wresleting with for a Future

Genesis 32:22–31 (ESV)

22 The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. 24 And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. 25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28 Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” 29 Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. 30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” 31 The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.

content of the sermon the main Idea:

God has a bright future for each believer, despite our negative past and the obstacles in life.

1 God encounter Jacob when he was alone.

24 And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day.

When I was 16 years old, I went through a period of time where i felt like everyone around me had abandon me.

It was not until Jacob was completely alone that he encounter God.

The first time that the bible tells us that Jacob was by himself was in Genesis 28:10-22 in that instance God Reveled to Jacob through a dream.

and in that dream God remind him of the promise that he had made to his grandfather Abraham and father Issac, God also made Jacob a promise . We found that promise in verse 15.

English Standard Version (Chapter 28)

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

The gospel offer us the same promise to every single one of us.

No matter who leaves us, God will always Stay.

No matter who turns their back on us God will never do that.

No matter who breaks their promise God will always keep his promise to us.

Someone needs to be reminded that God has given up on you, that God has not left you. He still here.

2 God tested Jacobs strength.

24 ..... And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day.

Wrestling is about strength. contrary to other sports, wrestling is about dominating your opponent, is about overpowering the adversary.

God Wanted to test Jacobs strength, the same way God wants to test our strength.

Why would God test our Strength?

to help us grow.

to develop character in us.

after a few hours of wrestling with Jacob, the angel was not able to prevail over him, so he touch his hip and his hip was put out of joint.

25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him.

The real test of strength started when Jacobs physical strength was gone and now he had to hold on by faith.

26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

Jacob was holding on because he wanted a blessing that he knew can only come from God. When we come to the throne of God we should also have the same faith. that we would not leave until we received the blessing from heaven, until we know that God has hear our prayers.

3 God confronted Jacob with his Identity.

27 And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28 Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.”

Jacob means - Cheater.

Israel means - Wrestles with God.

When we sincere our self before God, is when we received mercy from him.

The angel change his name from Jacob ( cheater ) to Israel ( the one wrestles with God)

from that point forward, he would no longer be known by his past actions, but by his encounter with God.

God has change our identity and know we are no longer known by our past but by our encounter with Jesus. People now can see the work that Jesus has done in our life.

4 Jacob received the blessing

29 Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. 30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” 31 The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.

Jacob didn’t received a material blessing, the blessing that Jacob received was the favor of God is his life.

the biggest blessing that we have as believers is not the amount of money that we received but that the favor of God is with us.

Our future is bright because like Jacob, we have a blessing from God. His favor is upon us.