I.    Introduction
      A.  Of the three patriarchs with whom God connected Himself, Jacob surprises me most
            1.  Deception. (Gen. 27)
            2.  Family favoritism, competition, strife (Gen. 25:28; 29:30; 37:3-4)
      B.  How is it that God exalted him to such honor? (Matt. 8:11)
      C.  There are lessons to be drawn from the life of Jacob for us today.
II.   Jacob valued the birthright of his family
      A.  “Esau despised his birthright” (Gen. 25:34)
            1.  He valued the immediate, temporal satisfaction
            2.  He had little use for the long-term, down-the-road promises
      B.  Jacob understood the value of birthright
            1.  He knew that the promises God made would strongly impact his future
            2.  He understood that the value was lasting, the difference eternal
      C.  We would do well to learn this value lesson from Jacob (Heb. 12:15-16)
            1.  Birthright (John 1:12), inheritance (1 Peter 1:3,4)
            2.  We must choose righteousness over sensuality in order to maintain our birthright (Eph. 5:5)
III.  Jacob suffered wrong while doing right.
      A.  There is a lesson in his life that our poor choices sometimes result in suffering.
            1.  Jacob participated in the treacherous deception his mother suggested. (see Gen. 25:23)
            2.  The consequences of the action were painful – and God let him experience them
      B.  Yet Jacob bore hardship with righteousness
            1.  He endured the ill treatment of Laban without reciprocating (Gen. 31:38-41)
            2.  Sought a path of peace, rather than violence, with Esau (Gen. 32:20)
      C.  God was able to bless him in spite of the circumstances (Gen. 31:42; 33:4; 35:27)
      D.  We need to take heed to these lessons about doing right in the face of wrong
             1.  1 Thes. 5:15; Rom. 12:17
             2.  1 Peter 2:21-23
             3.  Rom. 12:19; 2 Thes. 1:6-7
IV.   Jacob actively looked to God for blessings
      A.  Jacob invoked God’s assurance and promise when facing decision (Gen. 32:9-12)
             1.  When he faced the uncertainty of the confrontation with Esau, he appealed to God (32:11)
             2.  He called upon God to remember the promises He had made (32:12)
      B.  Jacob struggled with God, refusing to let go until he received the blessing (Gen. 32:24,ff)
             1.  I’m not sure I understand why God wrestled with Jacob.(Symbolic of the change in Jacob?)
             2.  God used the occasion to give him a new name (32:27-28)
             3.  Because of his willingness to face life’s challenges by calling on God, God blessed him
      C.  We must look to God in faith, knowing He rewards (Heb. 11:6)
             1.  God’s promises to us are sure (Heb. 6:17-19)
             2.  He gives us a new identity in Christ (Rev. 3:12; Eph. 2:12; Rom 8:37)
V.   Conclusion
       A.  We can apply valuable lessons to our lives from Israel
       B.  The examples of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob continue to speak to us.
            1.  We don’t have to be perfect – we will make mistakes
            2.  We do have to believe, and act upon, the promises of God.

January 31, 2010
Glenn Record

Sermon from January 24, 2010
Speaker: Glenn Record

Sermon from January 17, 2010
Speaker: Glenn Record

Sermon from August 19, 2009
Speaker: Mark Blackwelder

Sermon from August 18, 2009
Speaker: Mark Blackwelder

Sermon from August 17, 2009
Speaker: Mark Blackwelder

Sermon from August 16, 2009, Sunday Evening Service
Speaker: Mark Blackwelder

Sermon from August 16, 2009 Sunday Morning Service
Speaker: Mark Blackwelder

Sermon from August 16, 2009 Bible Class
Speaker: Mark Blackwelder

Our speaker will be Dr. Mark Blackwelder from Freed-Hardiman University.

The meeting theme will be “God’s Promises”.

Sunday services will be at 10AM and 6PM, with Monday – Wednesday services at 7PM.

Information about Brother Blackwelder:

Dr. Mark Blackwelder
Director, Graduate Studies in Bible; Associate Professor of Bible and of Missions

Dr. Blackwelder is a graduate of FHU. He has been active in ministry including serving from 1992 to 1997 as a fulltime missionary in Bratislava, Slovakia. Since that time he has served as a full-time member of the faculty in FHU’s School of Biblical Studies. He also teaches courses in New Testament and in Missions and Intercultural Communication at the undergraduate level. He sponsors missions clubs and serves as a member of the Chapel Committee and the Annual Bible Lectureship Committee. Dr. Blackwelder is a minister for the Estes church of Christ. He conducts a number of Gospel Meetings each year and presents seminars on missions and cross-cultural ministry.