WEBVTT

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 And it's always a great privilege to have the representation of the camp here.

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 And, you know, as planes, we've been woven into the fabric there at the camp some.

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 And it's been a privilege to get to know Brother Josh and Brother Jeremy and his family.

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 They serve faithfully down there at the camp and make things possible for things to happen.

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 You know, the Lord uses them to get those things in place and prepared for what's to come.

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 It's been a privilege to know Brother Josh and to get to know his heart for the ministry

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 and what God has laid upon his heart for those children and those kids that come through.

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 You know, it's a great impact.

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 And it makes a difference.

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 And we want to continue to do that.

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 And so we want to promote that.

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 But we ask Brother Josh to come and preach for us this morning and share God's word with us.

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 And so, Brother, why don't you come and share with us.

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 God has a word.

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 Thank you so much, brother.

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 All right.

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 Well, good morning.

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 As always, it's a pleasure to be back.

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 I consider planes like my second home church.

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 I really do.

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 And you took the words right out of my mouth.

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 I was thinking about how our relationship is just now woven.

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 It's intricately woven.

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 When you started to attend our ministry about six years ago, I want to say,

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 and now your church supports us.

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 Your pastor, who I consider a great confidant to me, and Brother Lou is also on my board.

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 Both these men served with me to help accomplish the mission of the camp.

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 And so you're committed.

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 So, you know, you have fallen prey to my evil plans.

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 You can't get rid of me.

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 So I hope that's a blessing to you.

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 Let's get into the Bible.

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 I'll give a report during the Sunday school lesson about what we're doing this coming year for the camp ministry,

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 what our goals are, what we believe God's going to accomplish there at Amazing Grace,

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 which is not too far, only three hours south.

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 If you've never been there, I want to encourage you to take a trip

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 and come see the ministry that you are investing in.

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 This last year, we had 50 decisions for salvation, many more decisions for spiritual growth.

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 And so we could not be more excited about what God's doing at your camp.

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 And so you've got to come and experience it.

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 We're thankful for David and Kira for serving as missionaries.

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 And we're praying for them as they have a baby.

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 They're planning to have a baby like the week we start camp.

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 So that I cannot believe.

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 Last year, they got married the week that we started camp.

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 And I said, well, you know, it's kind of tough.

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 I think you'll be okay.

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 Then they said, we're going to have a baby just the week before.

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 Like, you're not making it easy for yourself.

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 But I think they're going to do just fine.

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 And we're really encouraged that they serve with us.

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 If you would, turn in your Bibles to Genesis chapter number 32.

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 This will actually segue this morning's message into kind of a report that I'll give for the camp.

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 For the Sunday school hour, I'll give a little bit of a testimony about what God did in my life this last year in 24.

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 I'm going to state at the very beginning that the goal of this morning's message

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 is to encourage you to live by your faith.

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 Now, that could be a Christianized cliche.

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 It's easy to say, yes, you need to live by your faith, by God's grace.

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 But what do we really mean when we say, hey, let's be living by faith?

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 Well, first of all, it implies that you must be a person of faith.

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 A person of faith is a Christian.

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 They're born again.

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 They have received the Holy Spirit.

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 Which is a little bit different than what we're talking about when we're emphasizing living by faith.

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 See, when you get saved, you receive God's Spirit.

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 And now that you have received His Spirit, you are also to be filled with the Spirit.

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 Which means you are to be yielded to God where He has control over your life.

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 This is the enabling power of God.

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 So you cannot live by faith until, first of all, you are a person of faith.

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 Now, you may be a person of faith, but that does not mean today that you are walking by faith.

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 So we're not only wanting to be a person of faith,

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 but we also want to move into this situation in 2025

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 where we are empowered by the Spirit of God to walk by faith.

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 Now, to see this illustrated, we're going to look at the life of a man

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 who's considered a patriarch of faith, the man Jacob.

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 And specifically at a time when he was wrestling God.

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 So let's read our text.

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 It starts in verse number 24 of chapter number 32.

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 Now, let me give you a little context before we begin reading

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 because this chapter is very, very special.

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 You see, Jacob had been living up in the Syrian region with his uncle

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 who also became his father-in-law.

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 And God called him to go back home down south into the land of Canaan.

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 And so Jacob gathered his family.

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 He packed up his bags.

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 And after a contentious goodbye with his father-in-law,

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 he's now about to cross over into the territory of Canaan.

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 Now, God wants Jacob to know that he's pleased with his obedience.

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 So in the beginning of the chapter,

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 he sends two angels to escort Jacob back into the land.

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 And I interpret that to be God's affirmation for Jacob

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 for choosing to follow God and doing what's right.

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 And I'm happy to tell you that God wants to give you affirmation

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 when you obey and when you follow him.

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 Now, maybe he sends an angel and it's unawares,

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 or most likely what we know is that the affirmation of God

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 is the presence of his Holy Spirit

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 as he guides, as he directs, as he prods, as he convicts you.

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 I think also an affirmation is our fellow believers,

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 those that also have the Spirit of God living within them,

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 and they can observe in your life when you're doing what's right

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 or when they need to confront you when you're doing what's wrong.

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 I think that's affirmation of the Lord.

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 And so God is honored with Jacob's decision.

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 He wants Jacob to know it to motivate him to continue forward.

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 So Jacob is escorted by these two angels,

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 and then immediately he's confronted with a big challenge.

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 He sends his messenger to go tell his brother Esau,

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 which they have never been on good terms, right?

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 He says, tell my brother Esau I'm coming back

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 to announce that he can meet me or whatever he wants to do.

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 And so the servant does.

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 The servant comes back with a report,

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 and he says, hey, we saw your brother Esau,

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 and the good news is he's coming to meet you.

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 The bad news is that he's bringing 400 men.

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 And Jacob goes, oh, that sounds like an army.

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 I think he's going to take me out.

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 And then Jacob does what Jacob always does.

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 He begins to revert into his old man tendencies,

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 where he has to figure out his own problem.

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 You see, Jacob was always a person of faith,

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 but Jacob has to solve his own problems apart from God.

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 He's strong in the flesh,

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 and this is something that needs to change with him.

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 So that gets us to our text in verse number 24.

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 It says, and Jacob was left alone,

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 and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of day.

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 Now, this was no ordinary man,

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 because we're going to see that this is God,

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 a pre-incarnate appearance before Jacob.

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 And when he saw, that's the man, that's God,

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 when he saw that he prevailed not against him,

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 that's Jacob, he touched the hollow of his thigh,

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 and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint

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 as he wrestled him.

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 And he, the man, said, let me go for the day breaketh.

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 And he, Jacob, says, I will not let thee go,

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 except thou bless me.

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 And he said unto him, what is thy name?

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 And he said, Jacob.

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 And he said, thy name shall be called no more Jacob,

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 but Israel.

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 Now, watch this, watch this,

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 because this is what we receive

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 when we choose to live by faith.

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 When we're empowered by the Spirit of God,

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 then it will be with us that thou hast power

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 with God in men and hast prevailed.

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 You know what the word prevail means?

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 It means you win.

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 It means that you're an overcomer.

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 And I don't know about you,

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 but I'm ready to put 2024 in the past.

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 And I'm ready to look forward to 2025 as a winner,

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 as a conqueror, as an overcomer,

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 because I'm empowered by my faith.

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 Now, if we're going to get to this place

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 where we're living strong by faith,

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 then we must address this one particular issue.

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 What do you do when God wrestles you?

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 You see, you can't be strong in faith

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 until you resolve the matter of wrestling God.

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 So let's talk about that this morning

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 and put some principles into application.

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 Lord Jesus, thank you so much for this time

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 where we can gather together and worship you.

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 I pray that if there's anyone here wrestling with you,

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 that they will just yield to you.

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 Maybe someone needs to get saved today.

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 They're wrestling with life.

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 They're wrestling with their sin.

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 And it's time to put that in the past

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 and to be a child of God.

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 And I pray that they would get saved.

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 But I would imagine many of us here

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 that have come to worship you freely,

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 that we need to be strong in faith,

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 that we need to be yielded by your spirit.

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 We cannot be an overcomer.

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 We cannot prevail until we let God have his way

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 and where he's first in our life

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 and all the decisions that we make.

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 And I pray that this morning's worship time

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 that you would get all the glory, we pray,

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 in the name of Lord Jesus Christ,

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 and God's people said.

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 Let me ask you a question.

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 Is it a good thing for you to wrestle God?

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 Should you, at times in your life,

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 go toe-to-toe with God?

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 Is that a good thing?

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 I mean, Jacob did.

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 Should we?

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 Well, let me make a case for you

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 that wrestling God is not a good thing.

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 And you should not find yourself,

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 periodically, going toe-to-toe with God.

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 Because God came to wrestle Jacob,

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 to confront him, to change him,

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 to move him off of his ordinary path

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 into the path of God's will and God's purpose.

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 And Jacob needed to make some specific changes in his life.

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 I want you to observe three things about God wrestling Jacob.

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 And maybe observe this as if you feel that God is wrestling you.

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 Why did God wrestle Jacob?

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 Well, number one, I want you to notice

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 that God had to confront Jacob.

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 He confronted him through wrestling,

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 and specifically, he was confronting him

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 about the area of self-reliance.

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 See, Jacob, though, being a person of faith,

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 had become pretty dependent upon himself

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 to solve his own problems.

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 Now, to get some background information

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 and some context,

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 we've got to go all the way back

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 to the beginning of when Jacob was born.

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 You see, Jacob was born the second of twins,

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 Jacob and Esau.

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 And he came out of the womb

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 clinging to the heel of his brother.

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 His family was amazed at what they saw,

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 and they said,

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 you know what?

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 We'll call him Jacob,

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 which means to supplant.

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 It means to get an edge on somebody else.

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 It looks like he wanted to take out his brother.

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 So they couldn't believe him.

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 They gave him this name, Jacob.

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 Now, God had a special plan for these two boys.

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 In fact, the plan was that

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 the older would serve the younger,

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 and that we should interpret as

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 Jacob would be the one to receive the birthright.

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 Now, in Bible days,

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 the firstborn son is the one

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 that would receive the birthright,

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 which is a greater portion of the inheritance.

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 It also means that they would be

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 the patriarchal leader of the family.

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 And God says,

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 it's not going to go to Esau.

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 I want it to go to Jacob.

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 And the reason why

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 is God was teaching a lesson to all of us

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 that it's not by our pedigree,

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 it's not by our privileges

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 that earn favor with God.

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 No, we get favor with God

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 because he chooses to give it to us.

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 So Jacob is a picture of God's grace.

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 And let me tell you,

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 that's good news for all of us here today.

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 Because in the New Testament,

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 Paul reemphasizes this important truth

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 by using the example of Jacob and Esau.

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 You see, folks,

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 Jacob didn't deserve God's grace.

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 He didn't earn God's grace.

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 Yet because God wants to be gracious

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 in whom he wants to be gracious to,

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 then that means for each and every one of us,

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 we too can receive the grace of God.

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 You don't have to earn it.

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 You didn't have to grow up in church.

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 God's grace is free for all people,

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 especially for the Gentiles,

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 as much as it is for the firstborn son,

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 the Jews.

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 Oh, isn't that a wonderful truth?

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 So Jacob is now a picture of God's purpose

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 for all people.

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 He's a person of faith.

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 Now, we don't know what happened,

00:12:32.019 --> 00:12:33.919
 but somewhere along the way,

00:12:34.019 --> 00:12:35.259
 the family decided

00:12:35.259 --> 00:12:37.299
 that they would ignore God's plans.

00:12:37.860 --> 00:12:39.220
 And Isaac, the father,

00:12:39.279 --> 00:12:40.519
 was going to give that birthright

00:12:40.519 --> 00:12:42.439
 to Esau, his firstborn.

00:12:42.879 --> 00:12:44.220
 Now, Jacob begins to panic

00:12:44.220 --> 00:12:45.199
 and he gets with his mom

00:12:45.199 --> 00:12:46.179
 and they come up with a plan

00:12:46.179 --> 00:12:49.559
 to deceive his ailing blind father

00:12:49.559 --> 00:12:51.419
 to receive that birthright.

00:12:51.519 --> 00:12:53.980
 Of course, that makes a lot of drama

00:12:53.980 --> 00:12:54.720
 in the family.

00:12:55.100 --> 00:12:56.500
 Esau wants to kill Jacob

00:12:56.500 --> 00:12:58.539
 and so Jacob has to flee for his life.

00:12:58.960 --> 00:13:00.120
 And this is the pattern.

00:13:00.379 --> 00:13:01.419
 This is the disposition.

00:13:01.419 --> 00:13:03.679
 So why does God confront us

00:13:03.679 --> 00:13:04.759
 when he has to wrestle us?

00:13:05.019 --> 00:13:07.099
 Well, for Jacob and possibly you,

00:13:07.459 --> 00:13:08.759
 God has to confront the area

00:13:08.759 --> 00:13:09.659
 of self-reliance.

