When You Meet God

WHEN YOU MEET GOD February 25, 2007 Jay Robison GENESIS 32:22-30

I acknowledge that I have used the sermon central site as one of my study resources for this sermon.

There is a great mystery of life

You must STRUGGLE if you ARE GOING TO GROW

Growth always means struggle in one form or another.

As a child we struggle trying to grow physically, teething babies

Children struggle to grow emotionally, balancing many emotions

Always easier to gain weight than lose it Studying is not very fun

Spiritually we do not become Godly when we first want to

it is a struggle called discipleship but when we struggle we grow.

Passage today points that out Vs 28 NIV

Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and men and have overcome.

Interesting episode, some will say metaphorical I don’t think so

Literal events, but don’t read too much into details

Jacob appears to be beating up on God angel afraid of light etc

3 principles we have to keep in mind when we meet God

1. Come Clean ABOUT WHO YOU ARE

Although God used Jacob he was not perfect by any means

Jacob was kind of person could enter a revolving door behind you

& come out ahead of you.”

When Jacob shook hands w\you, check to be sure still all 5 fingers

Jacob was A LIAR, A CHEAT, A CON ARTIST, and a crook

From womb he was younger of twins, but holding older bro’s heel

Jacob literally means “heel grabber” and “deceiver”

His older twin Esau as first born entitled to double portion of estate

Jacob swindled it from him not once but twice Gen 25 pot of stew

Gen 27 by deceiving dad on his deathbed. Jacob always out on top

Because of these things, Jacob had to leave town in a hurry

Spied beautiful woman Rachel but met his devious match

Laban Rachel’s dad sure marry my daughter if work 7 yrs ch 29

See Rachel had older sister Leah ugly duckling consolation prize

On wedding night after 7 yrs hard work surprised to find Leah

Laban she is oldest had to marry first, 7 more years for Rachel

Jacob chuckled at buy one get one free wife, cons admire good con

Jacob\Laban went into cattle business, Jacob good at it

But rambling man so wanted to move on, Laban said 1 more year

Then divide flock, Jacob said he’d take misfits, spotted speckled

But Jacob was the breeder so when cattle bred, don’t you know

Strongest cattle were spotted and speckled, 30:42

So Jacob loaded up his two wives and spotted strong cattle

Left in middle of night, Rachel stole some gold from dad

Laban chases Jacob who ends up running right toward Esau

20 years since seen him stole inheritance, Will Esau try to kill him?

Jacob thinking on his feet divides family and possessions

1st animals, goats, rams, camels, bulls, cows etc. said give to Esau

2nd wives, and maids, 3rd was to be Jacob, trying to soften Esau up

Jacob lived by his wits & wanted to get away with his life

It was middle of the night when Jacob set this all up

And he went across the Jabbok River by himself

When Jacob cannot sleep, but in wrestling match

Jacob was battling an angel and HIMSELF

His life was passing before his eyes, and not a pretty show

He was in a wrestling match and prize was his very soul

Jacob had to make peace w\his past, face himself, look in the mirror

When life is out of control, we are wrestling with God

Is God wrestling with you today? Are you resisting God?

Is there something you’re withholding from Him?

When we meet God, 1st come clean about who you are

God already knows its no news to God, still loves you

2. Call on GOD FOR HELP

Jacob was wrestling with who he was, what he had done

At his wits end longest night in his life fear, isolation & loneliness;

We have to admit WE NEED GOD

So God can show us WHAT WE CAN BECOME

Up till now, Jacob handled his life really well thank you

Jacob had been such a “schemer”.

Jacob’s whole life marked by getting into trouble & running away.

Now the jig is up Jacob needs God and knows it

Vs 26 NLT Jacob panted I will not let you go unless you bless me

Jacob is praying out of desperation

“I won’t let you go until you bless me.

I won’t let you go until I’m a new man - a different person."

Jacob panted, underline that, his whole life is on the line

He is standing before God, needs help

There is nothing like A LITTLE STRESS