Transforming Relationships: Healing Through God's Grace

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. **Genesis 27:1-41** - The story of Jacob and Esau's deception and the resulting family estrangement.
2. **Genesis 32:3-6** - Jacob prepares to meet Esau after 20 years of separation.
3. **Genesis 33:1-11** - The reconciliation between Jacob and Esau.

#### Observation Questions
1. What specific actions did Jacob and Rebecca take to deceive Isaac and obtain Esau's blessing? (Genesis 27:1-41)
2. How did Jacob prepare for his meeting with Esau after 20 years of estrangement? (Genesis 32:3-6)
3. Describe the initial interaction between Jacob and Esau when they finally met again. (Genesis 33:1-11)
4. What were some of the bitter roots mentioned in the sermon that affected Jacob and Esau's relationship? [12:07]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How did the deceit and manipulation by Jacob and Rebecca impact the family dynamics and relationships in the long term? (Genesis 27:1-41)
2. What does Jacob's act of sending gifts ahead to Esau signify about his intentions and state of mind? [22:24]
3. How does the story of Jacob wrestling with God reflect his internal struggle and transformation? [28:44]
4. In what ways does the reconciliation between Jacob and Esau demonstrate the power of humility and forgiveness? (Genesis 33:1-11)

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a broken relationship due to deceit or misunderstanding. How did you handle it, and what could you have done differently to seek reconciliation? [09:56]
2. Are there any bitter roots such as unforgiveness, jealousy, or pride in your life that are affecting your relationships? What steps can you take to confront and heal these issues? [12:47]
3. How can you trust in God's guidance and sovereignty when facing uncertain or challenging situations in your relationships? [19:45]
4. Think of a person you have wronged or who has wronged you. What practical steps can you take to seek or offer forgiveness and reconciliation? [33:53]
5. How can you use your gifts and blessings to pave the way for reconciliation and favor in your relationships, similar to how Jacob sent gifts to Esau? [22:24]
6. In what ways can you give yourself permission to walk out of past hurts and into a future defined by God's grace and mercy? [40:22]
7. How can you ensure that your heart's soil is healthy and free from bitter roots, fostering an environment where love and trust can flourish? [13:28]

Day 1: Healing Bitter Roots
Unforgiveness, jealousy, and pride are like weeds in the garden of our hearts, capable of destroying the beauty of our relationships. These bitter roots can be subtle, often going unnoticed until they have caused significant damage. It is essential to identify and confront these destructive elements within ourselves. By acknowledging their presence and seeking divine intervention, we can begin the process of healing. This process is not instantaneous; it requires patience, persistence, and faith in God's ability to restore us. As we allow God to work within us, we create a fertile ground for love and trust to thrive, transforming our relationships into something beautiful and resilient. [07:40]

"Hebrews 12:15 - See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no 'root of bitterness' springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled."

Reflection: What is one bitter root in your life that you need to address, and what steps can you take today to begin uprooting it with God's help?

Day 2: Trusting God's Orchestration
The belief that God is orchestrating our steps is a profound expression of faith, especially when the path ahead is shrouded in uncertainty. Trusting in God's guidance means surrendering control and acknowledging that His wisdom surpasses our own. It is a daily exercise in humility and dependence on the One who sees the end from the beginning. As we walk in obedience, even without all the answers, we can be confident that He is aligning our journey with His divine purpose, working all things for our good. This trust allows us to face the unknown with courage and hope, knowing that we are never alone. [13:28]

"Proverbs 20:24 - A man's steps are from the Lord; how then can man understand his way?"

Reflection: Can you identify an area in your life where you need to relinquish control and trust God's orchestration more fully?

Day 3: Gifts as Pathways to Favor
Our talents and blessings are not just for our benefit; they are tools that God has given us to impact the lives of others and to pave the way for reconciliation. When we use our gifts with intentionality, we can soften hearts and open doors that seemed firmly closed. This principle of sowing into our relationships requires a spirit of generosity and a willingness to invest in others without immediate returns. As we give of ourselves, we align with God's economy, where the currency is love and the dividends are eternal. Our gifts, when offered in humility, can lead to divine appointments and favor that only God can orchestrate. [19:45]

"1 Peter 4:10 - As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."