00:13:09.819 --> 00:13:10.360
 And why?

00:13:10.639 --> 00:13:11.959
 It's because it's a weakness

00:13:11.959 --> 00:13:12.860
 for all of us.

00:13:13.240 --> 00:13:15.459
 It's so easy to live

00:13:15.459 --> 00:13:16.759
 and depend upon ourselves

00:13:16.759 --> 00:13:17.779
 and our flesh.

00:13:18.159 --> 00:13:19.479
 God says you've got to be yielded

00:13:19.479 --> 00:13:20.439
 to the Spirit of God.

00:13:20.679 --> 00:13:22.459
 You want love, joy, peace,

00:13:22.539 --> 00:13:23.079
 long-suffering?

00:13:23.240 --> 00:13:24.299
 You want that fruit

00:13:24.299 --> 00:13:25.159
 to come out of your life?

00:13:25.339 --> 00:13:26.779
 Then you have to be filled

00:13:26.779 --> 00:13:28.159
 with the Spirit of God.

00:13:28.419 --> 00:13:29.059
 If you're not,

00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:30.439
 then you're full of the flesh

00:13:30.440 --> 00:13:31.480
 and the outcome

00:13:31.480 --> 00:13:32.880
 is completely different.

00:13:33.180 --> 00:13:33.980
 Boy, it's murder,

00:13:34.280 --> 00:13:36.000
 anger, theft, adultery,

00:13:36.200 --> 00:13:37.960
 all kinds of sins

00:13:37.960 --> 00:13:39.140
 that will pour out of your life

00:13:39.140 --> 00:13:40.400
 if you're filled with the flesh.

00:13:40.900 --> 00:13:41.600
 So God says,

00:13:41.700 --> 00:13:42.860
 Jacob, you have to be

00:13:42.860 --> 00:13:44.120
 a Spirit-filled man.

00:13:44.280 --> 00:13:45.420
 You need to be broken

00:13:45.420 --> 00:13:46.600
 of this weakness

00:13:46.600 --> 00:13:47.740
 in your life.

00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:48.900
 And so he decides

00:13:48.900 --> 00:13:50.200
 to come and wrestle him.

00:13:50.640 --> 00:13:51.600
 It was his weakness.

00:13:51.820 --> 00:13:52.400
 Now watch this.

00:13:52.440 --> 00:13:53.160
 Hold your finger here.

00:13:53.420 --> 00:13:54.160
 I want you to see

00:13:54.160 --> 00:13:55.780
 how Jacob's faith

00:13:55.780 --> 00:13:56.600
 was a little shallow.

00:13:56.940 --> 00:13:57.080
 Okay?

00:13:57.140 --> 00:13:58.280
 Go to chapter 28,

00:13:58.279 --> 00:13:59.860
 just a few pages back.

00:14:00.500 --> 00:14:03.120
 When Jacob fled from Canaan

00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:04.100
 to go to Syria,

00:14:04.639 --> 00:14:05.899
 God came to meet him

00:14:05.899 --> 00:14:07.600
 in a place of Peniel.

00:14:07.720 --> 00:14:08.759
 And look at verse number 20.

00:14:09.120 --> 00:14:10.179
 This is Jacob's vow.

00:14:10.519 --> 00:14:11.639
 God appears to Jacob.

00:14:12.059 --> 00:14:13.699
 He repeats the covenant to him.

00:14:14.059 --> 00:14:14.699
 And Jacob says,

00:14:15.159 --> 00:14:16.120
 in verse number 20,

00:14:16.199 --> 00:14:17.120
 and Jacob vowed a vow,

00:14:17.259 --> 00:14:17.539
 saying,

00:14:17.860 --> 00:14:18.399
 now watch this,

00:14:18.720 --> 00:14:20.659
 if God will be with me

00:14:20.659 --> 00:14:21.379
 and will keep me

00:14:21.379 --> 00:14:22.519
 in the way that I should go

00:14:22.519 --> 00:14:24.339
 and will give me bread to eat

00:14:24.339 --> 00:14:25.279
 and raiment to put on

00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:26.519
 so that I come back

00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:27.819
 to my father's house in peace.

00:14:28.279 --> 00:14:28.639
 Then,

00:14:29.240 --> 00:14:29.799
 do you see that?

00:14:29.919 --> 00:14:31.039
 It's if and then.

00:14:31.419 --> 00:14:31.579
 You know,

00:14:31.639 --> 00:14:32.740
 some Bible commentators

00:14:32.740 --> 00:14:33.059
 will say,

00:14:33.139 --> 00:14:33.299
 well,

00:14:33.480 --> 00:14:34.720
 the word could be since.

00:14:35.019 --> 00:14:35.220
 You know,

00:14:35.319 --> 00:14:36.439
 God's given me this promise

00:14:36.439 --> 00:14:37.659
 and since that's the case.

00:14:37.980 --> 00:14:39.740
 But if we are to take this

00:14:39.740 --> 00:14:41.100
 at face value,

00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:42.419
 it seems

00:14:42.419 --> 00:14:43.439
 that his faith

00:14:43.439 --> 00:14:44.139
 is conditional.

00:14:44.579 --> 00:14:44.759
 You know,

00:14:44.779 --> 00:14:45.759
 a little quid pro quo

00:14:45.759 --> 00:14:46.399
 with God.

00:14:46.740 --> 00:14:47.120
 Hey God,

00:14:47.159 --> 00:14:47.860
 you give me something,

00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:48.799
 I'll give you something

00:14:48.799 --> 00:14:49.339
 in return.

00:14:49.559 --> 00:14:50.600
 And let me just tell you something.

00:14:50.759 --> 00:14:51.500
 A lot of people

00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:52.360
 are living their Christianity

00:14:52.360 --> 00:14:52.919
 this way.

00:14:53.220 --> 00:14:53.379
 You know,

00:14:53.379 --> 00:14:55.000
 there's some reciprocal benefit

00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:56.720
 for me if I follow God.

00:14:56.860 --> 00:14:57.480
 Let me tell you,

00:14:57.559 --> 00:14:58.840
 we follow God

00:14:58.840 --> 00:15:00.279
 because we love God.

00:15:00.840 --> 00:15:02.240
 That's why we follow him.

00:15:02.580 --> 00:15:04.340
 So Jacob's got this shallow faith

00:15:04.340 --> 00:15:06.000
 and now he's always

00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:07.399
 one foot in with the faith

00:15:07.399 --> 00:15:09.059
 and one foot in with the flesh.

00:15:09.360 --> 00:15:11.439
 And this dichotomy of his life

00:15:11.439 --> 00:15:12.960
 is just stressing him out.

00:15:13.519 --> 00:15:14.700
 It's creating a lot of drama.

00:15:15.200 --> 00:15:15.519
 You know what?

00:15:15.539 --> 00:15:16.379
 This is a real weakness

00:15:16.379 --> 00:15:16.860
 in his life.

00:15:17.159 --> 00:15:17.279
 Hey,

00:15:17.320 --> 00:15:18.159
 this could be a real weakness

00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:18.600
 with you.

00:15:19.100 --> 00:15:19.360
 You know,

00:15:19.419 --> 00:15:20.059
 you come to church,

00:15:20.139 --> 00:15:20.879
 you're happy to be here,

00:15:20.940 --> 00:15:21.840
 you're ready to worship God,

00:15:21.899 --> 00:15:22.600
 you sing the songs,

00:15:22.600 --> 00:15:23.680
 you say amen

00:15:23.680 --> 00:15:24.480
 and then on Monday

00:15:24.480 --> 00:15:25.120
 it's like,

00:15:25.220 --> 00:15:25.580
 man,

00:15:25.800 --> 00:15:26.800
 my life is a mess.

00:15:26.860 --> 00:15:27.940
 I gotta figure this out.

00:15:28.420 --> 00:15:29.720
 I can do this apart from God.

00:15:29.779 --> 00:15:30.120
 Let me tell you,

00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:32.560
 that's a real weakness.

00:15:33.360 --> 00:15:33.879
 And God says,

00:15:33.960 --> 00:15:34.639
 it's time to change.

00:15:34.680 --> 00:15:35.540
 Now look in this chapter.

00:15:35.659 --> 00:15:36.159
 Watch this.

00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:37.879
 In verse number nine,

00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:38.879
 chapter 32,

00:15:39.300 --> 00:15:40.019
 we're back here,

00:15:40.899 --> 00:15:41.779
 Jacob is confronted

00:15:41.779 --> 00:15:42.360
 with the news

00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:43.200
 that his brother's coming.

00:15:43.879 --> 00:15:44.600
 And so what does he do?

00:15:44.659 --> 00:15:44.779
 Well,

00:15:44.820 --> 00:15:45.879
 as a person of faith,

00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:46.879
 he's gonna do

00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:47.820
 what a person of faith does.

00:15:47.899 --> 00:15:48.019
 Well,

00:15:48.019 --> 00:15:48.820
 we'll pray about it.

00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:50.340
 And so verses nine

00:15:50.340 --> 00:15:51.360
 through verses 12,

00:15:51.360 --> 00:15:52.220
 he starts to pray

00:15:52.220 --> 00:15:52.980
 and it's pretty good.

00:15:53.320 --> 00:15:53.680
 He says,

00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:54.100
 God,

00:15:54.180 --> 00:15:55.279
 you called me to do this.

00:15:56.320 --> 00:15:57.440
 I'm not worthy

00:15:57.440 --> 00:15:59.539
 to receive your mercies.

00:15:59.700 --> 00:16:00.519
 I need deliverance.

00:16:00.580 --> 00:16:01.440
 In verse number 11,

00:16:01.960 --> 00:16:02.680
 verse number 12,

00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:03.519
 let me remind you,

00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:04.879
 you promised to do me good.

00:16:05.200 --> 00:16:05.580
 So God,

00:16:05.620 --> 00:16:06.740
 I really need you to show up.

00:16:06.820 --> 00:16:07.340
 And let me tell you,

00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:08.759
 that's a really good prayer.

00:16:09.220 --> 00:16:10.340
 That's a great prayer

00:16:10.340 --> 00:16:10.940
 for a Christian

00:16:10.940 --> 00:16:12.019
 when you're backed up

00:16:12.019 --> 00:16:12.740
 against the wall.

00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:14.379
 But in verse number 13,

00:16:15.180 --> 00:16:16.420
 we see Jacob deciding

00:16:16.420 --> 00:16:17.440
 to solve his own problem.

00:16:17.940 --> 00:16:18.480
 He came up

00:16:18.480 --> 00:16:19.680
 with his own plan.

00:16:20.120 --> 00:16:21.500
 He had his own scheme.

00:16:21.820 --> 00:16:22.580
 And so what did he do?

00:16:22.659 --> 00:16:22.779
 Well,

00:16:22.800 --> 00:16:23.639
 he took his family,

00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:24.580
 which was quite large,

00:16:24.680 --> 00:16:25.920
 with his livestock.

00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:28.080
 He decides to break them up

00:16:28.080 --> 00:16:29.600
 into three different caravans.

00:16:30.060 --> 00:16:30.779
 And they would go

00:16:30.779 --> 00:16:31.700
 across the river

00:16:31.700 --> 00:16:32.860
 and as Esau

00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:33.800
 would begin to meet

00:16:33.800 --> 00:16:35.379
 each visiting group,

00:16:35.680 --> 00:16:36.220
 they would say,

00:16:36.320 --> 00:16:36.480
 hey,

00:16:36.580 --> 00:16:37.779
 we're from Jacob's family

00:16:37.779 --> 00:16:38.580
 and here's a gift.

00:16:39.320 --> 00:16:39.940
 And then he would go

00:16:39.940 --> 00:16:40.899
 to the next family.

00:16:41.340 --> 00:16:41.659
 He said,

00:16:41.740 --> 00:16:42.800
 here's a gift from Jacob.

00:16:42.980 --> 00:16:43.920
 Jacob's right behind us.

00:16:43.940 --> 00:16:45.379
 And then the third caravan.

00:16:45.539 --> 00:16:46.019
 And then he would

00:16:46.019 --> 00:16:46.720
 eventually meet Jacob.

00:16:47.059 --> 00:16:47.860
 So this plan

00:16:47.860 --> 00:16:48.659
 is he's hoping

00:16:48.659 --> 00:16:50.600
 to pacify Esau.

00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:51.139
 In fact,

00:16:51.179 --> 00:16:52.199
 look at verse number 20.

00:16:52.919 --> 00:16:53.379
 He says,

00:16:53.679 --> 00:16:54.480
 in the middle of the verse,

00:16:54.559 --> 00:16:54.759
 he says,

00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:55.480
 for he said,

00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:56.120
 this is Jacob,

00:16:56.759 --> 00:16:59.360
 I will appease him

00:16:59.360 --> 00:17:00.559
 with the present

00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:01.879
 that goeth before me.

00:17:01.919 --> 00:17:02.879
 And afterward,

00:17:03.039 --> 00:17:03.819
 I would see his face.

