Steven Furtick

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

May 25, 2025 | 27:29

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

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Steven Furtick | Steven Furtick - The Blessing of Letting Go (Part 1) | May 25, 2025

♪ ♪
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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 it sometime
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I wanna share it sometime 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
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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
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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
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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.
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All his possessions. so jacob was left alone,
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So jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled
00:05:36.566 --> 00:05:37.767
And a man wrestled with him till daybreak.
00:05:37.834 --> 00:05:40.336
With him till daybreak. and when the man saw that
00:05:40.403 --> 00:05:41.437
And when the man saw that he could not overpower him,
00:05:41.504 --> 00:05:43.005
He could not overpower him, he touched the socket
00:05:43.072 --> 00:05:43.806
He touched the socket of jacob's hip
00:05:43.873 --> 00:05:45.675
Of jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched
00:05:45.742 --> 00:05:47.410
So that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man."
00:05:47.477 --> 00:05:50.546
As he wrestled with the man." and i'll stop here for now.
00:05:50.613 --> 00:05:52.115
And i'll stop here for now. "then the man said,
00:05:52.181 --> 00:05:54.283
"then the man said, 'let me go,
00:05:54.350 --> 00:05:58.221
'let me go, for it is daybreak.'
00:05:58.287 --> 00:06:00.590
For it is daybreak.' but jacob replied,
00:06:00.656 --> 00:06:02.458
But jacob replied, 'i will not let you go
00:06:02.525 --> 00:06:06.562
'i will not let you go unless you bless me.'"
00:06:06.629 --> 00:06:11.100
Unless you bless me.'" i wanna speak to you today
00:06:11.167 --> 00:06:12.869
I wanna speak to you today on the subject,
00:06:12.935 --> 00:06:14.137
On the subject, "the blessing of letting go."
00:06:14.203 --> 00:06:17.673
"the blessing of letting go." [applause]
00:06:17.740 --> 00:06:19.208
[applause] the blessing of letting go.
00:06:19.275 --> 00:06:22.612
The blessing of letting go. and let's pray one more time.
00:06:22.678 --> 00:06:23.980
And let's pray one more time. "father, your word is eternal.
00:06:24.046 --> 00:06:26.682
"father, your word is eternal. it produces what you
00:06:26.749 --> 00:06:27.650
It produces what you send it to produce.
00:06:27.717 --> 00:06:29.786
Send it to produce. it accomplishes what you
00:06:29.852 --> 00:06:30.887
It accomplishes what you intend for it to accomplish.
00:06:30.953 --> 00:06:32.422
Intend for it to accomplish. may it be so.
00:06:32.488 --> 00:06:34.190
May it be so. we call it done in the lives
00:06:34.257 --> 00:06:35.057
We call it done in the lives of these, your children.
00:06:35.124 --> 00:06:36.959
Of these, your children. and today, when the harvest
00:06:37.026 --> 00:06:38.194
And today, when the harvest comes from this word,
00:06:38.261 --> 00:06:39.829
Comes from this word, we'll give you all the praise
00:06:39.896 --> 00:06:41.931
We'll give you all the praise because you deserve it.
00:06:41.998 --> 00:06:43.332
Because you deserve it. in jesus' name."
00:06:43.399 --> 00:06:45.701
In jesus' name." amen.
00:06:45.768 --> 00:06:46.836
Amen. on your way to your seat
00:06:46.903 --> 00:06:47.637
On your way to your seat tell your neighbor,
00:06:47.703 --> 00:06:48.304
Tell your neighbor, "yes, i'm blessed."
00:06:48.371 --> 00:06:49.305
"yes, i'm blessed." >> congregation: yes,
00:06:49.372 --> 00:06:49.872
>> congregation: yes, i'm blessed.
00:06:49.939 --> 00:06:52.141
I'm blessed. >> yes, i'm blessed.
00:06:52.208 --> 00:06:54.510
>> yes, i'm blessed. say it convincingly now.
00:06:54.577 --> 00:06:55.778
Say it convincingly now. that first time
00:06:55.845 --> 00:06:56.612
That first time you sounded like you were
00:06:56.679 --> 00:06:57.413
You sounded like you were saying it under compulsion.
00:06:57.480 --> 00:06:59.248
Saying it under compulsion. [laughter]
00:06:59.315 --> 00:06:59.615
[laughter] you sounded like
00:06:59.682 --> 00:07:00.483
You sounded like i sent you to apologize.
00:07:00.550 --> 00:07:02.518
I sent you to apologize. like, your mom
00:07:02.585 --> 00:07:02.985
Like, your mom made you say that.
00:07:03.052 --> 00:07:04.020
Made you say that. "i'm sorry."
00:07:04.086 --> 00:07:04.921
"i'm sorry." [grumbling]
00:07:04.987 --> 00:07:05.555
[grumbling] [laughter]
00:07:05.621 --> 00:07:06.789
[laughter] look at them like you
00:07:06.856 --> 00:07:07.457
Look at them like you need to sell something
00:07:07.523 --> 00:07:08.291
Need to sell something to eat tonight and say,
00:07:08.357 --> 00:07:09.559
To eat tonight and say, "yes, i'm blessed."
00:07:09.625 --> 00:07:10.693
"yes, i'm blessed." >> congregation: yes,
00:07:10.760 --> 00:07:11.194
>> congregation: yes, i'm blessed.
00:07:11.260 --> 00:07:12.595
I'm blessed. >> alright.
00:07:12.662 --> 00:07:14.897
>> alright. 'cause, i mean,
00:07:14.964 --> 00:07:15.298
'cause, i mean, even the most basic reading
00:07:15.364 --> 00:07:18.801
Even the most basic reading of this bible story
00:07:18.868 --> 00:07:20.102
Of this bible story is confusing.
00:07:20.169 --> 00:07:22.538
Is confusing. you don't even have to get into
00:07:22.605 --> 00:07:23.706
You don't even have to get into all of the nuances of,
00:07:23.773 --> 00:07:25.808
All of the nuances of, "wait a minute.
00:07:25.875 --> 00:07:26.275
"wait a minute. god broke a guy's hip?"
00:07:26.342 --> 00:07:29.345
God broke a guy's hip?" you don't even have to get
00:07:29.412 --> 00:07:30.079
You don't even have to get into that to be confused.
00:07:30.146 --> 00:07:31.948
Into that to be confused. you can be just confused.
00:07:32.014 --> 00:07:33.082
You can be just confused. okay, there's one verse in ---
00:07:33.149 --> 00:07:34.717
Okay, there's one verse in --- this one verse is confusing
00:07:34.784 --> 00:07:35.952
This one verse is confusing just by itself,
00:07:36.018 --> 00:07:36.752
Just by itself, the one that i stopped on.
00:07:36.819 --> 00:07:38.488
The one that i stopped on. where jacob says to this guy
00:07:38.554 --> 00:07:42.225
Where jacob says to this guy who turns out to be
00:07:42.291 --> 00:07:43.559
Who turns out to be like an angel of god
00:07:43.626 --> 00:07:45.328
Like an angel of god or an appearance of god,
00:07:45.394 --> 00:07:46.195
Or an appearance of god, but he doesn't know that
00:07:46.262 --> 00:07:46.963
But he doesn't know that at the time because it's not
00:07:47.029 --> 00:07:49.332
At the time because it's not always obvious
00:07:49.398 --> 00:07:50.366
Always obvious that it's god when
00:07:50.433 --> 00:07:51.367
That it's god when you're going through things.
