Steven Furtick

Steven Furtick - The Blessing of Letting Go (Part 1)

June 22, 2026 | 27:29

Elevation with Steven Furtick focuses on the strength of God in our everyday struggles.

#WordofGod #Devil #Blessing #Israel #Imagination #Gratitude #Grace #Faithfulness #StevenFurtick

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Steven Furtick | Steven Furtick - The Blessing of Letting Go (Part 1) | June 22, 2026

♪ ♪
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>> announcer: up next,
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An encouraging message
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From pastor steven furtick
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Of elevation church.
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If you're looking
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To strengthen your faith
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And shift your perspective,
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Stay tuned.
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♪ ♪
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>> i wanna preach about
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>> i wanna preach about the blessing that god
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The blessing that god wants to give you.
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Wants to give you. and sometimes, these things
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And sometimes, these things do come in unexpected ways,
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Do come in unexpected ways, so prepare for it.
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So prepare for it. and just tell
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And just tell your neighbor real quick,
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Your neighbor real quick, "get ready for it."
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"get ready for it." >> congregation: get ready
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>> congregation: get ready for it.
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For it. >> get ready for it.
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I wanna share some time
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I wanna share some time with you today in genesis 32.
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With you today in genesis 32. and remain standing for
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And remain standing for the reading of god's word.
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The reading of god's word. greeting to all of our campuses
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Greeting to all of our campuses and our efam around the world.
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And our efam around the world. let's thank god for all
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Let's thank god for all who are joining us today,
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Who are joining us today, that they would receive
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That they would receive the flow of this anointing
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The flow of this anointing right where they are.
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Right where they are. [applause]
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[applause] come on, elevation ballantyne,
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Come on, elevation ballantyne, put those hands together.
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Put those hands together. let's welcome our
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Let's welcome our worldwide efam.
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Worldwide efam. [applause]
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[applause] genesis 32.
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Genesis 32. i had a hard time deciding
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I had a hard time deciding how much of this
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How much of this to read to you.
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To read to you. but i decided that we should
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But i decided that we should go from at least verse 7,
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Go from at least verse 7, so buckle in.
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So buckle in. in this passage of scripture,
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In this passage of scripture, wow, it's really for
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Wow, it's really for those of you who are
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Those of you who are wrestling with something,
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Wrestling with something, and you've been struggling
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And you've been struggling because you're wrestling.
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Because you're wrestling. you've been struggling to rest
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You've been struggling to rest in what you have
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In what you have and who you are because of
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And who you are because of what you're wrestling with.
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What you're wrestling with. that's who
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That's who i'm preaching to today.
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I'm preaching to today. genesis 32:7, the bible says,
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Genesis 32:7, the bible says, "in great fear and distress
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"in great fear and distress jacob divided the people
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Jacob divided the people who were with him
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Who were with him into two groups,
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Into two groups, and the flocks and herds
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And the flocks and herds and camels as well.
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And camels as well. he thought, 'if esau comes
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He thought, 'if esau comes and attacks one group,
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And attacks one group, the group that is left
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The group that is left may escape.'"
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May escape.'" now, for everybody who
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Now, for everybody who is kind of a control freak,
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Is kind of a control freak, you can relate to this.
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You can relate to this. you start making all of these
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You start making all of these plans and backup plans
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Plans and backup plans for your backup plans
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For your backup plans and all of these ways that
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And all of these ways that you start working it out.
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You start working it out. you know, but jacob
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You know, but jacob is doing that because
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Is doing that because it said in verse 8,
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It said in verse 8, "he thought that esau
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"he thought that esau was coming to attack him,"
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Was coming to attack him," his brother.
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His brother. but look at verse 9, this is
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But look at verse 9, this is kind of a turning point
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Kind of a turning point in the passage,
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In the passage, "then jacob prayed."
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"then jacob prayed." so, watch this, verse 8,
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So, watch this, verse 8, "he thought."
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"he thought." verse 9, "then jacob prayed."
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Verse 9, "then jacob prayed." you know, the devil
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You know, the devil shouldn't have let you
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Shouldn't have let you get here today because
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Get here today because he's had you in your head,
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He's had you in your head, and you've been thinking
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And you've been thinking about the attack.
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About the attack. but the moment that you
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But the moment that you started praising god today
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Started praising god today and lifted your eyes to him...
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And lifted your eyes to him... come on, i declare
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Come on, i declare a level change
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A level change in your situation.
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In your situation. [applause]
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[applause] "then jacob prayed,
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"then jacob prayed, 'o god of my father abraham,
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'o god of my father abraham, god of my father isaac,
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God of my father isaac, lord, you who said to me,
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Lord, you who said to me, 'go back to your country
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'go back to your country and your relatives,
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And your relatives, and i will make you prosper,'
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And i will make you prosper,' i am unworthy of all
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I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness
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The kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant.
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You have shown your servant. i had only my staff
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I had only my staff when i crossed this jordan,
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When i crossed this jordan, but now i have become two camps.
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But now i have become two camps. save me, i pray, from the hand
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Save me, i pray, from the hand of my brother esau,
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Of my brother esau, for i am afraid that he will
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For i am afraid that he will come and attack me,
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Come and attack me, and also the mothers
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And also the mothers with their children.
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With their children. but you have said,
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But you have said, but you have said,
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But you have said, 'i will surely make you prosper
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'i will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants
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And will make your descendants like the sand of the sea,
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Like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.'
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Which cannot be counted.' he spent the night there,
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He spent the night there, and from what he had with him
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And from what he had with him he selected a gift
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He selected a gift for his brother esau."
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For his brother esau." i'mma read you
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I'mma read you the whole list, alright?
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The whole list, alright? just so you can see
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Just so you can see how blessed jacob was.
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How blessed jacob was. "two hundred female goats
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"two hundred female goats and twenty male goats,
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And twenty male goats, two hundred ewes
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Two hundred ewes and twenty rams,
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And twenty rams, thirty female camels
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Thirty female camels with their young,
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With their young, forty cows and ten bulls,"
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Forty cows and ten bulls," old boy is doing pretty good.
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Old boy is doing pretty good. he said a few verses ago,
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He said a few verses ago, "i started with just a staff."
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"i started with just a staff." look what god gave him,
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Look what god gave him, "and twenty female donkeys
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"and twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys.
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And ten male donkeys. he put them in the care
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He put them in the care of his servants,
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Of his servants, each herd by itself,
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Each herd by itself, and said to his servants,
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And said to his servants, 'go ahead of me, and keep
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'go ahead of me, and keep some space between the herds.'
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Some space between the herds.' he instructed the one
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He instructed the one in the lead:
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In the lead: 'when my brother esau
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'when my brother esau meets with you and asks,
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Meets with you and asks, 'who do you belong to,
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'who do you belong to, where are you going,
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Where are you going, who owns all these animals
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Who owns all these animals in front of you?'
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In front of you?' then you are to say,
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Then you are to say, 'they belong
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'they belong to your servant jacob.
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To your servant jacob. they are a gift
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They are a gift sent to my lord esau,
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Sent to my lord esau, and he is coming behind us.'
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And he is coming behind us.' he also instructed the second,
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He also instructed the second, and the third and all the others
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And the third and all the others who followed the herds,"
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Who followed the herds," he's covering all his bases
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He's covering all his bases for this thing that he's gotta
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For this thing that he's gotta deal with the next day.
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Deal with the next day. "'you are to say the same thing
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"'you are to say the same thing to esau when you meet him.
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To esau when you meet him. and be sure to say,
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And be sure to say, 'your servant jacob
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'your servant jacob is coming behind us.'
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Is coming behind us.' for he thought,
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For he thought, 'i will pacify him with these
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'i will pacify him with these gifts i'm sending on ahead.
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Gifts i'm sending on ahead. later, when i see him,
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Later, when i see him, perhaps he will receive me.'
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Perhaps he will receive me.' so, jacob's gifts
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So, jacob's gifts went on ahead of him,
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Went on ahead of him, but he himself
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But he himself spent the night in the camp.
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Spent the night in the camp. and that night jacob got up
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And that night jacob got up and took his two wives,
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And took his two wives, his two female servants
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His two female servants and his eleven sons,"
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And his eleven sons," that would keep you up
00:05:09.461 --> 00:05:10.195
That would keep you up all night, all of it:
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All night, all of it: the eleven sons,
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The eleven sons, the two wives, all of it.
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The two wives, all of it. that would give me
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That would give me indigestion and insomnia.
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Indigestion and insomnia. they don't make lunesta
00:05:19.137 --> 00:05:20.072
They don't make lunesta strong enough
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Strong enough for this situation.
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For this situation. and your brother
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And your brother might wanna kill.
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Might wanna kill. this is what he's dealing with.
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This is what he's dealing with. he took all of that,
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He took all of that, "and crossed the ford
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"and crossed the ford of the jabbok.
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Of the jabbok. after he had sent them
00:05:27.679 --> 00:05:29.815
After he had sent them across the stream,
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Across the stream, he sent over
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He sent over all his possessions.
00:05:31.616 --> 00:05:32.718
All his possessions. so jacob was left alone,
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So jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled
00:05:37.556 --> 00:05:38.757
And a man wrestled with him till daybreak.
