January 16, 2005
Carlon Tschetter, Covenant Community Church, Yukon, Oklahoma

MESSAGE: "Between a Rock and a Hard Place"          Genesis 32:1-32

Big Idea: Sometimes God puts us between a rock and a hard place to bring
us to the end of our own resources and self-sufficiency.

I. Background
           A. Chapter 28: Left Canaan to get away from Esau = kill him
           B. Chapter 31: Left Haran to get away from Laban = harm him
           C. Chapters 32-33: Story of reconciliation

II. From Supplanter to Prevailor
           A. The vision vs. 1, 2
                      1. God's unseen presence
                      2. God's gracious encouragement
                Observation: No matter what is revealed of the invisible, too often
                      it is the visible that dominates our lives.
           B. The attempt at appeasement vs. 3-24a
                      1. The plan vs. 3-8
                                 a. The messengers
                                 b. The message
                                 c. The problem
                                 d. The plan revised
                      2. The prayer vs. 9-12
                                 a. Acknowledged the God of his fathers
                                 b. Confessed his own unworthiness and God's faithfulness
                                 c. Offered a cry for help
                                 d. Based it all on the promises of God
                      3. The plan revised again
                                 a. The livestock
                                 b. The family
                                 c. The man
           C. The fight with God at Peniel vs. 24b-32
                      1. The man
                      2. The match
                                 a. It was a long struggle
                                 b. The outcome was never in doubt
                      3. The blessing
                                 a. Holding on for dear life
                                 b. A name change for the rest of his life
                                            1. Jacob = supplanter (cheater)
                                            2. Israel = God rules
          
III. Applications
           A. Like Jacob, we are all a work in progress. Are we listening and learning?
           B. God does not give up on us when we fail. What is holding you back?
           C. God turns our weakness into strength. Who are you trusting?