“BE IN IT TO WIN IT!”
Genesis 32:22-31
INTRODUCTION
The Lord is in the blessing business. It is His character to bless us. (Of course, we, in turn, should bless others.) Nonetheless, there is a tendency for some believers to twist the intent and integrity of God’s blessings: If you do “x,” then God will do “y.” God’s blessings should not be likened to a lottery ticket, a magic trick, or a dog and pony show.
God’s 2020 is loaded with blessings for you, too numerable to count! But life is not a lottery. You must do your part. God gave the Israelites the land, but the giants in the land had to be defeated. God gave Joshua the victory at Jericho, but Joshua fought thirteen battles and encountered 31 kings. God gave us His only Son, but His Son had to suffer. Blessings cost.
God’s salvation cannot be earned. Similarly, God’s blessings cannot be earned either. It is true: if you are in Christ, then every blessing belongs to you! (Ephesians 1:3) BUT, blessings, particularly a Scripturally blessed life, require consistent obedience and effort. Oftentimes, blessings even require fighting, and the fighting could result in a wound or two. Let’s ask Jacob.
THE FIRST QUARTER: HOW TO LOSE. vv. 21-23
- Jacob was a grabber, liar, supplanter, deceiver and manipulator. Genesis 27: 34-40
- He cheated his brother; deceived his blind father while his father was on his deathbed; and he slyly outwitted his unscrupulous uncle.
- Jacob was nocturnal. He moved at night. 13, 21, 22, and 24
- He tried to buy his way back into right standing with his brother (after he hosed his brother – big time)!
THE SECOND QUARTER: HOW TO BECOME A WINNER. vv. 23, 24, 26, 27
- Learn how to be alone. Luke 5:16
- Learn how to empty yourself of yourself. (Jabbok means to empty itself.) Galatians 2:20
- Learn the value of a blessing.
- Learn your current name.
- Learn how God wants to bless (you) in spite of your “inner mess.”
THE THIRD QUARTER: HOW TO WIN. vv. 25-29
- Fight with the will to win, complete with bravado and bravery.
- Keep fighting after most folk would have quit.
- When you are too hurt to fight, then hang on until the blessing/deliverance /breakthrough happens.
- When the sun came up, the darkness was gone – and so was Jacob! Only Israel was present! When your new day dawns, let go of your yesterdays.
- Acknowledge your real Blessor! James 1:17; I Chronicles 29:14
THE FOURTH QUARTER: HOW TO LIVE AFTER YOUR WIN. vv. 30, 31
- By God’s grace, your last day of failure through power is your first day of success through weakness.
- In God, your weakness can birth God’s strength; your defeat can bring God’s victory; and your ending can breathe God’s beginning.
- When God masterminds and “miracle-izes” what you manipulated, walk away from that mess.
- Celebrate: your limp represents God’s blessing!
- Choose the blessings of light over the curses of darkness.
Source: Double Blessing by Mark Batterson; The Book of Genesis by Victor Hamilton; and Genesis by R. Kent Hughes
If you would like the PDF Version of the sermon notes, click HERE.
If you would like the Word Version of the sermon notes, click HERE.
© 2019 Caldwell Ministries, Inc.
All rights reserved – No production of this material is permitted without expressed written permission of CMI.