00:05:38.824 --> 00:05:41.326
With him till daybreak. and when the man saw that
00:05:41.393 --> 00:05:42.427
And when the man saw that he could not overpower him,
00:05:42.494 --> 00:05:43.995
He could not overpower him, he touched the socket
00:05:44.062 --> 00:05:44.796
He touched the socket of jacob's hip
00:05:44.863 --> 00:05:46.665
Of jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched
00:05:46.732 --> 00:05:48.400
So that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man."
00:05:48.467 --> 00:05:51.536
As he wrestled with the man." and i'll stop here for now.
00:05:51.603 --> 00:05:53.105
And i'll stop here for now. "then the man said,
00:05:53.171 --> 00:05:55.273
"then the man said, 'let me go,
00:05:55.340 --> 00:05:59.211
'let me go, for it is daybreak.'
00:05:59.277 --> 00:06:01.580
For it is daybreak.' but jacob replied,
00:06:01.646 --> 00:06:03.448
But jacob replied, 'i will not let you go
00:06:03.515 --> 00:06:07.552
'i will not let you go unless you bless me.'"
00:06:07.619 --> 00:06:12.090
Unless you bless me.'" i wanna speak to you today
00:06:12.157 --> 00:06:13.859
I wanna speak to you today on the subject,
00:06:13.925 --> 00:06:15.127
On the subject, "the blessing of letting go."
00:06:15.193 --> 00:06:18.663
"the blessing of letting go." [applause]
00:06:18.730 --> 00:06:20.198
[applause] the blessing of letting go.
00:06:20.265 --> 00:06:23.602
The blessing of letting go. and let's pray one more time.
00:06:23.668 --> 00:06:24.970
And let's pray one more time. "father, your word is eternal.
00:06:25.036 --> 00:06:27.672
"father, your word is eternal. it produces what you
00:06:27.739 --> 00:06:28.640
It produces what you send it to produce.
00:06:28.707 --> 00:06:30.776
Send it to produce. it accomplishes what you
00:06:30.842 --> 00:06:31.877
It accomplishes what you intend for it to accomplish.
00:06:31.943 --> 00:06:33.412
Intend for it to accomplish. may it be so.
00:06:33.478 --> 00:06:35.180
May it be so. we call it done in the lives
00:06:35.247 --> 00:06:36.047
We call it done in the lives of these, your children.
00:06:36.114 --> 00:06:37.949
Of these, your children. and today, when the harvest
00:06:38.016 --> 00:06:39.184
And today, when the harvest comes from this word,
00:06:39.251 --> 00:06:40.819
Comes from this word, we'll give you all the praise
00:06:40.886 --> 00:06:42.921
We'll give you all the praise because you deserve it.
00:06:42.988 --> 00:06:44.322
Because you deserve it. in jesus' name."
00:06:44.389 --> 00:06:46.691
In jesus' name." amen.
00:06:46.758 --> 00:06:47.826
Amen. on your way to your seat
00:06:47.893 --> 00:06:48.627
On your way to your seat tell your neighbor,
00:06:48.693 --> 00:06:49.294
Tell your neighbor, "yes, i'm blessed."
00:06:49.361 --> 00:06:50.295
"yes, i'm blessed." >> congregation: yes,
00:06:50.362 --> 00:06:50.862
>> congregation: yes, i'm blessed.
00:06:50.929 --> 00:06:53.131
I'm blessed. >> yes, i'm blessed.
00:06:53.198 --> 00:06:55.500
>> yes, i'm blessed. say it convincingly now.
00:06:55.567 --> 00:06:56.768
Say it convincingly now. that first time
00:06:56.835 --> 00:06:57.602
That first time you sounded like you were
00:06:57.669 --> 00:06:58.403
You sounded like you were saying it under compulsion.
00:06:58.470 --> 00:07:00.238
Saying it under compulsion. [laughter]
00:07:00.305 --> 00:07:00.605
[laughter] you sounded like
00:07:00.672 --> 00:07:01.473
You sounded like i sent you to apologize.
00:07:01.540 --> 00:07:03.508
I sent you to apologize. like, your mom
00:07:03.575 --> 00:07:03.975
Like, your mom made you say that.
00:07:04.042 --> 00:07:05.010
Made you say that. "i'm sorry."
00:07:05.076 --> 00:07:05.911
"i'm sorry." [grumbling]
00:07:05.977 --> 00:07:06.545
[grumbling] [laughter]
00:07:06.611 --> 00:07:07.779
[laughter] look at them like you
00:07:07.846 --> 00:07:08.447
Look at them like you need to sell something
00:07:08.513 --> 00:07:09.281
Need to sell something to eat tonight and say,
00:07:09.347 --> 00:07:10.549
To eat tonight and say, "yes, i'm blessed."
00:07:10.615 --> 00:07:11.683
"yes, i'm blessed." >> congregation: yes,
00:07:11.750 --> 00:07:12.184
>> congregation: yes, i'm blessed.
00:07:12.250 --> 00:07:13.585
I'm blessed. >> alright.
00:07:13.652 --> 00:07:15.887
>> alright. 'cause, i mean,
00:07:15.954 --> 00:07:16.288
'cause, i mean, even the most basic reading
00:07:16.354 --> 00:07:19.791
Even the most basic reading of this bible story
00:07:19.858 --> 00:07:21.092
Of this bible story is confusing.
00:07:21.159 --> 00:07:23.528
Is confusing. you don't even have to get into
00:07:23.595 --> 00:07:24.696
You don't even have to get into all of the nuances of,
00:07:24.763 --> 00:07:26.798
All of the nuances of, "wait a minute.
00:07:26.865 --> 00:07:27.265
"wait a minute. god broke a guy's hip?"
00:07:27.332 --> 00:07:30.335
God broke a guy's hip?" you don't even have to get
00:07:30.402 --> 00:07:31.069
You don't even have to get into that to be confused.
00:07:31.136 --> 00:07:32.938
Into that to be confused. you can be just confused.
00:07:33.004 --> 00:07:34.072
You can be just confused. okay, there's one verse in ---
00:07:34.139 --> 00:07:35.707
Okay, there's one verse in --- this one verse is confusing
00:07:35.774 --> 00:07:36.942
This one verse is confusing just by itself,
00:07:37.008 --> 00:07:37.742
Just by itself, the one that i stopped on.
00:07:37.809 --> 00:07:39.478
The one that i stopped on. where jacob says to this guy
00:07:39.544 --> 00:07:43.215
Where jacob says to this guy who turns out to be
00:07:43.281 --> 00:07:44.549
Who turns out to be like an angel of god
00:07:44.616 --> 00:07:46.318
Like an angel of god or an appearance of god,
00:07:46.384 --> 00:07:47.185
Or an appearance of god, but he doesn't know that
00:07:47.252 --> 00:07:47.953
But he doesn't know that at the time because it's not
00:07:48.019 --> 00:07:50.322
At the time because it's not always obvious
00:07:50.388 --> 00:07:51.356
Always obvious that it's god when
00:07:51.423 --> 00:07:52.357
That it's god when you're going through things.
00:07:52.424 --> 00:07:54.893
You're going through things. i said, "it's not always
00:07:54.960 --> 00:07:57.095
I said, "it's not always obvious that it's god when
00:07:57.162 --> 00:07:58.930
Obvious that it's god when you're going through things."
00:07:58.997 --> 00:08:01.066
You're going through things." sometimes, you will give
00:08:01.132 --> 00:08:02.133
Sometimes, you will give the devil credit for something
00:08:02.200 --> 00:08:03.869
The devil credit for something that god is actually doing.
00:08:03.935 --> 00:08:07.572
That god is actually doing. so, you'll be like,
00:08:07.639 --> 00:08:08.206
So, you'll be like, "the devil is testing me."
00:08:08.273 --> 00:08:09.608
"the devil is testing me." no, god is training you.
00:08:09.674 --> 00:08:12.544
No, god is training you. and at the very end
00:08:12.611 --> 00:08:13.411
And at the very end of the passage,
00:08:13.478 --> 00:08:14.079
Of the passage, we find out that it was
00:08:14.145 --> 00:08:15.347
We find out that it was god with jacob.
00:08:15.413 --> 00:08:17.082
God with jacob. but the confusing thing,
00:08:17.148 --> 00:08:18.283
But the confusing thing, and i wanna know if
00:08:18.350 --> 00:08:19.017
And i wanna know if it confused you too,
00:08:19.084 --> 00:08:20.085
It confused you too, is that after reading that
00:08:20.151 --> 00:08:21.820
Is that after reading that whole list of rams,
00:08:21.887 --> 00:08:24.890
Whole list of rams, bulls, goats, donkeys,
00:08:24.956 --> 00:08:28.326
Bulls, goats, donkeys, all of those things
00:08:28.393 --> 00:08:28.927
All of those things that god gave jacob,
00:08:28.994 --> 00:08:30.595
That god gave jacob, he turns around
00:08:30.662 --> 00:08:31.763
He turns around and says to this --
00:08:31.830 --> 00:08:35.033
And says to this -- whatever he's wrestling with
00:08:35.100 --> 00:08:36.167
Whatever he's wrestling with that he doesn't really know
00:08:36.234 --> 00:08:36.935
That he doesn't really know what it is yet.
00:08:37.002 --> 00:08:37.836
What it is yet. he says, verse 26,
00:08:37.903 --> 00:08:39.738
He says, verse 26, "'i will not let you go
00:08:39.804 --> 00:08:43.642
"'i will not let you go unless you bless me.'"
