Called to confess Jesus, serve Him and live for Him

Sunday 30th August 2020

Called to confess Jesus, serve Him and live for Him

Readings of the day

Isaiah 51:1-6

1“Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness
and who seek the Lord:
Look to the rock from which you were cut
and to the quarry from which you were hewn;
2 look to Abraham, your father,
and to Sarah, who gave you birth.
When I called him he was only one man,
and I blessed him and made him many.
3 The Lord will surely comfort Zion
and will look with compassion on all her ruins;
he will make her deserts like Eden,
her wastelands like the garden of the Lord.
Joy and gladness will be found in her,
thanksgiving and the sound of singing.
4 “Listen to me, my people;
hear me, my nation:
Instruction will go out from me;
my justice will become a light to the nations.
5 My righteousness draws near speedily,
my salvation is on the way,
and my arm will bring justice to the nations.
The islands will look to me
and wait in hope for my arm.

Psalm 136

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.

4 to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
5 who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
6 who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
7 who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.
8 the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
9 the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.


10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt
His love endures forever.
11 and brought Israel out from among them
His love endures forever.
12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
His love endures forever.

13 to him who divided the Red Sea[a] asunder
His love endures forever.
14 and brought Israel through the midst of it,
His love endures forever.
15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;
His love endures forever.

16 to him who led his people through the wilderness;
His love endures forever.

17 to him who struck down great kings,
His love endures forever.
18 and killed mighty kings—
His love endures forever.
19 Sihon king of the Amorites
His love endures forever.
20 and Og king of Bashan—
His love endures forever.
21 and gave their land as an inheritance,
His love endures forever.
22 an inheritance to his servant Israel.
His love endures forever.

23 He remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
24 and freed us from our enemies.
His love endures forever.
25 He gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.

Romans 12 

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Matthew 16:13-28

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter,[b] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[c] will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be[d] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[e] loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life[f] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.  28 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Talk

Called to Confess Jesus, Live for and Serve Him

 Introduction Too often the Church is considered to be a cruise ship with a crew who look after the needs of the passengers and see they have 'a good time'. The better picture is that the Church is like a naval or, merchant or cargo ship where each person has responsibilities to fulfill for the needs and progress of the whole ship so it fulfills its aims and reaches its goals. The only exceptions are those in the sick bay and the church does need to see that there is the need for space for those who need TLC and the space to rest and be refreshed according to their needs. 

1. Called - Matthew 16:13-28 I have taken last weeks as well as this weeks readings from Matthew for completeness sake but only want to look at this passage summarily as we have covered some of this ground recently 

1. Confessing - vv 13-20 The key question is - who is Jesus? Answer - the Messiah i.e. The true King of God's people and the whole created order 

2. Accepting - vv 21-23 Jesus' establishing of the Kingdom is not through political means or revolt against the regime but through self-sacrifice for sin on the cross, resurrection for the conquering of death, and ascension for his ascendancy to the throne where he is seated at the right of the Father. 

3. Following - vv 24-28 As I have said before, the way Jesus addresses this would have been difficult for those present to make sense of as people carrying a cross were sentenced to death but, Jesus says what he has to say whether understood, at the time, or not. It would be understood later, as it is today - hopefully, and we pick up the theme in what Paul writes. 

2. Living & Serving - Romans 12:1-8

 1. Given - v 1-2 [12:1] 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. [2] Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

I think that many cultures are familiar, or were familiar with, sacrifices but the term 'living sacrifice' jars as sacrifices were usually dead! What's more, I think Paul may have intended that so folk would sit up and listen. What he is saying ties in with the phrase of Jesus, 'take up your cross and follow me'. Paul, in the footsteps of Jesus is saying that 100% commitment is the deal. Also, this is true worship - think about that. Worship that is 100% 24 / 7! 

Jesus gave that command because he is the ultimate and supreme sacrifice, given by God, once and for all and therein is God's mercy - we who receive have been have been freed from death. 

From there, and this looks at the same concepts as Romans 8:1ff, is the whole idea that we don't conform to the ideas and ideals of this world but with our minds being transformed and renewed, we conform to the will of God. So, I say it yet again 'Your will be done . . . .' It is so simple yet so difficult because . . . . I need say no more! 

