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Sermon #8 "The God Who Changes Hearts"

God alone changes hearts. Therefore, have hope in God to change hearts!

Genesis 33:1-20

Big Idea: God alone changes hearts. Therefore, have hope in God to change hearts!

 I.       The meeting (vv. 1-11).

A.    A changed Jacob (33:1-3).

“Esau was coming, and four hundred men with him” (32: 6).

“And Jacob said, ‘O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac’” (32:9).

“A man wrestled with him until breaking of the day” (32:24).

“Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me’” (32:26)

“’Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel’…And there he blessed him” (32:28-29).

“The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping” (32:31).

Genesis 28:20-21

“And Jacob looked, and behold, Esau was coming , and four hundred men with him” (33:1).

Genesis 27:41

“So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two female servants…He went on before them, bowing himself to the ground seven times” (vv. 1, 3).

 

B.     A changed Esau (33:4-11).

“But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept” (v. 4).

“Esau said, ‘Who are these with you?’ Jacob said, ‘The children whom God has graciously given your servant’” (v. 5).

“Esau said, ‘What do you mean by all this company’? Jacob answered, ‘To find favor in the sight of my lord’” (v. 8).

“Jacob said, ‘No, please, if I have found favor in your sight, then accept my present from my hand. For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me’” (v. 10).

“’Please accept my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough’” (v. 11).

 Isaiah 53:5

II.       The parting (vv. 12-20).

A.    “Then Esau said, ‘Let us journey…I will go ahead’” (v. 12).

 “Jacob said to him, ‘If they are driven hard for one day, all the flocks will die. Let me, lord, pass on ahead…until I come to my lord in Seir’” (vv. 13-14).

“But Jacob journeyed to Succoth” (v. 17).

“And Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem” (v. 18).

“He bought for a hundred pieces of money the piece of land on which he had pitched his tent. There he erected an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel” (vv. 19-20).

B.     God alone changes hearts

Psalm 51:10; Proverbs 21:1; Ezekiel 36:26; Jeremiah 32:27; Proverbs 16:7

C.    Review

Big Idea: God alone changes hearts. Therefore, have hope in God to change hearts!

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Sermon #7 "God's Wrestlings With Us"

Wrestle for God’s blessings!

Genesis 32;1-32

Big Idea: Wrestle for God’s blessings!

 I.       Trouble with Esau.

“Jacob went…the angels of God met him…’This is God’s camp!’ So he called the name of that place Mahanaim” (vv. 1-2).

Genesis 27:41; 28:12

“Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau…’I have sent to tell my lord, in order that I may find favor in your sight’” (vv. 3-5).

“And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, ‘We came to your brother Esau, and he is coming to meet you, and there are four hundred men with him’…Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed” (vv. 6-8).

“And Jacob said, ‘O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O LORD who said to me, Return to your country and to your kindred… I am not worthy of the least of all deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness… I have become two camps. Please deliver me from the hand of my brother…but you said, I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea” (vv. 9-12).

“He took a present for his brother Esau… They belong to your servant Jacob…he thought I may appease him with the present that goes ahead of me, and afterward I shall see his face” (vv. 13-21).

 

    II.      Wrestling with God.

“The same night he arose and took his two wives…and his children…sent them across the stream…and Jacob was left alone” (vv. 22-24).

“And a man wrestled with him until breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint…he said, ‘Let me go, for the day has not broken’…But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me’…he said, ‘Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed’…and there he blessed him. Jacob called the name of the place Penuel, saying, ‘For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered’. The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip” (vv. 24-32).

Genesis 18:1-15; Exodus 33:20; Hosea 12:3-4

A.    The gospel

Matthew 26:39

 

 

 

 

 

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Sermon # 6 "God Forever With Us"

Forever God is with us!

Genesis 30:25-31:55

How do you hope when treated unjustly?

Big Idea: Forever God is with us!

 I.      The injustices of life.

A.     Laban’s injustice  (Genesis 30:25-43).

“’Send me away, that I may go to my own home and country’” (v. 25).