00:08:43.708 --> 00:08:47.712
Unless you bless me.'" isn't he already blessed?
00:08:47.779 --> 00:08:51.850
Isn't he already blessed? i'm just asking the obvious.
00:08:51.917 --> 00:08:55.320
I'm just asking the obvious. how many donkeys was it?
00:08:55.387 --> 00:08:56.621
How many donkeys was it? were you counting them?
00:08:56.688 --> 00:08:57.322
Were you counting them? i wasn't counting them.
00:08:57.389 --> 00:08:57.923
I wasn't counting them. they were so many donkeys,
00:08:57.989 --> 00:08:59.024
They were so many donkeys, i lost count.
00:08:59.090 --> 00:09:00.759
I lost count. so much livestock.
00:09:00.825 --> 00:09:02.994
So much livestock. i mean, hebrew culture,
00:09:03.061 --> 00:09:03.929
I mean, hebrew culture, the proof of blessing was life,
00:09:03.995 --> 00:09:05.864
The proof of blessing was life, so having 11 sons,
00:09:05.931 --> 00:09:08.767
Which would later go on
00:09:08.867 --> 00:09:09.935
Which would later go on to be the tribes of israel.
00:09:10.001 --> 00:09:12.070
To be the tribes of israel. benjamin isn't born yet.
00:09:12.137 --> 00:09:13.905
Benjamin isn't born yet. but after benjamin,
00:09:13.972 --> 00:09:14.806
But after benjamin, it completes the roster,
00:09:14.873 --> 00:09:15.740
It completes the roster, the starting lineup
00:09:15.807 --> 00:09:17.108
The starting lineup for the nation of israel.
00:09:17.175 --> 00:09:18.777
For the nation of israel. and all of that is traveling
00:09:18.843 --> 00:09:19.811
And all of that is traveling with him and he's blessed.
00:09:19.878 --> 00:09:24.282
If you were to ask jacob
00:09:24.382 --> 00:09:25.383
If you were to ask jacob is he blessed, he'd say, "yes."
00:09:25.450 --> 00:09:28.153
Is he blessed, he'd say, "yes." he even said to god
00:09:28.219 --> 00:09:28.954
He even said to god when he was praying,
00:09:29.020 --> 00:09:30.121
When he was praying, "you know, you've done
00:09:30.188 --> 00:09:30.855
"you know, you've done so much for me.
00:09:30.922 --> 00:09:31.856
So much for me. i don't deserve it.
00:09:31.923 --> 00:09:34.192
I don't deserve it. i'm looking at a life that
00:09:34.259 --> 00:09:35.760
I'm looking at a life that i couldn't imagine.
00:09:35.827 --> 00:09:37.662
I couldn't imagine. and now, i'm living in something
00:09:37.729 --> 00:09:40.632
And now, i'm living in something that i never would have imagined
00:09:40.699 --> 00:09:41.566
That i never would have imagined through the lens of my past."
00:09:41.633 --> 00:09:45.437
Through the lens of my past." it reminded me of
00:09:45.503 --> 00:09:46.304
It reminded me of a conversation that i had
00:09:46.371 --> 00:09:47.038
A conversation that i had with a great entrepreneur.
00:09:47.105 --> 00:09:50.342
With a great entrepreneur. he was sharing with me about
00:09:50.408 --> 00:09:51.343
He was sharing with me about the pressure that he faces
00:09:51.409 --> 00:09:52.143
The pressure that he faces on a daily basis.
00:09:52.210 --> 00:09:54.245
On a daily basis. and his solution was,
00:09:54.312 --> 00:09:55.947
And his solution was, "i just need to be
00:09:56.014 --> 00:09:56.615
"i just need to be more grateful.
00:09:56.681 --> 00:09:57.849
More grateful. god has given me so much.
00:09:57.916 --> 00:09:59.718
God has given me so much. i just need to more grateful."
00:09:59.784 --> 00:10:01.987
I just need to more grateful." and we went through a list
00:10:02.053 --> 00:10:02.787
And we went through a list of some of the accomplishments
00:10:02.854 --> 00:10:04.522
Of some of the accomplishments that he had seen.
00:10:04.589 --> 00:10:06.524
That he had seen. and at the end of him talking
00:10:06.591 --> 00:10:07.392
And at the end of him talking about how he felt so guilty
00:10:07.459 --> 00:10:09.127
About how he felt so guilty because he wasn't more grateful,
00:10:09.194 --> 00:10:11.396
Because he wasn't more grateful, i asked him a question.
00:10:11.463 --> 00:10:13.131
I asked him a question. and it's a helpful question
00:10:13.198 --> 00:10:14.733
And it's a helpful question that i wanna ask you as well.
00:10:14.799 --> 00:10:17.102
That i wanna ask you as well. i said, "you keep saying
00:10:17.168 --> 00:10:18.136
I said, "you keep saying that you're not as grateful
00:10:18.203 --> 00:10:20.005
That you're not as grateful as you should be for everything
00:10:20.071 --> 00:10:21.172
As you should be for everything that god has given you.
00:10:21.239 --> 00:10:23.241
That god has given you. but i wonder if what
00:10:23.308 --> 00:10:24.876
But i wonder if what you're calling
00:10:24.943 --> 00:10:25.677
You're calling a lack of gratitude
00:10:25.744 --> 00:10:27.245
A lack of gratitude in your life really isn't
00:10:27.312 --> 00:10:29.280
In your life really isn't just the load of pressure
00:10:29.347 --> 00:10:31.483
Just the load of pressure that you feel
00:10:31.549 --> 00:10:32.851
That you feel because of the blessings
00:10:32.917 --> 00:10:34.219
Because of the blessings that god has given.
00:10:34.285 --> 00:10:36.321
That god has given. and so, i don't think
00:10:36.388 --> 00:10:37.355
And so, i don't think it's necessarily that
00:10:37.422 --> 00:10:38.423
It's necessarily that you aren't grateful
00:10:38.490 --> 00:10:39.357
You aren't grateful for everything
00:10:39.424 --> 00:10:39.958
For everything that you just listed,
00:10:40.025 --> 00:10:41.493
That you just listed, that you know god has given you.
00:10:41.559 --> 00:10:43.528
That you know god has given you. i think it's that at times
00:10:43.595 --> 00:10:45.497
I think it's that at times you realize that,
00:10:45.563 --> 00:10:47.799
You realize that, 'yes, i'm blessed, but..."
00:10:47.866 --> 00:10:53.538
And so, look at
00:10:55.407 --> 00:10:55.974
And so, look at your neighbor again and say,
00:10:56.041 --> 00:10:56.841
Your neighbor again and say, "yes, i'm blessed...
00:10:56.908 --> 00:10:57.976
"yes, i'm blessed... >> congregation: yes,
00:10:58.043 --> 00:10:58.543
>> congregation: yes, i'm blessed...
00:10:58.610 --> 00:10:59.511
I'm blessed... >> but."
00:10:59.577 --> 00:11:00.345
>> but." >> congregation: but.
00:11:00.412 --> 00:11:01.312
>> congregation: but. >> say it in that little
00:11:01.379 --> 00:11:02.047
>> say it in that little high voice like that.
00:11:02.113 --> 00:11:03.148
High voice like that. [laughter]
00:11:03.214 --> 00:11:06.551
[laughter] say it.
00:11:06.618 --> 00:11:06.918
Say it. look at them again.
00:11:06.985 --> 00:11:07.585
Look at them again. look at them again and say,
00:11:07.652 --> 00:11:09.054
Look at them again and say, "yes, i'm blessed...
00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:09.888
"yes, i'm blessed... >> congregation: yes,
00:11:09.954 --> 00:11:10.388
>> congregation: yes, i'm blessed...
00:11:10.455 --> 00:11:12.724
I'm blessed... >> but."
00:11:12.791 --> 00:11:13.925
>> but." [laughing]
00:11:13.992 --> 00:11:16.528
[laughing] i wanted to call this message,
00:11:16.594 --> 00:11:19.330
I wanted to call this message, "yes, i'm blessed, but."
00:11:19.397 --> 00:11:23.535
"yes, i'm blessed, but." because when you
00:11:23.601 --> 00:11:26.705
Because when you came to church today,
00:11:26.771 --> 00:11:27.472
Came to church today, you brought your bless but.
00:11:27.539 --> 00:11:29.841
You brought your bless but. [laughter]
00:11:29.908 --> 00:11:33.011
[laughter] sympathy laughs.
00:11:33.078 --> 00:11:33.611
Sympathy laughs. come on,
00:11:33.678 --> 00:11:33.945
Come on, it's pastor appreciation month.
00:11:34.012 --> 00:11:34.913
It's pastor appreciation month. [laughter]
00:11:34.979 --> 00:11:38.516
[laughter] it's amazing to me
00:11:38.583 --> 00:11:41.419
It's amazing to me how jacob could be so blessed
00:11:41.486 --> 00:11:44.189
How jacob could be so blessed that god has done so much,
00:11:44.255 --> 00:11:46.858
That god has done so much, that god has given
00:11:46.925 --> 00:11:48.059
That god has given so many things,
00:11:48.126 --> 00:11:49.294
So many things, but the bible says,
00:11:49.360 --> 00:11:50.995
But the bible says, "he was terrified.