00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:05.259
 Peradventure,

00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:06.740
 he will what?

00:17:07.579 --> 00:17:08.440
 Accept me.

00:17:09.119 --> 00:17:10.819
 So he's so concerned

00:17:10.819 --> 00:17:12.039
 about the rejection

00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:13.660
 from a man,

00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:14.619
 from his brother.

00:17:15.139 --> 00:17:16.379
 He wants to be accepted.

00:17:16.639 --> 00:17:17.379
 I just want him

00:17:17.379 --> 00:17:18.039
 to like me.

00:17:18.219 --> 00:17:19.119
 I just want to avoid

00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:19.719
 the problems.

00:17:19.979 --> 00:17:21.159
 I want to be accepted.

00:17:21.379 --> 00:17:22.179
 You know what we call that?

00:17:22.219 --> 00:17:23.519
 We call that the fear of man.

00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:24.459
 The Bible says

00:17:24.459 --> 00:17:25.139
 the fear of man

00:17:25.139 --> 00:17:26.179
 brings a snare.

00:17:26.599 --> 00:17:27.699
 It puts you in a mental,

00:17:28.199 --> 00:17:28.619
 social,

00:17:29.059 --> 00:17:29.639
 spiritual,

00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:31.000
 psychological trap.

00:17:31.099 --> 00:17:31.639
 But who shall put

00:17:31.639 --> 00:17:32.879
 his trust in the Lord

00:17:32.879 --> 00:17:34.119
 shall be safe

00:17:34.119 --> 00:17:35.139
 is the promise.

00:17:35.659 --> 00:17:36.199
 And you know what?

00:17:36.219 --> 00:17:36.839
 A lot of times

00:17:36.839 --> 00:17:37.619
 we make decisions

00:17:37.619 --> 00:17:39.399
 whether it's to do right

00:17:39.399 --> 00:17:39.919
 or do wrong,

00:17:39.979 --> 00:17:41.639
 all because we're afraid

00:17:41.639 --> 00:17:43.079
 of what somebody else

00:17:43.079 --> 00:17:44.000
 might think of me

00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:44.700
 as opposed to

00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:45.680
 what God thinks.

00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:46.900
 And here he says,

00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:47.339
 you know,

00:17:47.420 --> 00:17:49.319
 I'm going to please him.

00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:51.539
 I'm going to appease him.

00:17:51.980 --> 00:17:52.680
 People pleasing.

00:17:53.140 --> 00:17:53.680
 Let me tell you,

00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:55.519
 if you are at the whims

00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:56.740
 of another person,

00:17:56.920 --> 00:17:57.559
 you're going to stress

00:17:57.559 --> 00:17:58.160
 yourself out.

00:17:58.900 --> 00:17:59.319
 You're going to have

00:17:59.319 --> 00:18:00.059
 a lot of drama

00:18:00.059 --> 00:18:00.779
 in your life.

00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:01.519
 And let me tell you,

00:18:01.559 --> 00:18:02.319
 it's a weakness.

00:18:02.680 --> 00:18:03.099
 Watch this.

00:18:03.180 --> 00:18:03.839
 Self-reliance

00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:05.240
 is also a weariness.

00:18:06.059 --> 00:18:06.960
 You're going to just

00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:08.319
 get worn out.

00:18:08.420 --> 00:18:09.539
 You're going to get fatigued.

00:18:09.859 --> 00:18:11.000
 Look at verse number seven.

00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:13.279
 When Jacob heard the news

00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:14.740
 that Esau was coming,

00:18:14.880 --> 00:18:15.839
 it says that Jacob

00:18:15.839 --> 00:18:17.819
 was greatly afraid.

00:18:18.480 --> 00:18:18.680
 All right,

00:18:18.700 --> 00:18:19.579
 now there's fear.

00:18:20.180 --> 00:18:20.319
 Okay,

00:18:20.319 --> 00:18:20.859
 I'm afraid.

00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:21.740
 I'm a little scared.

00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:22.960
 And then there's

00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:24.200
 greatly afraid.

00:18:24.579 --> 00:18:26.359
 This means he's collapsing.

00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:28.319
 He is panicking.

00:18:28.720 --> 00:18:29.799
 He is stressed out

00:18:29.799 --> 00:18:30.880
 of his mind.

00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:32.339
 It says he's greatly afraid

00:18:32.339 --> 00:18:33.180
 and distressed.

00:18:33.680 --> 00:18:33.819
 Hey,

00:18:33.859 --> 00:18:34.099
 listen,

00:18:34.200 --> 00:18:35.680
 when you have to solve

00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:36.359
 your own problems

00:18:36.359 --> 00:18:37.339
 and the world revolves

00:18:37.339 --> 00:18:38.160
 about you

00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:40.180
 and you're selfish,

00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:41.700
 I'm going to tell you,

00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:42.800
 you're going to wear yourself out.

00:18:43.120 --> 00:18:43.779
 You know why?

00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:46.340
 Because you're not God.

00:18:47.320 --> 00:18:49.480
 Only God is self-efficient.

00:18:50.180 --> 00:18:52.519
 Only God exists outside of time.

00:18:53.080 --> 00:18:55.640
 You are a creation of God.

00:18:56.340 --> 00:18:57.940
 You are limited.

00:18:58.840 --> 00:19:00.560
 You are frail.

00:19:01.160 --> 00:19:02.340
 You have a beginning

00:19:02.340 --> 00:19:03.900
 and you have an end.

00:19:04.400 --> 00:19:06.240
 Only God supersedes

00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:06.980
 all of that

00:19:06.980 --> 00:19:08.320
 being omnipresent,

00:19:08.780 --> 00:19:09.600
 omnipotent,

00:19:09.860 --> 00:19:11.320
 all-knowing God.

00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:13.519
 So why are you trying

00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:14.600
 to fill his shoes?

00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:16.120
 It'll never happen.

00:19:16.900 --> 00:19:18.160
 So why don't you stop

00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:19.120
 getting worn out

00:19:19.120 --> 00:19:20.480
 on your own self-reliance

00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:22.440
 and get God-dependent?

00:19:22.820 --> 00:19:23.519
 That's what he needed

00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:24.200
 to be confronted in.

00:19:24.780 --> 00:19:25.900
 So God came to wrestle him,

00:19:25.980 --> 00:19:26.540
 to confront him

00:19:26.540 --> 00:19:27.940
 in the area of self-reliance.

00:19:28.400 --> 00:19:28.940
 Watch this.

00:19:29.280 --> 00:19:30.120
 He wrestled him

00:19:30.120 --> 00:19:31.120
 to challenge him

00:19:31.119 --> 00:19:32.659
 in his sincerity

00:19:32.659 --> 00:19:34.079
 of his faith.

00:19:34.619 --> 00:19:36.119
 The real sincerity.

00:19:36.659 --> 00:19:38.399
 You say you believe in God?

00:19:38.739 --> 00:19:39.419
 Then why don't you

00:19:39.419 --> 00:19:40.379
 demonstrate it

00:19:40.379 --> 00:19:41.259
 with your life?

00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:42.859
 Why don't you prove

00:19:42.859 --> 00:19:44.539
 that you really believe

00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:46.000
 and rely on God?

00:19:46.359 --> 00:19:48.099
 So God used

00:19:48.099 --> 00:19:49.519
 a physical demonstration.

00:19:50.039 --> 00:19:51.059
 It starts to wrestle him.

00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:51.539
 And by the way,

00:19:51.619 --> 00:19:53.299
 this is an incredible story.

00:19:53.619 --> 00:19:53.819
 I mean,

00:19:54.219 --> 00:19:54.919
 this has never happened

00:19:54.919 --> 00:19:55.479
 to anybody else

00:19:55.479 --> 00:19:56.439
 as far as we know,

00:19:56.679 --> 00:19:57.939
 where God wrestles him.

00:19:58.219 --> 00:19:59.719
 And I see three areas

00:19:59.719 --> 00:20:01.039
 of the challenge, right?

00:20:01.119 --> 00:20:03.379
 To prove and to test him

00:20:03.379 --> 00:20:04.259
 in his sincerity.

00:20:04.599 --> 00:20:05.079
 First of all,

00:20:05.159 --> 00:20:06.159
 he tested him in his hands.

00:20:06.479 --> 00:20:06.679
 All right?

00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:07.219
 And that's going

00:20:07.219 --> 00:20:08.619
 toe-to-toe with wrestling.

00:20:09.179 --> 00:20:09.459
 I mean,

00:20:09.479 --> 00:20:10.479
 they're just grappling.

00:20:11.259 --> 00:20:12.099
 Now, wrestling

00:20:12.099 --> 00:20:13.579
 is pushing

00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:14.659
 and pulling

00:20:14.659 --> 00:20:15.439
 against one another.

00:20:15.879 --> 00:20:17.319
 So that's why we know

00:20:17.319 --> 00:20:18.739
 this is not a good thing

00:20:18.739 --> 00:20:19.159
 for Jacob

00:20:19.159 --> 00:20:21.139
 because God is resisting him.

00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:22.579
 He's pushing him back.

00:20:22.619 --> 00:20:23.679
 He's trying to stop him.

00:20:24.059 --> 00:20:25.199
 So he's wrestling him

00:20:25.199 --> 00:20:25.679
 with his hands,

00:20:25.779 --> 00:20:26.919
 which we should interpret

00:20:26.919 --> 00:20:28.759
 as this is his raw flesh.

00:20:29.199 --> 00:20:30.579
 Hey, you say you got it, Jacob?

00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:31.919
 Okay, well, let's go.

00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:33.319
 You say you got it

00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:34.240
 all figured out.

00:20:34.539 --> 00:20:35.139
 You say you really

00:20:35.139 --> 00:20:35.779
 don't need me.

00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:38.159
 You got all these plans

00:20:38.159 --> 00:20:38.839
 laid out.

00:20:39.019 --> 00:20:39.220
 You know,

00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:40.000
 this caravan

00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:41.220
 and this gift.

00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:42.399
 Oh, you think it's going to do it?

00:20:42.679 --> 00:20:43.879
 Why don't we wrestle about it?

00:20:44.359 --> 00:20:46.019
 So in his raw,

00:20:46.419 --> 00:20:47.699
 physical form,

00:20:47.899 --> 00:20:49.539
 which Jacob was a strong guy.

00:20:50.099 --> 00:20:50.500
 Remember,

00:20:50.619 --> 00:20:51.359
 as a baby,

00:20:51.599 --> 00:20:52.859
 he came out of the womb

00:20:52.859 --> 00:20:54.460
 grabbing onto the heel

00:20:54.460 --> 00:20:55.000
 of his brother.

00:20:55.679 --> 00:20:55.839
 Now,

00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:56.899
 I don't know much

00:20:56.899 --> 00:20:58.039
 about baby strength,

00:20:58.119 --> 00:20:58.659
 but I would assume

00:20:58.659 --> 00:20:59.240
 it's nothing.

00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:00.980
 They're just full of fat

00:21:00.980 --> 00:21:01.680
 when they come out.

00:21:01.900 --> 00:21:02.120
 And here,

00:21:02.220 --> 00:21:03.539
 this dude is clinging

00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:04.440
 onto the heel.

00:21:04.900 --> 00:21:05.500
 I don't know if he's

00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:07.140
 shadow boxing inside the womb,

00:21:07.259 --> 00:21:08.519
 but the guy was strong.

00:21:09.359 --> 00:21:10.019
 And by the way,

00:21:10.279 --> 00:21:11.339
 he had some real stamina.

00:21:11.880 --> 00:21:12.039
 Remember,

00:21:12.220 --> 00:21:12.799
 they wrestled

00:21:12.799 --> 00:21:13.839
 to the breaking of day.

00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:15.620
 That's incredible to me.

00:21:16.019 --> 00:21:18.279
 The guy was just unstoppable.

00:21:18.839 --> 00:21:19.279
 And here,

00:21:19.400 --> 00:21:20.000
 God says,

00:21:20.259 --> 00:21:21.059
 stop it.

00:21:21.740 --> 00:21:21.839
 Now,

00:21:21.940 --> 00:21:22.779
 are you saying

00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:23.980
 that God thought

00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:25.140
 he was losing to Jacob?

00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:26.120
 It says,

00:21:26.200 --> 00:21:26.700
 look at it.

00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:26.880
 It says,

00:21:27.160 --> 00:21:27.799
 when he saw

00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:28.779
 that he prevailed not.

00:21:30.220 --> 00:21:30.960
 God felt like

00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:32.180
 he was losing to Jacob?

00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:32.720
 No,

00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:32.840
 no,

00:21:32.840 --> 00:21:32.940
 no,

00:21:32.940 --> 00:21:33.039
 no,

00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:33.080
 no.

00:21:35.160 --> 00:21:36.160
 God was done

00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:37.299
 playing games

00:21:37.299 --> 00:21:38.240
 with Jacob.