“’The LORD has blessed me because of you’” (v. 27).

“’The LORD has blessed you wherever I turned” (v. 30).

“’If you do this for me…I will again pasture your flock and keep it’” (vv. 31).

“’Let me pass through all your flock today, removing from it every speckled and spotted sheep and every black lamb…and they shall be my wages’” (v. 31).

“That day Laban removed …the striped and spotted” (v. 35).

“The flocks brought forth striped, speckled, and spotted” (v. 39).

“Thus the man increased greatly and had large flocks” (v. 43).

Genesis 28:15 “’I am with you and will keep you wherever you go’”

B.     Laban’s pursuit (31:1-55).

“The sons of Laban were saying, ‘Jacob has taken all that was our father’s’” (v. 1).

“Jacob saw that Laban did not regard him with favor” (v. 2).

“The LORD said to Jacob, ‘Return to the land…I will be with you’” (v. 3).

“Jacob called Rachel and Leah…and said to them, ‘I see that your father does not regard me with favor…But God of my father has been with me’” (vv. 4-5).

“’Your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God did not permit him to harm me’” (v. 7).

’God has taken away the livestock of your father and given it to me’” (v. 9).

“Rachel stole her father’s household gods…Jacob tricked Laban…not telling him that he intended to flee” (vv. 19-20).

“He pursued him for seven days” (v. 23).

“But God came to Laban in a dream…’ Be careful not to say anything…good or bad’” (v. 24).

“’It is in my power to do you harm. But God spoke to me…be careful not say anything to Jacob’” (v. 29).

‘Jacob became angry and berated Laban” (v. 36).

’If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been on my side, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God saw my affliction and the labor of my hands and rebuked you last night’” (v. 42).

“’Witness, not harm’” (v. 52).

“So Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac” (v. 53).

Genesis 28:25 (with); 31:5 (with), 31:42 (on side)

    II.      Forever God is with us.

A.     Forever God is with us.

Psalm 118:6-7 – “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The LORD in on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me”

Psalm 124:1-2 -“If it had not been the LORD who was on our side…if it had not been the LORD who was on our side

Romans 8:31 – “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Hebrews 13:5

 

B.     The gospel

Matthew 27:46

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Sermon # 5 "The Promise Keeper"

How do we withstand being wronged, unloved, and crushed?

Genesis 29:1 through 30:24

How do we withstand being wronged, unloved, and crushed?

Big Idea: What God promises, God fulfills!

 I.      When wronged, remember what God promises, God fulfills.

A.     The setting  (Genesis 29:1-14).

Genesis 28:2, 13-15

“Jacob…came to the land of the people of the east” (29:1-14).

“’Brothers, Haran, Laban?’” (vv. 4-5).

’Rachel his daughter is coming with the sheep’” (v. 11).

“Jacob kissed Rachel and wept aloud…her father’s kinsman, and that he was Rebekah’s son” (vv. 11-12).

Laban heard…ran…brought him to his house” (v. 13). 

“He stayed with him a month” (v. 14).

B.     Wronged Jacob (vv. 15-28).

’Serve me nothing’” (v. 15).

“Laban had two daughters, Leah, Rachel” (v. 16).

“Leah’s eyes were weak” (v. 17).

“Jacob loved Rachel…’serve you seven years…Rachel’” (v. 18).

“Jacob served seven years for Rachel…seemed but a few days because of his love for her” (v. 20).

“’Give me my wife…my time is completed’” (v. 21).

“But took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob” (v. 23).

“In the morning, behold, it was Leah!... Why have you deceived me?’” (v. 25).

’Not done in our country to give younger before firstborn’” (v. 26).

“Give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years’” (v. 27).

Genesis 2:24; Matthew 26:21, 31; 28:10

    II.      When unloved or crushed, remember what God promises, God fulfills (vv. 30-30:24)

A.     Unloved Leah (vv. 30-35).

“He loved Rachel more than Leah” (v. 30).

