The Man Who Wrestled With God

INTRODUCTION

A. One of the greatest tragedies of World War II was the suffering of the people of Lenningrad, Russia, under siege from German army.

1. More than half the population died during the

winter of 1942

2. Jan.13, 1943 Soviet troops broke through German

lines, and opened a ten mile corridor that

allowed supplies through

3. It was called the Corridor of Death because of

German bombardment

4. The siege finally ended Jan.27, 1944 after 880

days.

B. Jacob had his own "corridor of death" - Gen.32

This unforgettable moment in his life would take Jacob from a being a deceiver to a believer -two meetings (a) Brother Esau (b) Angel

I. A GREAT CRISIS 32:6-8

A. Study the life of Jacob and see what kind of

person he really was.

1. Gen.27 - Jacob receives the blessing

instead of Esau by deceit.

2. Gen.28 - Jacob escapes from Esau to Bethel

where he meets God in a strange dream that

shows a ladder from earth to Heaven

3. Gen.29 - Jacob meets Rachel and marries

Leah by deceit from Laban

4. Gen.30-31 Jacob has trouble with Laban, and

secretly flees. Laban comes after him, but

after being warned by God, makes peace with

Jacob

B. Now we have another Great Crisis in the life

of Jacob - meeting Esau

1. The way of the transgressor is hard -

Prov.13:15. We can run but cannot hide.

The past will always caught up with us.

Jacob had fled in fear years before, but he

now had to face the brother he cheated.

We always reap what we sow!

2. Jacob was a cheat, swindler and schemer.

His name means USURPER -someone who steals

another person’s position in the world.

3. God allowed him to meet Laban, who was just

like him, and now it was time for him to

meet his angry brother.

4. Everything happens for a reason, and God is

trying to teach this old deceiver some very

important lessons.

5. In every crisis there is a Purpose for

growth, honesty and confession.

6. What is He trying to teach you and me

today? Remember that for every Crisis, we

have the Christ cf. Jacob’s prayer 32:9-12

Cry for help

II. A GRAND CONTEST 32:24-32

A. Notice the setting v.24 - Jacob was alone

B. Notice the struggle v.24b - A man wrestled

with him

C. Then the submission -v.26 - Let me Go

1. This is a picture of what we must do as we

follow Jesus Christ

2. Just like Jacob, our will must be broken

so that we submit to His

3. All of self and none of thee must be none

of self and all of thee

4. Only when we say, Not my will but thine be

done can there be victory

III. A GODLY CHANGE

A. Once we encounter God, we will never forget

the experience

1. Jacob has a limp to prove it - something

to forever remind him.

2. Also, he receives a NEW NAME - Israel -

PRINCE WITH GOD

B. Today God wants to give you NEW NAME and

NATURE - Acts 11:26

1. When you give in to His claims upon your

life, then you also will be a "prince or

princess of God" - meaning of ISRAEL

2. Stop struggling with God. You can’t

outbox Him. He will win everytime. Make

a Godly change and you will discover

that life will be better,beautiful and

blessed than ever before. II Cor.5:17

3. Gen.33 - Jacob and Esau make peace, and

there was family forgiveness

4. When you make peace with God, you can

begin to live at peace with others too.

Holiness, harmony, and happiness are the

results.

CONCLUSION

1. God has great plans in store for each of us, but he needs our submission and co-operation to make these happen.

2. Jacob had spent most of his life running from people, even God. Now He decided to quit being a greedy grabber and allow God to work on his heart. Now he was a Believer not a Deceiver.

3. What Jacob needed is what we need - a humble, holy attitude that comes from a godly change. "For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death" (II Cor.7:10).

4. Day of Pentecost - over 3000 pricked to heart. Told to repent and be baptized. Received forgiveness and gift of HS. (Acts 2:38

5. Christians need to change too! Acts 8:22 "Repent therefore of this your wickedness,and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you"