00:11:51.062 --> 00:11:53.131
"he was terrified. he was threatened.
00:11:53.198 --> 00:11:55.166
He was threatened. he was uncertain."
00:11:55.233 --> 00:11:56.968
He was uncertain." and on the same prayer
00:11:57.035 --> 00:11:58.603
And on the same prayer that he's telling god,
00:11:58.670 --> 00:11:59.537
That he's telling god, "you promised me that
00:11:59.604 --> 00:12:01.773
"you promised me that you're gonna create something
00:12:01.840 --> 00:12:02.974
You're gonna create something great out of my life,"
00:12:03.041 --> 00:12:04.676
Great out of my life," he's reminding god that
00:12:04.743 --> 00:12:07.112
He's reminding god that he has a brother named esau
00:12:07.178 --> 00:12:09.247
He has a brother named esau who's about to kill him.
00:12:09.314 --> 00:12:11.149
Who's about to kill him. so, he looked up one night
00:12:11.216 --> 00:12:12.851
So, he looked up one night and he saw all of the blessings
00:12:12.917 --> 00:12:14.919
And he saw all of the blessings god had given him,
00:12:14.986 --> 00:12:16.654
God had given him, but he also saw esau.
00:12:16.721 --> 00:12:18.857
But he also saw esau. not physically now,
00:12:18.923 --> 00:12:19.657
Not physically now, but he's imagining this brother.
00:12:19.724 --> 00:12:23.094
But he's imagining this brother. do you know about esau?
00:12:23.161 --> 00:12:24.529
Do you know about esau? esau is the brother who was
00:12:24.596 --> 00:12:27.232
Esau is the brother who was the firstborn of isaac,
00:12:27.298 --> 00:12:29.634
The firstborn of isaac, who was supposed to rightfully
00:12:29.701 --> 00:12:31.669
Who was supposed to rightfully carry the birthright
00:12:31.736 --> 00:12:33.004
Carry the birthright to bring forth
00:12:33.071 --> 00:12:33.738
To bring forth the nation of israel.
00:12:33.805 --> 00:12:35.406
The nation of israel. but jacob tricked his father
00:12:35.473 --> 00:12:39.444
But jacob tricked his father into giving him the birthright
00:12:39.511 --> 00:12:41.146
Into giving him the birthright and the blessing because
00:12:41.212 --> 00:12:44.115
And the blessing because isaac was going blind.
00:12:44.182 --> 00:12:46.384
Isaac was going blind. so, jacob dressed up
00:12:46.451 --> 00:12:48.019
So, jacob dressed up like he was esau.
00:12:48.086 --> 00:12:49.554
Like he was esau. it was his mom's idea to do it,
00:12:49.621 --> 00:12:51.122
It was his mom's idea to do it, and she's like, "i got
00:12:51.189 --> 00:12:52.590
And she's like, "i got some of his clothes.
00:12:52.657 --> 00:12:53.825
Some of his clothes. i can make some food.
00:12:53.892 --> 00:12:55.226
I can make some food. we can take it into isaac,
00:12:55.293 --> 00:12:57.061
We can take it into isaac, and isaac won't know
00:12:57.128 --> 00:12:58.163
And isaac won't know the difference,
00:12:58.229 --> 00:12:58.963
The difference, and we can get him
00:12:59.030 --> 00:12:59.697
And we can get him to bless you instead."
00:12:59.764 --> 00:13:00.965
To bless you instead." because she kind of liked jacob
00:13:01.032 --> 00:13:03.067
Because she kind of liked jacob and isaac kind of liked esau.
00:13:03.134 --> 00:13:05.136
And isaac kind of liked esau. and so, they switched it up
00:13:05.203 --> 00:13:06.538
And so, they switched it up and bamboozled isaac
00:13:06.604 --> 00:13:08.973
And bamboozled isaac to get jacob blessed.
00:13:09.040 --> 00:13:10.809
To get jacob blessed. and that is the background
00:13:10.875 --> 00:13:11.910
And that is the background of this story, is that
00:13:11.976 --> 00:13:13.845
Jacob is blessed, but...
00:13:13.945 --> 00:13:16.714
Blessed, but.
00:13:20.351 --> 00:13:22.620
Blessed, but. it's been 20 years
00:13:22.687 --> 00:13:24.088
It's been 20 years since he's seen esau.
00:13:24.155 --> 00:13:26.791
Since he's seen esau. he's been to a lot of places.
00:13:26.858 --> 00:13:27.759
He's been to a lot of places. he's seen a lot of things.
00:13:27.826 --> 00:13:29.828
He lived with uncle laban for
00:13:29.928 --> 00:13:32.063
He lived with uncle laban for most of those 20 years
00:13:32.130 --> 00:13:33.164
Most of those 20 years in a foreign land.
00:13:33.231 --> 00:13:35.433
In a foreign land. he got two wives.
00:13:35.500 --> 00:13:36.334
He got two wives. you read about that in the text,
00:13:36.401 --> 00:13:38.203
You read about that in the text, rachel and leah.
00:13:38.269 --> 00:13:41.506
Rachel and leah. rachel was beautiful.
00:13:41.573 --> 00:13:43.074
Rachel was beautiful. leah was --
00:13:43.141 --> 00:13:43.975
Leah was -- had a good personality.
00:13:44.042 --> 00:13:45.410
Had a good personality. [laughter]
00:13:45.476 --> 00:13:46.411
[laughter] and now, he's going back
00:13:46.477 --> 00:13:47.412
And now, he's going back with everything that god
00:13:47.478 --> 00:13:48.646
With everything that god has blessed him with, but.
00:13:48.713 --> 00:13:52.684
Has blessed him with, but. i'mma preach this.
00:13:52.750 --> 00:13:53.318
I'mma preach this. i'mma preach this.
00:13:53.384 --> 00:13:54.085
I'mma preach this. i'mma preach this
00:13:54.152 --> 00:13:54.853
I'mma preach this 'cause i feel it.
00:13:54.919 --> 00:13:56.354
'cause i feel it. he's blessed, but.
00:13:56.421 --> 00:14:01.059
He's blessed, but. he's got a thousand reasons
00:14:01.125 --> 00:14:03.394
He's got a thousand reasons to be thankful.
00:14:03.461 --> 00:14:05.430
To be thankful. he's got a thousand reasons
00:14:05.496 --> 00:14:07.565
He's got a thousand reasons to be confident.
00:14:07.632 --> 00:14:09.067
To be confident. he's got exhibit a, b, c, d,
00:14:09.133 --> 00:14:11.269
He's got exhibit a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k,
00:14:11.336 --> 00:14:13.805
E, f, g, h, i, j, k, that god keeps
00:14:13.872 --> 00:14:15.273
That god keeps his promises, but.
00:14:15.340 --> 00:14:19.444
His promises, but. he knows the story
00:14:19.510 --> 00:14:20.511
He knows the story how god told his father --
00:14:20.578 --> 00:14:22.413
How god told his father -- well, not his father,
00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:23.381
Well, not his father, his grandfather, abraham,
00:14:23.448 --> 00:14:25.116
His grandfather, abraham, "i will bless you
00:14:25.183 --> 00:14:27.252
"i will bless you and you will be a blessing."
00:14:27.318 --> 00:14:28.319
And you will be a blessing." he knows all of that so well
00:14:28.386 --> 00:14:30.054
He knows all of that so well that he can rehearse it
00:14:30.121 --> 00:14:30.822
That he can rehearse it in a prayer back to god
00:14:30.889 --> 00:14:32.490
In a prayer back to god in perfect prose and remind
00:14:32.557 --> 00:14:34.592
In perfect prose and remind god of how far he's come.
00:14:34.659 --> 00:14:36.661
God of how far he's come. it is not wasted on him
00:14:36.728 --> 00:14:38.763
It is not wasted on him what god has done for him.
00:14:38.830 --> 00:14:40.398
What god has done for him. he's very blessed, but.
00:14:40.465 --> 00:14:45.403
He's very blessed, but. it is important
00:14:45.470 --> 00:14:46.671
It is important for us to realize,
00:14:46.738 --> 00:14:48.573
For us to realize, as we bring god our praise
00:14:48.640 --> 00:14:51.209
As we bring god our praise for the blessings
00:14:51.276 --> 00:14:51.976
For the blessings that we have received --
00:14:52.043 --> 00:14:52.977
That we have received -- and i need all
00:14:53.044 --> 00:14:53.845
And i need all the blessed people to take
00:14:53.912 --> 00:14:54.612
The blessed people to take a moment and clap your hands,
00:14:54.679 --> 00:14:55.513
A moment and clap your hands, and thank god...
00:14:55.580 --> 00:14:57.849
And thank god... that he blessed you.
00:14:57.916 --> 00:14:58.950
That he blessed you. [applause]
00:14:59.017 --> 00:15:00.752
[applause] because he hadn't
00:15:00.818 --> 00:15:01.352
Because he hadn't have blessed you,
00:15:01.419 --> 00:15:03.354
Have blessed you, you probably wouldn't be here.