Reflection: What gift have you been given that you can use this week to sow into a relationship that needs healing or strengthening?

Day 4: Identity Beyond the Past
Our past experiences, especially those marked by brokenness, can often shape our identity and influence our future. However, we are not defined by these moments. We have the responsibility to seek healing and to embrace the new identity that God offers us. This journey of transformation may involve wrestling with God, as Jacob did, but it leads to a place of blessing and a new name. As we engage in this spiritual struggle, we emerge not as victims of our past but as victors in Christ, equipped with a purpose that reflects His glory and grace. [26:54]

"Isaiah 43:18-19 - Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Reflection: What aspect of your past do you need to release in order to step into the new identity God has for you?

Day 5: The Grace of Reconciliation
Reconciliation is a powerful testament to the grace of God. It is the process of restoring broken relationships, which often seems impossible from a human perspective. Yet, through humility and the willingness to forgive and be forgiven, we can witness the mending of what was once shattered. The story of Jacob and Esau's reunion is a vivid illustration of this truth. It reminds us that no relationship is beyond repair when we allow God to intervene. By extending grace to others and ourselves, we participate in the divine work of healing and restoration. [30:42]

"Colossians 3:12-13 - Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."

Reflection: Who do you need to seek reconciliation with, and what is one step you can take today towards that reconciliation in the strength that God provides?

Believe truly, eyes have not seen, ears have not heard what God has in store for those of us that believe.

I'm just curious to know, has Hope City made a difference in your life since you've been here? Amen, amen.

I'm convinced, I'm persuaded that there are so many people who want to be a part of what God is doing here. I'm looking forward to extending our reach and to extend our footprint, if you would, in the Pula area on a weekly basis.

I'm excited, I'm excited, and even more so, I'm excited about preaching this word on today.

We've been in a series called "Relationships Made Simple," and today I want to do a message that's going to—because I have so many verses I'm going to be reading—I have a special charge from you guys on today.

We are a "sit and read your scripture" type church, can I get an amen?

But today, I'm going to ask you to stand to your feet, please, as we read over 22 verses of scripture. I don't need you to go to sleep on me right now as we read over 22 verses of scripture. I don't need you dozing off and getting weary.

As I read the scriptures, I want to read all of these scriptures on today. I believe avoiding reading them all in your hearing would not give you a clear and concise understanding of this story that I'm going to share with you from the word of God.

I'm talking about bitter roots, and with these bitter roots, I'm talking about a family relationship between Isaac and his sons Jacob and Esau. There’s something that their mother told one of the brothers to do—literally manipulating the father—and this manipulation that started in the family caused some bitter roots.

I don't know about you, but somewhere in this story, I believe all of us at one point will find our family dynamic in this story. It may not be the same exact story, but I do believe that you will find your auntie, your uncle, your brother, your sister, you, your mama, your daddy—come on somebody—you will find somebody in this story in your bloodline that you can relate to as it relates to the story on today.

So just a little quick thought in Genesis 27. We're going to encounter a story between Jacob and Esau, twin brothers whose relationship is fractured by deception and betrayal. Jacob, driven by ambition and aided by his mother Rebecca, deceives their father Isaac to obtain the blessing that was intended for the first son, Esau.

This deceitful act creates a deep-seated resentment and animosity between the brothers, leading literally to years of estrangement and brokenness within their family.

Anybody ever had any brokenness in their family? Any estrangement in their family?

Look what the scripture says here in Genesis 27. Endure me, if you would. Genesis 27, verse 1, it says, "When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called for Esau, his older son, and said to him, 'My son.' 'Here I am,' he answered. Isaac said, 'I am now an old man and don't know the day of my death. Now then, get your equipment, your quiver and bow, and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me.'"

He says in verse 4, "Prepare me the kind of tasty food that I like and bring it to me to eat so that I may give you my blessing before I die."

It says in verse 5, "Now Rebecca was listening as Isaac spoke to his son Esau, and when Esau left for the open country to hunt game and bring it back, Rebecca said to her son Jacob, 'Look, I overheard your father say to your brother Esau, 'Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to eat so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the Lord before I die.' Now my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you. Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats so that I can prepare some tasty food for your father just the way he likes it.'"

Verse 10: "Then take it to your father to eat so that he may give you his blessing before he dies."

