Fighting For Our Faith.

Hey everyone I’m Gary Hoban and welcome to Refinery Life Church.

We are in a continual process of being changed into the image of Jesus Christ.

Jacob, originally a crook, had a life changing experience with God.

Lessons from a changed man is this months theme.

Today’s message is titled Fighting For Our Faith.

Jacob’s life with Laban was a stormy one.

Surely Laban did not completely despise his son in law, after all, Jacob presented him with a number of grandchildren.

Yet the scheming between the two carried on constantly, and finally Jacob left the country.

Even then, a stormy scene ensued.

But ultimately they “mended their fences,” and Jacob journeyed back to the land of his father and mother.

The scene at Jabot is a strange one.

Jacob sent his company on before him and was left alone.

He was greatly disturbed because he did not know how Esau would receive him.

Jacob prayed earnestly that night, and his experience with the mysterious stranger was no doubt a great part of his encounter with God.

We cannot dismiss this episode as a dream.

Even though we cannot understand it completely, the account is historical.

Who was the mysterious stranger?

Jacob later said concerning the incident that he had “seen God face to face” and we must leave the account there.

Some valuable lessons from this incident stand out to us.

Until next time

Stay in the Blessings