00:21:39.019 --> 00:21:39.980
 He couldn't teach

00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:40.660
 this old dog

00:21:40.660 --> 00:21:41.259
 new tricks.

00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:42.360
 If you're going to be

00:21:42.360 --> 00:21:43.259
 a stubborn mule,

00:21:43.360 --> 00:21:44.039
 then I'm done.

00:21:44.299 --> 00:21:44.960
 You're not going to learn

00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:45.480
 your lesson.

00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:46.200
 You say,

00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:46.380
 well,

00:21:46.420 --> 00:21:47.180
 how do we know that?

00:21:47.440 --> 00:21:49.039
 Because of what he did next.

00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:50.400
 He touched the hollow

00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:51.160
 of his thigh,

00:21:51.160 --> 00:21:52.340
 and now Jacob

00:21:52.340 --> 00:21:53.240
 is a cripple,

00:21:53.740 --> 00:21:55.039
 and he can't even move.

00:21:55.839 --> 00:21:56.079
 See,

00:21:56.799 --> 00:21:58.240
 in your raw flesh,

00:21:59.039 --> 00:21:59.940
 you're not good enough.

00:22:00.920 --> 00:22:01.940
 You're not good enough.

00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:03.680
 Neither was Jacob.

00:22:04.319 --> 00:22:04.619
 So,

00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:06.039
 he tested him

00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:06.619
 in his hands.

00:22:06.859 --> 00:22:07.460
 He failed.

00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:09.079
 He then tested him

00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:10.420
 in his heart.

00:22:11.319 --> 00:22:11.619
 You see,

00:22:11.879 --> 00:22:13.599
 something emanated

00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:14.119
 from Jacob

00:22:14.119 --> 00:22:15.019
 from the inside.

00:22:15.359 --> 00:22:15.960
 When Jacob

00:22:15.960 --> 00:22:16.680
 was now crippled

00:22:16.680 --> 00:22:17.220
 and he couldn't

00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:18.059
 do anything else,

00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:19.440
 Jacob realizes

00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:20.139
 at this moment,

00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:23.180
 this is no ordinary man.

00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:25.580
 This is something divine.

00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:26.460
 I'm wrestling

00:22:26.460 --> 00:22:27.519
 the angel of the Lord.

00:22:28.360 --> 00:22:28.580
 And so,

00:22:28.660 --> 00:22:29.279
 he realizes

00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:30.460
 that what he needs

00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:31.000
 is he needs

00:22:31.000 --> 00:22:32.400
 the power of God.

00:22:32.860 --> 00:22:33.140
 And so,

00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:34.640
 now he's clinging

00:22:34.640 --> 00:22:36.380
 not because of his flesh

00:22:36.380 --> 00:22:37.740
 but because of his heart.

00:22:38.080 --> 00:22:39.220
 He's recognizing

00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:40.320
 that the one thing

00:22:40.320 --> 00:22:40.740
 that he needs

00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:41.200
 in his life

00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:42.940
 is he needs God.

00:22:43.700 --> 00:22:44.000
 Hey, listen,

00:22:44.120 --> 00:22:44.820
 what does your heart

00:22:44.820 --> 00:22:45.360
 tell you?

00:22:45.900 --> 00:22:46.820
 What are the motives

00:22:46.820 --> 00:22:47.500
 of your heart?

00:22:47.580 --> 00:22:48.580
 What pushes you?

00:22:48.920 --> 00:22:50.160
 What drives you?

00:22:50.340 --> 00:22:50.740
 Hey, listen,

00:22:50.820 --> 00:22:51.700
 it ought to be God

00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:52.340
 if you're a Christian.

00:22:52.920 --> 00:22:53.640
 You want to be strong

00:22:53.640 --> 00:22:54.140
 by faith?

00:22:54.360 --> 00:22:55.259
 In your heart

00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:56.539
 are the issues of life.

00:22:56.799 --> 00:22:57.819
 And in your heart,

00:22:57.960 --> 00:22:58.539
 God should be

00:22:58.539 --> 00:22:59.180
 at the very center

00:22:59.180 --> 00:22:59.960
 of all things.

00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:01.120
 Now, this is like

00:23:01.120 --> 00:23:02.600
 two sides of the same coin

00:23:02.600 --> 00:23:03.920
 because he tested him

00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:04.440
 in his heart.

00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:05.319
 He's beginning

00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:06.299
 to pass the test.

00:23:06.580 --> 00:23:07.660
 Now, he has to be tested

00:23:07.660 --> 00:23:08.080
 in the area

00:23:08.080 --> 00:23:08.700
 of his honesty.

00:23:09.259 --> 00:23:09.799
 And that's when

00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:10.500
 he asks the question.

00:23:10.600 --> 00:23:10.799
 He goes,

00:23:10.860 --> 00:23:12.220
 well, if you want my power,

00:23:12.880 --> 00:23:14.519
 you want to depend upon me,

00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:16.240
 then let's get real.

00:23:16.580 --> 00:23:17.700
 Let's get sincere.

00:23:18.100 --> 00:23:19.279
 Who are you?

00:23:19.580 --> 00:23:20.680
 What are you?

00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:23.019
 Now, Jacob has to admit

00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:23.900
 who he is.

00:23:23.940 --> 00:23:24.360
 He says, well,

00:23:25.080 --> 00:23:25.620
 I'm Jacob.

00:23:26.779 --> 00:23:28.120
 I'm just a man.

00:23:28.640 --> 00:23:29.799
 I'm the deceiver.

00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:31.080
 I'm the supplanter.

00:23:31.560 --> 00:23:32.440
 I'm the one

00:23:32.440 --> 00:23:33.960
 that needs you, God.

00:23:34.400 --> 00:23:35.759
 I don't want to let go

00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:37.600
 until you bless me.

00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:38.560
 Hey, listen,

00:23:38.640 --> 00:23:39.200
 the sincerity

00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:40.580
 of your faith

00:23:40.580 --> 00:23:42.420
 is what drives

00:23:42.420 --> 00:23:43.120
 your heart.

00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:44.200
 And the only way

00:23:44.200 --> 00:23:44.960
 that you'll know that

00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:46.019
 is if you get honest

00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:46.660
 before him

00:23:46.660 --> 00:23:48.600
 about who you are

00:23:48.599 --> 00:23:49.859
 as you stand

00:23:49.859 --> 00:23:50.699
 before him.

00:23:51.359 --> 00:23:52.779
 That is the sincerity

00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.899
 of all of this.

00:23:54.439 --> 00:23:55.199
 Jacob wasn't

00:23:55.199 --> 00:23:56.519
 going to win this match.

00:23:57.480 --> 00:23:58.139
 God had it all

00:23:58.139 --> 00:23:58.879
 under control.

00:23:59.719 --> 00:24:00.500
 Reminds me of a time

00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:01.279
 when I was in college.

00:24:01.539 --> 00:24:02.379
 I finally came

00:24:02.379 --> 00:24:03.019
 to a point in my life

00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:03.740
 where I realized

00:24:03.740 --> 00:24:04.980
 that all the big sports

00:24:04.980 --> 00:24:05.899
 had passed me by.

00:24:06.799 --> 00:24:07.000
 You know,

00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:07.859
 eventually most of us

00:24:07.859 --> 00:24:08.799
 come to that place, right?

00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:11.359
 Now, in college,

00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:12.539
 there was one sport,

00:24:12.659 --> 00:24:12.879
 though,

00:24:13.399 --> 00:24:14.179
 that I felt like

00:24:14.179 --> 00:24:15.219
 I still had some

00:24:15.219 --> 00:24:16.339
 credibility.

00:24:16.339 --> 00:24:18.339
 And that was ping pong.

00:24:19.339 --> 00:24:19.839
 Oh, yeah.

00:24:20.339 --> 00:24:20.919
 I mean, in fact,

00:24:20.959 --> 00:24:21.220
 today,

00:24:21.319 --> 00:24:22.159
 you give me a paddle,

00:24:22.419 --> 00:24:23.059
 just give me a second

00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:23.759
 to get that rhythm,

00:24:24.019 --> 00:24:24.699
 and I'm telling you,

00:24:24.740 --> 00:24:25.879
 I'll feel invincible.

00:24:26.619 --> 00:24:27.299
 In college,

00:24:27.299 --> 00:24:28.579
 we had this big,

00:24:28.579 --> 00:24:30.419
 big dating parlor

00:24:30.419 --> 00:24:31.359
 where couples would go

00:24:31.359 --> 00:24:32.139
 and sit on couches.

00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:32.599
 And this was

00:24:32.599 --> 00:24:33.399
 a Christian college.

00:24:33.639 --> 00:24:34.299
 So you're not allowed

00:24:34.299 --> 00:24:34.899
 to touch each other

00:24:34.899 --> 00:24:35.459
 at a Christian college.

00:24:35.539 --> 00:24:36.459
 You just get really

00:24:36.459 --> 00:24:37.319
 as close as you can,

00:24:37.399 --> 00:24:38.220
 smell each other's breath,

00:24:38.379 --> 00:24:39.720
 look deep into their eyeballs,

00:24:39.899 --> 00:24:40.459
 you see the back

00:24:40.459 --> 00:24:41.299
 of their skulls,

00:24:41.399 --> 00:24:43.639
 and it was a real mushy place.

00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:45.619
 But the school

00:24:45.619 --> 00:24:46.759
 put a row

00:24:46.759 --> 00:24:48.019
 of 10 ping pong tables.

00:24:48.119 --> 00:24:48.739
 So me and my buddies,

00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:49.259
 we'd go up there

00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:49.739
 and we'd play

00:24:49.739 --> 00:24:50.619
 in the afternoon

00:24:50.619 --> 00:24:51.539
 between classes,

00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:52.399
 and boy,

00:24:52.479 --> 00:24:53.659
 I got really good.

00:24:54.479 --> 00:24:55.379
 Now, one day,

00:24:55.459 --> 00:24:56.179
 there was a guy

00:24:56.179 --> 00:24:56.899
 that came up

00:24:56.899 --> 00:24:57.959
 with his girlfriend.

00:24:58.519 --> 00:24:59.919
 His name was Matt Miller.

00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:00.799
 Now, Matt and I

00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:01.779
 went to high school together,

00:25:02.159 --> 00:25:03.039
 and Matt and I

00:25:03.039 --> 00:25:03.619
 were in college

00:25:03.619 --> 00:25:04.519
 at the same time.

00:25:04.839 --> 00:25:06.279
 And Matt was the guy

00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:07.519
 who was good at everything.

00:25:07.959 --> 00:25:08.159
 I mean,

00:25:08.179 --> 00:25:09.039
 he was handsome.

00:25:09.699 --> 00:25:11.519
 He was the best sports person.

00:25:11.919 --> 00:25:12.179
 I mean,

00:25:12.259 --> 00:25:14.019
 he was the salutatorian

00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:14.639
 of a school

00:25:14.639 --> 00:25:15.839
 of about 600 kids.

00:25:16.180 --> 00:25:16.299
 I mean,

00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:17.319
 the guy just had it together.

00:25:17.420 --> 00:25:17.579
 In fact,

00:25:17.639 --> 00:25:18.119
 today,

00:25:18.319 --> 00:25:19.379
 he's still better

00:25:19.379 --> 00:25:20.259
 than me at life.

00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:21.339
 He's a lawyer.

00:25:21.680 --> 00:25:22.839
 He's making tons of money,

00:25:22.879 --> 00:25:23.779
 and I'm running a camp,

00:25:23.900 --> 00:25:24.799
 which is not a problem.

00:25:25.099 --> 00:25:25.599
 But, I mean,

00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:26.359
 comparatively,

00:25:26.680 --> 00:25:27.000
 I mean,

00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:27.700
 Matt's just like

00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:28.559
 way up here.

00:25:29.859 --> 00:25:31.160
 And I'd never beat him

00:25:31.160 --> 00:25:31.960
 in any kind of sport.

00:25:32.619 --> 00:25:33.400
 One-on-one basketball,

00:25:33.819 --> 00:25:34.339
 Matt wins.

00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.400
 Any other type

00:25:35.400 --> 00:25:35.700
 of sports,

00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:36.000
 soccer,

00:25:36.240 --> 00:25:36.779
 Matt wins.

00:25:36.960 --> 00:25:37.720
 But ping pong,

00:25:38.359 --> 00:25:38.920
 all right,

00:25:39.220 --> 00:25:40.000
 we might have ourselves

00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:40.400
 a match.

00:25:40.579 --> 00:25:41.119
 So he comes up

00:25:41.119 --> 00:25:41.700
 with his girlfriend.

00:25:41.879 --> 00:25:42.660
 They're sitting on the couch

00:25:42.660 --> 00:25:42.880
 and said,

00:25:42.940 --> 00:25:43.800
 hey, Matt,

00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:44.940
 you want to play me

00:25:44.940 --> 00:25:45.759
 a round of ping pong?

00:25:46.380 --> 00:25:46.820
 And Matt says,

00:25:46.860 --> 00:25:47.000
 yeah,

00:25:47.040 --> 00:25:47.500
 I'll do that.