00:07:51.434 --> 00:07:53.903
You're going through things. i said, "it's not always
00:07:53.970 --> 00:07:56.105
I said, "it's not always obvious that it's god when
00:07:56.172 --> 00:07:57.940
Obvious that it's god when you're going through things."
00:07:58.007 --> 00:08:00.076
You're going through things." sometimes, you will give
00:08:00.142 --> 00:08:01.143
Sometimes, you will give the devil credit for something
00:08:01.210 --> 00:08:02.879
The devil credit for something that god is actually doing.
00:08:02.945 --> 00:08:06.582
That god is actually doing. so, you'll be like,
00:08:06.649 --> 00:08:07.216
So, you'll be like, "the devil is testing me."
00:08:07.283 --> 00:08:08.618
"the devil is testing me." no, god is training you.
00:08:08.684 --> 00:08:11.554
No, god is training you. and at the very end
00:08:11.621 --> 00:08:12.421
And at the very end of the passage,
00:08:12.488 --> 00:08:13.089
Of the passage, we find out that it was
00:08:13.155 --> 00:08:14.357
We find out that it was god with jacob.
00:08:14.423 --> 00:08:16.092
God with jacob. but the confusing thing,
00:08:16.158 --> 00:08:17.293
But the confusing thing, and i wanna know if
00:08:17.360 --> 00:08:18.027
And i wanna know if it confused you too,
00:08:18.094 --> 00:08:19.095
It confused you too, is that after reading that
00:08:19.161 --> 00:08:20.830
Is that after reading that whole list of rams,
00:08:20.897 --> 00:08:23.900
Whole list of rams, bulls, goats, donkeys,
00:08:23.966 --> 00:08:27.336
Bulls, goats, donkeys, all of those things
00:08:27.403 --> 00:08:27.937
All of those things that god gave jacob,
00:08:28.004 --> 00:08:29.605
That god gave jacob, he turns around
00:08:29.672 --> 00:08:30.773
He turns around and says to this --
00:08:30.840 --> 00:08:34.043
And says to this -- whatever he's wrestling with
00:08:34.110 --> 00:08:35.177
Whatever he's wrestling with that he doesn't really know
00:08:35.244 --> 00:08:35.945
That he doesn't really know what it is yet.
00:08:36.012 --> 00:08:36.846
What it is yet. he says, verse 26,
00:08:36.913 --> 00:08:38.748
He says, verse 26, "'i will not let you go
00:08:38.814 --> 00:08:42.652
"'i will not let you go unless you bless me.'"
00:08:42.718 --> 00:08:46.722
Unless you bless me.'" isn't he already blessed?
00:08:46.789 --> 00:08:50.860
Isn't he already blessed? i'm just asking the obvious.
00:08:50.927 --> 00:08:54.330
I'm just asking the obvious. how many donkeys was it?
00:08:54.397 --> 00:08:55.631
How many donkeys was it? were you counting them?
00:08:55.698 --> 00:08:56.332
Were you counting them? i wasn't counting them.
00:08:56.399 --> 00:08:56.933
I wasn't counting them. they were so many donkeys,
00:08:56.999 --> 00:08:58.034
They were so many donkeys, i lost count.
00:08:58.100 --> 00:08:59.769
I lost count. so much livestock.
00:08:59.835 --> 00:09:02.004
So much livestock. i mean, hebrew culture,
00:09:02.071 --> 00:09:03.072
I mean, hebrew culture, the proof of blessing was life,
00:09:03.139 --> 00:09:04.607
The proof of blessing was life, so having 11 sons,
00:09:04.674 --> 00:09:07.777
So having 11 sons, which would later go on
00:09:07.843 --> 00:09:08.945
Which would later go on to be the tribes of israel.
00:09:09.011 --> 00:09:11.080
To be the tribes of israel. benjamin isn't born yet.
00:09:11.147 --> 00:09:12.915
Benjamin isn't born yet. but after benjamin,
00:09:12.982 --> 00:09:13.816
But after benjamin, it completes the roster,
00:09:13.883 --> 00:09:14.750
It completes the roster, the starting lineup
00:09:14.817 --> 00:09:16.118
The starting lineup for the nation of israel.
00:09:16.185 --> 00:09:17.787
For the nation of israel. and all of that is traveling
00:09:17.853 --> 00:09:18.821
And all of that is traveling with him and he's blessed.
00:09:18.888 --> 00:09:23.292
With him and he's blessed. if you were to ask jacob
00:09:23.359 --> 00:09:24.393
If you were to ask jacob is he blessed, he'd say, "yes."
00:09:24.460 --> 00:09:27.163
Is he blessed, he'd say, "yes." he even said to god
00:09:27.229 --> 00:09:27.964
He even said to god when he was praying,
00:09:28.030 --> 00:09:29.131
When he was praying, "you know, you've done
00:09:29.198 --> 00:09:29.865
"you know, you've done so much for me.
00:09:29.932 --> 00:09:30.866
So much for me. i don't deserve it.
00:09:30.933 --> 00:09:33.202
I don't deserve it. i'm looking at a life that
00:09:33.269 --> 00:09:34.770
I'm looking at a life that i couldn't imagine.
00:09:34.837 --> 00:09:36.672
I couldn't imagine. and now, i'm living in something
00:09:36.739 --> 00:09:39.642
And now, i'm living in something that i never would have imagined
00:09:39.709 --> 00:09:40.576
That i never would have imagined through the lens of my past."
00:09:40.643 --> 00:09:44.447
Through the lens of my past." it reminded me of
00:09:44.513 --> 00:09:45.314
It reminded me of a conversation that i had
00:09:45.381 --> 00:09:46.048
A conversation that i had with a great entrepreneur.
00:09:46.115 --> 00:09:49.352
With a great entrepreneur. he was sharing with me about
00:09:49.418 --> 00:09:50.353
He was sharing with me about the pressure that he faces
00:09:50.419 --> 00:09:51.153
The pressure that he faces on a daily basis.
00:09:51.220 --> 00:09:53.255
On a daily basis. and his solution was,
00:09:53.322 --> 00:09:54.957
And his solution was, "i just need to be
00:09:55.024 --> 00:09:55.625
"i just need to be more grateful.
00:09:55.691 --> 00:09:56.859
More grateful. god has given me so much.
00:09:56.926 --> 00:09:58.728
God has given me so much. i just need to more grateful."
00:09:58.794 --> 00:10:00.997
I just need to more grateful." and we went through a list
00:10:01.063 --> 00:10:01.797
And we went through a list of some of the accomplishments
00:10:01.864 --> 00:10:03.532
Of some of the accomplishments that he had seen.
00:10:03.599 --> 00:10:05.534
That he had seen. and at the end of him talking
00:10:05.601 --> 00:10:06.402
And at the end of him talking about how he felt so guilty
00:10:06.469 --> 00:10:08.137
About how he felt so guilty because he wasn't more grateful,
00:10:08.204 --> 00:10:10.406
Because he wasn't more grateful, i asked him a question.
00:10:10.473 --> 00:10:12.141
I asked him a question. and it's a helpful question
00:10:12.208 --> 00:10:13.743
And it's a helpful question that i wanna ask you as well.
00:10:13.809 --> 00:10:16.112
That i wanna ask you as well. i said, "you keep saying
00:10:16.178 --> 00:10:17.146
I said, "you keep saying that you're not as grateful
00:10:17.213 --> 00:10:19.015
That you're not as grateful as you should be for everything
00:10:19.081 --> 00:10:20.182
As you should be for everything that god has given you.