To know and grow in the will and mind of God we have to engage with Him through reading the word, seeking him and living in trust. I encourage that for us all. Then Paul gives a reminder: 

2. Humble - v 3 [3]

 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 

Is he sort of saying, 'don't be holier than thou'? We live in a world filled with arrogance, pride, stubbornness and the like but we have just thought we don't conform to this world and these words I just used sum up some of the attitudes we are to de-conform from or better, be transformed from. Humble - it can bring up a sense self-debasing - but it is not that. 

In Philippians 2:5-11 Paul writes about how Jesus humbled himself by not claiming his 'rights' but laying them aside for the cross which he went to for us. 

I am going to read it: [5] In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; [7] rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. [8] And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! [9] Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

Have the same 'mindset / attitude'.It also resonates with verses 1 & 2 from Romans 12 which we have just looked at. I think it is amazing how much and how many of these concepts hang together, intertwine and overlap. Jesus / Peter / Paul - but then, it is a whole and not people's fancy ideas or philosophies etc. Paul moves on and we will too: 

3. Integrated - vv 4-5

[4] For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, [5] so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 

He has been talking about individual who form a whole corporate people and now he spells it out - as our human bodies are complex yet function as a united whole (sickness of course creates problems), in a similar way, the body of Christ should also function as a united whole! 

When it doesn't, say no more, it is actually a sign of something being wrong. How much do we actually see ourselves as belonging to all the others who are in Christ? Tough one that, especially when we take it locally and further afield. 

4. Contributing - vv 6-8 

[6] We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.

 If your gift is prophesying, 

then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 

[7] if it is serving, then serve;

 if it is teaching, then teach; 

[8] if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; 

if it is giving, then give generously; 

if it is to lead, do it diligently; 

if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

 Just a few observations and in no particular order: 

• 1 Corinthians 12:12-20 and Ephesians 4:1-16 are expansions of the same ideas as in vv 4-8 

• That suggests that there is no exhaustive list of the gifts for service and ministry.

• There are other complementary passages as well as these

• In looking at them we do well to consider, how we contribute and what is neglected.

• There are times when we need some gifts more than

• There are some which should never be neglected. 

• These are not really about how the church runs as an organisation, rather'

• They are the blocks for building the church, building up the people of God, so they are the Church.

 Back to vv 3 & 4, your body is most useful and functions best when it is in harmony with each part of the whole otherwise, chaos or worse!

 • 1 Corinthians 12 (plus chapters 13-14) and Ephesians 4 really spell out how each person functions individually as part of the whole so that God's people are maturing in love, faith and hope.

 • From there, they go out and draw others in and lead them to Christ so the people of God grows in other ways. 

Conclusion All this bears reflection under these unusual and changing circumstance. 

How when we are not meeting in the more usual way can we do this now?

 How can we do these sort of things for the better when we are? 

Given there may be no fast solution, hopefully meeting under changed circumstances when practical, what more can we do now and then? 

I would encourage prayer. 

Prayer that what we are in does not stop the people of God being that, rob us of effectiveness in ministry and outreach, but that we grow and develop and as the church has to do in all sorts of challenging circumstances, find fresh ways of functioning.

 I would also encourage talking and exploring fresh ideas even if they aren't feasible or feasible yet.

 Finally, we are under the sovereignty of God and the victory of the cross. So, we seek His way forward. We recall and rejoice in that we are a called people, called to confess, called to follow and called serve. Let's just do it!

I will gather you...

Dear brothers and sisters, tonight, those words by the prophet Isaiah 43: 5 to 7 came to me and wouldn't go, and all i knew is that they were in the Old Testament so I looked for them. I then thought that for my benefit and maybe yours, i might as well read the whole chapter so here it is! 😂

The verses that came to me as I was calling on Jesus for help are these: Isaiah 43: 5 to 7. 

Israel’s Only Savior

1But now, this is what the Lord says—

he who created you, Jacob,

he who formed you, Israel:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

2When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.

3For I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

I give Egypt for your ransom,

Cush ^a and Seba in your stead.

4Since you are precious and honored in my sight,

and because I love you,

I will give people in exchange for you,

nations in exchange for your life.

5Do not be afraid, for I am with you;

I will bring your children from the east

and gather you from the west.

6I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’

and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’

Bring my sons from afar

and my daughters from the ends of the earth—

7everyone who is called by my name,

whom I created for my glory,

whom I formed and made.”

8Lead out those who have eyes but are blind,

who have ears but are deaf.

9All the nations gather together

and the peoples assemble.

Which of their gods foretold this

and proclaimed to us the former things?

Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right,

so that others may hear and say, “It is true.”

