The Fight of Your Life
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Introduction
Introduction
Guatemala - Banging on Logan’s door and window - Missions Pastor can’t get up for his own mission trip! Needs to see a Dr.! Millennial!
One thing to fight getting out of bed - another thing to fight with God! Reality — some of you have been wrestling with God your whole life and tonight it’s time to stop.
For many of us, Jacob’s story is our story - and this story is especially pertinent on Good Friday. Three challenges:
You must acknowledge that you’ve been wrestling with God.
You must acknowledge that you’ve been wrestling with God.
Jacob - momma’s favorite child - told from a young age that he would be blessed by God. Immediately, Jacob starts fighting -
does everything in his power to be blessed rather than waiting on God to bless him in His time and His way.
· Jacob – a man on the run. Running from home, Esau, and now from Laban.
Deceived his brother and his father. For years, running from Esau afraid Esau would kill him if he ever saw him again.
Met love of his life, Rachel, and met his match in Laban - who deceived him. After 14 years of working for Laban Jacob wanted to go home. He made a deal with Laban that caused their relationship to go bad. Now, running from Laban.
Jacob – a man on the run but tired of running. You been there?
Running from home, Esau, and now from Laban.
· Laban’s deception – Jacob was stealing from the firstborn, and he wasn’t having it. Result: two wives and Leah was hated.
Laban’s deception – Jacob was stealing from the firstborn, and he wasn’t having it. Result: two wives and Leah was hated.
· Ch. 30 – birth wars – Rachel and Leah jealous of each other – competing for children – 12 children in all.
Ch. 30 – birth wars – Rachel and Leah jealous of each other – competing for children – 12 children in all.
After 12 children, Jacob wants to go home. He makes a deal with Laban – tend to Laban’s flock for six years if Laban would give him the “unwanted” sheep – speckled, striped, and black. Laban keeps white sheep. Great deal, but God prospers Jacob and multiplies the unwanted sheep.
· After 12 children, Jacob wants to go home. He makes a deal with Laban – tend to Laban’s flock for six years if Laban would give him the “unwanted” sheep – speckled, striped, and black. Laban keeps white sheep. Great deal, but God prospers Jacob and multiplies the unwanted sheep.
Laban mad that Jacob prospered more than he did, so Jacob flees from Laban in the night. Laban pursues Jacob for seven days. Confrontation and agreement to stay out of each other’s way. (pile of rocks)
· Laban mad that Jacob prospered more than he did, so Jacob flees from Laban in the night. Laban pursues Jacob for seven days. Confrontation and agreement to stay out of each other’s way. (pile of rocks)
· On his way home detours to Edom – the land of Esau. He’s tired of running from his brother. He’s going to confront even if it cost him his life, and that’s what he fears.
On his way home detours to Edom – the land of Esau. He’s tired of running from his brother. He’s going to confront even if it cost him his life, and that’s what he fears.
· Sends messengers to Esau – they come back with a report that Esau has 400 men.
Sends messengers to Esau – they come back with a report that Esau has 400 men.
Vs. 9-12 – Jacob’s first recorded prayer. He’s finally desperate enough to know he needs the God who promised to protect him.
· Vs. 9-12 – Jacob’s first recorded prayer. He’s finally desperate enough to know he needs the God who promised to protect him.
Divides his people and then sends his servants to Esau in 4 different groups carrying gifts to appease Esau – He’s going to make Esau wealthy – 200 goats and other animals.
· Divides his people and then sends his servants to Esau in 4 different groups carrying gifts to appease Esau – He’s going to make Esau wealthy – 200 goats and other animals.
· Later in the evening, Jacob crosses the ford of the Jabbok. He sends his family away and left alone in the night. In the night, a mysterious stranger comes and wrestles with Jacob. Is it Esau? Is it a robber? Whoever it is, it is grueling. They seemed evenly matched, and the match lasts all night long. We discover Jacob is wrestling with God.
Later in the evening, Jacob crosses the ford of the Jabbok. He sends his family away and left alone in the night. In the night, a mysterious stranger comes and wrestles with Jacob. Is it Esau? Is it a robber? Whoever it is, it is grueling. They seemed evenly matched, and the match lasts all night long. We discover Jacob is wrestling with God.
· Why would God show up to wrestle with Jacob? And why would God wrestle with him all night long? This wrestling match illustrates Jacob’s life. God saying to Jacob: “Your whole life you’ve been wrestling with me. You haven’t submitted to me. You’ve fought me.”