00:10:20.249 --> 00:10:22.251
That god has given you. but i wonder if what
00:10:22.318 --> 00:10:23.886
But i wonder if what you're calling
00:10:23.953 --> 00:10:24.687
You're calling a lack of gratitude
00:10:24.754 --> 00:10:26.255
A lack of gratitude in your life really isn't
00:10:26.322 --> 00:10:28.290
In your life really isn't just the load of pressure
00:10:28.357 --> 00:10:30.493
Just the load of pressure that you feel
00:10:30.559 --> 00:10:31.861
That you feel because of the blessings
00:10:31.927 --> 00:10:33.229
Because of the blessings that god has given.
00:10:33.295 --> 00:10:35.331
That god has given. and so, i don't think
00:10:35.398 --> 00:10:36.365
And so, i don't think it's necessarily that
00:10:36.432 --> 00:10:37.433
It's necessarily that you aren't grateful
00:10:37.500 --> 00:10:38.367
You aren't grateful for everything
00:10:38.434 --> 00:10:38.968
For everything that you just listed,
00:10:39.035 --> 00:10:40.503
That you just listed, that you know god has given you.
00:10:40.569 --> 00:10:42.538
That you know god has given you. i think it's that at times
00:10:42.605 --> 00:10:44.507
I think it's that at times you realize that,
00:10:44.573 --> 00:10:46.809
You realize that, 'yes, i'm blessed, but..."
00:10:46.876 --> 00:10:52.548
And so, look at
00:10:54.417 --> 00:10:54.984
And so, look at your neighbor again and say,
00:10:55.051 --> 00:10:55.851
Your neighbor again and say, "yes, i'm blessed...
00:10:55.918 --> 00:10:56.986
"yes, i'm blessed... >> congregation: yes,
00:10:57.053 --> 00:10:57.553
>> congregation: yes, i'm blessed...
00:10:57.620 --> 00:10:58.521
I'm blessed... >> but."
00:10:58.587 --> 00:10:59.355
>> but." >> congregation: but.
00:10:59.422 --> 00:11:00.322
>> congregation: but. >> say it in that little
00:11:00.389 --> 00:11:01.057
>> say it in that little high voice like that.
00:11:01.123 --> 00:11:02.158
High voice like that. [laughter]
00:11:02.224 --> 00:11:05.561
[laughter] say it.
00:11:05.628 --> 00:11:05.928
Say it. look at them again.
00:11:05.995 --> 00:11:06.595
Look at them again. look at them again and say,
00:11:06.662 --> 00:11:08.064
Look at them again and say, "yes, i'm blessed...
00:11:08.130 --> 00:11:08.898
"yes, i'm blessed... >> congregation: yes,
00:11:08.964 --> 00:11:09.398
>> congregation: yes, i'm blessed...
00:11:09.465 --> 00:11:11.734
I'm blessed... >> but."
00:11:11.801 --> 00:11:12.935
>> but." [laughing]
00:11:13.002 --> 00:11:15.538
[laughing] i wanted to call this message,
00:11:15.604 --> 00:11:18.340
I wanted to call this message, "yes, i'm blessed, but."
00:11:18.407 --> 00:11:22.545
"yes, i'm blessed, but." because when you
00:11:22.611 --> 00:11:25.715
Because when you came to church today,
00:11:25.781 --> 00:11:26.482
Came to church today, you brought your bless but.
00:11:26.549 --> 00:11:28.851
You brought your bless but. [laughter]
00:11:28.918 --> 00:11:32.021
[laughter] sympathy laughs.
00:11:32.088 --> 00:11:32.621
Sympathy laughs. come on,
00:11:32.688 --> 00:11:32.955
Come on, it's pastor appreciation month.
00:11:33.022 --> 00:11:33.923
It's pastor appreciation month. [laughter]
00:11:33.989 --> 00:11:37.526
[laughter] it's amazing to me
00:11:37.593 --> 00:11:40.429
It's amazing to me how jacob could be so blessed
00:11:40.496 --> 00:11:43.199
How jacob could be so blessed that god has done so much,
00:11:43.265 --> 00:11:45.868
That god has done so much, that god has given
00:11:45.935 --> 00:11:47.069
That god has given so many things,
00:11:47.136 --> 00:11:48.304
So many things, but the bible says,
00:11:48.370 --> 00:11:50.005
But the bible says, "he was terrified.
00:11:50.072 --> 00:11:52.141
"he was terrified. he was threatened.
00:11:52.208 --> 00:11:54.176
He was threatened. he was uncertain."
00:11:54.243 --> 00:11:55.978
He was uncertain." and on the same prayer
00:11:56.045 --> 00:11:57.613
And on the same prayer that he's telling god,
00:11:57.680 --> 00:11:58.547
That he's telling god, "you promised me that
00:11:58.614 --> 00:12:00.783
"you promised me that you're gonna create something
00:12:00.850 --> 00:12:01.984
You're gonna create something great out of my life,"
00:12:02.051 --> 00:12:03.686
Great out of my life," he's reminding god that
00:12:03.753 --> 00:12:06.122
He's reminding god that he has a brother named esau
00:12:06.188 --> 00:12:08.257
He has a brother named esau who's about to kill him.
00:12:08.324 --> 00:12:10.159
Who's about to kill him. so, he looked up one night
00:12:10.226 --> 00:12:11.861
So, he looked up one night and he saw all of the blessings
00:12:11.927 --> 00:12:13.929
And he saw all of the blessings god had given him,
00:12:13.996 --> 00:12:15.664
God had given him, but he also saw esau.
00:12:15.731 --> 00:12:17.867
But he also saw esau. not physically now,
00:12:17.933 --> 00:12:18.667
Not physically now, but he's imagining this brother.
00:12:18.734 --> 00:12:22.104
But he's imagining this brother. do you know about esau?
00:12:22.171 --> 00:12:23.539
Do you know about esau? esau is the brother who was
00:12:23.606 --> 00:12:26.242
Esau is the brother who was the firstborn of isaac,
00:12:26.308 --> 00:12:28.644
The firstborn of isaac, who was supposed to rightfully
00:12:28.711 --> 00:12:30.679
Who was supposed to rightfully carry the birthright
00:12:30.746 --> 00:12:32.014
Carry the birthright to bring forth
00:12:32.081 --> 00:12:32.748
To bring forth the nation of israel.
00:12:32.815 --> 00:12:34.416
The nation of israel. but jacob tricked his father
00:12:34.483 --> 00:12:38.454
But jacob tricked his father into giving him the birthright
00:12:38.521 --> 00:12:40.156
Into giving him the birthright and the blessing because
00:12:40.222 --> 00:12:43.125
And the blessing because isaac was going blind.
00:12:43.192 --> 00:12:45.394
Isaac was going blind. so, jacob dressed up
00:12:45.461 --> 00:12:47.029
So, jacob dressed up like he was esau.
00:12:47.096 --> 00:12:48.564
Like he was esau. it was his mom's idea to do it,
00:12:48.631 --> 00:12:50.132
It was his mom's idea to do it, and she's like, "i got
00:12:50.199 --> 00:12:51.600
And she's like, "i got some of his clothes.
00:12:51.667 --> 00:12:52.835
Some of his clothes. i can make some food.
00:12:52.902 --> 00:12:54.236
I can make some food. we can take it into isaac,
00:12:54.303 --> 00:12:56.071
We can take it into isaac, and isaac won't know
00:12:56.138 --> 00:12:57.173
And isaac won't know the difference,
00:12:57.239 --> 00:12:57.973
The difference, and we can get him
00:12:58.040 --> 00:12:58.707
And we can get him to bless you instead."