00:15:03.421 --> 00:15:04.589
You probably wouldn't be here. [applause]
00:15:04.656 --> 00:15:05.023
[applause] three people,
00:15:05.089 --> 00:15:06.124
Three people, if he hadn't blessed you,
00:15:06.190 --> 00:15:07.992
If he hadn't blessed you, kept you, fed you,
00:15:08.059 --> 00:15:09.861
Kept you, fed you, led you, shown you,
00:15:09.928 --> 00:15:11.863
Led you, shown you, crowned you, clothed you,
00:15:11.930 --> 00:15:13.898
Crowned you, clothed you, walked you through.
00:15:13.965 --> 00:15:15.266
Walked you through. you wouldn't be here
00:15:15.333 --> 00:15:16.501
You wouldn't be here if you weren't so blessed.
00:15:16.567 --> 00:15:18.336
If you weren't so blessed. high-five somebody, say,
00:15:18.403 --> 00:15:19.938
High-five somebody, say, "yes, i'm blessed."
00:15:20.004 --> 00:15:21.072
"yes, i'm blessed." >> congregation: yes,
00:15:21.139 --> 00:15:21.572
>> congregation: yes, i'm blessed.
00:15:21.639 --> 00:15:22.874
I'm blessed. [applause]
00:15:22.941 --> 00:15:26.377
[applause] but.
00:15:26.444 --> 00:15:27.779
But. [laughter]
00:15:27.845 --> 00:15:30.581
[laughter] but.
00:15:30.648 --> 00:15:33.084
But. i'm blessed.
00:15:33.151 --> 00:15:34.819
I'm blessed. i'm blessed.
00:15:34.886 --> 00:15:35.620
I'm blessed. god gave me kids.
00:15:35.687 --> 00:15:36.554
God gave me kids. we struggle
00:15:36.621 --> 00:15:37.121
We struggle through infertility
00:15:37.188 --> 00:15:37.922
Through infertility for three years.
00:15:37.989 --> 00:15:38.556
For three years. god gave us kid.
00:15:38.623 --> 00:15:40.925
God gave us kid. i'm blessed.
00:15:40.992 --> 00:15:41.426
I'm blessed. children are a blessing.
00:15:41.492 --> 00:15:43.328
Children are a blessing. [laughter]
00:15:43.394 --> 00:15:44.729
[laughter] but.
00:15:44.796 --> 00:15:46.397
But. can't talk to you
00:15:46.464 --> 00:15:47.198
Can't talk to you about this in church.
00:15:47.265 --> 00:15:47.999
About this in church. we'll talk about it later.
00:15:48.066 --> 00:15:48.933
We'll talk about it later. we'll talk about it later.
00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:50.101
We'll talk about it later. in fact, i don't talk to anybody
00:15:50.168 --> 00:15:50.969
In fact, i don't talk to anybody about it 'cause i don't want
00:15:51.035 --> 00:15:52.403
About it 'cause i don't want anybody to see my but.
00:15:52.470 --> 00:15:55.373
Anybody to see my but. you can talk about my but.
00:15:55.440 --> 00:15:56.307
You can talk about my but. i'm gonna cover my but.
00:15:56.374 --> 00:15:57.241
I'm gonna cover my but. i'mma show you my blessing,
00:15:57.308 --> 00:15:58.076
I'mma show you my blessing, i'mma cover my but.
00:15:58.142 --> 00:15:58.843
I'mma cover my but. i'm gonna post my blessing,
00:15:58.910 --> 00:15:59.677
I'm gonna post my blessing, but i'm gonna cover my but.
00:15:59.744 --> 00:16:00.812
But i'm gonna cover my but. all up on instagram
00:16:00.878 --> 00:16:01.612
All up on instagram is all my blessings.
00:16:01.679 --> 00:16:02.547
Is all my blessings. you'll see my but on instagram.
00:16:02.613 --> 00:16:04.782
You'll see my but on instagram. now, the thing about the passage
00:16:04.849 --> 00:16:08.486
Now, the thing about the passage that i need you to realize
00:16:08.553 --> 00:16:11.389
Is that the presence
00:16:11.489 --> 00:16:13.791
Is that the presence of the blessing does not mean
00:16:13.858 --> 00:16:17.095
Of the blessing does not mean the absence of pressure.
00:16:17.161 --> 00:16:20.431
Sometimes we get confused
00:16:23.768 --> 00:16:25.303
Sometimes we get confused about the things that we feel.
00:16:25.370 --> 00:16:28.439
Sometimes we get confused about
00:16:28.539 --> 00:16:30.174
Sometimes we get confused about the thoughts that we have.
00:16:30.241 --> 00:16:32.543
The thoughts that we have. "because i'm blessed
00:16:32.610 --> 00:16:33.444
"because i'm blessed and i know that i should
00:16:33.511 --> 00:16:34.779
And i know that i should trust god because i know
00:16:34.846 --> 00:16:35.847
Trust god because i know that i've seen him
00:16:35.913 --> 00:16:36.347
That i've seen him come through before.
00:16:36.414 --> 00:16:37.115
Come through before. i am blessed.
00:16:37.181 --> 00:16:38.216
I am blessed. i have seen so many times
00:16:38.282 --> 00:16:40.752
I have seen so many times that he came through for me,
00:16:40.818 --> 00:16:43.488
That he came through for me, but i'm waking up lately
00:16:43.554 --> 00:16:44.522
But i'm waking up lately at 3:00 in the morning,
00:16:44.589 --> 00:16:47.125
At 3:00 in the morning, and it's not just
00:16:47.191 --> 00:16:47.725
And it's not just because of my liquid intake.
00:16:47.792 --> 00:16:51.696
Because of my liquid intake. i'm working through scenarios
00:16:51.763 --> 00:16:52.830
I'm working through scenarios right now that i can't
00:16:52.897 --> 00:16:53.765
Right now that i can't figure out how to sort.
00:16:53.831 --> 00:16:55.833
Figure out how to sort. i'm blessed.
00:16:55.900 --> 00:16:57.735
I'm blessed. i mean, don't get me wrong, man.
00:16:57.802 --> 00:16:59.170
I mean, don't get me wrong, man. i'm not in here
00:16:59.237 --> 00:16:59.837
I'm not in here to complain to you.
00:16:59.904 --> 00:17:00.805
To complain to you. i'm blessed,
00:17:00.872 --> 00:17:03.007
I'm blessed, but i gotta go back
00:17:03.074 --> 00:17:03.941
But i gotta go back to the doctor next wednesday.
00:17:04.008 --> 00:17:05.510
To the doctor next wednesday. and he's my healer.
00:17:05.576 --> 00:17:07.578
And he's my healer. god is my jehovah rapha,
00:17:07.645 --> 00:17:12.283
God is my jehovah rapha, but i still kind of wonder
00:17:12.350 --> 00:17:14.018
But i still kind of wonder what this doctor
00:17:14.085 --> 00:17:14.719
What this doctor is gonna say to me when
00:17:14.786 --> 00:17:16.287
Is gonna say to me when i go see him on wednesday."
00:17:16.354 --> 00:17:17.722
I go see him on wednesday." i'm describing scenarios.
00:17:17.789 --> 00:17:19.023
I'm describing scenarios. these aren't my scenarios.
00:17:19.090 --> 00:17:20.291
These aren't my scenarios. these are just --
00:17:20.358 --> 00:17:22.493
These are just -- these are the buts
00:17:22.560 --> 00:17:24.429
These are the buts you brought to church.
00:17:24.495 --> 00:17:28.866
You brought to church. the man who told me,
00:17:28.933 --> 00:17:29.567
The man who told me, "i'm so grateful
00:17:29.634 --> 00:17:30.068
"i'm so grateful that god allowed me
00:17:30.134 --> 00:17:30.935
That god allowed me to open this restaurant,
00:17:31.002 --> 00:17:32.036
To open this restaurant, but i got this pain
00:17:32.103 --> 00:17:32.670
But i got this pain in my shoulder right now
00:17:32.737 --> 00:17:33.538
In my shoulder right now and i'm coming in
00:17:33.604 --> 00:17:34.338
And i'm coming in and i'm getting here
00:17:34.405 --> 00:17:35.406
And i'm getting here at 4:00 in the morning,
00:17:35.473 --> 00:17:36.340
At 4:00 in the morning, and will you
00:17:36.407 --> 00:17:37.008
And will you pray for me, pastor?
00:17:37.075 --> 00:17:37.909
Pray for me, pastor? 'cause i trust god,
00:17:37.975 --> 00:17:38.709
'cause i trust god, but my shoulder.
00:17:38.776 --> 00:17:42.380
But my shoulder. and god has blessed me with
00:17:42.447 --> 00:17:43.281
And god has blessed me with so much, but this hurts.
00:17:43.347 --> 00:17:45.116
So much, but this hurts. i'm waking up with this
00:17:45.183 --> 00:17:46.317
I'm waking up with this pain in my body.
00:17:46.384 --> 00:17:46.984
Pain in my body. i'm not able to sleep at night.
00:17:47.051 --> 00:17:47.985
I'm not able to sleep at night. would you just pray for me?
00:17:48.052 --> 00:17:49.087
Would you just pray for me? 'cause i love god, i trust god,
00:17:49.153 --> 00:17:50.988
'cause i love god, i trust god, i'm blessed, but."
00:17:51.055 --> 00:17:53.524
I'm blessed, but." and don't get this confused.