“The Lord saw that Leah hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren” (v. 31).

Leah …bore a son…Reuben, ‘Because the Lord has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me’” (v. 32).

“Bore a son…Because the Lord heard that I am hated, he has given me this son, Simeon’” (v. 33).

“Bore a son, ‘Now…my husband will be attached to me, borne him three sons’…Levi” (v. 34).

“Bore a son, ‘This time I will praise the Lord’Judah” (v. 35).

B.     Crushed Rachel (vv. 30:10-24

Rachel envied her sister. ‘Give me children, or I shall die!’” (v. 1).

“Jacob’s anger was kindled…’Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?’” (v. 2).

“’Here is my servant Bilhah…give birth on my behalf, that even I may have children through her’” (v.3).

Bilhah as a wifeBilhah conceived” (vv. 4-5).

’God has judged me…heard my voice and given me a son…Dan’” (v. 6).

“Rachel said, ‘With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister and have prevailed’Naphtali” (v. 8).

“Leah…took Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife” (v. 9).

“Zilpah bore a son. Leah ‘Good fortune has come’ Gad” (v. 11).

“Leah, ’Happy am I! For women have called me happy’…Asher” (v. 13).

“Leah bore a fifth son…Issachar” (v. 17).

“Leah bore a sixth son…Zebulun”(vv. 19-20).

God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb” (v. 22).

“She conceived and bore a son and said, ‘God has taken away my reproach’… Joseph” (vv. 22-23).

 

Revelation 5:1-7,9

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"A Stroke for Good"

God works even the bad for our good.

Romans 8:28-30

Why should we hope despite the bad things in our lives?

Big Idea: God works even the bad for our good.

 I.       What is the good? (v. 28)

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good.”

A.    The Persons – “those who love God”

What?

Why?

B.     The Good Purpose – “all things work together for good”

Romans 8:18; Genesis 50:20; Psalm 119:71

    II.      How does this good work? (vv. 28-30)

“For those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified” (vv. 28-30).

A.    The Plan.

Called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined…whom he predestined he called he also justified…he also glorified” (v. 30).

Proverbs 3:5-6; Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:31,37-39; 2 Corinthians 4:17

B.     The Person.

Conformed to the image of his Son in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (v. 29).

What?

The Gospel.

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"Trust Issues"

When do I need to trust in God?

Psalm 62:8

 I.       Who can I really trust?

Trust in Him

Lay yourself “face down” before God

II.      When do I need to trust?

“Trust in Him at all times”

Psalm 62:3

III.      How do I express my trust?

“Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him

Psalm 113:1; 1 Samuel 1:10

IV.      Why trust God?

“Trust  in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.”

V.      Where to find shelter in God’s presence?

A.    The Shelter of God’s Presence

       Hebrews 13:5

B.     The Shelter of God’s Peace

John 11:27

C.    The Shelter of God’s Prayer

John 15:7

D.    The Shelter of God’s Provision

Philippians 4:19

E.     The Shelter of God’s Love

Romans 8:38-39

F.     The Shelter of God’s Good Purpose

Romans 8:28

G.    The Shelter of God’s Sustaining Grace

1 Peter 5:10

VI.      “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” Proverbs 18:10

 

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"The Preserving Power of Prayer"

God desires to preserve us through our prayer!

Psalm 143:1-12

Big Idea: God desires to preserve us through our prayer!

 

 I.       How does God want us to preserve our power of prayer?

A.    Hear my prayer, O Lord (vv.1-6).

God wants us to tell Him our situation.

Our basis of prayer is the character of God.

Do you have a sense of your own righteousness?

John 7:37

B.     Answer my prayer, O God (vv. 7-12).

God wants us to wait for the answer in preparation.

What answer was David waiting for?

Verse 7-to see God’s face

Psalm 69:17; Numbers 6:24-26

Verse 8-hear God’s Word

Romans 10:17

Verse 9-to experience God’s protection

Psalm 19:14

Verse 10 -to have knowledge of the will of the Lord.