00:12:58.774 --> 00:12:59.975
To bless you instead." because she kind of liked jacob
00:13:00.042 --> 00:13:02.077
Because she kind of liked jacob and isaac kind of liked esau.
00:13:02.144 --> 00:13:04.146
And isaac kind of liked esau. and so, they switched it up
00:13:04.213 --> 00:13:05.548
And so, they switched it up and bamboozled isaac
00:13:05.614 --> 00:13:07.983
And bamboozled isaac to get jacob blessed.
00:13:08.050 --> 00:13:09.819
To get jacob blessed. and that is the background
00:13:09.885 --> 00:13:10.920
And that is the background of this story, is that
00:13:10.986 --> 00:13:12.855
Of this story, is that jacob is blessed, but...
00:13:12.922 --> 00:13:15.724
Blessed, but.
00:13:19.361 --> 00:13:21.630
Blessed, but. it's been 20 years
00:13:21.697 --> 00:13:23.098
It's been 20 years since he's seen esau.
00:13:23.165 --> 00:13:25.801
Since he's seen esau. he's been to a lot of places.
00:13:25.868 --> 00:13:26.769
He's been to a lot of places. he's seen a lot of things.
00:13:26.836 --> 00:13:28.838
He's seen a lot of things. he lived with uncle laban for
00:13:28.904 --> 00:13:31.073
He lived with uncle laban for most of those 20 years
00:13:31.140 --> 00:13:32.174
Most of those 20 years in a foreign land.
00:13:32.241 --> 00:13:34.443
In a foreign land. he got two wives.
00:13:34.510 --> 00:13:35.344
He got two wives. you read about that in the text,
00:13:35.411 --> 00:13:37.213
You read about that in the text, rachel and leah.
00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:40.516
Rachel and leah. rachel was beautiful.
00:13:40.583 --> 00:13:42.084
Rachel was beautiful. leah was --
00:13:42.151 --> 00:13:42.985
Leah was -- had a good personality.
00:13:43.052 --> 00:13:44.420
Had a good personality. [laughter]
00:13:44.486 --> 00:13:45.421
[laughter] and now, he's going back
00:13:45.487 --> 00:13:46.422
And now, he's going back with everything that god
00:13:46.488 --> 00:13:47.656
With everything that god has blessed him with, but.
00:13:47.723 --> 00:13:51.694
Has blessed him with, but. i'mma preach this.
00:13:51.760 --> 00:13:52.328
I'mma preach this. i'mma preach this.
00:13:52.394 --> 00:13:53.095
I'mma preach this. i'mma preach this
00:13:53.162 --> 00:13:53.863
I'mma preach this 'cause i feel it.
00:13:53.929 --> 00:13:55.364
'cause i feel it. he's blessed, but.
00:13:55.431 --> 00:14:00.069
He's blessed, but. he's got a thousand reasons
00:14:00.135 --> 00:14:02.404
He's got a thousand reasons to be thankful.
00:14:02.471 --> 00:14:04.440
To be thankful. he's got a thousand reasons
00:14:04.506 --> 00:14:06.575
He's got a thousand reasons to be confident.
00:14:06.642 --> 00:14:08.077
To be confident. he's got exhibit a, b, c, d,
00:14:08.143 --> 00:14:10.279
He's got exhibit a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k,
00:14:10.346 --> 00:14:12.815
E, f, g, h, i, j, k, that god keeps
00:14:12.882 --> 00:14:14.283
That god keeps his promises, but.
00:14:14.350 --> 00:14:18.454
His promises, but. he knows the story
00:14:18.520 --> 00:14:19.521
He knows the story how god told his father --
00:14:19.588 --> 00:14:21.423
How god told his father -- well, not his father,
00:14:21.490 --> 00:14:22.391
Well, not his father, his grandfather, abraham,
00:14:22.458 --> 00:14:24.126
His grandfather, abraham, "i will bless you
00:14:24.193 --> 00:14:26.262
"i will bless you and you will be a blessing."
00:14:26.328 --> 00:14:27.329
And you will be a blessing." he knows all of that so well
00:14:27.396 --> 00:14:29.064
He knows all of that so well that he can rehearse it
00:14:29.131 --> 00:14:29.832
That he can rehearse it in a prayer back to god
00:14:29.899 --> 00:14:31.500
In a prayer back to god in perfect prose and remind
00:14:31.567 --> 00:14:33.602
In perfect prose and remind god of how far he's come.
00:14:33.669 --> 00:14:35.671
God of how far he's come. it is not wasted on him
00:14:35.738 --> 00:14:37.773
It is not wasted on him what god has done for him.
00:14:37.840 --> 00:14:39.408
What god has done for him. he's very blessed, but.
00:14:39.475 --> 00:14:44.413
He's very blessed, but. it is important
00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:45.681
It is important for us to realize,
00:14:45.748 --> 00:14:47.583
For us to realize, as we bring god our praise
00:14:47.650 --> 00:14:50.219
As we bring god our praise for the blessings
00:14:50.286 --> 00:14:50.986
For the blessings that we have received --
00:14:51.053 --> 00:14:51.987
That we have received -- and i need all
00:14:52.054 --> 00:14:52.855
And i need all the blessed people to take
00:14:52.922 --> 00:14:53.622
The blessed people to take a moment and clap your hands,
00:14:53.689 --> 00:14:54.523
A moment and clap your hands, and thank god...
00:14:54.590 --> 00:14:56.859
And thank god... that he blessed you.
00:14:56.926 --> 00:14:57.960
That he blessed you. [applause]
00:14:58.027 --> 00:14:59.762
[applause] because he hadn't
00:14:59.828 --> 00:15:00.362
Because he hadn't have blessed you,
00:15:00.429 --> 00:15:02.364
Have blessed you, you probably wouldn't be here.
00:15:02.431 --> 00:15:03.599
You probably wouldn't be here. [applause]
00:15:03.666 --> 00:15:04.033
[applause] three people,
00:15:04.099 --> 00:15:05.134
Three people, if he hadn't blessed you,
00:15:05.200 --> 00:15:07.002
If he hadn't blessed you, kept you, fed you,
00:15:07.069 --> 00:15:08.871
Kept you, fed you, led you, shown you,
00:15:08.938 --> 00:15:10.873
Led you, shown you, crowned you, clothed you,
00:15:10.940 --> 00:15:12.908
Crowned you, clothed you, walked you through.
00:15:12.975 --> 00:15:14.276
Walked you through. you wouldn't be here
00:15:14.343 --> 00:15:15.511
You wouldn't be here if you weren't so blessed.
00:15:15.577 --> 00:15:17.346
If you weren't so blessed. high-five somebody, say,
00:15:17.413 --> 00:15:18.948
High-five somebody, say, "yes, i'm blessed."
00:15:19.014 --> 00:15:20.082
"yes, i'm blessed." >> congregation: yes,
00:15:20.149 --> 00:15:20.582
>> congregation: yes, i'm blessed.
00:15:20.649 --> 00:15:21.884
I'm blessed. [applause]
00:15:21.951 --> 00:15:25.387
[applause] but.
00:15:25.454 --> 00:15:26.789
But. [laughter]
00:15:26.855 --> 00:15:29.591
[laughter] but.
00:15:29.658 --> 00:15:32.094
But. i'm blessed.
00:15:32.161 --> 00:15:33.829
I'm blessed. i'm blessed.
00:15:33.896 --> 00:15:34.630
I'm blessed. god gave me kids.
