SACRED STORIES

“Wrestling With God”
Pastor Dan Levy – June 25, 2023

1. In order to experience TRANSFORMATION, you must GET ALONE WITH God.
   
   Genesis 32:22-26 — That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.
   
   Matthew 6:6 — But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
   
   Psalm 46:10 — “Be still, and know that I am God.”
   
   

2. God will use PAIN as a catalyst in your transformation. Do not let it REPEL you from Him.
   
   Genesis 27:32 — His father Isaac asked him, “Who are you?”“I am your son,” he answered, “your firstborn, Esau.”
   
   Genesis 32:27-28 — The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”
   
   

3. In order to experience transformation, you have to get REAL with God.
   
   The man asked him, ‘What is your name?’ ‘Jacob,’ he answered. Then the man said, ‘Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” Jacob said, ‘Please tell me your name.’ But he replied, ‘Why do you ask my name?’ Then he blessed him there. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, ‘It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.’ The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip.”
   
   Psalm 139:1-2 — You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.