Wrestling with God: Transformation Through Trials
Summary
In today's sermon, we delved into the profound narrative of Jacob's transformation and his encounter with God, as depicted in Genesis 32. We began by acknowledging the tragic loss within our church family, the passing of Ben and Mimi's infant son, Solomon. In the face of such sorrow, we turned to prayer, seeking God's comfort and the peace that surpasses all understanding.
We then transitioned to the story of Jacob, who, after two decades away from his homeland, is returning to face his brother Esau. Jacob's journey is marked by fear and strategic planning, as he attempts to appease Esau's anticipated anger with gifts. However, Jacob's true transformation occurs when he is left alone one night and wrestles with a man until dawn. This man is no ordinary man but the pre-incarnate Christ, the Son of God, who engages Jacob in a physical and spiritual struggle.
Throughout the night, Jacob wrestles with God, and in the process, he learns that his greatest need is not peace with Esau but peace with God. It is not Esau whom he should fear, but God Himself. As dawn approaches, God touches Jacob's hip, leaving him with a permanent limp, a reminder of his dependence on God's strength, not his own.
In this divine encounter, Jacob's name is changed to Israel, signifying his struggle with God and with men, and his prevailing faith. This new identity marks a turning point in Jacob's life, where he moves from self-reliance to God-reliance. The narrative concludes with Jacob, now Israel, limping away from Peniel, the place where he saw God face to face and yet lived.
Key Takeaways:
- True faith is not merely about trusting God's faithfulness; it involves a proper understanding of God's holiness and our unworthiness. Like Jacob, we may have faith but still hold a low view of God and a high view of ourselves. This imbalance must be corrected for our faith to mature and align with biblical truth. [01:04:22]
- Our view of God should be ever-growing. If we find that our estimation of God has not deepened over the years, it may indicate a pride issue and a lack of submission to His Word. Transformation comes through the renewal of our minds by the Spirit and the Word, leading us to a higher reverence for God. [01:05:01]
- Prayer is a reflection of our theology. Jacob's prayer reveals both his faith and his struggle with fear. Our prayers should not only seek God's intervention but also express our reverence and submission to His sovereignty. We must avoid treating God as a mere co-pilot or helper in our plans. [01:06:19]
- Suffering and trials are often the means by which God reshapes our reliance on self and reorients our fears. Jacob's wrestling with God and his resulting injury teach us that intimacy with God may come with painful lessons, but these are necessary for our spiritual growth and reliance on Him. [01:25:17]
- Clinging to Christ through trials is essential for our spiritual endurance. Jacob's tenacity in holding on to God for a blessing, despite his pain, serves as a model for us. In our own struggles, we must hold fast to Christ, our hope and deliverance, knowing that He is the ultimate source of our salvation. [01:32:36]
In conclusion, today's message calls us to examine our understanding of God, to deepen our reverence for Him, and to cling to Christ through every trial. Like Jacob, we are invited to wrestle with our fears and to emerge transformed, with a new identity rooted in God's grace.
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Genesis 32:1-32
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Jacob's initial reaction upon hearing that Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men? How did he respond to this news? ([58:14])
2. Describe the encounter Jacob had with the "man" during the night. What was the outcome of this wrestling match? ([44:35])
3. What significant change happened to Jacob after his wrestling match with God? What was the new name given to him, and what does it signify? ([28:17])
4. How did Jacob's view of his own strength and God's strength change after his encounter at Peniel? ([29:42])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jacob was more afraid of Esau than of God initially? What does this reveal about his understanding of God at that time? ([01:00:40])
2. How does Jacob's prayer in Genesis 32:9-12 reflect both his faith and his fear? What does this tell us about the nature of his relationship with God? ([01:06:19])
3. In what ways did Jacob's wrestling with God serve as a turning point in his spiritual journey? How did this encounter reshape his identity and reliance on God? ([01:18:21])
4. How does the story of Jacob wrestling with God illustrate the concept of clinging to Christ through trials? What can we learn from Jacob's persistence? ([01:32:36])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a significant fear or challenge. How did you respond, and what role did your faith play in that situation? How might you respond differently now after hearing Jacob's story? ([01:00:40])
2. Jacob's prayer revealed his struggle with fear and his need for God's intervention. How do your prayers reflect your understanding of God's sovereignty and your own fears? What changes can you make to align your prayers more with a reverence for God? ([01:06:19])
3. Jacob's encounter with God left him with a permanent limp, a reminder of his dependence on God's strength. Can you identify a "limp" or a struggle in your life that has drawn you closer to God? How has this experience shaped your faith? ([01:23:05])
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of having a growing view of God. How has your view of God changed over the years? What steps can you take to deepen your reverence for Him? ([01:05:01])
5. Jacob's transformation involved moving from self-reliance to God-reliance. In what areas of your life are you still relying on your own strength? How can you shift towards greater dependence on God? ([01:18:21])
6. The sermon mentioned that suffering and trials are often the means by which God reshapes our reliance on self. How can you embrace your current trials as opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper reliance on God? ([01:25:17])
7. Clinging to Christ through trials is essential for spiritual endurance. Identify a current struggle you are facing. How can you hold fast to Christ in this situation, and what practical steps can you take to seek His strength and guidance? ([01:32:36])
Devotional
Day 1: Understanding God's Holiness and Our Unworthiness
True faith requires a deep understanding of God's holiness and our own unworthiness. It is easy to acknowledge faith in God's faithfulness while maintaining a skewed perception of His holiness and our own sinfulness. This imbalance can lead to a superficial faith that does not withstand the trials of life. Like Jacob, who initially had a low view of God and a high view of himself, believers must confront their own misconceptions. It is through recognizing the vastness of God's holiness and the depth of our own sin that true transformation begins. This realization brings about a humility that is essential for a mature and robust faith, aligning our perspective with the truth of Scripture and leading us to a more profound reverence for God. [01:04:22]
Isaiah 6:1-3
"In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!'"