00:15:34.697 --> 00:15:35.564
God gave me kids. we struggle
00:15:35.631 --> 00:15:36.131
We struggle through infertility
00:15:36.198 --> 00:15:36.932
Through infertility for three years.
00:15:36.999 --> 00:15:37.566
For three years. god gave us kid.
00:15:37.633 --> 00:15:39.935
God gave us kid. i'm blessed.
00:15:40.002 --> 00:15:40.436
I'm blessed. children are a blessing.
00:15:40.502 --> 00:15:42.338
Children are a blessing. [laughter]
00:15:42.404 --> 00:15:43.739
[laughter] but.
00:15:43.806 --> 00:15:45.407
But. can't talk to you
00:15:45.474 --> 00:15:46.208
Can't talk to you about this in church.
00:15:46.275 --> 00:15:47.009
About this in church. we'll talk about it later.
00:15:47.076 --> 00:15:47.943
We'll talk about it later. we'll talk about it later.
00:15:48.010 --> 00:15:49.111
We'll talk about it later. in fact, i don't talk to anybody
00:15:49.178 --> 00:15:49.979
In fact, i don't talk to anybody about it 'cause i don't want
00:15:50.045 --> 00:15:51.413
About it 'cause i don't want anybody to see my but.
00:15:51.480 --> 00:15:54.383
Anybody to see my but. you can talk about my but.
00:15:54.450 --> 00:15:55.317
You can talk about my but. i'm gonna cover my but.
00:15:55.384 --> 00:15:56.251
I'm gonna cover my but. i'mma show you my blessing,
00:15:56.318 --> 00:15:57.086
I'mma show you my blessing, i'mma cover my but.
00:15:57.152 --> 00:15:57.853
I'mma cover my but. i'm gonna post my blessing,
00:15:57.920 --> 00:15:58.687
I'm gonna post my blessing, but i'm gonna cover my but.
00:15:58.754 --> 00:15:59.822
But i'm gonna cover my but. all up on instagram
00:15:59.888 --> 00:16:00.622
All up on instagram is all my blessings.
00:16:00.689 --> 00:16:01.557
Is all my blessings. you'll see my but on instagram.
00:16:01.623 --> 00:16:03.792
You'll see my but on instagram. now, the thing about the passage
00:16:03.859 --> 00:16:07.496
Now, the thing about the passage that i need you to realize
00:16:07.563 --> 00:16:10.399
That i need you to realize is that the presence
00:16:10.466 --> 00:16:12.801
Is that the presence of the blessing does not mean
00:16:12.868 --> 00:16:16.105
Of the blessing does not mean the absence of pressure.
00:16:16.171 --> 00:16:19.441
Sometimes we get confused
00:16:22.778 --> 00:16:24.313
Sometimes we get confused about the things that we feel.
00:16:24.380 --> 00:16:27.449
About the things that we feel. sometimes we get confused about
00:16:27.516 --> 00:16:29.184
Sometimes we get confused about the thoughts that we have.
00:16:29.251 --> 00:16:31.553
The thoughts that we have. "because i'm blessed
00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:32.454
"because i'm blessed and i know that i should
00:16:32.521 --> 00:16:33.789
And i know that i should trust god because i know
00:16:33.856 --> 00:16:34.857
Trust god because i know that i've seen him
00:16:34.923 --> 00:16:35.357
That i've seen him come through before.
00:16:35.424 --> 00:16:36.125
Come through before. i am blessed.
00:16:36.191 --> 00:16:37.226
I am blessed. i have seen so many times
00:16:37.292 --> 00:16:39.762
I have seen so many times that he came through for me,
00:16:39.828 --> 00:16:42.498
That he came through for me, but i'm waking up lately
00:16:42.564 --> 00:16:43.532
But i'm waking up lately at 3:00 in the morning,
00:16:43.599 --> 00:16:46.135
At 3:00 in the morning, and it's not just
00:16:46.201 --> 00:16:46.735
And it's not just because of my liquid intake.
00:16:46.802 --> 00:16:50.706
Because of my liquid intake. i'm working through scenarios
00:16:50.773 --> 00:16:51.840
I'm working through scenarios right now that i can't
00:16:51.907 --> 00:16:52.775
Right now that i can't figure out how to sort.
00:16:52.841 --> 00:16:54.843
Figure out how to sort. i'm blessed.
00:16:54.910 --> 00:16:56.745
I'm blessed. i mean, don't get me wrong, man.
00:16:56.812 --> 00:16:58.180
I mean, don't get me wrong, man. i'm not in here
00:16:58.247 --> 00:16:58.847
I'm not in here to complain to you.
00:16:58.914 --> 00:16:59.815
To complain to you. i'm blessed,
00:16:59.882 --> 00:17:02.017
I'm blessed, but i gotta go back
00:17:02.084 --> 00:17:02.951
But i gotta go back to the doctor next wednesday.
00:17:03.018 --> 00:17:04.520
To the doctor next wednesday. and he's my healer.
00:17:04.586 --> 00:17:06.588
And he's my healer. god is my jehovah rapha,
00:17:06.655 --> 00:17:11.293
God is my jehovah rapha, but i still kind of wonder
00:17:11.360 --> 00:17:13.028
But i still kind of wonder what this doctor
00:17:13.095 --> 00:17:13.729
What this doctor is gonna say to me when
00:17:13.796 --> 00:17:15.297
Is gonna say to me when i go see him on wednesday."
00:17:15.364 --> 00:17:16.732
I go see him on wednesday." i'm describing scenarios.
00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:18.033
I'm describing scenarios. these aren't my scenarios.
00:17:18.100 --> 00:17:19.301
These aren't my scenarios. these are just --
00:17:19.368 --> 00:17:21.503
These are just -- these are the buts
00:17:21.570 --> 00:17:23.439
These are the buts you brought to church.
00:17:23.505 --> 00:17:27.876
You brought to church. the man who told me,
00:17:27.943 --> 00:17:28.577
The man who told me, "i'm so grateful
00:17:28.644 --> 00:17:29.078
"i'm so grateful that god allowed me
00:17:29.144 --> 00:17:29.945
That god allowed me to open this restaurant,
00:17:30.012 --> 00:17:31.046
To open this restaurant, but i got this pain
00:17:31.113 --> 00:17:31.680
But i got this pain in my shoulder right now
00:17:31.747 --> 00:17:32.548
In my shoulder right now and i'm coming in
00:17:32.614 --> 00:17:33.348
And i'm coming in and i'm getting here
00:17:33.415 --> 00:17:34.416
And i'm getting here at 4:00 in the morning,
00:17:34.483 --> 00:17:35.350
At 4:00 in the morning, and will you
00:17:35.417 --> 00:17:36.018
And will you pray for me, pastor?
00:17:36.085 --> 00:17:36.919
Pray for me, pastor? 'cause i trust god,
00:17:36.985 --> 00:17:37.719
'cause i trust god, but my shoulder.
00:17:37.786 --> 00:17:41.390
But my shoulder. and god has blessed me with
00:17:41.457 --> 00:17:42.291
And god has blessed me with so much, but this hurts.
00:17:42.357 --> 00:17:44.126
So much, but this hurts. i'm waking up with this
00:17:44.193 --> 00:17:45.327
I'm waking up with this pain in my body.
00:17:45.394 --> 00:17:45.994
Pain in my body. i'm not able to sleep at night.
00:17:46.061 --> 00:17:46.995
I'm not able to sleep at night. would you just pray for me?