Why would God show up to wrestle with Jacob? And why would God wrestle with him all night long? This wrestling match illustrates Jacob’s life. God saying to Jacob: “Your whole life you’ve been wrestling with me. You haven’t submitted to me. You’ve fought me.”
· How are you fighting God? In what area are you telling God no? Giving? Going? Growing? Trust? I’m not doing life your way, but mine.
How are you fighting God? In what area are you telling God no? Giving? Going? Growing? Trust? I’m not doing life your way, but mine.
We’re a room full of Jacobs. We know what God wants from us, yet we fight it. We want to be blessed by God, but on our terms. If you are going to win with God you must acknowledge that you’ve been wrestling with God. Realize it's foolish.
· We’re a room full of Jacobs. We know what God wants from us, yet we fight it. We want to be blessed by God, but on our terms. If you are going to win with God you must acknowledge that you’ve been wrestling with God. Realize it's foolish.
· Whenever you wrestle with God you will be miserable – Inside the will of God is fullness of joy. Outside of the will of God is misery and lack of contentment. Outside the will of God – brokenness, inside the will of God – wholeness.
Whenever you wrestle with God you will be miserable – Inside the will of God is fullness of joy. Outside of the will of God is misery and lack of contentment. Outside the will of God – brokenness, inside the will of God – wholeness.
· Ill. – foolish to wrestle with God – you don't know who you are up against. (Tennis match with girl)
Ill. – foolish to wrestle with God – you don't know who you are up against. (Tennis match with girl)
You must hold on to God instead of fighting God.
You must hold on to God instead of fighting God.
Seems as if they are evenly matched. They wrestle until daybreak.
Obviously, they are not evenly matched. No one is evenly matched with God.
· Obviously, they are not evenly matched. No one is evenly matched with God.
· At daybreak – God shows Jacob who he is fighting. He touches Jacob’s hip and it pops out of socket. This is not some kind of German suplex – the Hebrew language carries the connotation of a tap. God barely touches Jacob and his hip pops out of socket.
At daybreak – God shows Jacob who he is fighting. He touches Jacob’s hip and it pops out of socket. This is not some kind of German suplex – the Hebrew language carries the connotation of a tap. God barely touches Jacob and his hip pops out of socket.
· Jacob knows that the One who he is wrestling is powerful. All He has to do is barely touch you, and He can destroy you.
Jacob knows that the One who he is wrestling is powerful. All He has to do is barely touch you, and He can destroy you.
· Jacob knows he can’t win with God, so he holds on for dear life. God says, “Let go.” Jacob says, “I will not let go unless you bless me.” Jacob is finally getting it. He needs God. God is the only source of blessing – and the only way to receive blessing is to hold on to His grace.
Jacob knows he can’t win with God, so he holds on for dear life. God says, “Let go.” Jacob says, “I will not let go unless you bless me.” Jacob is finally getting it. He needs God. God is the only source of blessing – and the only way to receive blessing is to hold on to His grace.
· God asks Jacob, “What is your name?” God knows Jacob’s name – but the question brings Jacob face to face with his reality – His name reveals his identity. “Heel-catcher” “Jacob, know who you are – a deceiver. And, know that I have the power to change you. You are no longer Jacob – you are Israel – I am going to make a worthless, deceiver like you into someone great in my eyes.”
God asks Jacob, “What is your name?” God knows Jacob’s name – but the question brings Jacob face to face with his reality – His name reveals his identity. “Heel-catcher” “Jacob, know who you are – a deceiver. And, know that I have the power to change you. You are no longer Jacob – you are Israel – I am going to make a worthless, deceiver like you into someone great in my eyes.”
· How do you win with God? You hold on to Him instead of fighting Him. You hold on knowing that He is the only source of blessing, and knowing that He alone can transform you. You hold on is desperation.
Some of us need to hold on instead of fighting knowing that He is the only source of blessing, and knowing that He alone can transform you. You hold on is desperation.
To hold on you have to let go of whatever else it is you are holding on to. Jacob let go of:
· To hold on you have to let go of whatever else it is you are holding on to. Jacob let go of:
o Self-sufficiency – “God, I don’t need you.” How many of you live your life that way? “I’m in control. I can do all things in my strength.” No you can’t. Does BSC have an attitude of self-sufficiency? Does our church operate as if we are dependent on God or dependent on our own ingenuity, resources, and talents.
Self-sufficiency – “God, I don’t need you.” How many of you live your life that way? “I’m in control. I can do all things in my strength.” No you can’t. Does our church operate as if we are dependent on God or dependent on our own ingenuity, resources, and talents.