Reflection: How does your current view of God's holiness compare to Isaiah's vision in the temple, and what steps can you take to correct any misconceptions you might have?
Day 2: Growing in Our View of God
Believers are called to an ever-growing understanding of God's nature. If one's view of God remains stagnant, it may indicate an underlying pride issue and a resistance to the transformative power of His Word. Transformation is not a passive process; it requires the active renewal of the mind through the Holy Spirit and a diligent study of Scripture. This growth leads to a deeper reverence for God and a more accurate understanding of His character. As one's view of God expands, so does the capacity to trust and rely on Him in all circumstances. [01:05:01]
Ephesians 4:22-24
"Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: What are some practical ways you can renew your mind daily to foster a growing and deeper understanding of God?
Day 3: Theology Reflected in Prayer
Prayer is a powerful reflection of one's theology. It reveals not only one's desires and requests but also the understanding of God's sovereignty and majesty. Like Jacob, who prayed with a mixture of faith and fear, believers must learn to approach God with reverence and submission. Prayer should not be treated as a means to enlist God's help in fulfilling personal agendas but as a way to align oneself with His will and purposes. It is in the place of prayer that one acknowledges God's supremacy and expresses complete dependence on Him. [01:06:19]
James 4:8
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Reflection: How does your prayer life reflect your understanding of God's sovereignty, and what changes can you make to ensure it is more than just a request list?
Day 4: Embracing Suffering for Spiritual Growth
Suffering and trials are often the means by which God reshapes our reliance on self and reorients our fears toward Him. Jacob's wrestling with God, which resulted in a physical injury, serves as a poignant reminder that intimacy with God can involve painful lessons. These experiences, though difficult, are necessary for spiritual growth and increased reliance on God's strength. It is through these trials that believers are refined and their character is molded to reflect Christ more accurately. [01:25:17]
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Reflection: In what ways has God used suffering or trials in your life to teach you reliance on Him, and how can you respond to current challenges with this perspective?
Day 5: Clinging to Christ Through Trials
The act of clinging to Christ in the midst of trials is essential for spiritual endurance. Jacob's persistence in holding onto God for a blessing, despite his pain, exemplifies the tenacity required of believers. In the face of adversity, it is crucial to hold fast to Christ, recognizing Him as the ultimate source of hope and deliverance. This steadfastness not only sustains believers through difficult times but also strengthens their faith and trust in God's promises. [01:32:36]
Hebrews 10:23
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."
Reflection: What does clinging to Christ look like in your current situation, and how can you actively pursue this posture of dependence and trust?
Quotes
1) "Jacob's thoughts of God are too low, his estimation of God is too low... if someone has bad biblical theology, if they have too low a view of God and God of my father Isaac... that doesn't mean he isn't knowable." [01:03:44]
2) "Jacob's prayer is that he believes because God is his co-pilot... he's going to tell God what to do here... he's going to force God's hand... God's promises bracket the prayer... but look again and notice the order of all that has happened here." [01:11:23]
3) "Jacob's a man of Faith but his faith is still in himself alongside the Lord... Jacob's dealing with his own theology... Jacob's thoughts of God are too low... he's making sacrifices to Esau, a mere man, a man that Jacob is treating well, he's treating him like a God." [01:16:18]
4) "Jacob has come to rightly orient Jacob's fears away from the world and towards the true and living God... though he hobble me I will hope in him... Jacob has come to know that this man he is wrestling is more than a man." [01:26:49]
5) "Jacob has finally been emptied of himself completely... and now all that he has is god with him... Jacob through faith... has been saved by grace and now he's been given a new name Israel... Jacob's transformation is a model for us." [01:28:17]
6) "Jacob knows he must be justified by God, he must be at peace with God... he has seen God face to face and God has shown him mercy and his life has been delivered... Jacob was delivered from Death because God showed him Mercy." [01:29:42]
7) "We will be delivered from Death because Jesus was delivered from death and that is our hope so cling tight to him... whatever happens cling to him through loss through injury through crippling trials cling to him as long as it takes." [01:32:36]
8) "Lord through Jacob help us to cling to Christ through trials through Joys through adversity through victory may we cling to Christ all of Our Lives Lord by your spirit's power in Us in Jesus name amen." [01:33:34]
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