10“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,

“and my servant whom I have chosen,

so that you may know and believe me

and understand that I am he.

Before me no god was formed,

nor will there be one after me.

11I, even I, am the Lord,

and apart from me there is no savior.

12I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—

I, and not some foreign god among you.

You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God.

13Yes, and from ancient days I am he.

No one can deliver out of my hand.

When I act, who can reverse it?”

God’s Mercy and Israel’s Unfaithfulness

14This is what the Lord says—

your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:

“For your sake I will send to Babylon

and bring down as fugitives all the Babylonians, ^b

in the ships in which they took pride.

15I am the Lord, your Holy One,

Israel’s Creator, your King.”

16This is what the Lord says—

he who made a way through the sea,

a path through the mighty waters,

17who drew out the chariots and horses,

the army and reinforcements together,

and they lay there, never to rise again,

extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:

18“Forget the former things;

do not dwell on the past.

19See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness

and streams in the wasteland.

20The wild animals honor me,

the jackals and the owls,

because I provide water in the wilderness

and streams in the wasteland,

to give drink to my people, my chosen,

21the people I formed for myself

that they may proclaim my praise.

22“Yet you have not called on me, Jacob,

you have not wearied yourselves for ^c me, Israel.

23You have not brought me sheep for burnt offerings,

nor honored me with your sacrifices.

I have not burdened you with grain offerings

nor wearied you with demands for incense.

24You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me,

or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices.

But you have burdened me with your sins

and wearied me with your offenses.

25“I, even I, am he who blots out

your transgressions, for my own sake,

and remembers your sins no more.

26Review the past for me,

let us argue the matter together;

state the case for your innocence.

27Your first father sinned;

those I sent to teach you rebelled against me.

28So I disgraced the dignitaries of your temple;

I consigned Jacob to destruction ^d

and Israel to scorn.

I hope my friends that you are well wherever you are and keeping safe in those difficult times. Be encouraged, knowing that He, our God,  who called you and me will look after you (us) and bless you (us) and your (our) loved ones. In the name of Jesus. Amen

A cross-reference

1 Samuel 2:9
He guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness; for by his own strength shall no man prevail.

As it is!

As it is - Luke 9:28-36 & 2 Peter 1:16=21

Introduction

Last week in looking at Jacob and then at what Paul and Peter say about life in the Spirit we were looking at it 'As it is' maybe warts and all!

Today we go up a  mountain, hiking boots on, and witness the record of an event that was key. It comes a few days after the difficult 'as it is' who do people say I am, who do you say I am - the Messiah - good, you have it but I have a surprise - I am going to suffer, die and rise again all over the space of three days.

Their heads must have been reeling. Jesus knew this and so allowed the close inner three, Peter, John and James to join him in something they had to keep quiet about till the right time - his Transfiguration accompanied by the affirming and commanding voice of His Father!

Later on Peter refers to this directly in one of his letters, John uses it pointedly and strategically in the opening of his gospel, 'We beheld his glory'.

Are their events in your walk with Jesus which you have to mention and talk about? Matters that have left a deep and lasting impression on you and maybe which you hold onto when times are tough.

1.  Seeing it as it is - Luke 9:28-36

Jesus in the glory of eternity just for a few moments. Two smile issues:

•   his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning

1.   They didn't have Daz! As long as I can remember Daz ads have been telling us, 'now even whiter' and that must be over 50 years! I hate to think what whites were like back then to keep getting whiter!

2.   How did spluttering Peter, sorry, know, it was Moses and Elijah?

All sorts of ideas but simplest, Jesus gave them both a high five and said, 'Hi Moses, Hi Elijah

- ages since I've seen you'!

It's also a first for Moses, his feet are now placed in the promised land which previously he had only seen from afar, Deuteronomy 34:4

[4] Then the LORD said to him, “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.' I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it.”

Jesus confessed,  Matthew 5:17

[17] “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to

abolish them but to fulfil them.

Here is Moses, not only the law deliverer, but a prophet as well, along with Elijah the supreme prophetic figure. They are affirming Jesus, what he has done - no doubt, as well as what was coming in Jerusalem (v 31) which was such a trauma for the 12. This then is clearly for Jesus but also for the benefit of the three and later others (v 36). I think it also

demonstrates his relationship with the law and the prophets which the whole Christ event is

fulfilling

The big confirmation is through the affirming words of the Father, v 35

A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”

Straightforward.

