Date: June 28, 2020
Series: Heroes of Faith
Title: The Faith of Jacob
Preacher: Mark Adams
Scripture: Genesis 32

“If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. The old has gone. The new has come.” —2 Corinthians 5:17

This morning as we finish up our study of the Hall of Faith Heroes in Hebrews 11, we come to an individual who is a perfect example of the way God can change a person.

* “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, AND THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER.”* —Genesis 25:22

“Jacob was the riverboat gambler of the patriarchs, a master of sleight of hand and fancy footwork. For Jacob, the ends always justified the means.” —Max Lucado

Well, how can a trickster and a cheat turn into a faith superhero? The answer is God. Our Creator can re-create anyone – God-empowered change.

“I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac—all peoples on earth will be blessed through you… I will watch over you and bring you back to this land.” —Genesis 28

This second visit by angels was a reminder of God’s promise.

“If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you—leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” —Matthew 5

Jacob knew that before He could give God His life, he had to be reconciled with Esau.

“Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him—that he may come and attack me, the mothers with the children.” —Genesis 32:11

Yes, prayer changes things—but it also CHANGES us—and it did Jacob.

“These animals belong to your servant Jacob. They are a present sent to my lord, Esau. And moreover, he is behind us.” —vs. 18

I want you to note something NEW about Jacob—his humility.

“‘What is your name?’ ‘My name is Jacob’” —vs. 28

“‘Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.’” —vs. 28

God struggles for only one reason—to lead us to Himself—wrestles with us to help us see our need for Him.

What we need in these times is a confrontation with our Master. We need to get close enough to Him so that we can see our sin and confess it. Only then are we forgiven and healed. Only then does our faith begin to grow toward “super-hero status.”

“When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’ And You forgave the guilt of my sin.” —Psalm 32