SF789 - LEARNING TO LEAN - 6 of 16 DEVELOPING A FAITH THAT LASTS (Hebrews 11 21)
Hebrews 11:21
Introduction
The story of Jacob is the story of us all.
It is the story of Jacob…
Ø Lying
Ø Listening
Ø Learning
Ø Limping
Ø Leaning
Today we are going to learn from this unlikely patriarch of the faith how to lean on God.
We will see God…
Choosing Jacob
Challenging Jacob
Chastening Jacob
Changing Jacob
1A. God Choosing Jacob
1B. Why would God choose Jacob?
Man would have chosen Esau. (Genesis 25:27)
Ø He was the first born
Ø He was a man’s man
God chose Jacob.
(Malachi 1:2-3 NIV) "… "Yet I have loved Jacob, {3} but Esau I have hated…"
Ø Despite his name, Jacob means deceiver.
Ø Despite his nature, he was a mommy’s boy, he was a con artist, and he was a cheat and a liar.
There was no good reason to choose Jacob over Esau.
2B. Why would God choose you?
The fact of God’s choice
(Ephesians 1:4-6 NIV) For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love {5} he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- {6} to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
The folly of God’s choice
Romans 3:10, 23
The force of God’s choice
Ø The scriptures testify of God’s choice.
(2 Peter 3:9 NIV) The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Ø The Holy Spirit clarifies God’s choice.
(Revelation 22:17 NIV) The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.
2A. God Challenging Jacob
1B. Jacob’s dilemma (Genesis 28:10-11)
He had left his security.
Ø Mommy was no longer around to care for him.
He had lost his standing.
Ø He was who he was because of his father.
For the first time, he was all-alone.
2B. Jacob’s dream (28:12-15)
What God proved to Jacob… (12)
Ø He proved that He is a personal God.
Ø He proved that heaven is a real place.
What God promised to Jacob… (13-15)
Ø The promise of God’s purpose. (13)
Ø The promise of God’s plan. (14)
Ø The promise of God’s presence. (15)
3B. Jacob’s declaration (28:16-17)
Jacob declares the surety of salvation. (16)
Jacob declares the seriousness of salvation. (17)
4B. Jacob’s decision (28:18-22)
Jacob acted promptly. (18a)
Jacob acted purposefully. (18b-19)
Ø There was a public statement of his faith.
Luz = separation; Bethel = house of God
Ø There was the public symbol of his faith.
Jacob acted practically. (20-22)
Ø He would rely on God’s provision. (20)
Ø He would respect God’s place. (21-22a)
Ø He would remember God’s portion. (22b)
3A. God Chastening Jacob
1B. God dealt with Jacob concerning his ways.
God would use Jacob’s uncle Laban to show him his sin.
There was the matter of his wives. (29:13-29)
Ø His love for Rachel was great. (20)
Ø His lesson from Laban was painful. (25-26)
The rights of the first born.
Poetic justice…
Laban had callously palmed off Leah on Jacob, purposely deceiving him. What cared Laban that his methods were underhanded, despicable and mean? What cared Laban that he was trampling on the most sacred feelings of Jacob’s heart? Go back seven years; see Jacob standing before his blind father pretending to be Esau. What had Jacob cared… Now he had reaped what he had sown. “The mills of God grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine.”
There was the matter of his wages.
(Genesis 31:6-7 NIV) You know that I've worked for your father with all my strength, {7} yet your father has cheated me by changing my wages ten times.
2B. God dealt with Jacob concerning his walk.
God brought Jacob to a place of isolation. (32:24a)
God brought Jacob to a place of confrontation. (24b)
God brought Jacob to a place of desperation (25-32)
Ø First God broke him. (25-27)
Ø Then God could bless him. (28-30)
Peniel = the face of God
Ø Finally, God branded him. (31-32)
God not only changed his name he changed his walk.
4A. God Changing Jacob
God uses the process of life to make us like Him.
1B. The person God changed…
He was self-centered
He was self-sufficient
He was sinful
He is subdued
2B. The process God used…
God would work through Jacob’s family.
There was the defilement of Dinah. (34:1-7)
There was the deception of Simeon and Levi. (34:8-31)
There was the death of Rachel. (35:16-26)
There was the disappearance of Joseph (37:31-35)
3B. The patriarch God produced…
Jacob knew who he was.
(Genesis 47:7 NNAS) Then Joseph brought his father Jacob and presented him to Pharaoh; and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.
Ø Pharaoh was a prince among men but Jacob was a prince with God.
Jacob knew where he was going. (49:29-33)
Ø He wanted Canaan more than Egypt.
Jacob knew why he had lived. (49:1-28)
Ø He had produced a legacy.
Ø He had fulfilled God’s purpose.
Application
At Bethel Jacob becomes a saved man… at Peniel Jacob becomes a separated man… and through the rest of his life he becomes a sanctified man.
What about you?
God has Chosen you – today you sense His presence and His pull.
(John 6:44 NIV) "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.
God is Challenging you – you are facing a dilemma, a difficulty. God is working in you circumstances.
God is Chastening you – life is hard.
Ø Ever wonder why that person at work is like they are, God is showing you your sin.
Ø God will never use you greatly until He has broken you completely.
God wants to Change you – He wants to use the events of your life to make you more like Him.
What is true for individuals is true for churches.
LEARNING TO LEAN
Developing a Faith that Lasts Part 6 of 16
October 4, 1998 - Hebrews 11:21
1A. God Choosing Jacob
1B. Why would God ___________ Jacob?
_________ would have chosen Esau. (Genesis 25:27)
____________ chose Jacob.
(Malachi 1:2-3 NIV) "… "Yet I have loved Jacob, {3} but Esau I have hated, …."
2B. Why would God choose _____________?
The ____________ of God’s choice (Ephesians 1:4-6)
The ____________ of God’s choice
The ________________ of God’s choice
Ø The scriptures ___________ of God’s choice.
(2 Peter 3:9 NIV) The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Ø The Holy Spirit ____________ God’s choice.
(Revelation 22:17 NIV) The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.
2A. God Challenging Jacob
1B. Jacob’s _______________ (Genesis 28:10-11)
He had left his ___________.
He had lost his ___________.
2B. Jacob’s ______________ (28:12-15)
What God ____________ to Jacob. (12)
What God __________ to Jacob. (13-15)
3B. Jacob’s _____________ (28:16-17)
Jacob declares the ___________ of salvation. (16)
Jacob declares the ___________ of salvation. (17)
4B. Jacob’s ___________ (28:18-22)
Jacob acted ____________. (18a)
Jacob acted ____________. (18b-19)
Jacob acted ____________. (20-22)
3A. God Chastening Jacob
1B. God dealt with Jacob concerning his ________.
2B. God dealt with Jacob concerning his __________.
God brought Jacob to a place of _________. (32:24a)
God brought Jacob to a place of confrontation. (24b)
God brought Jacob to a place of __________ (25-32)
4A. God Changing Jacob
1B. The _____________ God changed…
2B. The process God used…
There was the defilement of ___________. (34:1-7)
There was the _______ of Simeon and Levi. (34:8-31)
There was the _____________ of Rachel. (35:16-26)
There was the _______________ of Joseph (37:31-35)
3B. The patriarch God produced…
Jacob knew _______________ he was. (Genesis 47:7)
Jacob knew _____________ he was going. (49:29-33)
Jacob knew _____________ he had lived. (49:1-28)