This is a voice to us too and we need to listen therefore, to what Jesus says and respond - Matthew 7:24-25,

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

Do you really know what it can mean when you say you are between a rock and a hard place?

The rock - the words of Jesus that support and guide; the hard place - the certain sovereignty of God over all things! Live between the two!!!

From there let us seek 5o see and know some of the glory of the Lord.

2.  Saying it as it is - 2 Peter 1:16-21

Some say, it's all made up / it's been translated so many times it will have changed etc, etc, ad nauseum!

Just for starters, and right where have just been, you would not make the lead speaker, Peter, look like a twit, Luke 9:33

Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one

for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)

You wouldn't make it up, and all the rest, or turn it into that, with all the rest! It wouldn't make sense and what we have makes perfect sense.

Peter's own testimony, in his letter, is this, 2 Peter 1:16

For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you abou t the coming of our

Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

It's not a load of porkies but the truth - we are saying it as it is and as we saw it and heard it

- vv 17-18!

What he goes on to say echoes something Paul says, " Tim 3:16,

All scripture is God breathed.

This is how he says it, 2 Peter 1:20-21

[20] Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation of things. [21] For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

People want to knock this sacred book, kick it into touch, discredit it and the like: it's full of contradictions - no, the opposite. Yes, there are tough bits but the majority sits very comfortably together and tells a complete message which is still working through!

Conclusion

The word of  God is pictured as a rock, a light, bread and dozens of other things too.

It is reported that an American professor of literature who was an avid atheist decided, on her own choice, to read the gospels. She had Christian friends she respected but who never preached at her.

She was shattered and stated that the gospels are not fiction, stories or made but eyewitness accounts. She is now a believer!

No other account makes anything like the consistent claims of scripture. Jacob, I saw God and he called the place Peniel, face of God! In the NT God was here with his feet on the ground.

The Holy Spirit has replaced Jesus and we are His dwelling here and now to serve him, show his love and speak of the salvation he accomplished and imparts.

The glory is, or should be, still being seen and shown through us and we should tell it, what we have seen, as it is!

Wrestling in the arena of life!

Readings & Notes from 2nd August 2020 

Galatians 5:13-26 

[13]  You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. [14] For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” [15] If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. [16] So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. [17] For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. [18] But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. [19] The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; [20] idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions [21] and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. [24] Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. [25] Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. [26] Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. 

2 Peter 1:1-15

 [2Pe 1:1] Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: [2] Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. [3] His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. [4] Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. [5] For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; [6] and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; [7] and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. [8] For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] But whoever does not have them is near-sighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. [10] Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, [11] and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. [12] So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. [13] I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, [14] because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. [15] And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.

 Genesis 32:22-32

 [22] 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. [23] After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. [24] So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. [25] 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. [26] Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” [27] The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. [28] Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” [29] Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there. [30] So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” [31] The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip. [32] Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob's hip was touched near the tendon. 

Talk 

Wrestling in the Arena of Life 

- Genesis 32:22-31

 Introduction

 Jacob's night of wrestling may not be the easiest concept especially when we consider that the one he is wrestling with (who?) can't overpower him! If you follow the Scripture Union readings then, as you know, we read this last Wednesday and might have a few ideas. 

The first thing I want to do is put some verses from Romans into our thoughts which we have seen before and not least last Sunday, 

Romans 8:26-39, and the opening bit today

[26]  In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. [27] And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God. Paul wrote this 2000 years after Jacob but it is close to what was happening and may help us understand it better.

 1. Running

Jacob is Abraham's grandson and twin of Esau who was the elder twin.

 In the schemes of family life, Esau sold his birth right and lost his blessing because mother Rebecka helped Jacob deceive his father Isaac. He then fled to his relative's home on the advice of mother to find a wife - he got two, he was conned by Uncle Laban and the process two mistresses. Through the four women he now has 11 sons and one daughter! He has yet to have his 12th son, Joseph who will help land the whole family in Egypt for 400 or so years. At this point Jacob is fleeing from Laban because life has gone a little sour with ongoing changes to working conditions and complaints about Jacob and his rearing techniques! He went, Laban caught up, not happy, and they parted amicably because of plain talk and an agreement. Where was he heading, back to his home country and is about to meet and have to face Esau who when he left, some twenty years earlier, was breathing death threats. As he fled from home to Laban, he had his first encounter with God (Genesis 28:10ff) who reaffirmed the covenant he made with Abraham and had ratified it with Isaac and Jacobs response was positive. 

Just before our passage (32:1) he encounters angels and then sends the family ahead with all his flocks and a host of gifts for Esau - placation offerings? 