00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:48.460
 So we grabbed a couple

00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:49.500
 rental paddles

00:25:49.500 --> 00:25:50.900
 there in the dating parlor

00:25:50.900 --> 00:25:51.860
 and we began to play.

00:25:52.259 --> 00:25:53.100
 And sure enough,

00:25:53.320 --> 00:25:53.640
 man,

00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:55.100
 I was doing good.

00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:55.700
 I mean,

00:25:55.740 --> 00:25:56.600
 I had that rhythm

00:25:56.600 --> 00:25:58.220
 and I had a score

00:25:58.220 --> 00:26:00.380
 of 20 to 12.

00:26:00.640 --> 00:26:01.540
 It was 20 to 12,

00:26:01.580 --> 00:26:02.580
 which is a sizable,

00:26:03.140 --> 00:26:03.940
 comfortable margin.

00:26:04.320 --> 00:26:05.640
 So I felt really good

00:26:05.640 --> 00:26:06.080
 at this moment

00:26:06.080 --> 00:26:07.300
 that I'm going to beat

00:26:07.300 --> 00:26:07.840
 Matt Miller

00:26:07.840 --> 00:26:09.040
 in front of all his friends

00:26:09.040 --> 00:26:10.060
 and in front of his girlfriend.

00:26:10.059 --> 00:26:12.419
 So I'm feeling so good.

00:26:13.079 --> 00:26:13.519
 And you know,

00:26:13.599 --> 00:26:14.059
 by the way,

00:26:14.139 --> 00:26:15.240
 it's game point.

00:26:15.379 --> 00:26:16.419
 So you can't lose

00:26:16.419 --> 00:26:17.319
 on a serve,

00:26:17.619 --> 00:26:17.759
 right?

00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:19.019
 That's the real rules

00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:19.679
 to ping pong

00:26:19.679 --> 00:26:20.240
 in spite of what

00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:21.319
 teenagers today say.

00:26:21.720 --> 00:26:22.740
 So I take the ball

00:26:22.740 --> 00:26:23.679
 and I toss it over

00:26:23.679 --> 00:26:24.960
 on his side of the table

00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:25.159
 and say,

00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:25.579
 well, Matt,

00:26:25.679 --> 00:26:26.279
 it's your serve

00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:27.460
 and you can't lose

00:26:27.460 --> 00:26:27.960
 on a serve.

00:26:28.419 --> 00:26:28.799
 He said,

00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:29.099
 okay.

00:26:29.960 --> 00:26:31.419
 He held the paddle

00:26:31.419 --> 00:26:31.940
 in his hand

00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:33.379
 and he flipped it

00:26:33.379 --> 00:26:34.039
 to the other hand

00:26:34.039 --> 00:26:34.779
 and he goes,

00:26:34.839 --> 00:26:35.059
 you know,

00:26:35.399 --> 00:26:36.139
 I think I'll play

00:26:36.139 --> 00:26:37.539
 with my dominant hand now.

00:26:37.539 --> 00:26:39.639
 And I went,

00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:40.680
 oh no.

00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:43.639
 I am such a fool.

00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:45.319
 Now,

00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:46.240
 the moral of the story

00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:46.759
 is more important

00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:47.259
 than the ending

00:26:47.259 --> 00:26:47.879
 of the story.

00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:49.839
 And needless to say,

00:26:50.359 --> 00:26:51.420
 Jacob was never

00:26:51.420 --> 00:26:52.059
 going to win

00:26:52.059 --> 00:26:53.000
 at a wrestling match

00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:53.680
 with God

00:26:53.680 --> 00:26:54.899
 and nor I

00:26:54.899 --> 00:26:55.759
 against Matt Miller.

00:26:55.859 --> 00:26:56.480
 He beat me.

00:26:57.319 --> 00:26:57.680
 Jerk.

00:26:57.920 --> 00:26:58.700
 All of this

00:26:58.700 --> 00:27:00.460
 for God to Jacob

00:27:00.460 --> 00:27:01.839
 is to break him

00:27:01.839 --> 00:27:03.619
 of his flesh.

00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:04.500
 Listen,

00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:05.960
 he had to confront him

00:27:05.960 --> 00:27:06.319
 in the area

00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:07.119
 of self-reliance.

00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:09.000
 He came to challenge him

00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:10.240
 with the sincerity

00:27:10.240 --> 00:27:10.940
 of his faith.

00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:11.680
 And then lastly,

00:27:12.299 --> 00:27:13.039
 God wrestled him

00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:13.839
 to conquer

00:27:13.839 --> 00:27:14.819
 his shortcoming.

00:27:15.579 --> 00:27:16.599
 His shortcoming

00:27:16.599 --> 00:27:17.920
 is that it was easy

00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:18.500
 for Jacob

00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:19.359
 to lean into

00:27:19.359 --> 00:27:20.819
 his own strength.

00:27:21.399 --> 00:27:22.460
 But what happens

00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:23.379
 when you don't

00:27:23.379 --> 00:27:24.119
 have that anymore?

00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:25.440
 What do you do?

00:27:27.099 --> 00:27:27.960
 God says,

00:27:28.599 --> 00:27:29.899
 I'm sufficient.

00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:32.000
 I am all

00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:32.899
 that you need.

00:27:33.379 --> 00:27:34.019
 When it comes

00:27:34.019 --> 00:27:34.799
 to your salvation,

00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:35.259
 friends,

00:27:35.579 --> 00:27:37.079
 God is all

00:27:37.079 --> 00:27:37.779
 that you need.

00:27:38.439 --> 00:27:38.819
 In fact,

00:27:38.879 --> 00:27:39.579
 you cannot earn

00:27:39.579 --> 00:27:40.419
 salvation apart

00:27:40.419 --> 00:27:41.039
 from God.

00:27:41.480 --> 00:27:42.159
 He is the way,

00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:42.699
 the truth,

00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:43.240
 and the life.

00:27:43.319 --> 00:27:43.759
 No man come

00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.220
 with the Father

00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:44.819
 but by him.

00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:45.799
 It's not by works

00:27:45.799 --> 00:27:46.299
 of righteousness

00:27:46.299 --> 00:27:47.159
 which we have done.

00:27:47.559 --> 00:27:48.379
 It's by the grace

00:27:48.379 --> 00:27:49.079
 of God.

00:27:49.179 --> 00:27:49.819
 It's by the blood

00:27:49.819 --> 00:27:50.480
 of Jesus.

00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:52.319
 It's by his power

00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:52.899
 on the cross

00:27:52.899 --> 00:27:54.019
 and his resurrection

00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:56.480
 that we receive salvation.

00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:57.879
 And when it comes

00:27:57.879 --> 00:27:59.460
 to walking by faith,

00:27:59.699 --> 00:28:00.539
 we need to be

00:28:00.539 --> 00:28:02.359
 God dependent.

00:28:02.939 --> 00:28:03.899
 I want to give you

00:28:03.899 --> 00:28:04.639
 two applications

00:28:04.639 --> 00:28:05.379
 on this thought

00:28:05.379 --> 00:28:06.299
 of letting God

00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:07.479
 conquer you.

00:28:07.819 --> 00:28:08.859
 Letting God win.

00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:09.659
 Well, first of all,

00:28:09.899 --> 00:28:10.379
 if you're going to

00:28:10.379 --> 00:28:11.719
 be conquered by God,

00:28:11.779 --> 00:28:12.119
 then number one,

00:28:12.139 --> 00:28:12.479
 you've got to let

00:28:12.479 --> 00:28:13.759
 God change you.

00:28:14.179 --> 00:28:14.439
 You see,

00:28:14.519 --> 00:28:15.159
 when he admitted

00:28:15.159 --> 00:28:16.079
 who he was,

00:28:16.419 --> 00:28:16.759
 God says,

00:28:16.859 --> 00:28:17.339
 well, now I'm going

00:28:17.339 --> 00:28:18.279
 to give you a new name.

00:28:18.579 --> 00:28:19.019
 You're now going

00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:19.919
 to be called Israel.

00:28:20.179 --> 00:28:21.039
 The word Israel

00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:22.819
 means God prevails.

00:28:23.379 --> 00:28:24.419
 And so what's going on

00:28:24.419 --> 00:28:25.159
 is that even though

00:28:25.159 --> 00:28:26.299
 God beat him

00:28:26.299 --> 00:28:27.419
 at the wrestling match,

00:28:27.719 --> 00:28:28.699
 he's telling Jacob,

00:28:28.819 --> 00:28:29.659
 if I win,

00:28:29.719 --> 00:28:30.000
 Jacob,

00:28:30.159 --> 00:28:30.859
 you win.

00:28:31.379 --> 00:28:32.419
 And that's the paradox

00:28:32.419 --> 00:28:33.079
 of faith.

00:28:33.139 --> 00:28:33.819
 When God wins,

00:28:33.919 --> 00:28:34.439
 I win.

00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:35.839
 That's the way

00:28:35.839 --> 00:28:36.399
 it should be.

00:28:36.500 --> 00:28:37.699
 So you need to allow

00:28:37.699 --> 00:28:39.459
 God to change you.

00:28:39.699 --> 00:28:40.799
 You need to relinquish

00:28:40.799 --> 00:28:41.399
 control.

00:28:41.740 --> 00:28:42.219
 You need to let

00:28:42.219 --> 00:28:43.079
 the Holy Spirit

00:28:43.079 --> 00:28:44.259
 have his way

00:28:44.259 --> 00:28:45.439
 in your life

00:28:45.439 --> 00:28:46.659
 and with your circumstances

00:28:46.659 --> 00:28:47.859
 and all your trials.

00:28:48.279 --> 00:28:49.399
 Let God change you.

00:28:50.039 --> 00:28:50.579
 Number two,

00:28:51.419 --> 00:28:51.979
 you need to let

00:28:51.979 --> 00:28:52.899
 God cripple you.

00:28:54.319 --> 00:28:55.559
 Now that's not easy

00:28:55.559 --> 00:28:56.000
 to say.

00:28:57.079 --> 00:28:57.259
 In fact,

00:28:57.299 --> 00:28:58.240
 that's easier said

00:28:58.240 --> 00:28:58.799
 than done.

00:28:59.319 --> 00:29:00.199
 To allow God

00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:01.100
 to cripple me?

00:29:01.480 --> 00:29:01.799
 You mean,

00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:02.519
 I need to let

00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:03.640
 God hurt me?

00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:03.900
 Well,

00:29:03.940 --> 00:29:04.640
 not necessarily.

00:29:05.319 --> 00:29:06.019
 We need to let

00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:07.319
 God cripple us

00:29:07.319 --> 00:29:08.019
 in the area

00:29:08.019 --> 00:29:09.600
 that we are strong in

00:29:09.600 --> 00:29:11.279
 but weak to faith.

00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:12.279
 And that needs

00:29:12.279 --> 00:29:13.059
 to be reversed

00:29:13.059 --> 00:29:14.019
 because I need

00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:14.740
 to be weak

00:29:14.740 --> 00:29:15.779
 towards my flesh

00:29:15.779 --> 00:29:16.299
 so that I can be

00:29:16.299 --> 00:29:18.340
 strong in my faith.

00:29:18.680 --> 00:29:19.039
 And here,

00:29:19.180 --> 00:29:20.460
 Jacob was so dependent

00:29:20.460 --> 00:29:21.900
 upon his own strength,

00:29:22.299 --> 00:29:22.880
 God taught him

00:29:22.880 --> 00:29:23.460
 a lesson to be

00:29:23.460 --> 00:29:24.100
 God-dependent

00:29:24.100 --> 00:29:25.240
 by removing

00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:26.960
 a lot of his strength.

00:29:27.259 --> 00:29:28.080
 I love this verse

00:29:28.079 --> 00:29:29.579
 in Psalms 147.10.

00:29:29.960 --> 00:29:30.819
 He delighteth not

00:29:30.819 --> 00:29:31.279
 in the strength

00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:31.879
 of the horse,

00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:33.359
 in the powerful horse

00:29:33.359 --> 00:29:34.000
 that runs.

00:29:34.419 --> 00:29:35.579
 He taketh not pleasure

00:29:35.579 --> 00:29:36.439
 in the legs

00:29:36.439 --> 00:29:37.339
 of a man.

00:29:38.359 --> 00:29:39.579
 God takes pleasure

00:29:39.579 --> 00:29:40.699
 in faith.

00:29:41.059 --> 00:29:41.679
 And if you're

00:29:41.679 --> 00:29:43.759
 a paralyzed individual,

00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:44.799
 you can still

00:29:44.799 --> 00:29:46.220
 be the best for God.

00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:48.159
 Will you let God

00:29:48.159 --> 00:29:49.039
 cripple you?

00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:51.619
 And what would that mean

00:29:51.619 --> 00:29:53.259
 if you do let him

00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:53.799
 cripple you

00:29:53.799 --> 00:29:54.539
 in the areas

00:29:54.539 --> 00:29:55.460
 that you are strong in?