Ego – His whole life Jacob thought he was somebody. There, fighting with God, he realized he wasn’t anybody. He was powerless. You are nothing apart from the grace of God. “I’m a millionaire. I’m an athlete. I’m the mother of the year.” Don’t hide behind your ego. You aren’t somebody. You are a weak sinner. Only God is somebody.
o Ego – His whole life Jacob thought he was somebody. There, fighting with God, he realized he wasn’t anybody. He was powerless. You are nothing apart from the grace of God. “I’m a millionaire. I’m an athlete. I’m the mother of the year.” Don’t hide behind your ego. You aren’t somebody. You are a weak sinner. Only God is somebody.
Sinful ways – deceit – what sin do you have to let go of in order to cling to God? “…let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
o Sinful ways – deceit – what sin do you have to let go of in order to cling to God? “…let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
You must lose everything if you want to win everything.
You must lose everything if you want to win everything.
God says, “For you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.” How did Jacob win? How do you win against God? No one can stand in God’s presence, yet Jacob prevails?
· Jacob didn’t technically win. He held on for dear life, and he walked away with a limp. God didn’t walk away with a limp. Jacob didn’t win by overpowering God. Jacob won by losing.
Jacob didn’t technically win. He held on for dear life, and he walked away with a limp. God didn’t walk away with a limp. Jacob didn’t win by overpowering God. Jacob won by losing.
· You see, in this moment, Jacob finally gives up. “God, I’m not letting go. I can’t do this without you.” You prevail by realizing you can’t win. You win by losing everything and giving up everything for the Father.
In this moment, Jacob finally gives up. “God, I’m not letting go. I can’t do this without you.” You prevail when you realize you can’t win. You win by losing everything and giving up everything for the Father.
You win by giving up your desires, your dreams, your ambitions, and saying, “God, I’m in this for you.” That’s winning!
· You win by giving up your desires, your dreams, your ambitions, and saying, “God, I’m in this for you.” That’s winning!
· Gospel: Jesus won by losing. He gave it all up for the will of the Father. The cross seems like the greatest loss in human history – God dies at the hands of sinful man. Sin triumphs over the creator. The Jews and Romans didn’t defeat Jesus – He willingly lost. He gave Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. ( ESV) up for those who killed Him. He gave up His life in obedience to the Father. What seemed to be the greatest loss in human history produced the greatest victory in human history. He burst forth from the grave completely defeating sin and death so all who believe can have eternal life. Jesus’ victory over the grave is your victory. Through faith and turning from your sins, you now look forward to resurrection victory because of Christ who won by losing.
Gospel: Jesus won by losing. He gave it all up for the will of the Father. The cross seems like the greatest loss in human history – God dies at the hands of sinful man. Sin triumphs over the creator. However, The Jews and Romans didn’t defeat Jesus. And sin certainly didn’t defeat Jesus. Jesus willingly lost on Good Friday. He gave up His life for those who killed Him. He gave up His life in obedience to the Father. What seemed to be the greatest loss in human history produced the greatest victory in human history. He burst forth from the grave completely defeating sin and death so all who believe can have eternal life. Jesus’ victory over the grave is your victory. Through faith and turning from your sins, you now look forward to resurrection victory because of Christ who won by losing.
Have you been wrestling with God? It’s time to lose, because when you lose you win. You’ll never get what your heart is after until you lose – until you say, “God, I’m giving up everything just to hold on to your perfect will.”
· Do you want to win with God? Then lose everything. You’ll never get what your heart is after until you lose – until you say, “God, I’m giving up everything just to hold on to your perfect will.”
· When you lose everything to live for the will of the Father, you win, and you win big. When you lose, you get everything – you get eternity.
When you lose everything to live for the will of the Father, you win, and you win big. When you lose, you get everything – you get eternity.
This morning, some of you need to lose. You’re wrestling with God, and it’s time to stop. Unbeliever – give up. You’ll never win. Trust Him today. Believer, we know better, but we have a tendency to keep fighting God even after we say we believe in Him and trust Him. Believer, make a renewed commitment to lose. Let go of your self-sufficiency, your pride, and your sin.
· This morning, some of you need to lose. You’re wrestling with God, and it’s time to stop. Unbeliever – give up. You’ll never win. Trust Him today. Believer, we know better, but we have a tendency to keep fighting God even after we say we believe in Him and trust Him. Believer, make a renewed commitment to lose. Let go of your self-sufficiency, your pride, and your sin.
Church– let’s lose. What if we were a church that lost? Let us be a church that loses – let us put aside our preferences, our agendas, our ways of thinking and say to God, “Here we are, your church, you do in us what you desire, and we will not stand in your way