Jacob said to Rebecca, his mother, "But my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I have smooth skin. What if my father touches me? I would appear to be tricking him," he said. "I would bring down a curse on myself rather than a blessing."

His mother said to him, "My son, let the curse fall on me. Just do what I say; go and get them for me."

So he went and got them and brought them to his mother, and she prepared some tasty food just the way his father liked it.

Then Rebecca took the best clothes of Esau, her older son, which she had in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob. Look at the manipulation, look at the scandal. She wanted him to smell like the brother.

She also covered his hands and the smooth part of his neck with the goat skins. Then she handed to her son Jacob the tasty food and the bread she had made.

He went to his father and said, "My father." "Yes, my son," he answered. "Who is it?" Jacob said to his father, "I am Esau, your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game so that you may give me your blessing."

Isaac asked his son, "How did you find it so quickly, my son?" Look at what he said: "The Lord your God gave me success," he replied.

Doesn't that remind you of people that say, "The Lord told me that God was with me"? Manipulation.

Watch this here. He says, "Come near so that I can touch you, my son, to know whether you are really my son Esau or not," because the father realized something was off.

Jacob went close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, "The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau."

He did not recognize him, for his hands were hairy like those of his brother Esau, so he proceeded to bless him. Almost done.

He said, "Are you really my son Esau?" he asked. "I am," he replied.

Then he said, "Bring me some of your game to eat so that I may give you my blessing." It says Jacob brought it to him, and he ate; and he brought him some wine, and he drank.

Then his father Isaac said to him, "Come here, my son," and he kissed him. It says, "So he went to him and kissed him."

When Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he blessed him. He was literally transferring a generational blessing, and this was prophetic.

At the moment in which he pronounced the blessing upon the son, there was something spiritual taking place that at the point of him doing it, he could not reverse what he was doing.

Look at verse number 32. This is Esau. He returns after doing what his father told him to do. He said, "His father Isaac asked him, 'Who are you?' He says, 'I am your son,' he answered, 'your firstborn Esau.' Isaac trembled violently and said, 'Who was it then that hunted game and brought it to me? I ate it just before you came in, and I blessed him, and indeed he will be blessed.'"

Can I read a few more verses? It says, "When Esau heard his father's word, he burst out with a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, 'Father, bless me too! Give me what you gave him!'"

But he said, "Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing."

Look at verse 41. I fast forward. "Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, 'The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.'"

You can be seated.

This situation, this circumstance Jacob and Esau are dealing with—the root cause of this issue, of this problem, was their mama. The mother overheard a conversation between Esau and the father about to pronounce upon him what rightfully belonged to him, and the mother created a situation whereby her son Jacob was going to manipulate the father and get something from him that belonged to his brother.

I believe just like Jacob and Esau, who were dealing with the problem that came from their mother, many of you today are dealing with an issue, a problem that had nothing to do with you, but it was placed upon you. The idea, the thought, the strategy came from an outside source, and now you find Jacob and Esau about to go through this battle—this 20-year separation, this 20-year estrangement, this 20-year contentious relationship—where Jacob and Esau could not have the intimacy of brothers that they should have had, all because the mother placed an idea into the heart of Jacob.

Just to be clear, I do believe that some of this thought was already in the heart of Jacob, but when his mother came in and backed it up—when his mother came in versus saying, "Hey, don't do this, son. Do right by your brother," she fed into the weaknesses and the idiosyncrasies that were in the heart of her son Jacob.

If you know anything about Jacob and Esau, as I said before, they were twins, and even at the point of their birth, the scripture says while they were in the womb of their mother, they would oftentimes be at war with one another.

It was a prophetic sign, a picture of the nation of Israel's two nations warring in the womb, fighting against one another. It was going to be a picture of the nation of Israel always at battle, always at war with another nation.

You know the story, right? When Esau was about to come out of the womb, what happened? One of the brothers grabbed him by the heel and tricked him. He manipulated the situation, and he came out first, and that is how Jacob got his name.

He was a trickster. He tricked, he manipulated, he schemed for everything that he would achieve.

Listen, there was unforgiveness. Some of their bitter roots were unforgiveness, deception, jealousy, pride, and selfishness. These were the bitter roots that were in their hearts, that were in their minds, that they were later going to have to confront, that they were later going to have to deal with.