00:17:53.591 --> 00:17:56.727
And don't get this confused. the load that i carry
00:17:56.794 --> 00:17:58.930
The load that i carry does not mean
00:17:58.996 --> 00:17:59.797
Does not mean that i don't love god,
00:17:59.864 --> 00:18:03.968
That i don't love god, nor does it mean that
00:18:04.035 --> 00:18:04.669
Nor does it mean that i doubt his love for me.
00:18:04.735 --> 00:18:07.705
I doubt his love for me. i'm blessed, but.
00:18:07.772 --> 00:18:11.476
I'm blessed, but. "yes, i'm blessed,
00:18:11.542 --> 00:18:12.376
"yes, i'm blessed, but this addiction
00:18:12.443 --> 00:18:14.045
But this addiction is kicking my butt.
00:18:14.112 --> 00:18:16.414
Is kicking my butt. yes, i'm blessed,
00:18:16.481 --> 00:18:18.282
Yes, i'm blessed, but i still can't understand
00:18:18.349 --> 00:18:19.851
But i still can't understand why i emotionally eat.
00:18:19.917 --> 00:18:22.053
Why i emotionally eat. and so, every diet that i try,
00:18:22.120 --> 00:18:23.821
And so, every diet that i try, it fails because there's
00:18:23.888 --> 00:18:25.156
It fails because there's something driving me back
00:18:25.223 --> 00:18:26.891
Something driving me back to that eating, and i don't
00:18:26.958 --> 00:18:28.426
To that eating, and i don't even know what it is.
00:18:28.493 --> 00:18:29.627
Even know what it is. and yes, i'm blessed.
00:18:29.694 --> 00:18:30.895
And yes, i'm blessed. and i'm not complaining
00:18:30.962 --> 00:18:31.929
And i'm not complaining because i know that
00:18:31.996 --> 00:18:32.964
Because i know that there's somebody somewhere
00:18:33.030 --> 00:18:34.031
There's somebody somewhere who doesn't even have
00:18:34.098 --> 00:18:35.099
Who doesn't even have food to eat."
00:18:35.166 --> 00:18:35.733
Food to eat." so, i'm not comparing myself
00:18:35.800 --> 00:18:37.001
So, i'm not comparing myself and saying that i don't
00:18:37.068 --> 00:18:37.969
And saying that i don't appreciate what god gave me.
00:18:38.035 --> 00:18:39.504
Appreciate what god gave me. and i know that overeating
00:18:39.570 --> 00:18:40.738
And i know that overeating is kind of like
00:18:40.805 --> 00:18:41.639
Is kind of like an american blessed people
00:18:41.706 --> 00:18:42.874
An american blessed people problem anyway to have,
00:18:42.940 --> 00:18:44.041
Problem anyway to have, but i still have it.
00:18:44.108 --> 00:18:45.476
But i still have it. i'm blessed,
00:18:45.543 --> 00:18:45.810
I'm blessed, but i can't control this.
00:18:45.877 --> 00:18:47.078
But i can't control this. and i don't know
00:18:47.145 --> 00:18:47.812
And i don't know how to control it
00:18:47.879 --> 00:18:48.746
How to control it because i'm wrestling
00:18:48.813 --> 00:18:50.248
Because i'm wrestling with something i can't see.
00:18:50.314 --> 00:18:52.250
With something i can't see. [applause]
00:18:52.316 --> 00:18:55.786
[applause] and i'm forgiven of my sin,
00:18:55.853 --> 00:18:57.355
And i'm forgiven of my sin, but i don't feel
00:18:57.421 --> 00:18:57.855
But i don't feel free from it yet.
00:18:57.922 --> 00:19:00.791
Free from it yet. i know that
00:19:00.858 --> 00:19:01.692
I know that it's under the blood,
00:19:01.759 --> 00:19:02.727
It's under the blood, but it's still going on
00:19:02.793 --> 00:19:04.128
But it's still going on in my house.
00:19:04.195 --> 00:19:08.332
In my house. and i can say the right words
00:19:08.399 --> 00:19:09.634
And i can say the right words to you and i can sing
00:19:09.700 --> 00:19:10.902
The right songs with you.
00:19:11.002 --> 00:19:12.403
The right songs with you. i'm blessed, but."
00:19:12.470 --> 00:19:15.039
I'm blessed, but." but, you probably
00:19:15.106 --> 00:19:15.907
But, you probably don't wanna hear about this.
00:19:15.973 --> 00:19:17.108
Don't wanna hear about this. i'm blessed, but.
00:19:17.175 --> 00:19:20.344
I'm blessed, but. and this is what i feel
00:19:20.411 --> 00:19:21.245
And this is what i feel sometimes when people say,
00:19:21.312 --> 00:19:22.980
Sometimes when people say, "boy, it must be wonderful
00:19:23.047 --> 00:19:26.217
To know that god uses you
00:19:26.317 --> 00:19:28.352
To know that god uses you to help thousands of people
00:19:28.419 --> 00:19:29.687
To help thousands of people through your preaching.
00:19:29.754 --> 00:19:31.789
Through your preaching. that must be a blessing."
00:19:31.856 --> 00:19:33.891
That must be a blessing." it is a blessing.
00:19:33.958 --> 00:19:37.895
It is a blessing. [laughter]
00:19:37.962 --> 00:19:39.630
[laughter] y'all don't wanna
00:19:39.697 --> 00:19:40.097
Y'all don't wanna hear about that.
00:19:40.164 --> 00:19:40.865
Hear about that. no, it's just the holy spirit
00:19:40.932 --> 00:19:42.600
No, it's just the holy spirit just flows and i just let him
00:19:42.667 --> 00:19:44.569
Just flows and i just let him say what he wants to say
00:19:44.635 --> 00:19:46.537
Say what he wants to say because it's his work,
00:19:46.604 --> 00:19:48.906
Because it's his work, not my work, and it's his way,
00:19:48.973 --> 00:19:51.375
Not my work, and it's his way, not my way.
00:19:51.442 --> 00:19:53.177
Not my way. and i believe that,
00:19:53.244 --> 00:19:54.779
And i believe that, but sometimes
00:19:54.845 --> 00:19:56.847
But sometimes i wanna get up and say
00:19:56.914 --> 00:19:58.049
I wanna get up and say what i said last week, "do it,"
00:19:58.115 --> 00:20:00.451
What i said last week, "do it," and walk off the stage.
00:20:00.518 --> 00:20:01.819
And walk off the stage. [laughter]
00:20:01.886 --> 00:20:05.189
[laughter] you like that, lord?
00:20:05.256 --> 00:20:06.057
You like that, lord? i like that.
00:20:06.123 --> 00:20:06.490
I like that. [applause]
00:20:06.557 --> 00:20:06.891
[applause] the lord said he like that.
00:20:06.958 --> 00:20:08.859
The lord said he like that. now, the amazing thing about
00:20:08.926 --> 00:20:11.329
Now, the amazing thing about this wrestling match.
00:20:11.395 --> 00:20:12.063
This wrestling match. let me give you
00:20:12.129 --> 00:20:12.663
Let me give you another verse that --
00:20:12.730 --> 00:20:13.898
Another verse that -- to me, it's not confusing
00:20:13.965 --> 00:20:15.166
To me, it's not confusing but it just really shows
00:20:15.233 --> 00:20:17.501
But it just really shows what jacob is going through
00:20:17.568 --> 00:20:18.803
What jacob is going through in this passage.
00:20:18.869 --> 00:20:20.304
In this passage. it says that, "when" --
00:20:20.371 --> 00:20:22.006
It says that, "when" -- verse 24 comes around
00:20:22.073 --> 00:20:23.407
Verse 24 comes around and he, you know,
00:20:23.474 --> 00:20:24.108
And he, you know, send everything
00:20:24.175 --> 00:20:24.575
Send everything across the stream
00:20:24.642 --> 00:20:25.343
Across the stream because he's gotta deal
00:20:25.409 --> 00:20:26.310
Because he's gotta deal with esau and he thinks
00:20:26.377 --> 00:20:27.678
With esau and he thinks esau is the enemy
00:20:27.745 --> 00:20:29.046
Esau is the enemy that he has to face.
00:20:29.113 --> 00:20:29.880
That he has to face. and so, what happens is
00:20:29.947 --> 00:20:31.249
And so, what happens is he has a fight
00:20:31.315 --> 00:20:32.917
He has a fight that he didn't plan for,
00:20:32.984 --> 00:20:34.485
That he didn't plan for, as he's getting ready
00:20:34.552 --> 00:20:35.419
As he's getting ready for the fight that
00:20:35.486 --> 00:20:36.020
For the fight that he's not gonna have that
00:20:36.087 --> 00:20:37.021
He's not gonna have that he thinks he's gonna have.
00:20:37.088 --> 00:20:39.624
He thinks he's gonna have. this is kind of what
00:20:39.690 --> 00:20:40.291
This is kind of what worry does to you.
00:20:40.358 --> 00:20:42.360
Worry does to you. it gets you fighting battles
00:20:42.426 --> 00:20:44.695
It gets you fighting battles that probably aren't even
00:20:44.762 --> 00:20:45.563
That probably aren't even going to happen to deplete you
00:20:45.630 --> 00:20:48.299
Going to happen to deplete you of the strength that you need
00:20:48.366 --> 00:20:51.235
Of the strength that you need to do the things
00:20:51.302 --> 00:20:51.736
To do the things that you can do,
00:20:51.802 --> 00:20:54.372
That you can do, to affect what you can affect,
00:20:54.438 --> 00:20:55.740
To affect what you can affect, to impact what you can impact.
