Wrestling For A Breakthrough

1. Wrestling For A Breakthrough Genesis 32:26

2. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” (Genesis 32:26)

3. Background • From Laban to Esau • 20 years before, Jacob had fled from Esau to Laban • Now he was fleeing Laban to be confronted by Esau! • Jacob headed toward Bethel, the place God had appointed for him to go • Eventually he had to meet Esau

4. God’s Protection • Imagine Jacob’s surprise when he saw an army of angels before him! • “This is God’s host [army]!” • He called the place “Mahanaim” = “the two camps” Jacob’s camp and God’s camp • Twenty years before, Jacob had seen the angels at Bethel and learned that God was with him - 28:10-12 • Now God’s angels were there to protect him and fight for him

5. Jacob’s Response to Trouble [Jacob] took [his family] and sent them across the stream. And he sent across whatever he had. Then Jacob was left alone… (Genesis 32:23-24a)

6. Jacob’s Response to Trouble We tend to go inward” We tend to “isolate” from people & God

7. Faith or Fear? • The messengers returned • Esau and 400 men were coming to meet Jacob • Jacob expected the worst • When faith is crowded out by fear, we usually start scheming and trusting our own resources

8. Faith or Fear? Believers walking by faith should not fear the enemy Psalms 112:7 “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord” Jacob was “greatly afraid and distressed” - Genesis 32:7 Turned to his old ways of scheming Did not remember God’s angels Divided his camp into two bands so that if one group was attacked, the other group could escape

9. Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. (Genesis 32:24) God is keeping Jacob engaged with Him rather than allowing Jacob to get lost in himself.

10. The Basis of Prayer and Faith Genesis 32:9-12 Jacob’s prayer One of the great prayers recorded in Scripture Yet his faith was very weak The prayer says Jacob had a profound knowledge of God’s ways and God’s character Yet he was praying in desperation and not in confidence

11. The Basis of Prayer and Faith Genesis 32:9-12 Faith is Acting on God’s commands Living without scheming Examine our own hearts - guilty of praying and then depending on our own schemes and resources James 2:20 “faith without works is dead”

12. The Basis of Prayer and Faith Genesis 32:9-12 Jacob’s was not depending on faith Jacob’s real problem was not Esau Jacob’s problem was Jacob!

13. GOD IS Always THERE.

14. God’s Principles of a BreakthroughGenesis 32:22-32 • Principle #1 - Get alone with God • Genesis 32:22-26 • Jacob moved his family across the river to what he hoped was a safe place

15. God’s Principles of a BreakthroughGenesis 32:22-32 Principle #1 - Get alone with God Genesis 32:22-26 Now Jacob was alone God often wants to do something personal in us and He needs to get us alone with Him to do it Jacob discovered that he’d spent his life fighting God and resisting His will

16. When he saw that he had not prevailed against [Jacob], he touched the socket of his thigh; so the socket of Jacob’s thigh was dislocated while he wrestled him. Then he said, “Let me go”…But [Jacob] said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” (Genesis 32:24-26)

17. God’s Principles of a Breakthrough Principle #2 -- Get real with God (Genesis 32:27-32) More than anything else, Jacob wanted the blessing of the Lord on his life Before we can be what God wants us to be, we have to get realistic and admit what we are in ourselves

18. God’s Principles of a Breakthrough • Principle #2 -- Get real with God • “What is your name?” • The last time Jacob was asked that question, he told a lie! • His father asked, “Who are you, my son?” and Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn” - 27:18-19

19. God’s Principles of a Breakthrough • Principle #2 -- Get real with God • That question meant more than simply what people called him • Jacob had always lived up to his name: a schemer and a deceiver • “Are you going to continue living up to your name, or will you admit what you are and let Me change you?”

20. God’s Principles of a Breakthrough Principle #3 -- Get changed by God In the Bible, receiving a new name signifies making a new beginning, and this was Jacob’s opportunity to make a fresh start in life “Israel,” from a Hebrew word that means “to struggle”“one who wrestles with God” or “God strives” The explanation in verse 28 is that Jacob had gained power because he prevailed

21. A New Day He thought that seeing God’s face would bring death, but it actually brought him new life It was the dawning of a new day for Israel/Jacob He had a new name He had a new walk (he was limping) He had a new relationship with God

23. Announcements June • Wish Sister Floria Daniels Happy Birthday on June 14th • Hang door hangers and pass out flyers 6-22-13 at 11am • Bible Study starting June 19th at 6:45pm at 6532 Kenwell • Friends and Family Sunday on June 23rd. Food will be serve after morning service

24. Announcements June  New member & Guest Reception on June 30 at 9:30am July •  Cookout at Pastor’s House July 4th 11am to 3pm • Church 1st Anniversary July 7th

25. Announcements

26. Benediction Numbers 6:24-26, Psalms 20:6, Romans 8:31b NIV Pastor: “The Lord bless you and keep you; Congregation: The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; All: The Lord turn His face toward you,

27. Benediction Pastor: Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. All: If God is for us, who can be against us? In Jesus name we pray Amen.