2. Wrestling 

So, what is he wrestling with? I think we can see - the complexities of life and the promises of God. Do they clash? Maybe, but perhaps better to say they intertwine. 

It becomes clear that he is wrestling with God, he gets a blessing from him, but he is also wrestling with himself and his life - past and, about to come! The question is, 'why can't God overpower him?' He is all powerful. Perhaps he didn't want to! I found this part of Wednesday's notes helpful: It is interesting that the name ‘Israel’, which God gave to Jacob and then became the name of the nation, means ‘he struggles with God’. Does this indicate that God approves of us wrestling and struggling with him? Physically, the more a muscle is exercised, the stronger it becomes. Is this passage a challenge to exercise our spiritual muscles by wrestling with God? Our trust in God is often a tension between what we know about God, and the questions and unresolved issues which we are struggling to understand. This can be painful, as Jacob discovered – but perhaps this story gives us hope. (Esther Bailey writing for SU) 

The other writer, Andy Bathgate said this, again, helpful 

Our experiences may not approach this level of drama, but similar principles apply. God needs to bring us to a place where desire for him eclipses every other; where we long for his work in our lives, knowing there is no one else and nowhere else to turn. 

I think, again, all this resonates with Romans 8:26-27, and, going back again to the Lord's prayer - Your will be done . . . 

I also note - What God doesn't do is force Himself or His will on us. Jacob encountered God, was blessed by him and started changing and as the account continues, we start to see a different man but he is not perfect and shows his old ways a bit as well. I think many of us may be thinking, as we consider Jacob, I can relate to this. We may be running, looking, frightened (he was of his brother Esau), saddened by aspects of life etc. God was at work, and we start to see that, oh, and he still is with you and me and we have other material we can take heart from and be challenged by. 

3. Realising - 

Galatians 5:13-26 

We turn to Paul who, in writing about living life in the Spirt - a holy life, mentions a whole load of thigs that belong to the 'desires of the flesh' that we leave behind to walk in the Spirit [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. [24] Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. [25] Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. [26] Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. First, note - fruit not fruits! There is only one fruit of the Spirit which is . . . . And in context', saying we have crucified the flesh and keep in step with the Spirit which means a life that looks like Jesus and is kingdom living. When I look into of myself, I see a lot I really don't like! This is not self-deprecation but realising reality! Being a minister doesn't make it easier, maybe, harder! So, I find a constant wrestle in prayer because I want to keep in step with the Spirit! You may feel similar to that. 

Paul gives us a light though: Romans 7:15-21 [15] I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. [16] And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. [17] As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. [18] For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. [19] For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. [20] Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. [21] So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 

Hence, in Romans 8 and here in Galatians 5 Paul is saying we should not walk in the way of our desires but of those of the Spirit - wrestling and seeking and praying deep within, in the power of the Spirit. A lifelong job! 

4. Reaffirming - 2 Peter 1:15

 I think Peter is saying 'keep at it, keep going, keep wrestling' - bit the same as Paul! Let’s reaffirm two things. 

1. It is a gift from God to walk in his ways because we have responded to his call - Jacob was doing that! [3] His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. [4] Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. The emphasis is on what we have from God to enable us. It is what Paul says but from a different perspective.

 2. Because is a gift of God, that is why we keep at it [5] For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; [6] and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; [7] and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 

3. This constant reaffirmation of the outworking of our call and commitment produces fruit [8] For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] But whoever does not have them is near-sighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. This is not being 'holier than thou' / pious / self-righteous or the like but holy to share the nature of God. 

Conclusion 

I am going to finish by quoting just one verse from Jesus, John 15:5 [5] “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 

Biblically, the vine is the people of God who flow from the promise to Abram, Isaac and Jacob - a people that can't be counted. 

The children of Israel who went into Egypt were 12.

 Thousands came out 400 + years later and three and a half thousand years or so later, flowing through and from the cross, millions who confess Jesus is Lord and Saviour. 

A massive vine trailing, right round the world. It, the vine, the people of God, the Church, struggles with all sort of problems: divisions / hardships / persecution / arguing and so many more things. Oh, and if you look at Jacob's children before and as they end up in Egypt, what do you see? 

Similar things. They wrestled with all sorts. We wrestle with all sorts but need to keep deeply into Jesus and bear fruit, fruit that endures allowing him to prune the dead and unproductive bit o more fruit is born in us - individually and corporately; locally and worldwide.