00:20:55.806 --> 00:20:58.142
To impact what you can impact. but the bible says that,
00:20:58.209 --> 00:20:59.143
But the bible says that, "after jacob was separated
00:20:59.210 --> 00:21:00.678
"after jacob was separated from all of these blessings,
00:21:00.745 --> 00:21:03.581
From all of these blessings, donkeys, camels..."
00:21:03.648 --> 00:21:07.051
Donkeys, camels..." what else did he have?
00:21:07.118 --> 00:21:08.519
What else did he have? ewes, and rachels, and leahs,
00:21:08.586 --> 00:21:12.390
Ewes, and rachels, and leahs, and simeons, and levites,
00:21:12.456 --> 00:21:13.724
And simeons, and levites, and all of these tangible
00:21:13.791 --> 00:21:15.693
And all of these tangible expressions of blessing.
00:21:15.760 --> 00:21:17.728
Expressions of blessing. after those have all gone
00:21:17.795 --> 00:21:19.297
After those have all gone it says in verse 24,
00:21:19.363 --> 00:21:20.931
It says in verse 24, "so jacob was left alone,
00:21:20.998 --> 00:21:24.502
"so jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled
00:21:24.568 --> 00:21:26.037
And a man wrestled with him till daybreak."
00:21:26.103 --> 00:21:28.773
With him till daybreak." now, i have been in
00:21:28.839 --> 00:21:29.507
Now, i have been in a nostalgia hold all week
00:21:29.573 --> 00:21:32.176
A nostalgia hold all week watching 1991, 1992,
00:21:32.243 --> 00:21:35.680
Watching 1991, 1992, 1993 wrestling matches.
00:21:35.746 --> 00:21:38.783
1993 wrestling matches. i don't mean the kind
00:21:38.849 --> 00:21:39.850
I don't mean the kind where they compete
00:21:39.917 --> 00:21:40.484
Where they compete on a collegiate level.
00:21:40.551 --> 00:21:41.919
On a collegiate level. i'm talking about
00:21:41.986 --> 00:21:42.820
I'm talking about the four horsemen.
00:21:42.887 --> 00:21:44.021
The four horsemen. [laughter]
00:21:44.088 --> 00:21:45.723
[laughter] and i'll be honest,
00:21:45.790 --> 00:21:47.024
And i'll be honest, i even went past --
00:21:47.091 --> 00:21:47.925
I even went past -- 'cause i quit watching
00:21:47.992 --> 00:21:48.893
'cause i quit watching wrestling when i was
00:21:48.959 --> 00:21:49.593
Wrestling when i was about 13 or 14.
00:21:49.660 --> 00:21:51.529
About 13 or 14. i even went past
00:21:51.595 --> 00:21:52.029
I even went past when i stopped watching
00:21:52.096 --> 00:21:53.197
When i stopped watching wrestling and i watched when
00:21:53.264 --> 00:21:54.498
Wrestling and i watched when hulk hogan became a bad guy,
00:21:54.565 --> 00:21:56.133
Hulk hogan became a bad guy, and that was heartbreaking.
00:21:56.200 --> 00:21:57.234
And that was heartbreaking. because when i was growing up,
00:21:57.301 --> 00:21:58.235
Because when i was growing up, he was telling me to eat
00:21:58.302 --> 00:21:58.969
He was telling me to eat my vitamins and say my prayers.
00:21:59.036 --> 00:22:01.038
My vitamins and say my prayers. and i had a little hulk hogan
00:22:01.105 --> 00:22:01.906
And i had a little hulk hogan workout cassette tape
00:22:01.972 --> 00:22:03.207
Workout cassette tape and i listened to that thing.
00:22:03.274 --> 00:22:04.408
And i listened to that thing. and to watch hulk hogan --
00:22:04.475 --> 00:22:05.776
And to watch hulk hogan -- hulk hogan look at the crowd
00:22:05.843 --> 00:22:08.145
Hulk hogan look at the crowd and say, "shove it."
00:22:08.212 --> 00:22:09.780
And say, "shove it." i'm like, "shove it?
00:22:09.847 --> 00:22:11.048
I'm like, "shove it? you're our guy.
00:22:11.115 --> 00:22:12.083
You're our guy. you're our hero.
00:22:12.149 --> 00:22:13.184
You're our hero. how could you do this to me?"
00:22:13.250 --> 00:22:14.618
How could you do this to me?" i was watching it all week long.
00:22:14.685 --> 00:22:16.687
I was watching it all week long. but i was watching it
00:22:16.754 --> 00:22:17.621
But i was watching it in the lens of jacob.
00:22:17.688 --> 00:22:19.423
In the lens of jacob. i was trying to figure out
00:22:19.490 --> 00:22:20.558
I was trying to figure out what that had to do with jacob.
00:22:20.624 --> 00:22:21.959
What that had to do with jacob. and i realized it right here.
00:22:22.026 --> 00:22:23.728
And i realized it right here. it's because, you know,
00:22:23.794 --> 00:22:24.995
It's because, you know, they had a lot
00:22:25.062 --> 00:22:25.629
They had a lot of arguments about,
00:22:25.696 --> 00:22:26.597
Of arguments about, is wrestling fake or is it real?
00:22:26.664 --> 00:22:29.533
Is wrestling fake or is it real? is it fake or is it real?
00:22:29.600 --> 00:22:31.502
Is it fake or is it real? and i heard one wrestler
00:22:31.569 --> 00:22:32.870
And i heard one wrestler say something, he's like,
00:22:32.937 --> 00:22:34.271
Say something, he's like, "let me slam you
00:22:34.338 --> 00:22:35.506
"let me slam you and then you can see
00:22:35.573 --> 00:22:36.640
And then you can see how real it feels
00:22:36.707 --> 00:22:38.509
How real it feels or how fake it feels."
00:22:38.576 --> 00:22:40.678
Or how fake it feels." so, when the bible says
00:22:40.745 --> 00:22:42.046
So, when the bible says that he was wrestling
00:22:42.113 --> 00:22:43.280
That he was wrestling and he was wrestling alone,
00:22:43.347 --> 00:22:45.683
And he was wrestling alone, it let's me know two things.
00:22:45.750 --> 00:22:47.084
It let's me know two things. one, is that no one else
00:22:47.151 --> 00:22:49.787
One, is that no one else got to see how he struggled.
00:22:49.854 --> 00:22:54.425
Got to see how he struggled. no one else saw the struggle.
00:22:54.492 --> 00:22:59.964
No one else saw the struggle. and number two,
00:23:00.030 --> 00:23:01.966
And number two, he wrestled at night.
00:23:02.032 --> 00:23:03.801
He wrestled at night. which means that even
00:23:03.868 --> 00:23:04.668
Which means that even he couldn't see what
00:23:04.735 --> 00:23:07.004
He couldn't see what he was struggling with.
00:23:07.071 --> 00:23:09.473
He was struggling with. and isn't that the nature
00:23:09.540 --> 00:23:12.510
And isn't that the nature of the real things
00:23:12.576 --> 00:23:13.444
Of the real things we wrestle with?
00:23:13.511 --> 00:23:15.346
We wrestle with? i'm not talking about where
00:23:15.413 --> 00:23:16.280
I'm not talking about where the issues show up in our lives.
00:23:16.347 --> 00:23:18.916
The issues show up in our lives. i'm talking about
00:23:18.983 --> 00:23:19.850
I'm talking about the source of the issue.
00:23:19.917 --> 00:23:22.052
The source of the issue. and the source of the issue
00:23:22.119 --> 00:23:24.021
And the source of the issue determines the strategy
00:23:24.088 --> 00:23:25.122
Determines the strategy for the battle.
00:23:25.189 --> 00:23:25.990
♪ ♪
00:23:26.490 --> 00:23:26.991
>> well, we hear a lot of
00:23:27.224 --> 00:23:27.992
>> well, we hear a lot of messages in church and in life
00:23:28.058 --> 00:23:30.628
Messages in church and in life about holding on, you know?
00:23:30.694 --> 00:23:31.962
About holding on, you know? "don't give up.
00:23:32.029 --> 00:23:33.197
"don't give up. hang in there.
00:23:33.264 --> 00:23:34.131
Hang in there. just grab tighter."
00:23:34.198 --> 00:23:36.100
Just grab tighter." and sometimes, that's exactly
00:23:36.167 --> 00:23:37.568
And sometimes, that's exactly what you need to hear.
00:23:37.635 --> 00:23:38.669
What you need to hear. but there are those times
00:23:38.736 --> 00:23:40.271
But there are those times in your life where the blessing
00:23:40.337 --> 00:23:42.873
In your life where the blessing is in letting go.
00:23:42.940 --> 00:23:45.142
Is in letting go. the times in life
00:23:45.209 --> 00:23:46.143
The times in life where you can't control it,
00:23:46.210 --> 00:23:47.945
Where you can't control it, can't figure it out.
00:23:48.012 --> 00:23:49.346
Can't figure it out. all of your calculations
00:23:49.413 --> 00:23:50.614
All of your calculations fall short and you
00:23:50.681 --> 00:23:51.982
Fall short and you just have to surrender it.
00:23:52.049 --> 00:23:53.784
Just have to surrender it. and this is so much
00:23:53.851 --> 00:23:55.419
And this is so much easier said than done.
