August 26, 2022

Dear Road Church Friends

Last week I began a series of messages on Bible stories that I am calling “Sunday School Favorites” Last week was “The Writing on the Wall” from Daniel chapter 5. This week’s story is, “The Man Who Wrestled with God.” It’s the story of how Jacob acquired the name, “Israel,” and became the founding father of the nation of Israel. Jacob’s wrestling match with God is the culmination of his 20 year spiritual journey. When it began, he was a man willing to lie and cheat to get his brother’s inheritance. His duplicity made him a fugitive. What he didn’t know was that the “blessing of the firstborn” that he got by deceit was more than property. It also put him in a covenant relationship with God, and God was determined to make an honest man of this scoundrel whatever it took. Join us Sunday at 10 am for the rest of the story.

SCRIPTURE:  Genesis 32:6-12 and 32:22-31

   SERMON: “The Importance of Being Honest to God” 

6-12. Messengers came to Jacob and said, “Your brother Esau, is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.” Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; so he prayed:

“O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O LORD, you said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your kindred, and I will take care of you.’ I am not worthy of all the steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan; and now I have become very prosperous. Deliver me, please, from the hand of my brother, Esau. I am afraid that he will kill all of us. Remember, that you promised to make everything go well for me, and to give me more descendants than anyone can count.”

22-31. Jacob sent his wives and children to a safe place across the river, but he stayed behind to spend the night alone. Then a man came and wrestled with him all night. When the man saw that he was not winning, he struck Jacob on the hip and it was put out of joint. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” So the man said, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Tell me your name.” But the man said, “Why do you want to know my name?” Then he blessed him. So, Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “I have seen God’s face and lived to tell about it.” When the sun rose, he went back to his family, limping because of his hip.

HYMN OF THE DAY: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”  #473

POEM OF THE DAY:  “I Sought My Soul”  (Anonymous)

I sought my soul,

But my soul I could not see.

I sought my God,

But my God eluded me.

I sought my brother,

And I found all three.

Blessing to you all,

Pastor Norm

The worship service from today on YouTube: https://youtu.be/EUXBOJEsoCA