00:17:47.062 --> 00:17:48.097
Would you just pray for me? 'cause i love god, i trust god,
00:17:48.163 --> 00:17:49.998
'cause i love god, i trust god, i'm blessed, but."
00:17:50.065 --> 00:17:52.534
I'm blessed, but." and don't get this confused.
00:17:52.601 --> 00:17:55.737
And don't get this confused. the load that i carry
00:17:55.804 --> 00:17:57.940
The load that i carry does not mean
00:17:58.006 --> 00:17:58.807
Does not mean that i don't love god,
00:17:58.874 --> 00:18:02.978
That i don't love god, nor does it mean that
00:18:03.045 --> 00:18:03.679
Nor does it mean that i doubt his love for me.
00:18:03.745 --> 00:18:06.715
I doubt his love for me. i'm blessed, but.
00:18:06.782 --> 00:18:10.486
I'm blessed, but. "yes, i'm blessed,
00:18:10.552 --> 00:18:11.386
"yes, i'm blessed, but this addiction
00:18:11.453 --> 00:18:13.055
But this addiction is kicking my butt.
00:18:13.122 --> 00:18:15.424
Is kicking my butt. yes, i'm blessed,
00:18:15.491 --> 00:18:17.292
Yes, i'm blessed, but i still can't understand
00:18:17.359 --> 00:18:18.861
But i still can't understand why i emotionally eat.
00:18:18.927 --> 00:18:21.063
Why i emotionally eat. and so, every diet that i try,
00:18:21.130 --> 00:18:22.831
And so, every diet that i try, it fails because there's
00:18:22.898 --> 00:18:24.166
It fails because there's something driving me back
00:18:24.233 --> 00:18:25.901
Something driving me back to that eating, and i don't
00:18:25.968 --> 00:18:27.436
To that eating, and i don't even know what it is.
00:18:27.503 --> 00:18:28.637
Even know what it is. and yes, i'm blessed.
00:18:28.704 --> 00:18:29.905
And yes, i'm blessed. and i'm not complaining
00:18:29.972 --> 00:18:30.939
And i'm not complaining because i know that
00:18:31.006 --> 00:18:31.974
Because i know that there's somebody somewhere
00:18:32.040 --> 00:18:33.041
There's somebody somewhere who doesn't even have
00:18:33.108 --> 00:18:34.109
Who doesn't even have food to eat."
00:18:34.176 --> 00:18:34.743
Food to eat." so, i'm not comparing myself
00:18:34.810 --> 00:18:36.011
So, i'm not comparing myself and saying that i don't
00:18:36.078 --> 00:18:36.979
And saying that i don't appreciate what god gave me.
00:18:37.045 --> 00:18:38.514
Appreciate what god gave me. and i know that overeating
00:18:38.580 --> 00:18:39.748
And i know that overeating is kind of like
00:18:39.815 --> 00:18:40.649
Is kind of like an american bless people
00:18:40.716 --> 00:18:41.884
An american bless people problem anyway to have,
00:18:41.950 --> 00:18:43.051
Problem anyway to have, but i still have it.
00:18:43.118 --> 00:18:44.486
But i still have it. i'm blessed,
00:18:44.553 --> 00:18:44.820
I'm blessed, but i can't control this.
00:18:44.887 --> 00:18:46.088
But i can't control this. and i don't know
00:18:46.155 --> 00:18:46.822
And i don't know how to control it
00:18:46.889 --> 00:18:47.756
How to control it because i'm wrestling
00:18:47.823 --> 00:18:49.258
Because i'm wrestling with something i can't see.
00:18:49.324 --> 00:18:51.260
With something i can't see. [applause]
00:18:51.326 --> 00:18:54.796
[applause] and i'm forgiven of my sin,
00:18:54.863 --> 00:18:56.365
And i'm forgiven of my sin, but i don't feel
00:18:56.431 --> 00:18:56.865
But i don't feel free from it yet.
00:18:56.932 --> 00:18:59.801
Free from it yet. i know that
00:18:59.868 --> 00:19:00.702
I know that it's under the blood,
00:19:00.769 --> 00:19:01.737
It's under the blood, but it's still going on
00:19:01.803 --> 00:19:03.138
But it's still going on in my house.
00:19:03.205 --> 00:19:07.342
In my house. and i can say the right words
00:19:07.409 --> 00:19:08.644
And i can say the right words to you and i can sing
00:19:08.710 --> 00:19:09.912
To you and i can sing the right songs with you.
00:19:09.978 --> 00:19:11.413
The right songs with you. i'm blessed, but."
00:19:11.480 --> 00:19:14.049
I'm blessed, but." but, you probably
00:19:14.116 --> 00:19:14.917
But, you probably don't wanna hear about this.
00:19:14.983 --> 00:19:16.118
Don't wanna hear about this. i'm blessed, but.
00:19:16.185 --> 00:19:19.354
I'm blessed, but. and this is what i feel
00:19:19.421 --> 00:19:20.255
And this is what i feel sometimes when people say,
00:19:20.322 --> 00:19:21.990
Sometimes when people say, "boy, it must be wonderful
00:19:22.057 --> 00:19:25.227
"boy, it must be wonderful to know that god uses you
00:19:25.294 --> 00:19:27.362
To know that god uses you to help thousands of people
00:19:27.429 --> 00:19:28.697
To help thousands of people through your preaching.
00:19:28.764 --> 00:19:30.799
Through your preaching. that must be a blessing."
00:19:30.866 --> 00:19:32.901
That must be a blessing." it is a blessing.
00:19:32.968 --> 00:19:36.905
It is a blessing. [laughter]
00:19:36.972 --> 00:19:38.640
[laughter] y'all don't wanna
00:19:38.707 --> 00:19:39.107
Y'all don't wanna hear about that.
00:19:39.174 --> 00:19:39.875
Hear about that. no, it's just the holy spirit
00:19:39.942 --> 00:19:41.610
No, it's just the holy spirit just flows and i just let him
00:19:41.677 --> 00:19:43.579
Just flows and i just let him say what he wants to say
00:19:43.645 --> 00:19:45.547
Say what he wants to say because it's his work,
00:19:45.614 --> 00:19:47.916
Because it's his work, not my work, and it's his way,
00:19:47.983 --> 00:19:50.385
Not my work, and it's his way, not my way.
00:19:50.452 --> 00:19:52.187
Not my way. and i believe that,
00:19:52.254 --> 00:19:53.789
And i believe that, but sometimes
00:19:53.855 --> 00:19:55.857
But sometimes i wanna get up and say
00:19:55.924 --> 00:19:57.059
I wanna get up and say what i said last week, "do it,"
00:19:57.125 --> 00:19:59.461
What i said last week, "do it," and walk off the stage.
00:19:59.528 --> 00:20:00.829
And walk off the stage. [laughter]
00:20:00.896 --> 00:20:04.199
[laughter] you like that, lord?
00:20:04.266 --> 00:20:05.067
You like that, lord? i like that.
00:20:05.133 --> 00:20:05.500
I like that. [applause]
00:20:05.567 --> 00:20:05.901
[applause] the lord said he like that.
00:20:05.968 --> 00:20:07.869
The lord said he like that. now, the amazing thing about
00:20:07.936 --> 00:20:10.339
Now, the amazing thing about this wrestling match.
00:20:10.405 --> 00:20:11.073
This wrestling match. let me give you
00:20:11.139 --> 00:20:11.673
Let me give you another verse that --
00:20:11.740 --> 00:20:12.908
Another verse that -- to me, it's not confusing
00:20:12.975 --> 00:20:14.176
To me, it's not confusing but it just really shows
00:20:14.243 --> 00:20:16.511
But it just really shows what jacob is going through
00:20:16.578 --> 00:20:17.813
What jacob is going through in this passage.
