"It's Time For A Name Change"

Text:

Gen 32:24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.

25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.

26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.

28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

29 And Jacob asked him, an said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. 30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

31 And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.

32 Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh in the sinew that shrank.

Title:

“It’s Time for a Name Change”

Introduction: In this text Jacob’s name would be changed from Jacob to Israel. Jacob would prevail with God and have the power of God upon his life. Perhaps it is time for you to have a "name change." In order for you to have the power of God upon your life, you will need to go through a death, burial, and resurrection experience.

1. Death.

In Chapter 31, Jacob had been living a materialistic life. His interest had been having a beautiful woman and a big bank account. Now it was time for Jacob to head back home. Esau, his brother, awaits his arrival. Jacob is afraid of a confrontation with Esau. Twenty years earlier Esau had threatened to take his life after he stole from him their father’s blessing.

Jacob had sent everything on ahead. He is alone. He thinks that he is at the end of the life’s road.

2. Burial.

In the middle of the night a man grabs a hold of him and they wrestle until the day break. This man is God. Jacob will not let go until God blesses him. We need to come back to the place in our life where we can truly say, "Christ is all I need." This was a "dejavue" experience for Jacob. Twenty years earlier, he was lying under the same stars and saw a ladder with angels ascending and descending upon it. It was time for him to be reminded once again of his dependency upon God.

3. Resurrection.

In Chapter 33, Jacob finally meets up with his brother Esau. Instead of killing Jacob, he hugs and kisses him. He loves his brother.

The thought for this message is simply, "Christ is all I need, but it sure is nice having a hug from my brother!"

Conclusion: Have you hugged your brother lately?