I believe some of you right now are going to have to confront even some of your bitter roots. You're going to have to confront some of the things that are choking away at the quality of your life, choking away at the things that God desires for you to do.

Listen, bitter roots poison the soil of relationships, choking out the growth of love and trust and leaving behind a harvest of resentment and discord.

I'm going to say it again: bitter roots poison the soil of relationships. If you don't deal with the bitter roots, it poisons the soil of your relationships.

How many of you know that the soil is more important than the tree itself? Because if the soil is bad, if the atmosphere is bad, it has the potential to destroy even that which is good.

So while we're spending so much time making sure we look good on the outside, we need to make sure the soil of our heart is being dealt with.

Bitter roots poison the soil of relationships, choking out the growth of love and trust and leaving behind a harvest of resentment and discord.

If there's anything I can say to you right now that you should be working on, it will be the soil of your heart.

Stop worrying about how you look on the outside; that has its part to play, but focus more on your heart. One scripture says that the heart is wicked, it's deceitful. He said, "Who can even trust their own heart?"

And that's why the Bible says in one scripture, "Guard your heart, because out of it will flow the issues of life."

Jacob and Esau are dealing with the root that their mama caused.

Here's the second thing: Jacob refused to go further until he fixed this situation.

But let me go back real fast, if you can. I go back. Say yes if you say yes. I was going back anyway.

So after Jacob, after Esau said he was going to kill his brother, his mother overheard that.

Look what it says in verse 42: "When Rebecca was told what her older son Esau had said, she sent for her younger son Jacob and said to him, 'Your brother Esau is planning to avenge himself by killing you.'"

Look at the family problem. You're going to kill your brother? You're about to destroy your own blood?

"Now then, my son, do what I say: flee at once to my brother Laban in Haran. Go to your uncle's house, if you would. Stay with him for a while until your brother's fury subsides."

Has your fury subsided? Are you still mad at your mama? Are you still mad at your daddy? Are you still mad at your spouse? Is your fury, is your rage still there?

She says, "Go until his fury comes down. When your brother is no longer angry with you and forgets what you did to him..."

Are there some things that you could never forget in the sense of, "I can get over it. I won't be offended. I won't walk in the pain of it," but we'll always have remembrance of the things that marked us the most?

She said, "When your brother is no longer angry with you and forgets what you did to him..." You tricked that man out of his birthright. I don't think he's going to forget no time soon.

Come on, you tricked him out of his inheritance. Imagine you got an inheritance, bro, and it was $5.8 million.

Yeah, I know, right? And your brother tricked you out of it, and he runs with the money. Do you think you're going to forgive him?

I mean, about six months, you cool? Are you straight now? No, you still ticked off. Come on, somebody. You plotting his assassination.

Come on, somebody. You plotting how you can get away with assassinating that joker. That's what was going on here.

It said, "Then the Lord said to Jacob, 'Go back to the land of your fathers and your relatives, and I will be with you.'"

Now, it's important for you to understand that in that moment in which God told Jacob to go back 20 years later to his land, you need to understand what happened in that 20 years.

Jacob got married, Esau got married, they both had kids, they built their families, they were building their land, they were both moving forward.

He's at Laban's house, who is his uncle's house, at a point that he's increasing, increasing, and the bands are increasing, and there's a contention beginning to go on.

In the midst of what now has sparked off in this, God said, "Okay, it's time for you now to go home and not just go home, go deal with your past."

Come on, somebody. See, in this story here, all God said was, "Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you."

That was it. It was like God forgot about what happened, what made him leave.

You ever think about this here? That God tells you something, and He doesn't bring up none of the other stuff that's surrounding it?

He's like, "Hey, Jacob, go home."

"God, do you remember what happened when I left home? Do you remember what was going on? My brother said he's going to kill me, and you said just go home. You don't give me no details on what's going to happen when I go home."

So Jacob knows, "Okay, if I go home, my brother is after me. He's going to pay me back for what I did to him."

Is God telling some of you to go back? Is God telling you to go back and fix something? Is God telling you to go back home, go back and deal with that, go back to this, go back to that?

And He's not giving you all the details. He said, "Just go back."