00:20:17.879 --> 00:20:19.314
In this passage. it says that, "when" --
00:20:19.381 --> 00:20:21.016
It says that, "when" -- verse 24 comes around
00:20:21.083 --> 00:20:22.417
Verse 24 comes around and he, you know,
00:20:22.484 --> 00:20:23.118
And he, you know, send everything
00:20:23.185 --> 00:20:23.585
Send everything across the stream
00:20:23.652 --> 00:20:24.353
Across the stream because he's gotta deal
00:20:24.419 --> 00:20:25.320
Because he's gotta deal with esau and he thinks
00:20:25.387 --> 00:20:26.688
With esau and he thinks esau is the enemy
00:20:26.755 --> 00:20:28.056
Esau is the enemy that he has to face.
00:20:28.123 --> 00:20:28.890
That he has to face. and so, what happens is
00:20:28.957 --> 00:20:30.259
And so, what happens is he has a fight
00:20:30.325 --> 00:20:31.927
He has a fight that he didn't plan for,
00:20:31.994 --> 00:20:33.495
That he didn't plan for, as he's getting ready
00:20:33.562 --> 00:20:34.429
As he's getting ready for the fight that
00:20:34.496 --> 00:20:35.030
For the fight that he's not gonna have that
00:20:35.097 --> 00:20:36.031
He's not gonna have that he thinks he's gonna have.
00:20:36.098 --> 00:20:38.634
He thinks he's gonna have. this is kind of what
00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:39.301
This is kind of what worry does to you.
00:20:39.368 --> 00:20:41.370
Worry does to you. it gets you fighting battles
00:20:41.436 --> 00:20:43.705
It gets you fighting battles that probably aren't even
00:20:43.772 --> 00:20:44.573
That probably aren't even going to happen to deplete you
00:20:44.640 --> 00:20:47.309
Going to happen to deplete you of the strength that you need
00:20:47.376 --> 00:20:50.245
Of the strength that you need to do the things
00:20:50.312 --> 00:20:50.746
To do the things that you can do,
00:20:50.812 --> 00:20:53.382
That you can do, to affect what you can affect,
00:20:53.448 --> 00:20:54.750
To affect what you can affect, to impact what you can impact.
00:20:54.816 --> 00:20:57.152
To impact what you can impact. but the bible says that,
00:20:57.219 --> 00:20:58.153
But the bible says that, "after jacob was separated
00:20:58.220 --> 00:20:59.688
"after jacob was separated from all of these blessings,
00:20:59.755 --> 00:21:02.591
From all of these blessings, donkeys, camels..."
00:21:02.658 --> 00:21:06.061
Donkeys, camels..." what else did he have?
00:21:06.128 --> 00:21:07.529
What else did he have? ewes, and rachels, and leahs,
00:21:07.596 --> 00:21:11.400
Ewes, and rachels, and leahs, and simeons, and levites,
00:21:11.466 --> 00:21:12.734
And simeons, and levites, and all of these tangible
00:21:12.801 --> 00:21:14.703
And all of these tangible expressions of blessing.
00:21:14.770 --> 00:21:16.738
Expressions of blessing. after those have all gone
00:21:16.805 --> 00:21:18.307
After those have all gone it says in verse 24,
00:21:18.373 --> 00:21:19.941
It says in verse 24, "so jacob was left alone,
00:21:20.008 --> 00:21:23.512
"so jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled
00:21:23.578 --> 00:21:25.047
And a man wrestled with him till daybreak."
00:21:25.113 --> 00:21:27.783
With him till daybreak." now, i have been in
00:21:27.849 --> 00:21:28.517
Now, i have been in a nostalgia hold all week
00:21:28.583 --> 00:21:31.186
A nostalgia hold all week watching 1991, 1992,
00:21:31.253 --> 00:21:34.690
Watching 1991, 1992, 1993 wrestling matches.
00:21:34.756 --> 00:21:37.793
1993 wrestling matches. i don't mean the kind
00:21:37.859 --> 00:21:38.860
I don't mean the kind where they compete
00:21:38.927 --> 00:21:39.494
Where they compete on a collegiate level.
00:21:39.561 --> 00:21:40.929
On a collegiate level. i'm talking about
00:21:40.996 --> 00:21:41.830
I'm talking about the four horsemen.
00:21:41.897 --> 00:21:43.031
The four horsemen. [laughter]
00:21:43.098 --> 00:21:44.733
[laughter] and i'll be honest,
00:21:44.800 --> 00:21:46.034
And i'll be honest, i even went past --
00:21:46.101 --> 00:21:46.935
I even went past -- 'cause i quit watching
00:21:47.002 --> 00:21:47.903
'cause i quit watching wrestling when i was
00:21:47.969 --> 00:21:48.603
Wrestling when i was about 13 or 14.
00:21:48.670 --> 00:21:50.539
About 13 or 14. i even went past
00:21:50.605 --> 00:21:51.039
I even went past when i stopped watching
00:21:51.106 --> 00:21:52.207
When i stopped watching wrestling and i watched when
00:21:52.274 --> 00:21:53.508
Wrestling and i watched when hulk hogan became a bad guy,
00:21:53.575 --> 00:21:55.143
Hulk hogan became a bad guy, and that was heartbreaking.
00:21:55.210 --> 00:21:56.244
And that was heartbreaking. because when i was growing up,
00:21:56.311 --> 00:21:57.245
Because when i was growing up, he was telling me to eat
00:21:57.312 --> 00:21:57.979
He was telling me to eat my vitamins and say my prayers.
00:21:58.046 --> 00:22:00.048
My vitamins and say my prayers. and i had a little hulk hogan
00:22:00.115 --> 00:22:00.916
And i had a little hulk hogan workout cassette tape
00:22:00.982 --> 00:22:02.217
Workout cassette tape and i listened to that thing.
00:22:02.284 --> 00:22:03.418
And i listened to that thing. and to watch hull hogan --
00:22:03.485 --> 00:22:04.786
And to watch hull hogan -- hulk hogan look at the crowd
00:22:04.853 --> 00:22:07.155
Hulk hogan look at the crowd and say, "shove it."
00:22:07.222 --> 00:22:08.790
And say, "shove it." i'm like, "shove it?
00:22:08.857 --> 00:22:10.058
I'm like, "shove it? you're our guy.
00:22:10.125 --> 00:22:11.093
You're our guy. you're our hero.
00:22:11.159 --> 00:22:12.194
You're our hero. how could you do this to me?"
00:22:12.260 --> 00:22:13.628
How could you do this to me?" i was watching it all week long.
00:22:13.695 --> 00:22:15.697
I was watching it all week long. but i was watching it
00:22:15.764 --> 00:22:16.631
But i was watching it in the lens of jacob.
00:22:16.698 --> 00:22:18.433
In the lens of jacob. i was trying to figure out
00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:19.568
I was trying to figure out what that had to do with jacob.
00:22:19.634 --> 00:22:20.969
What that had to do with jacob. and i realized it right here.
00:22:21.036 --> 00:22:22.738
And i realized it right here. it's because, you know,
00:22:22.804 --> 00:22:24.005
It's because, you know, they had a lot
00:22:24.072 --> 00:22:24.639
They had a lot of arguments about,
00:22:24.706 --> 00:22:25.607
Of arguments about, is wrestling fake or is it real?
00:22:25.674 --> 00:22:28.543
Is wrestling fake or is it real? is it fake or is it real?
