The Night Wrestler
Sermon Notes
Every time Jesus shows up, something CHANGES.
[Genesis 32:24] This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break.
God meets us in our EXPOSURE, not our COMPOSURE.
[Genesis 32:25] When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob's hip and wrenched it out of its socket.
The struggle isn’t punishment, it’s TRANSFORMATION.
God may WOUND what we are depending on instead of Him.
[Genesis 32:26] Then the man said, "Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!" But Jacob said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."
Faith is the REFUSAL to let go.
[Genesis 32:27-28] "What is your name?" the man asked. He replied, "Jacob." [28] "Your name will no longer be Jacob," the man told him. "From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won."
God takes the OLD you and makes a NEW you.
[Genesis 32:30] Jacob named the place Peniel (which means "face of God"), for he said, "I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared."
[Hosea 12:3-5] Even in the womb, Jacob struggled with his brother; when he became a man, he even fought with God. [4] Yes, he wrestled with the angel and won. He wept and pleaded for a blessing from him. There at Bethel he met God face to face, and God spoke to him -- [5] the LORD God of Heaven's Armies, the LORD is his name!
Your wound does not DISQUALIFY you; it EXPLAINS you.
[Genesis 32:31] The sun was rising as Jacob left Peniel, and he was limping because of the injury to his hip.
Before Jesus saves us from SIN, He meet us in the STRUGGLE
Discussion Questions
Icebreaker: Have you ever been in a fight?
Read Gen 32:24-28 & discuss what stands out.
Share about time you had a hard time sleeping because something was weighing on you?
Tell about a time you felt you were wrestling with God
What area do you need to cling to God for this week?
Is there anything this group can pray for?