He said, "Just go do it again."

He didn't say, "Go apply for the loan." He said, "Just start writing the book."

He said, "He doesn't give you the details."

He'll tell you about, "I know you were born on the wrong side of the track. I know you don't have enough money in the bank, but go apply for the loan. Still go look for the new house."

God, don't you know I don't have everything that's necessary to get what you're telling me to go do?

Why? God said, "I'm not equating none of that in what I'm telling you to do."

Come on, somebody.

See, you're sitting there trying to figure out, "Well, if I got this and I add that here and I can ask my mama's name, I get five from my daddy."

You're trying to figure out how to work the whole thing out.

Listen, God's thoughts are not like your thoughts. God's ways are not like your ways. They're so much higher, they're so much wider.

You never figure your life out trying to use your calculator, trying to use your mind. God's already in front of you. He's already higher than you, and He sees what's before you. He sees what's behind you, and He's working it all out for your good.

Come on, somebody.

Imagine that. Imagine you are right here. God's already in your future.

Now, we serve a good God who can be very much in your presence and equally in your future. He's already over there. He knows what you need to do.

He's just saying, "Hey, follow me. Listen to me. I'm going to tell you when to go left, when to go right, when to stay still, when to shut your mouth, when to speak up."

Even when your flesh wants to say something, some of us talked our way out of what God was trying to do because you didn't know where to.

God said, "Shut your mouth. Don't say nothing."

"No, I ain't going to let nobody tell me what to do."

I got to—God said, "You're messing up the miracle. You're messing up the plan. You're messing up the strategy."

This is good. This is good.

Even if you don't say it's good, you want to know why this is so good to me? Because I put myself in the story, and I try to see my way out how God's working things out for me.

Sir, I'll do my best. I'll do my best.

Watch this here.

Okay, number three. Here's a thought here: your gift will make room for you.

I read this. I've been saved since February of '97, y'all. I read this story about Jacob and his brothers. I can't even count how many times I never—Pastor Carel understood this chapter 32:3-6 the way I understand it now.

Why? Jacob sent messengers. When Jacob was about to go home, before Jacob went home, guess what he did, y'all? He sent somebody ahead of him talking about a strategy.

Jacob said, "Before I even go home, let me have somebody go check out my brother and see what his attitude is like, see how he's acting."

Put your finger on this post and get a sense of how he's feeling right now.

Look what the scripture says in Genesis 32:3. "Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. He instructed them, 'This is what you are to say to my lord Esau: Your servant Jacob says, 'I have been staying with Laban and have remained there until now. Twenty years. I have cattle, I have donkeys, I have sheep, and I have goats, male and female servants. Now I am sending this message to my lord that I may find favor.'"

Somebody shout favor!

"That I may find favor in your eyes."

Talking about humility.

You done tricked your brother out of his stuff, gone for 20 years, probably got interest on everything that you got because you got his stuff, and now you're asking him to give you some favor.

He said, "When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said, 'We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you, and 400 of his men are coming with him.'"

Jacob's like, "Uh-oh, got to get out of here, y'all. Uh-uh, this ain't what I was expecting."

What's going on here?

Jacob is afraid now because in Jacob's mind, you're sending these 400 men here to attack me.

But he doesn't realize God has another plan. God's already been talking to Esau. God has already been dealing with Esau's heart.

Come on, somebody.

See, this is the reason why God did not equate—when He said, "Jacob, go home," why He didn't even talk about the problem?

Why? Because I've already worked that out.

Come on, somebody.

You keep talking about your problem, and God said, "I've already worked that out. I've already solved that. You're walking in fear, and I've already dealt with that."

Come on, somebody.

When I went to the bank the last time and they denied me, God worked that out.

Come on, somebody.

I tried to get a house three years ago, and I got rejected. That was then. God worked that out.

Ah, y'all, this message is personal to me right now because I know God has worked some stuff out for me.

He went before me. He made crooked places straight. He broke high places down.

I don't care what you did. I don't care what you've been through. You could have been locked up in prison for 20 years.

When God's hand is on you, nothing can stop what God wants to do in you and through you.

If you believe that, give God a praise.

Watch this here.

He said, "Y'all sit down. Y'all making me nervous."

Watch this here.

He said, "400 men are with him."