00:23:55.486 --> 00:23:57.822
Easier said than done. but i wanna put a series
00:23:57.888 --> 00:23:58.722
But i wanna put a series in your hands today
00:23:58.789 --> 00:23:59.657
In your hands today that is going to help you
00:23:59.723 --> 00:24:01.292
That is going to help you to relinquish the control
00:24:01.358 --> 00:24:02.593
To relinquish the control of the things
00:24:02.660 --> 00:24:03.327
Of the things that are god's job,
00:24:03.394 --> 00:24:05.095
That are god's job, the battles that
00:24:05.162 --> 00:24:05.796
The battles that he wants to fight for you.
00:24:05.863 --> 00:24:06.897
He wants to fight for you. the series is called,
00:24:06.964 --> 00:24:08.766
"the blessing of letting go."
00:24:08.866 --> 00:24:11.202
"the blessing of letting go." and i believe that
00:24:11.268 --> 00:24:12.036
And i believe that as you walk through
00:24:12.102 --> 00:24:12.703
As you walk through this teaching,
00:24:12.770 --> 00:24:13.571
This teaching, you're gonna receive
00:24:13.637 --> 00:24:14.438
You're gonna receive peace like never before.
00:24:14.505 --> 00:24:15.973
Peace like never before. and i wanna include another
00:24:16.040 --> 00:24:17.908
And i wanna include another series for you called,
00:24:17.975 --> 00:24:19.043
Series for you called, "challenge the shadow."
00:24:19.109 --> 00:24:21.078
"challenge the shadow." you don't have to just accept
00:24:21.145 --> 00:24:22.713
You don't have to just accept the darkness as your new normal.
00:24:22.780 --> 00:24:24.915
The darkness as your new normal. there is a light in god
00:24:24.982 --> 00:24:26.317
There is a light in god and there is a way forward,
00:24:26.383 --> 00:24:27.685
And there is a way forward, but first, to see it,
00:24:27.751 --> 00:24:29.453
But first, to see it, you have to let go.
00:24:29.520 --> 00:24:30.654
You have to let go. so, call right now
00:24:30.721 --> 00:24:32.590
So, call right now and for your gift of
00:24:32.656 --> 00:24:33.591
And for your gift of any amount to this ministry,
00:24:33.657 --> 00:24:35.226
Any amount to this ministry, we wanna put
00:24:35.292 --> 00:24:35.826
We wanna put "the blessing of letting go"
00:24:35.893 --> 00:24:37.328
"the blessing of letting go" in your hands today with
00:24:37.394 --> 00:24:39.730
In your hands today with "challenge the shadow."
00:24:39.797 --> 00:24:41.031
"challenge the shadow." i believe this is gonna be
00:24:41.098 --> 00:24:42.399
I believe this is gonna be just the word you need
00:24:42.466 --> 00:24:44.201
Just the word you need to give you the momentum
00:24:44.268 --> 00:24:45.636
To give you the momentum and the practical strategy
00:24:45.703 --> 00:24:47.638
And the practical strategy to put it in god's hands
00:24:47.705 --> 00:24:49.373
To put it in god's hands and watch him do something
00:24:49.440 --> 00:24:50.407
And watch him do something amazing in your life.
00:24:50.474 --> 00:24:51.976
>> to get
00:24:52.343 --> 00:24:52.743
The "release and restore"
00:24:52.843 --> 00:24:53.744
Sermon pack from
00:24:53.844 --> 00:24:54.578
Pastor steven furtick,
00:24:54.678 --> 00:24:56.013
Which includes
00:24:56.113 --> 00:24:56.580
Two brand-new series,
00:24:56.680 --> 00:24:58.148
"the blessing of letting go"
00:24:58.249 --> 00:24:59.450
And "challenge the shadow,"
00:24:59.550 --> 00:25:00.951
Call or go online now.
00:25:01.051 --> 00:25:02.219
>> let go
00:25:03.554 --> 00:25:04.688
Of the way you thought
00:25:04.755 --> 00:25:05.422
It was supposed to go.
00:25:05.489 --> 00:25:06.991
Let go of your comparison
00:25:07.091 --> 00:25:08.893
Let go of your comparison to other standards
00:25:08.959 --> 00:25:09.793
To other standards that have nothing to do
00:25:09.860 --> 00:25:11.161
That have nothing to do with who the sovereign god
00:25:11.228 --> 00:25:12.096
With who the sovereign god called you to be.
00:25:12.162 --> 00:25:12.997
Called you to be. let go of the expectations
00:25:13.063 --> 00:25:14.765
Let go of the expectations of perfection that you have
00:25:14.832 --> 00:25:16.133
Of perfection that you have for yourself that can only be
00:25:16.200 --> 00:25:17.167
For yourself that can only be satisfied through the perfect
00:25:17.234 --> 00:25:18.335
Satisfied through the perfect work of jesus and has already
00:25:18.402 --> 00:25:19.970
Work of jesus and has already applied to your account.
00:25:20.037 --> 00:25:21.038
Applied to your account. let go.
00:25:21.105 --> 00:25:21.705
Let go. that's the blessing
00:25:21.772 --> 00:25:23.207
That's the blessing of letting go
00:25:23.274 --> 00:25:24.542
Of letting go of the way you thought
00:25:24.608 --> 00:25:25.376
Of the way you thought it was supposed to be.
00:25:25.442 --> 00:25:26.911
It was supposed to be. it's that you get the grace
00:25:26.977 --> 00:25:29.179
It's that you get the grace to accept what it is.
00:25:29.246 --> 00:25:31.282
To accept what it is. that's where
00:25:31.348 --> 00:25:32.049
That's where the transformation is.
00:25:32.116 --> 00:25:33.951
The transformation is. that's where the power is.
00:25:34.018 --> 00:25:35.686
That's where the power is. and i feel god going through
00:25:35.753 --> 00:25:36.921
And i feel god going through somebody's temple today
00:25:36.987 --> 00:25:38.822
Somebody's temple today and clearing out everything
00:25:38.889 --> 00:25:40.291
And clearing out everything that doesn't belong
00:25:40.357 --> 00:25:41.692
That doesn't belong and wiping out every shadow
00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:43.727
And wiping out every shadow that has tried to eliminate
00:25:43.794 --> 00:25:45.129
That has tried to eliminate your purpose and your peace.
00:25:45.195 --> 00:25:46.864
>> in this exclusive
00:25:47.865 --> 00:25:48.632
Dual sermon pack,
00:25:48.732 --> 00:25:49.900
Pastor steven shares
00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:51.101
The importance of letting go
00:25:51.201 --> 00:25:52.436
Of past experiences to step into
00:25:52.536 --> 00:25:54.805
New opportunities and blessings.
00:25:54.905 --> 00:25:56.874
Call or go online now to receive
00:25:56.974 --> 00:25:58.642
The release and restore
00:25:58.742 --> 00:25:59.877
Sermon pack today
00:25:59.977 --> 00:26:01.078
For a gift of any amount.
00:26:01.178 --> 00:26:02.346
Don't wait to experience
00:26:02.446 --> 00:26:03.647
The freedom god has for you.
00:26:03.747 --> 00:26:05.349
Take action now.
00:26:05.449 --> 00:26:06.483
♪ oh my god ♪
00:26:33.010 --> 00:26:34.411
♪ you've sure been ♪
00:26:34.478 --> 00:26:35.846
♪ good to me ♪
00:26:35.913 --> 00:26:38.048
♪ our hearts are burning ♪
00:26:39.416 --> 00:26:41.018
♪ for fresh revival ♪
00:26:41.085 --> 00:26:45.656
♪ blow again ♪
00:26:45.723 --> 00:26:47.424
♪ our god is ♪
00:26:47.491 --> 00:26:48.492
♪ consuming fire ♪
00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:51.762
♪ our god is ♪
00:26:51.829 --> 00:26:52.830
♪ a holy wind ♪
00:26:52.896 --> 00:26:56.033
♪ whatever you speak ♪
00:26:56.100 --> 00:26:58.002
♪ is done ♪
00:26:58.068 --> 00:27:00.337
♪ whatever you touch ♪
00:27:00.404 --> 00:27:02.272
♪ will live ♪
00:27:02.339 --> 00:27:04.642
♪ our god is ♪
00:27:04.708 --> 00:27:05.609
♪ consuming fire ♪
00:27:05.676 --> 00:27:08.979
♪ our god is ♪
00:27:09.046 --> 00:27:10.014
♪ a holy wind ♪
00:27:10.080 --> 00:27:13.250
♪ whatever you speak ♪
00:27:13.317 --> 00:27:15.185
♪ is done ♪
00:27:15.252 --> 00:27:17.488
♪ whatever you touch ♪
00:27:17.554 --> 00:27:19.423
♪ will live ♪
00:27:19.490 --> 00:27:21.892
>> ♪ whatever you speak ♪
00:27:21.959 --> 00:27:23.794
♪ is done ♪
00:27:23.861 --> 00:27:24.361
>> ♪ oh ♪
00:27:24.428 --> 00:27:26.296
>> ♪ whatever you touch ♪
00:27:26.363 --> 00:27:27.998
♪ will live ♪
00:27:28.065 --> 00:27:29.566

Steven Furtick - The Blessing of Letting Go (Part 1)

June 22, 2026 | 27:29

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