00:29:55.460 --> 00:29:56.660
 You know,

00:29:56.740 --> 00:29:57.259
 I had to learn

00:29:57.259 --> 00:29:57.700
 this lesson

00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:58.319
 this last year.

00:29:59.200 --> 00:29:59.440
 In fact,

00:29:59.480 --> 00:29:59.920
 I learned it

00:29:59.920 --> 00:30:01.440
 in a very hard way.

00:30:02.059 --> 00:30:03.480
 On April 17th

00:30:03.480 --> 00:30:04.680
 of last year,

00:30:04.920 --> 00:30:06.539
 I got a pressure washer

00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:07.759
 out to clean

00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:08.819
 some of our camp buildings.

00:30:09.380 --> 00:30:10.059
 And I love it

00:30:10.059 --> 00:30:11.000
 when it comes springtime.

00:30:11.440 --> 00:30:11.660
 I mean,

00:30:11.680 --> 00:30:12.360
 we're all waiting,

00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:12.680
 right,

00:30:12.740 --> 00:30:13.140
 for winter

00:30:13.140 --> 00:30:14.940
 to be removed

00:30:14.940 --> 00:30:15.400
 and we're ready

00:30:15.400 --> 00:30:16.200
 for some warm weather.

00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:16.420
 Amen?

00:30:17.059 --> 00:30:17.279
 In fact,

00:30:17.299 --> 00:30:17.799
 I just saw

00:30:17.799 --> 00:30:18.740
 that the groundhog

00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:19.380
 just predicted

00:30:19.380 --> 00:30:19.880
 six more,

00:30:20.319 --> 00:30:20.940
 is it six weeks

00:30:20.940 --> 00:30:21.620
 or six more months

00:30:21.620 --> 00:30:21.920
 of winter?

00:30:22.420 --> 00:30:22.680
 Yeah.

00:30:23.380 --> 00:30:23.779
 Unbelievable.

00:30:23.880 --> 00:30:24.700
 They called him Phil.

00:30:25.059 --> 00:30:25.259
 Like,

00:30:25.340 --> 00:30:25.759
 be gone,

00:30:25.940 --> 00:30:26.180
 Phil.

00:30:26.500 --> 00:30:26.819
 I'm ready

00:30:26.819 --> 00:30:27.640
 for some spring weather.

00:30:27.799 --> 00:30:28.019
 Boy,

00:30:28.140 --> 00:30:29.319
 when that sun is out,

00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:30.240
 that temperature

00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:31.539
 is up,

00:30:31.920 --> 00:30:33.059
 I just can't wait

00:30:33.059 --> 00:30:33.660
 to go outside.

00:30:33.799 --> 00:30:34.259
 I tell Jeremy,

00:30:34.360 --> 00:30:36.600
 let me do all the mowing

00:30:36.600 --> 00:30:37.259
 and let me do

00:30:37.259 --> 00:30:38.160
 some pressure washing

00:30:38.160 --> 00:30:39.059
 because it feels good

00:30:39.059 --> 00:30:39.779
 to be outside.

00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:40.720
 So,

00:30:40.819 --> 00:30:41.420
 first day of spring

00:30:41.420 --> 00:30:41.960
 that felt good

00:30:41.960 --> 00:30:43.200
 was April 17th.

00:30:43.279 --> 00:30:43.480
 And so,

00:30:43.559 --> 00:30:44.600
 I decided to clean up

00:30:44.600 --> 00:30:45.259
 some of our buildings.

00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:46.380
 I pressure washed

00:30:46.380 --> 00:30:47.200
 the outside of the front

00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:47.860
 of the dining hall.

00:30:48.100 --> 00:30:49.180
 I did the stone house.

00:30:49.240 --> 00:30:49.680
 I did the front

00:30:49.680 --> 00:30:50.580
 of the daisy building.

00:30:51.140 --> 00:30:52.420
 And I was making

00:30:52.420 --> 00:30:53.299
 really good time.

00:30:53.640 --> 00:30:53.840
 And so,

00:30:53.880 --> 00:30:54.080
 I thought,

00:30:54.079 --> 00:30:54.379
 you know,

00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:55.179
 I really need

00:30:55.179 --> 00:30:55.879
 to clean my house.

00:30:55.960 --> 00:30:56.399
 It's been a while.

00:30:56.460 --> 00:30:57.460
 I haven't pressure washed

00:30:57.460 --> 00:30:58.439
 this yet since we built it.

00:30:58.740 --> 00:30:58.899
 So,

00:30:59.019 --> 00:31:00.220
 let me just go up there

00:31:00.220 --> 00:31:01.019
 and I think I can

00:31:01.019 --> 00:31:01.539
 knock it out

00:31:01.539 --> 00:31:03.159
 before we have dinner time.

00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:03.799
 And then church

00:31:03.799 --> 00:31:04.639
 was later that evening

00:31:04.639 --> 00:31:05.099
 on Wednesday.

00:31:05.639 --> 00:31:05.960
 And so,

00:31:06.159 --> 00:31:07.639
 I got all my equipment.

00:31:08.139 --> 00:31:08.359
 Richard,

00:31:08.439 --> 00:31:08.859
 my father-in-law,

00:31:08.939 --> 00:31:09.779
 he pulled it up there

00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:11.339
 and I had a system

00:31:11.339 --> 00:31:11.839
 ready to go.

00:31:12.259 --> 00:31:13.299
 We'd get the ladder out

00:31:13.299 --> 00:31:14.059
 and I would start

00:31:14.059 --> 00:31:15.220
 from the north side,

00:31:15.299 --> 00:31:15.699
 which is the front

00:31:15.699 --> 00:31:16.019
 of the house,

00:31:16.079 --> 00:31:16.939
 and then move east,

00:31:17.240 --> 00:31:17.500
 south,

00:31:17.599 --> 00:31:18.240
 and then I would wrap up

00:31:18.240 --> 00:31:18.799
 on the west side

00:31:18.799 --> 00:31:19.240
 of the house.

00:31:19.240 --> 00:31:19.720
 Now,

00:31:19.880 --> 00:31:21.059
 my house is built

00:31:21.059 --> 00:31:21.920
 into a hill.

00:31:22.420 --> 00:31:22.519
 Okay,

00:31:22.599 --> 00:31:23.799
 so you had to be strategic

00:31:23.799 --> 00:31:24.420
 in how you place

00:31:24.420 --> 00:31:24.960
 the ladders.

00:31:25.500 --> 00:31:25.660
 So,

00:31:25.799 --> 00:31:27.299
 the tall extension ladder

00:31:27.299 --> 00:31:28.220
 for the top of the gables,

00:31:28.480 --> 00:31:30.059
 I would be very careful

00:31:30.059 --> 00:31:30.539
 to make sure

00:31:30.539 --> 00:31:32.819
 it was rooted real good

00:31:32.819 --> 00:31:33.839
 because I have

00:31:33.839 --> 00:31:35.180
 a healthy fear

00:31:35.180 --> 00:31:35.779
 of heights.

00:31:35.940 --> 00:31:36.160
 Amen?

00:31:36.539 --> 00:31:37.740
 And I don't want to fall.

00:31:38.019 --> 00:31:38.200
 So,

00:31:38.319 --> 00:31:38.980
 I made sure

00:31:38.980 --> 00:31:39.599
 that that ladder

00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:40.480
 was just right.

00:31:40.859 --> 00:31:41.900
 Then I had a four-foot

00:31:41.900 --> 00:31:42.859
 step ladder

00:31:42.859 --> 00:31:43.859
 for the middle part

00:31:43.859 --> 00:31:44.220
 of the house.

00:31:44.279 --> 00:31:44.359
 So,

00:31:44.420 --> 00:31:45.140
 the top of the gable,

00:31:45.240 --> 00:31:45.900
 I got with extension.

00:31:46.319 --> 00:31:47.140
 The four-foot ladder,

00:31:47.220 --> 00:31:47.599
 I'd climb up

00:31:47.599 --> 00:31:48.199
 and do the middle part

00:31:48.199 --> 00:31:48.500
 of the house

00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:49.079
 and then on the ground

00:31:49.079 --> 00:31:49.579
 I could just

00:31:49.579 --> 00:31:50.599
 take care of the rest.

00:31:50.919 --> 00:31:51.199
 And boy,

00:31:51.259 --> 00:31:51.959
 I was moving,

00:31:52.099 --> 00:31:52.899
 I was doing pretty good.

00:31:53.019 --> 00:31:53.579
 The north side,

00:31:53.659 --> 00:31:54.099
 the east side,

00:31:54.159 --> 00:31:54.619
 the south side,

00:31:54.659 --> 00:31:55.059
 which really

00:31:55.059 --> 00:31:56.240
 is probably the hardest

00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:56.740
 because it's got

00:31:56.740 --> 00:31:57.359
 the tallest part

00:31:57.359 --> 00:31:57.699
 of the house.

00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:58.299
 Now,

00:31:58.359 --> 00:31:59.119
 I'm on the west side

00:31:59.119 --> 00:32:00.139
 and it's getting

00:32:00.139 --> 00:32:00.959
 close to dinner time

00:32:00.959 --> 00:32:01.980
 so I gotta really

00:32:01.980 --> 00:32:02.579
 push it here.

00:32:02.919 --> 00:32:03.059
 So,

00:32:03.159 --> 00:32:04.219
 I'm moving quickly,

00:32:04.419 --> 00:32:05.199
 still very careful

00:32:05.199 --> 00:32:06.299
 with the extension ladder

00:32:06.299 --> 00:32:07.399
 but the four-foot ladder,

00:32:07.659 --> 00:32:07.799
 man,

00:32:07.839 --> 00:32:08.480
 I would just grab

00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:09.039
 that set up

00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:09.599
 and walk up,

00:32:09.859 --> 00:32:10.599
 spray the house down,

00:32:10.699 --> 00:32:11.139
 get down,

00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:12.159
 move that extension ladder,

00:32:12.359 --> 00:32:13.179
 grab the four-foot ladder,

00:32:13.439 --> 00:32:13.919
 come to the top,

00:32:13.920 --> 00:32:14.779
 spray it down

00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:16.240
 and I wasn't careful

00:32:16.240 --> 00:32:18.779
 and I set the four-foot

00:32:18.779 --> 00:32:19.340
 step ladder

00:32:19.340 --> 00:32:21.420
 on kind of an odd

00:32:21.420 --> 00:32:22.640
 angle of the house

00:32:22.640 --> 00:32:23.960
 and as I was coming

00:32:23.960 --> 00:32:25.060
 down from the top,

00:32:25.340 --> 00:32:27.140
 the ladder shot out

00:32:27.140 --> 00:32:27.920
 from under my feet

00:32:27.920 --> 00:32:29.240
 on the downward slope

00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:29.759
 of the house.

00:32:30.400 --> 00:32:30.680
 Now,

00:32:30.779 --> 00:32:31.740
 I got this pressure

00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:32.400
 washer hose

00:32:32.400 --> 00:32:33.580
 and I turn around

00:32:33.580 --> 00:32:34.700
 and it was so fast

00:32:34.700 --> 00:32:35.320
 and bam,

00:32:35.560 --> 00:32:36.360
 I hit the ground.

00:32:36.640 --> 00:32:36.840
 Now,

00:32:37.019 --> 00:32:38.560
 I knew I did something wrong

00:32:38.560 --> 00:32:39.440
 because it hurt

00:32:39.440 --> 00:32:41.920
 and I'm wallowing

00:32:42.519 --> 00:32:43.060
 on the ground.

00:32:43.059 --> 00:32:43.940
 My son McKinley

00:32:43.940 --> 00:32:45.539
 was eating popcorn

00:32:45.539 --> 00:32:46.220
 watching me

00:32:46.220 --> 00:32:47.740
 on his room

00:32:47.740 --> 00:32:48.599
 and then he says,

00:32:48.799 --> 00:32:48.819
 oh,

00:32:48.940 --> 00:32:49.319
 mom,

00:32:49.399 --> 00:32:50.240
 dad fell off the ladder.

00:32:50.319 --> 00:32:50.539
 She goes,

00:32:50.619 --> 00:32:50.859
 what?

00:32:51.539 --> 00:32:51.779
 And so,

00:32:52.059 --> 00:32:52.720
 they come out

00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:53.940
 and I'm just moaning

00:32:53.940 --> 00:32:55.240
 and groaning

00:32:55.240 --> 00:32:56.899
 and rolling on the ground.

00:32:57.039 --> 00:32:58.379
 I thought I broke

00:32:58.379 --> 00:32:59.159
 my shin bone.

00:32:59.339 --> 00:33:00.539
 Just the way I fell

00:33:00.539 --> 00:33:01.819
 and it hurt so bad

00:33:01.819 --> 00:33:02.940
 and I thought,

00:33:03.000 --> 00:33:03.279
 oh no,

00:33:03.339 --> 00:33:04.940
 if I see a bone

00:33:04.940 --> 00:33:06.299
 sticking out of my skin,

00:33:06.399 --> 00:33:07.299
 I'm going to throw up.