Drop down to verse 17. He instructed—now, I just love this here, y'all.

He did this about two or three times. It said he instructed the one in the lead. He said, "When my brother Esau meets you and asks, 'Who do you belong to, and where are you going, and who owns all these animals in front of you?' then you are to say, 'They belong to your servant Jacob.'"

Look at the humility.

"They are a gift sent to my lord Esau, and he is coming behind us."

Now, get the picture here.

Esau stayed back for two reasons. One, he stayed back for a spiritual reason. He stayed back to stay in prayer and to get along with God and to talk with God and say, "God, I don't know what you're sending me to. My brother's going to kill me."

So he stayed back for that reason.

I also say I'll add a third one: he also stayed back because he was a little scared.

Come on, somebody.

He was a little—he got a little fear in his heart, so he stayed back for that.

But another practical reason that he stayed back was because he wanted to send some stuff ahead of him.

He wanted his gift to make room for him.

And it says here, "You are to say the same thing to Esau when you meet him, and be sure to say to your servant Jacob is coming behind us, for he thought..."

Watch this here.

"For he thought, 'I would pacify him with these gifts that I am sending on ahead. Later, when I see him, perhaps he will receive me.'"

So Jacob's gifts went on ahead of him, but he himself spent the night in the camp.

I believe for some of y'all, y'all need to send a gift ahead of you.

Oh yeah, I ain't saying give it to me, but you need to send a gift ahead of you.

There are some doors and some places and some things you're trying to get access to. Sometimes you need to send a gift.

It's spiritual. The gift is going ahead of you.

It is opening doors. It's giving you favor with somebody.

I'm going to share half a story. I can't give the details of the story right now because it's still in action right now, but I remember almost a year and a half ago, I started something where I sent somebody something, and it's still in process right now.

But I sent them something a year and a half ago, almost two years ago. I was sowing a seed because I knew I would need something from them.

Fast forward into the future, I reached out to them about three weeks ago in need of a particular thing.

Oh, they said, "Hey, you can have anything that you want."

Come on, somebody.

Your gift will make room for you.

It will prepare the hearts. It will weaken the hearts of those—see, the best time to give a gift is sometimes to your enemy.

I remember when God told me to do this for them, and I was like, "God, do you know what they did to me? God, do you know what they said to me? And you're telling me to pay for the whole trip? Pay for their..."

What did He say? "Cory, pay for it."

God has a way of silencing people and silencing and weakening the hands of your enemy.

Here's the fourth thing I saw in this story here: many of us are wrestling between who we have become and who we're supposed to be.

So when Jacob stayed back that night and he stayed back in that land, the scripture tells us he found himself in the presence of God, and he was wrestling with what appeared to be a theophany—a physical manifestation of an angel.

He was wrestling with this angel, and look what the scripture says.

Jacob looked up, Genesis 33:1-4, I think that's the one I want here.

Uh, that what I want? No, I want that Genesis 32, verse 22.

It said, "That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, watch this here, y'all, he sent over all his possessions."

So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.

Talking about the presence of God showing up for real.

It says, "When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man."

Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak."

But Jacob said, "I will not let you go until you bless me."

Some of y'all need to get in a wrestle with God. You need to get in a wrestling match with God so much so that God, "I ain't going to let you go until you answer me. I ain't going to let you go until you bless me."

Y'all, watch this here.

Jacob wrestled so much with God that night, so much so that the angel was like, "Let me go. I got to get out of here."

And Jacob would not let go, so much so that the angel hit him on the hip to hurt his hip.

And I don't know about y'all, but I ain't never had no hip thrown out of place, but I heard it don't feel good.

If that was me and my hip was thrown out, I'd let go.

Jacob did not do that. Jacob made his grip tighter. Jacob made his fight stronger.

Jacob said, "I will not let you go."

Some of you are in situations, and you're letting go, but you got to get to the point, "I don't care how bad it is, how much the pain is. God, I will not let you go until you bless me."

And the reason why some of you are letting go is because you're not wrestling with God; you're wrestling with your past.

You're wrestling with your secrets.

But if you can learn how to stop wrestling with your past, stop wrestling with your secrets, and get into the presence of God and wrestle with God, He'll deal with your past, and He'll deal with your secrets.