Psalm 119:105

Verses 11-12- he was also searching to bring glory to God’s great name.

“For Your name’s sake” was the great motivation of David’s life and ministry’

Genesis 37:31

    II.      What answers are you waiting from God?

Are you relying on the preserving power of prayer?

Are you reliant on the King of Kings?

 

 III.      Conclusion

Big Idea: God desires to preserve us through our prayer!

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Sermon # 4 "God Keeps the Christian"

How does God give us unshakeable confidence in our threatening world?

Genesis 28:1-22

How does God give us unshakable confidence in our threatening world?

Big Idea: God keeps every Christian.

 I.       How does God give us unshakable confidence in our unsafe world?

A.    God promises his presence (1-15).

Setting

“Then Isaac called Jacob and blessed him and directed him, ‘You must not take a wife from the Canaanite women’” (v. 1).

’Go to Paddan…take as your wife from there one of the daughters of Laban your mother’s brother’” (v. 2).

“’God Almighty bless you’” (v. 3).

“’May he give the blessing of Abraham to you and to your offspring…. take possession of the land’” (v. 4).

Genesis 3:15, 12:3

Presence

“He came to a certain place” (v. 11).

“And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it!” (v. 12).

“The LORD stood above it and said, ‘I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land…I will give to you and your offspring’” (v. 13).

“’Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth… and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed’” (v. 14).

“’Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go…I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you’” (v. 15).

Luke 19:10; John 1:51; Hebrews 10:19-20

B.     God promises his protection (15-22).

“’Behold I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land’” (v. 15).

“’Surely the LORD is in this place’” (v. 16).

“And he was afraid and said, ‘How awesome is this place!’” (v. 17).

“So early in the morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it” (v. 18).

“He called the place Bethel” (v. 19).

“Then Jacob made a vow, saying, ‘If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God, and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you’” (vv. 20-22).

Genesis 37:31

C.    Principle

Psalm 32:7; 34:7; 121:3; Isaiah 41:10; 43:2; John 10:27-29; 1 Peter 1:5

    II.      Conclusion

Big Idea: God keeps every Christian.

 

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Sermon # 3 "God's Purposes Prevail"

Can anything derail God’s sovereign saving purpose for your life?

Genesis 27

Can anything derail God’s sovereign saving purposes for your life?

Big Idea: We must have faith in God because God’s saving purposes prevail.

 I.       God’s saving purposes prevail despite sin.

A.    Despite Isaac’s sin.

“When Isaac was old …could not see, he called Esau his older son” (v. 1).

“He said…’I do not know the day of my death’” (v. 2).

“’Prepare for me delicious food…that my soul may be bless you before I die’” (v. 4).

Genesis 2:17,3:15 & 19, 12:3; 25:23 & 33-34; Matthew 1:1

B.     Despite Rebekah’s and Jacob’s sin.

“Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to Esau” (v. 5).

“’Go…bring me two young goats, so that I may prepare from them delicious food’” (v. 9).

“So he went in to his father and said, ‘My father.’” And he said , ‘Here I am. Who are you, my son?’’ Jacob said to his father, ‘I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me; now sit up and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me’”  (vv. 18-19)

Genesis 37:31

C.    The Gospel

Matthew 26:21, 23-25, 60; 27:24; Romans 5:8

D.    Despite Esau’s sin

“Then Isaac trembled very violently and said, ‘Who was it then that hunted game and brought it to me, and I ate it all before you came, and I have blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed’” (v. 33).

“Esau said, ‘Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing’” (v. 36).

“Now Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him, and Esau said to himself, ‘The days of mourning for my father are approaching; then I will kill my brother Jacob’” (v. 41).

Psalm 76:10; Proverbs 19:21; Isaiah 46:9-10; Ephesians 1:11; Psalm 57:2, 138:2; Philippians 1:6

    II.      Conclusion

Big Idea: We must have faith in God because God’s saving purposes prevail.

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