00:33:07.519 --> 00:33:07.759
 So,

00:33:07.940 --> 00:33:09.279
 I touched without looking

00:33:09.279 --> 00:33:10.059
 and everything seemed

00:33:10.059 --> 00:33:10.740
 to be in place

00:33:10.740 --> 00:33:11.259
 and I thought,

00:33:11.339 --> 00:33:11.779
 oh good,

00:33:12.099 --> 00:33:12.519
 I don't think

00:33:12.519 --> 00:33:13.200
 I broke my bone

00:33:13.200 --> 00:33:14.079
 and so I thought,

00:33:14.180 --> 00:33:14.400
 all right,

00:33:14.460 --> 00:33:15.079
 well maybe I'm just

00:33:15.079 --> 00:33:15.859
 bruised up a bit

00:33:15.859 --> 00:33:16.559
 and I limped over

00:33:16.559 --> 00:33:17.339
 to the garage.

00:33:17.440 --> 00:33:18.480
 I tried to calm down

00:33:18.480 --> 00:33:19.619
 and I told Jacinda,

00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:19.819
 I said,

00:33:19.879 --> 00:33:21.700
 I think I'm okay.

00:33:22.079 --> 00:33:22.480
 I said,

00:33:22.519 --> 00:33:23.059
 let me go

00:33:23.059 --> 00:33:24.500
 take a baking soda bath.

00:33:24.539 --> 00:33:26.240
 I'll see if I can calm it down

00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:27.379
 and that felt good

00:33:27.379 --> 00:33:28.000
 but as soon

00:33:28.000 --> 00:33:29.180
 as I got out of the bath,

00:33:29.420 --> 00:33:29.980
 I'm telling you,

00:33:30.000 --> 00:33:31.279
 my knee swelled up

00:33:31.279 --> 00:33:32.180
 like a big melon

00:33:32.180 --> 00:33:33.859
 and it hurt so bad.

00:33:34.519 --> 00:33:34.799
 I said,

00:33:34.839 --> 00:33:35.759
 I better go to the ER.

00:33:36.200 --> 00:33:37.200
 I'm on blood thinners

00:33:37.200 --> 00:33:38.180
 so I got to be careful

00:33:38.180 --> 00:33:39.400
 with injuries

00:33:39.400 --> 00:33:40.800
 and so we go to the ER

00:33:40.800 --> 00:33:42.380
 and what do you know,

00:33:42.660 --> 00:33:43.759
 I broke my fibula

00:33:43.759 --> 00:33:44.940
 on the back part

00:33:44.940 --> 00:33:45.580
 of my leg.

00:33:46.380 --> 00:33:47.840
 The orthopedic thought,

00:33:47.960 --> 00:33:49.480
 I also tore my ACL

00:33:49.480 --> 00:33:51.519
 because the bone

00:33:51.519 --> 00:33:52.660
 like chipped or something

00:33:52.660 --> 00:33:53.440
 and it separated.

00:33:54.000 --> 00:33:54.340
 Thankfully,

00:33:54.340 --> 00:33:55.500
 that was not the case.

00:33:55.600 --> 00:33:56.740
 I just broke my bone

00:33:56.740 --> 00:34:00.340
 but it's April 17th.

00:34:00.340 --> 00:34:00.820
 Do you know

00:34:00.820 --> 00:34:01.680
 when the most stressful

00:34:01.680 --> 00:34:02.460
 time of the year

00:34:02.460 --> 00:34:03.519
 for a camp director is?

00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:04.440
 Let me tell you,

00:34:04.519 --> 00:34:06.080
 it's on April 17th.

00:34:06.079 --> 00:34:07.939
 You say,

00:34:08.039 --> 00:34:08.539
 why is that?

00:34:08.599 --> 00:34:08.840
 Well, listen,

00:34:08.960 --> 00:34:10.059
 summer's not stressful to me

00:34:10.059 --> 00:34:11.779
 because summer's just raw energy.

00:34:12.219 --> 00:34:13.380
 I'm ready to go by summer.

00:34:13.759 --> 00:34:15.239
 I have some pretty good stamina.

00:34:15.799 --> 00:34:17.299
 I don't mind late nights,

00:34:17.360 --> 00:34:17.920
 early mornings.

00:34:18.000 --> 00:34:19.219
 I can handle that.

00:34:19.519 --> 00:34:21.159
 It's the springtime

00:34:21.159 --> 00:34:22.639
 because I'm still trying

00:34:22.639 --> 00:34:24.239
 to get all the uncertainties

00:34:24.239 --> 00:34:24.980
 in order

00:34:24.980 --> 00:34:25.940
 and let me tell you,

00:34:25.960 --> 00:34:27.099
 that just stresses me out.

00:34:27.380 --> 00:34:29.059
 I got to get the program together.

00:34:29.179 --> 00:34:30.219
 I got to get workers.

00:34:30.739 --> 00:34:31.539
 I got to figure out

00:34:31.539 --> 00:34:32.679
 all this kind of stuff

00:34:32.679 --> 00:34:33.279
 and let me tell you,

00:34:33.500 --> 00:34:35.599
 I get very stressed

00:34:35.599 --> 00:34:36.420
 in the spring.

00:34:36.679 --> 00:34:36.860
 In fact,

00:34:36.920 --> 00:34:37.279
 I'll tell you,

00:34:37.339 --> 00:34:38.519
 a typical day for me

00:34:38.519 --> 00:34:39.759
 around that time of year,

00:34:39.940 --> 00:34:41.039
 I get up in the morning,

00:34:41.159 --> 00:34:41.839
 I read my Bible

00:34:41.839 --> 00:34:42.539
 and then I'll go spend

00:34:42.539 --> 00:34:43.219
 some time in prayer

00:34:43.219 --> 00:34:43.699
 and let me tell you,

00:34:43.739 --> 00:34:45.460
 I really pour my heart out

00:34:45.460 --> 00:34:46.239
 before God

00:34:46.239 --> 00:34:47.219
 and last year,

00:34:47.279 --> 00:34:47.420
 boy,

00:34:47.500 --> 00:34:48.440
 I had a lot of things

00:34:48.440 --> 00:34:49.699
 that were not in order

00:34:49.699 --> 00:34:51.360
 so I would go into my prayer time

00:34:51.360 --> 00:34:51.779
 with the Lord

00:34:51.779 --> 00:34:52.199
 and I would say,

00:34:52.299 --> 00:34:52.679
 God,

00:34:52.779 --> 00:34:53.980
 I need you.

00:34:54.339 --> 00:34:55.440
 Here's a list of things

00:34:55.440 --> 00:34:56.860
 that need to get accomplished

00:34:56.860 --> 00:34:57.719
 before we start

00:34:57.719 --> 00:34:58.500
 the summer season

00:34:58.500 --> 00:34:59.639
 so if you'll just look

00:34:59.639 --> 00:35:00.119
 at this list,

00:35:00.219 --> 00:35:01.279
 I'll talk with you about it.

00:35:01.480 --> 00:35:02.380
 I'm sure you already know

00:35:02.380 --> 00:35:03.000
 because you're God

00:35:03.000 --> 00:35:03.880
 but let's just talk

00:35:03.880 --> 00:35:05.500
 I need you to show up here.

00:35:05.980 --> 00:35:06.239
 And so,

00:35:06.380 --> 00:35:07.019
 then I would pray,

00:35:07.119 --> 00:35:07.779
 I would say amen,

00:35:07.920 --> 00:35:08.719
 I would feel pretty good

00:35:08.719 --> 00:35:09.880
 and then I would go

00:35:09.880 --> 00:35:11.539
 and I would try to accomplish

00:35:11.539 --> 00:35:13.179
 everything on my list.

00:35:13.279 --> 00:35:14.039
 I'd get on the phone,

00:35:14.179 --> 00:35:16.400
 I would try to make things happen,

00:35:16.519 --> 00:35:17.059
 I would try to get

00:35:17.059 --> 00:35:18.139
 the program in order,

00:35:18.219 --> 00:35:19.079
 I'd try to get these workers

00:35:19.079 --> 00:35:19.980
 and you know what?

00:35:20.500 --> 00:35:22.019
 The problem wasn't solved that day.

00:35:22.299 --> 00:35:22.900
 So what happens?

00:35:22.940 --> 00:35:23.440
 The next day,

00:35:23.559 --> 00:35:24.980
 I go back to that prayer closet

00:35:24.980 --> 00:35:25.279
 and I'm like,

00:35:25.339 --> 00:35:25.440
 Lord,

00:35:25.699 --> 00:35:26.920
 here's this list again.

00:35:27.059 --> 00:35:28.019
 I don't know if we covered

00:35:28.019 --> 00:35:28.679
 some of these details

00:35:28.679 --> 00:35:29.860
 but let's talk about it again.

00:35:30.139 --> 00:35:31.039
 And then I would leave

00:35:31.039 --> 00:35:32.119
 and I would just try

00:35:32.119 --> 00:35:33.619
 to will it all together

00:35:33.619 --> 00:35:34.880
 and I'd go back to the next day

00:35:34.880 --> 00:35:35.220
 and I'd be like,

00:35:35.380 --> 00:35:35.780
 God,

00:35:35.980 --> 00:35:37.340
 it's still not done,

00:35:37.400 --> 00:35:38.940
 I really need you.

00:35:40.500 --> 00:35:41.440
 And so God decided

00:35:41.440 --> 00:35:42.320
 to answer my prayer

00:35:42.320 --> 00:35:45.340
 by making me sit down.

00:35:46.980 --> 00:35:48.220
 Isn't that the paradox?

00:35:48.219 --> 00:35:51.519
 I came home that first night

00:35:51.519 --> 00:35:52.019
 from the ER

00:35:52.019 --> 00:35:53.000
 and I tried to go to bed.

00:35:53.299 --> 00:35:53.539
 Oh,

00:35:53.659 --> 00:35:55.059
 it was so uncomfortable.

00:35:55.639 --> 00:35:56.739
 I just could not

00:35:56.739 --> 00:35:58.319
 get into a position

00:35:58.319 --> 00:35:59.859
 where I could just let it ease

00:35:59.859 --> 00:36:01.099
 and so finally,

00:36:01.219 --> 00:36:02.219
 I went out in the living room

00:36:02.219 --> 00:36:04.059
 and I sat down on my chair,

00:36:04.199 --> 00:36:05.259
 propped up my legs

00:36:05.259 --> 00:36:07.399
 and it's dark inside the house.

00:36:07.559 --> 00:36:09.059
 I got one little night light

00:36:09.059 --> 00:36:10.899
 over by the stove in the kitchen

00:36:10.899 --> 00:36:12.839
 and it's just quiet.

00:36:13.519 --> 00:36:15.399
 It's just me and God.

00:36:15.400 --> 00:36:17.480
 And I was like,

00:36:17.519 --> 00:36:17.880
 God,

00:36:18.440 --> 00:36:20.300
 what's going on?

00:36:21.840 --> 00:36:23.440
 I asked for help

00:36:23.440 --> 00:36:24.480
 and now,

00:36:24.980 --> 00:36:26.599
 I can't even move.

00:36:27.740 --> 00:36:28.119
 This,

00:36:28.340 --> 00:36:30.079
 this does not make sense

00:36:30.079 --> 00:36:30.840
 to me at all.

00:36:31.800 --> 00:36:32.000
 You know,

00:36:32.039 --> 00:36:33.079
 the Lord taught me

00:36:33.079 --> 00:36:35.420
 probably one of the greatest

00:36:35.420 --> 00:36:36.639
 lessons of my life

00:36:36.639 --> 00:36:38.720
 that when I need Him the most,

00:36:39.300 --> 00:36:40.720
 He doesn't need me.

00:36:40.719 --> 00:36:43.679
 And if I would just let Him

00:36:43.679 --> 00:36:44.480
 have His way,

00:36:45.159 --> 00:36:46.779
 He could move mountains

00:36:46.779 --> 00:36:51.319
 while I rest in faith.

00:36:52.139 --> 00:36:52.659
 See,

00:36:52.719 --> 00:36:53.839
 that's what it's all about.

00:36:54.859 --> 00:36:55.439
 Let me tell you,

00:36:55.959 --> 00:36:57.819
 God moved in incredible ways

00:36:57.819 --> 00:36:58.419
 last year.

00:36:58.739 --> 00:37:00.099
 Ways that I never saw possible.

00:37:01.419 --> 00:37:01.779
 In fact,

00:37:02.199 --> 00:37:04.579
 He solved Jacob's problems too.

00:37:05.659 --> 00:37:06.059
 You see,

00:37:06.639 --> 00:37:08.639
 after God wrestled Jacob

00:37:08.639 --> 00:37:10.159
 and Jacob finally yielded,

00:37:10.779 --> 00:37:11.879
 the next day,

00:37:12.399 --> 00:37:13.899
 Jacob gets himself ready to go

00:37:13.899 --> 00:37:14.519
 as he's limping

00:37:14.519 --> 00:37:15.899
 with a walking stick.