Come on, somebody.

Woo, glory to God!

God will deal with the past. God will deal with the secrets.

You just need to get into the presence of God.

He got there so much so that He said, "What is your name?"

He said, "My name is Jacob."

He said, "Your name will no longer be called Jacob; you are going to be called Israel."

You got to get to a point where the fight you got in this season changes your whole name.

It changes your identity. It changes who they see you are, what they think about you.

Ah, let me hasten because my clock says I got to stop.

Ah, this is good, y'all. I don't care what y'all say up in this Baptist church on this morning.

This is good.

If I had an organ right now, I think I could go.

Don't try nothing slick because you see like you'll go there.

H, don't hold me to that.

Okay, here's one more thing.

I don't like the devil. I hate the devil because he wants to leave bitter roots in the lives of people and cause them not to enjoy the fullness of what God has for them.

But I'm telling you today, we are digging up every bitter root in your life that's holding you back from walking in all that God has for you.

Here's the last point here, number five: insist on being a blessing.

Yes, sir. Insist on being a blessing.

I never saw this, Pastor.

Look, oh God, God is so good.

Oh, I just love the word, y'all. It's like honey from the honeycomb.

I pray y'all get to a point where the word of God becomes like food to you, and you enjoy it as much as you like being on Facebook, as much as you like being on Twitter.

Come on, somebody.

You talking about the Days of Our Lives as the world turns?

It's some stories in this book right here that the Days of Our Lives as the world turns.

Come on, somebody.

Some of y'all say "Knots Landing."

Come on, somebody.

Went way back. You know that's when the stories were good.

J.R. Come on, I used to love J.R.

Come on, somebody.

J.R. was the man.

Insist on being the blessing.

It says in chapter 33, verse 1, "Jacob looked up, and there was Esau coming with his 400 men."

So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two female servants.

He put the female servants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph in the rear.

He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground.

So his family is here. He goes ahead of them and bows down and begins to worship towards his brother to try to weaken whatever was going to come his way.

And the scripture says in verse 4, "But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him and threw his arms around his neck and kissed him, and they began to weep."

I'm telling you, some of you are about to move into a season of restoration and reconciliation, and what you thought was going to be hard is going to be much easier than you thought.

Why? Because the battle is not yours; the battle belongs to the Lord.

And what you're trying to work out, God's already figured it out, and He's worked it out as well.

Somebody give God a praise!

Woo!

Don't let your mind tell you that it's over.

Don't let your mind tell you that you're going to die.

Don't let your mind tell you that you're not—listen, victory is mine!

Victory is mine!

Victory today is yours!

I told Satan, "Get thee behind me!"

Y'all think y'all shouting right now?

I'm going to really give y'all something to shout about here in just one second.

Stay on your feet.

Watch this here.

Genesis 33:8.

I ain't say y'all who was sitting down could have stayed down.

I'm talking about the ones who were already standing up.

Esau asked, "What’s the meaning of all these flocks and these herds I met?"

He says, "So that I might find favor in your eyes, my lord."

Come on, somebody.

He said, "But Esau said, 'I already have plenty, my brother.'"

In other words, I know you thought 20 years ago when Daddy put his hands on you, you got everything, but even though Daddy put his hands on you and gave you the blessing, God still looked out for me.

God still worked out for me.

Come on, somebody.

Come on, my God!

I know you got that blessing, but what belongs to me, it belongs to me.

Come on, somebody.

What God has for me—my God!

Oh my goodness!

Watch us here, y'all.

We ain't even seen the good part yet, y'all.

Watch us here.

He said, "I already have plenty, my brother."

He said, "Keep what you have for yourself."

But look at Jacob.

He insists on being a blessing, and look at the reason why he insisted on being a blessing.

He said, "No, please," said Jacob.

He said, "If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me, for to see your face is like seeing the face of God now that you have received me favorably."

Because Jacob was already afraid that this relationship is about to even go down.

You're about to fulfill what you said 20 years ago: you're about to kill me.

And the mere fact I'm standing face to face with you right now, ain't nobody but God did this.

Some of you are about to have a "nobody but God did this" type of moment here.

He says this here: "Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me, and I have all I need."

I got what I need.

You got what you need.

This ain't about stuff; this is about a relationship.

