'wrestling With God'

SERMON OUTLINE:

(1). The Stage is Set (vs 22-24A)

(2). The Match (vs 24B-25)

(3). The Result (vs 26-32)

THE TAKEAWAY.

#1: God Alone Determines Our Identity.

#2: God Alone Assures Our Victory

SERMON BODY:

Ill:

• Hulk Hogan is probably the best-known wrestler in the world.

• Standing at 6 feet 7 inches and weighing over 300 pounds in his prime,

• Hogan's larger-than-life persona captivated fans worldwide

• He became a household name in the 1980s and 1990s.

• And Hogan's career spans over four decades,

• During which he won multiple championships.

• In 1993, Hogan left the WWF to pursue a career in film and television.

• And even music, solidifying his status as a pop culture icon.

• Aged 70 - along with his wife,

• He was baptized in a ceremony at Indian Rocks Baptist Church in Florida.

• He said afterwards, it was the 'Greatest Day of My Life.'

Now as a kid, I grew up with Saturday afternoon wrestling.

• It had very little glamour,

• But was very entertaining.

• The stars were….

• Big Daddy (Shirley Crabtree).

• Giant Haystacks (Martin Austin Ruane)

• Mick McManus.

• Jackie "Mr TV" Pallo

• My favourite the masked warrior,

• Kendo Nagasaki (real name Peter Thornley from Stoke!)

• I hate to spoil it for you, but WWE (formerly WWF) matches are scripted.

• The outcomes and many of the moves are planned in advance,

• And although the wrestlers improvise, and "call" moves during the match.

• The outcome is fixed - it is just a form of theatrical entertainment.

• TRANSITION:

• If you have been here the last few weeks and studied the previous chapters,

• You might expect the bout in this chapter,

• To be between Jacob and Esau, but you would be wrong.

• Surprisingly, shockingly, the bout is between Jacob and God.

• Yes, you heard me correct - Jacob wrestles with God.

• And there are no prizes for guessing who the winner is!

• I intend using the wrestling theme for my sermon outline.

• But I will try not to have to many wrestling puns.

• But can’t resist this one…

“My Lords, Ladies & Gentlemen,

Let's get reaaaaaaaady to rumble!”

(I mean let’s get ready to study!)

(1). THE STAGE IS SET (vs 22-24A)

“That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So, Jacob was left alone.”

THE BACKGROUND:

• Twenty years before this incident,

• Jacob and his twin brother Esau had a family bust up.

• Jacob tricked and deceived his own father and stole his brother Esau’s birthright.

• At that time and in this culture to steal the birthright was a big deal!

• It was so big that Esau wanted to kill his brother Jacob!

• They were now sworn enemies.

• And so, Jacob fled from his brother,

• He knew that Esau his brother meant business.

• This was no empty threat.

• And now we pick up the story some twenty years later,

• Jacob was now heading back home,

• And that meant encountering his brother Esau,

• And he has no idea what kind of reception he will receive.

So, Jacob is nervous, anticipating the worst and…

• If you look down at verse 6.

• Esau is coming to meet him and with him are four hundred men.

• That sounds like trouble to me!

Jacob may have been a deceiver, but he also seems to be the brains of the family.

• He is wise enough to prepare Esau with news of his return,

• Not only that, but he also tries to him up and repair some of the damage by sending presents.

• He sent him three waves of gifts to gain his favour.

Note:

• And as we pick up the story,

• Notice the questions you expect to be answered are not.

• Not in these verses.

• You might be wondering what happened next?

• How long did it take Esau and his men to get to Jacob?

• Did Esau still want to kill Jacob?

• Did they fight until the bitter end,

• Did one of them die or did one of them surrender?

• Well, I am not going to answer any of those questions,

• You need to go home and read the rest of the story for yourselves.

• Because I want to focus in on the fascinating verses (22-32),

• An actual man, a human being wrestling with the invisible, almighty God.

• It is one of the strangest incidents in the Bible.