00:37:16.940 --> 00:37:17.239
 And so,

00:37:17.359 --> 00:37:18.139
 the caravans

00:37:18.139 --> 00:37:19.440
 are on their way south.

00:37:20.099 --> 00:37:20.899
 Esau is headed up

00:37:20.899 --> 00:37:21.699
 towards the north

00:37:21.699 --> 00:37:22.719
 and they're now going to

00:37:22.719 --> 00:37:23.379
 confront each other.

00:37:24.179 --> 00:37:24.539
 So,

00:37:24.599 --> 00:37:26.259
 Esau comes with his 400 men.

00:37:26.599 --> 00:37:28.279
 He sees the first family group

00:37:28.279 --> 00:37:29.440
 and he comes

00:37:29.440 --> 00:37:29.960
 and he says,

00:37:30.039 --> 00:37:30.179
 hey,

00:37:30.219 --> 00:37:30.899
 I'm Esau.

00:37:30.980 --> 00:37:31.299
 And they say,

00:37:31.359 --> 00:37:31.539
 oh,

00:37:31.619 --> 00:37:32.639
 we're from Jacob.

00:37:33.259 --> 00:37:33.899
 Your servant,

00:37:33.899 --> 00:37:34.299
 Jacob.

00:37:34.759 --> 00:37:34.980
 Oh,

00:37:35.000 --> 00:37:35.359
 by the way,

00:37:35.420 --> 00:37:36.319
 here's a gift for you

00:37:36.319 --> 00:37:36.920
 with a note.

00:37:37.259 --> 00:37:38.539
 He's just right behind us.

00:37:38.940 --> 00:37:39.079
 So,

00:37:39.359 --> 00:37:40.139
 Esau is like,

00:37:40.239 --> 00:37:40.440
 whoa,

00:37:40.539 --> 00:37:41.539
 I don't understand that.

00:37:42.219 --> 00:37:42.480
 Well,

00:37:42.980 --> 00:37:43.480
 whatever.

00:37:44.039 --> 00:37:45.219
 Put the livestock in the back,

00:37:45.279 --> 00:37:45.480
 boys.

00:37:45.500 --> 00:37:45.899
 Let's go.

00:37:46.199 --> 00:37:46.359
 So,

00:37:46.420 --> 00:37:47.420
 they're marching on

00:37:47.420 --> 00:37:48.279
 to the second group.

00:37:48.699 --> 00:37:49.599
 Same thing happens.

00:37:49.899 --> 00:37:50.079
 Oh,

00:37:50.139 --> 00:37:50.679
 here's a gift

00:37:50.679 --> 00:37:51.299
 from your servant,

00:37:51.440 --> 00:37:51.659
 Jacob.

00:37:51.839 --> 00:37:52.859
 He's right behind us

00:37:52.859 --> 00:37:54.299
 and Esau's scratching his head

00:37:54.299 --> 00:37:54.579
 thinking,

00:37:54.779 --> 00:37:55.000
 wow,

00:37:55.420 --> 00:37:55.639
 you know,

00:37:55.699 --> 00:37:56.500
 something's off here

00:37:56.500 --> 00:37:57.239
 because it sounds like

00:37:57.239 --> 00:37:58.179
 Jacob doesn't even want to fight.

00:37:58.739 --> 00:37:58.920
 Oh,

00:37:58.980 --> 00:37:59.179
 well,

00:37:59.519 --> 00:37:59.839
 boys,

00:38:00.019 --> 00:38:01.440
 put the livestock aside.

00:38:01.559 --> 00:38:02.179
 Let's go.

00:38:02.279 --> 00:38:02.399
 And so,

00:38:02.399 --> 00:38:03.259
 they go to the third group.

00:38:03.379 --> 00:38:04.139
 Same thing.

00:38:04.739 --> 00:38:05.659
 Same message.

00:38:05.960 --> 00:38:07.099
 Jacob's right behind us

00:38:07.099 --> 00:38:09.119
 and Esau is just flabbergasted.

00:38:09.219 --> 00:38:10.559
 He doesn't know what's going on.

00:38:10.920 --> 00:38:11.480
 He says,

00:38:11.539 --> 00:38:12.319
 let's keep going.

00:38:12.400 --> 00:38:13.360
 We got to find Jacob.

00:38:13.679 --> 00:38:15.960
 And as he sees far in the distance,

00:38:16.039 --> 00:38:17.920
 he sees one lonely individual

00:38:17.920 --> 00:38:21.099
 limping along on a walking stick.

00:38:21.779 --> 00:38:23.940
 And as he sees this gap

00:38:23.940 --> 00:38:25.019
 begin to close,

00:38:25.319 --> 00:38:27.000
 Esau begins to think within himself,

00:38:27.500 --> 00:38:27.739
 you know,

00:38:27.799 --> 00:38:28.719
 not only does Jacob

00:38:28.719 --> 00:38:30.139
 not want to fight,

00:38:31.139 --> 00:38:31.880
 that old boy

00:38:31.880 --> 00:38:32.860
 cannot even fight.

00:38:34.360 --> 00:38:36.559
 And as the distance encloses,

00:38:37.299 --> 00:38:38.699
 God does something amazing

00:38:38.699 --> 00:38:41.259
 because when they finally greet,

00:38:41.819 --> 00:38:43.420
 they hug on each other.

00:38:43.960 --> 00:38:45.559
 They're kissing on each other.

00:38:45.880 --> 00:38:46.659
 They're weeping.

00:38:47.900 --> 00:38:48.900
 Don't you get it?

00:38:48.900 --> 00:38:51.700
 God not only solved

00:38:51.700 --> 00:38:53.039
 Jacob's problems,

00:38:53.960 --> 00:38:56.180
 he apparently solved Esau's as well.

00:38:57.440 --> 00:38:59.360
 If you let God have his way,

00:39:00.180 --> 00:39:02.119
 everything works out.

00:39:02.180 --> 00:39:03.539
 You know what one of my themes is?

00:39:04.059 --> 00:39:05.360
 It always works out.

00:39:06.059 --> 00:39:06.720
 It always does.

00:39:07.480 --> 00:39:08.639
 Have you ever had a moment in your life

00:39:08.639 --> 00:39:09.260
 and it didn't work out?

00:39:09.700 --> 00:39:10.840
 When you live by faith,

00:39:11.119 --> 00:39:13.880
 it always works out.

00:39:14.360 --> 00:39:15.800
 So what are you going to do, friends,

00:39:16.660 --> 00:39:18.000
 if God's wrestling you?

00:39:18.000 --> 00:39:19.619
 Can I challenge you today

00:39:19.619 --> 00:39:20.860
 to let it go,

00:39:20.980 --> 00:39:22.199
 no matter what the circumstance,

00:39:22.440 --> 00:39:23.360
 no matter what you're facing?

00:39:23.800 --> 00:39:25.760
 Could you just release that today

00:39:25.760 --> 00:39:26.760
 and let God have his way?

00:39:27.079 --> 00:39:28.420
 It's only a baby step today.

00:39:28.500 --> 00:39:28.860
 Say, Lord,

00:39:29.159 --> 00:39:31.139
 I have this area of my life

00:39:31.139 --> 00:39:32.420
 that I've been wrestling with,

00:39:32.440 --> 00:39:33.019
 with you,

00:39:33.440 --> 00:39:34.639
 and I just want you to have it.

00:39:35.039 --> 00:39:35.559
 And by the way,

00:39:35.639 --> 00:39:36.840
 tomorrow you're going to have to pray

00:39:36.840 --> 00:39:37.599
 the same thing

00:39:37.599 --> 00:39:40.199
 because it's not all about crisis moments.

00:39:40.280 --> 00:39:42.300
 It's one step at a time.

00:39:42.539 --> 00:39:43.760
 But would you at least take

00:39:43.760 --> 00:39:45.000
 that first step of faith

00:39:45.000 --> 00:39:45.739
 and say, God,

00:39:45.739 --> 00:39:47.739
 would you just take this burden from me?

00:39:48.079 --> 00:39:49.399
 Would you just have your way?

00:39:49.619 --> 00:39:50.879
 I just need you

00:39:50.879 --> 00:39:52.819
 and I can't do it all on my own.

00:39:53.299 --> 00:39:56.139
 Would you be sincere with God today about that?

00:39:56.359 --> 00:39:57.559
 Would you pray openly

00:39:57.559 --> 00:39:58.159
 and admitting,

00:39:58.479 --> 00:39:59.899
 God, I don't have all the answers,

00:40:00.279 --> 00:40:01.579
 but I know that I have you

00:40:01.579 --> 00:40:02.959
 and you have all the answers.

00:40:03.279 --> 00:40:04.139
 Would you be willing

00:40:04.139 --> 00:40:05.939
 to be sincere about that?

00:40:06.399 --> 00:40:07.719
 And then would you be willing

00:40:07.719 --> 00:40:08.659
 to let him,

00:40:08.719 --> 00:40:10.519
 no matter what the decision is,

00:40:10.839 --> 00:40:11.959
 to conquer you

00:40:11.959 --> 00:40:13.039
 and prevail

00:40:13.039 --> 00:40:14.679
 and let him have his way with you.

00:40:14.739 --> 00:40:15.099
 Let me tell you,

00:40:15.279 --> 00:40:16.860
 that could be a hard thing to do

00:40:16.860 --> 00:40:18.500
 if you're clinging on to something

00:40:18.500 --> 00:40:19.679
 that's your own strength.

00:40:19.800 --> 00:40:20.880
 You might need to let it go.

00:40:21.519 --> 00:40:22.420
 But if you will,

00:40:22.779 --> 00:40:25.579
 God will help you be a winner.

00:40:26.219 --> 00:40:26.840
 Would you bow your heads,

00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:27.440
 close your eyes.

00:40:27.500 --> 00:40:29.039
 Let me give you that chance right now

00:40:29.039 --> 00:40:30.820
 to respond to the Lord.

00:40:31.980 --> 00:40:33.500
 How's he speaking to you, friends?

00:40:34.000 --> 00:40:34.940
 What are you facing?

00:40:35.699 --> 00:40:37.519
 This is an opportunity for you

00:40:37.519 --> 00:40:39.759
 to step in the right direction.

00:40:39.760 --> 00:40:41.040
 It could be in 2025.

00:40:41.300 --> 00:40:43.220
 This is exactly what you need.

00:40:43.580 --> 00:40:45.780
 You need God to have full control.

00:40:46.380 --> 00:40:47.660
 Would you allow him to do that?

00:40:47.680 --> 00:40:49.060
 I'm going to ask the piano to play.

00:40:49.760 --> 00:40:50.940
 And as she plays,

00:40:51.040 --> 00:40:52.040
 this is going to be a moment

00:40:52.040 --> 00:40:53.100
 of quiet prayer.

00:40:53.480 --> 00:40:54.260
 I want to invite you

00:40:54.260 --> 00:40:55.300
 to do business with the Lord.

00:40:55.380 --> 00:40:56.180
 Maybe you need to come

00:40:56.180 --> 00:40:57.920
 and kneel down at the altar.

00:40:58.080 --> 00:40:59.280
 Maybe you just need to do business

00:40:59.280 --> 00:41:00.200
 at your seat.

00:41:00.660 --> 00:41:01.720
 But as she begins to play,

00:41:01.780 --> 00:41:03.080
 would you pour your heart out to God?

00:41:03.400 --> 00:41:04.860
 Would you yield in this matter

00:41:04.860 --> 00:41:06.580
 of whatever it is

00:41:06.580 --> 00:41:07.980
 that needs to change?

00:41:07.980 --> 00:41:10.659
 There's a strength in your life.

00:41:10.740 --> 00:41:12.240
 God wants it to become a weakness.

00:41:13.099 --> 00:41:14.000
 You know, Paul said,

00:41:14.199 --> 00:41:15.420
 later in his life,

00:41:15.519 --> 00:41:15.840
 he goes,

00:41:15.960 --> 00:41:17.300
 most rather would I glory

00:41:17.300 --> 00:41:18.260
 in mine infirmities

00:41:18.260 --> 00:41:19.760
 that the power of Christ

00:41:19.760 --> 00:41:21.420
 may rest upon me.

00:41:22.260 --> 00:41:22.579
 He says,

00:41:22.699 --> 00:41:24.019
 when I'm weak,

00:41:24.800 --> 00:41:26.059
 weak in the flesh,

00:41:26.659 --> 00:41:27.980
 then I'm strong,

00:41:28.179 --> 00:41:29.679
 strong in faith,

00:41:29.860 --> 00:41:32.079
 strong in the Spirit of God.

00:41:32.880 --> 00:41:34.519
 Let him have his way with you today.

00:41:34.519 --> 00:41:34.599
 Amen.