This is about restoration.

I don't care about the stuff right now; I care about our relationship.

I care about—come on, somebody.

And it says, "And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it."

Somebody say, "Pastor Cory, say again."

Say, "Pastor Cory, what else can you really say after that?"

Let me give you three things to remember.

Let me give you three things to remember to simplify your relationships.

Number one: don't let past issues ruin our current relationships.

Esau said, "I'm not going to let a past issue ruin our current relationship."

I don't know who I'm talking to right now.

Don't let it ruin what God's trying to do.

Don't let what they did and don't let what they said ruin your good thing that God is trying to do right now.

Here's the second thing: this is not something your parents can fix.

You got to fix this here.

Your mama may have done it, your daddy may have done it, your ex-wife may have done it, your ex-husband may have done it, but hey, hey, they can't fix this here.

You're going to have to fix this one right here yourself.

Here's the third one, and it's going to turn us into a Pentecostal church for a few minutes here: don't let the past issues ruin your current relationships.

This is not something your parents can fix.

You got to fix this here.

And watch us here: you may not be responsible for your brokenness, but you are responsible for your healing.

Woo!

You may not be responsible for what broke you, but you are responsible for what heals you.

Come on, somebody!

And here's the good news, here's the good news: God has an offering on the table, and the offering is Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 53 says, "He was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities, and the chastisement of our peace was placed upon him, and by his stripes you are healed."

Somebody give God a praise in this place today!

Give yourself permission.

Give yourself permission to walk out of what was so you can walk into what will be.

Give yourself permission to walk out of the hurt, to walk out of the pain, to walk out of the disappointment.

Walk out of what was so you can walk in what's about to be.

Acknowledge the hurt. Acknowledge the pain. Acknowledge the disappointment.

Acknowledge the deception. Acknowledge the abuse.

Acknowledge it hurt me. I didn't like that. I didn't like it went that way.

But now give yourself permission to let it go.

Give yourself permission to let it go.

Take the power from the pain.

Take the power from the pain.

That's not denying that that did not hurt you, that they were wrong, but take the power from the pain.

Don't let the pain determine how you feel today.

Take the power from what your daddy didn't do.

Take the power from what your mama didn't do.

Take the power from the pain, and you determine how you're going to respond.

You determine how you're going to act.

It doesn't mean you forgot what they did to you.

It doesn't mean you’re going to let them back into your life.

It does mean I'm not going to be in my future acting like somebody who's broke.

Come on, somebody!

I'm not going into my future broke.

I'm not going into my future wounded.

I'm not going—yes, that hurt me, yes, but I'm not going into my future looking like that.

I'm not going into my future looking like what I've been through.

I'm not going into my future looking like what hurt me.

Why?

Behold, I'm going to do a new thing.

Shall you not know it?

Let's give God a praise for His word!

- "Bitter roots poison the soil of relationships, choking out the growth of love and trust, leaving behind a harvest of resentment and discouragement." [13:28](Download | Crop For Social Media)

- "God's thoughts are not like your thoughts. God's ways are not like your ways. They're so much higher, they're so much wider." [19:45](Download | Crop For Social Media)

- "Your gift will make room for you... Jacob sent messengers ahead to Esau... he wanted his gift to make room for him." [26:54](Download | Crop For Social Media)

- "You may not be responsible for what broke you, but you are responsible for what heals you." [39:36](Download | Download Cropped Video)

- "Give yourself permission to walk out of what was, so you can walk into what will be." [40:22](Download | Crop For Social Media)

- "Take the power from the pain. Don't let the pain determine how you feel today." [41:00](Download | Crop For Social Media)

- "Insist on being a blessing... Jacob insisted on being a blessing... to see your face is like seeing the face of God." [36:39](Download | Crop For Social Media)

- "Don't let past issues ruin your current relationships... don't let what they did and don't let what they said ruin your good thing that God's trying to do right now." [38:10](Download | Crop For Social Media)

- "Reconciliation and what you thought was going to be hard is going to be much easier than you thought. The battle is not yours; it belongs to the Lord." [34:34](Download | Crop For Social Media)

- "You got to get to a point where the fight you got in this season changes your whole name, it changes your identity." [31:15](Download | Download Cropped Video)