
c. It’s for these times that we need to spend time during the good times preparing our heart and mind to be ready to withstand like Ephesians 6 teaches!
c. It’s for these times that we need to spend time during the good times preparing our heart and mind to be ready to withstand like Ephesians 6 teaches!
2. I’m going to press on through these things when I don’t feel like it:
2. I’m going to press on through these things when I don’t feel like it:
a. I’m going to church when I don’t feel like it because I know that is where I should be!
a. I’m going to church when I don’t feel like it because I know that is where I should be!
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
b. I’m going to pray when I don’t feel like it!
b. I’m going to pray when I don’t feel like it!
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
17 Pray without ceasing.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
c. I’m going to continue seek after God because He promised that He would be found of us!
c. I’m going to continue seek after God because He promised that He would be found of us!
13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
d. I’m going to worship Him because I’m commanded to and because I love Him!
d. I’m going to worship Him because I’m commanded to and because I love Him!
1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: Praise him in the firmament of his power.
2 Praise him for his mighty acts: Praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: Praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: Praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: Praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.
1 I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: The humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
3 O magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.
C. I Am Determined to Hold Out
C. I Am Determined to Hold Out
1 When I first found Jesus something o’er me stole,
Like lightning it went thru me, and glory filled my soul;
Salvation made me happy, and took my fears away,
And when I meet old Satan to him I always say:
1 When I first found Jesus something o’er me stole,
Like lightning it went thru me, and glory filled my soul;
Salvation made me happy, and took my fears away,
And when I meet old Satan to him I always say:
Chorus:
"I am determined to hold out to the end,
Jesus is with me, on Him I can depend,
And I know I have salvation, for I feel it in my soul,
I am determined to hold out to the end."
Chorus:
"I am determined to hold out to the end,
Jesus is with me, on Him I can depend,
And I know I have salvation, for I feel it in my soul,
I am determined to hold out to the end."
2 Satan was so angry, said he’d soon be back,
Just let the path get narrow, and he will lose the track;
But I’m so full of glory, my Lord I always find,
And I just say to Satan, "Old man, get thee behind."
2 Satan was so angry, said he’d soon be back,
Just let the path get narrow, and he will lose the track;
But I’m so full of glory, my Lord I always find,
And I just say to Satan, "Old man, get thee behind."
3 This old-time religion makes me sometimes shout,
I don’t have time to gossip nor any time to pout;
They say that I’m too noisy, but when these blessings flow,
I shout, O hallelujah, I want the world to know.
3 This old-time religion makes me sometimes shout,
I don’t have time to gossip nor any time to pout;
They say that I’m too noisy, but when these blessings flow,
I shout, O hallelujah, I want the world to know.
4 When I hear the trumpet sounding in the sky,
And see the mountains trembling, to heaven I will fly;
For Jesus will be calling, there’ll be no time to mend,
With joy I’ll go up singing, "I’ve held out to the end."
4 When I hear the trumpet sounding in the sky,
And see the mountains trembling, to heaven I will fly;
For Jesus will be calling, there’ll be no time to mend,
With joy I’ll go up singing, "I’ve held out to the end."