Genesis 32

Wrestling with God. Gen 32:22-32

INTRODUCTION: Jacob has been a less than commendable person. He takes advantage of his brother, steals the family blessing, and deceives Laban his father in law. On the other hand he left the family inheritance to his brother, and he worked hard for Laban who took advantage of Jacob. There comes a time when each of us must wrestle with God. We all wrestle with God from time to time but there is one time that is different from the rest. Just as Abraham had his day, now it is Jacob’s turn.

1. WRESTLING WITH THE PAST

A. FACING HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH LABIN

B. FACING HIS BROTHER

C. FACING HIMSELF

D. THERE COMES A TIME WE MUST FACE WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE HAVE BEEN.

2. WRESTLING WITH GOD

A. HE BELIEVED IN GOD

B. HE HAD BEEN BLESSED BY GOD

C. HE STRIVED TO GET THE BLESSINGS

D. HE NEVER TRUSTED GOD TO BLESS HIM (HE WANTED ASURANCE)

E. WE WRESTLE WITH GOD AS WELL

3. FOREVER CHANGED

A. JACOB WAS SCARED BY THE BATTLE

a. PAUL WAS SCARED BY THE BATTLE (HIS EYES)

b. PETER WAS SCARED EMOTIONALY ( HIS DENIAL OF JESUS)

c. THE SCARS OF OUR BATTLE DO NOT LEAVE US

B. JACOB WAS GIVEN A NEW NAME, A NEW LIFE

a. JACOB BECOMES ISRAEL

b. ABRAM BECOMES ABRAHAM

c. SARI BECOMES SARAHA

d. SAUL BECOMES PAUL

e. WE ARE GIVEN A NEW LIFE

CONCLUSION: We are all flawed like Jacob. We all face a time when we must stop running from our flaws and face them, and our selves. There comes a time when each of us must choose to trust God more than our selves, and allow God to change us, give us a new life. Are you wrestling with God for control somewhere in your life today? Right now before we leave this place, tell God you surrender to Him. Tell Jesus you will trust Him, allow Him to change you and give you a new life.