00:22:28.610 --> 00:22:30.512
Is it fake or is it real? and i heard one wrestler
00:22:30.579 --> 00:22:31.880
And i heard one wrestler say something, he's like,
00:22:31.947 --> 00:22:33.281
Say something, he's like, "let me slam you
00:22:33.348 --> 00:22:34.516
"let me slam you and then you can see
00:22:34.583 --> 00:22:35.650
And then you can see how real it feels
00:22:35.717 --> 00:22:37.519
How real it feels or how fake it feels."
00:22:37.586 --> 00:22:39.688
Or how fake it feels." so, when the bible says
00:22:39.755 --> 00:22:41.056
So, when the bible says that he was wrestling
00:22:41.123 --> 00:22:42.290
That he was wrestling and he was wrestling alone,
00:22:42.357 --> 00:22:44.693
And he was wrestling alone, it let's me know two things.
00:22:44.760 --> 00:22:46.094
It let's me know two things. one, is that no one else
00:22:46.161 --> 00:22:48.797
One, is that no one else got to see how he struggled.
00:22:48.864 --> 00:22:53.435
Got to see how he struggled. no one else saw the struggle.
00:22:53.502 --> 00:22:58.974
No one else saw the struggle. and number two,
00:22:59.040 --> 00:23:00.976
And number two, he wrestled at night.
00:23:01.042 --> 00:23:02.811
He wrestled at night. which means that even
00:23:02.878 --> 00:23:03.678
Which means that even he couldn't see what
00:23:03.745 --> 00:23:06.014
He couldn't see what he was struggling with.
00:23:06.081 --> 00:23:08.483
He was struggling with. and isn't that the nature
00:23:08.550 --> 00:23:11.520
And isn't that the nature of the real things
00:23:11.586 --> 00:23:12.454
Of the real things we wrestle with?
00:23:12.521 --> 00:23:14.356
We wrestle with? i'm not talking about where
00:23:14.423 --> 00:23:15.290
I'm not talking about where the issues show up in our lives.
00:23:15.357 --> 00:23:17.926
The issues show up in our lives. i'm talking about
00:23:17.993 --> 00:23:18.860
I'm talking about the source of the issue.
00:23:18.927 --> 00:23:21.062
The source of the issue. and the source of the issue
00:23:21.129 --> 00:23:23.031
And the source of the issue determines the strategy
00:23:23.098 --> 00:23:24.132
Determines the strategy for the battle.
00:23:24.199 --> 00:23:25.000
♪ ♪
00:23:25.500 --> 00:23:26.001
>> well, we hear a lot of
00:23:26.234 --> 00:23:27.002
>> well, we hear a lot of messages in church and in life
00:23:27.068 --> 00:23:29.638
Messages in church and in life about holding on, you know?
00:23:29.704 --> 00:23:30.972
About holding on, you know? "don't give up.
00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:32.207
"don't give up. hang in there.
00:23:32.274 --> 00:23:33.141
Hang in there. just grab tighter."
00:23:33.208 --> 00:23:35.110
Just grab tighter." and sometimes, that's exactly
00:23:35.177 --> 00:23:36.578
And sometimes, that's exactly what you need to hear.
00:23:36.645 --> 00:23:37.679
What you need to hear. but there are those times
00:23:37.746 --> 00:23:39.281
But there are those times in your life where the blessing
00:23:39.347 --> 00:23:41.883
In your life where the blessing is in letting go.
00:23:41.950 --> 00:23:44.152
Is in letting go. the times in life
00:23:44.219 --> 00:23:45.153
The times in life where you can't control it,
00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:46.955
Where you can't control it, can't figure it out.
00:23:47.022 --> 00:23:48.356
Can't figure it out. all of your calculations
00:23:48.423 --> 00:23:49.624
All of your calculations fall short and you
00:23:49.691 --> 00:23:50.992
Fall short and you just have to surrender it.
00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:52.794
Just have to surrender it. and this is so much
00:23:52.861 --> 00:23:54.429
And this is so much easier said than done.
00:23:54.496 --> 00:23:56.832
Easier said than done. but i wanna put a series
00:23:56.898 --> 00:23:57.732
But i wanna put a series in your hands today
00:23:57.799 --> 00:23:58.667
In your hands today that is going to help you
00:23:58.733 --> 00:24:00.302
That is going to help you to relinquish the control
00:24:00.368 --> 00:24:01.603
To relinquish the control of the things
00:24:01.670 --> 00:24:02.337
Of the things that are god's job,
00:24:02.404 --> 00:24:04.105
That are god's job, the battles that
00:24:04.172 --> 00:24:04.806
The battles that he wants to fight for you.
00:24:04.873 --> 00:24:05.907
He wants to fight for you. the series is called,
00:24:05.974 --> 00:24:07.776
"the blessing of letting go."
00:24:07.876 --> 00:24:10.212
"the blessing of letting go." and i believe that
00:24:10.278 --> 00:24:11.046
And i believe that as you walk through
00:24:11.112 --> 00:24:11.713
As you walk through this teaching,
00:24:11.780 --> 00:24:12.581
This teaching, you're gonna receive
00:24:12.647 --> 00:24:13.448
You're gonna receive peace like never before.
00:24:13.515 --> 00:24:14.983
Peace like never before. and i wanna include another
00:24:15.050 --> 00:24:16.918
And i wanna include another series for you called,
00:24:16.985 --> 00:24:18.053
Series for you called, "challenge the shadow."
00:24:18.119 --> 00:24:20.088
"challenge the shadow." you don't have to just accept
00:24:20.155 --> 00:24:21.723
You don't have to just accept the darkness as your new normal.
00:24:21.790 --> 00:24:23.925
The darkness as your new normal. there is a light in god
00:24:23.992 --> 00:24:25.327
There is a light in god and there is a way forward,
00:24:25.393 --> 00:24:26.695
And there is a way forward, but first, to see it,
00:24:26.761 --> 00:24:28.463
But first, to see it, you have to let go.
00:24:28.530 --> 00:24:29.664
You have to let go. so, call right now
00:24:29.731 --> 00:24:31.600
So, call right now and for your gift of
00:24:31.666 --> 00:24:32.601
And for your gift of any amount to this ministry,
00:24:32.667 --> 00:24:34.236
Any amount to this ministry, we wanna put
00:24:34.302 --> 00:24:34.836
We wanna put "the blessing of letting go"
00:24:34.903 --> 00:24:36.338
"the blessing of letting go" in your hands today with
00:24:36.404 --> 00:24:38.740
In your hands today with "challenge the shadow."
00:24:38.807 --> 00:24:40.041
"challenge the shadow." i believe this is gonna be
00:24:40.108 --> 00:24:41.409
I believe this is gonna be just the word you need
00:24:41.476 --> 00:24:43.211
Just the word you need to give you the momentum
00:24:43.278 --> 00:24:44.646
To give you the momentum and the practical strategy
00:24:44.713 --> 00:24:46.648
And the practical strategy to put it in god's hands
00:24:46.715 --> 00:24:48.383
To put it in god's hands and watch him do something
00:24:48.450 --> 00:24:49.417
And watch him do something amazing in your life.
00:24:49.484 --> 00:24:50.986
>> to get
00:24:51.353 --> 00:24:51.753
The "release and restore"
00:24:51.853 --> 00:24:52.754
Sermon pack from
00:24:52.854 --> 00:24:53.588
Pastor steven furtick,
00:24:53.688 --> 00:24:55.023
Which includes
00:24:55.123 --> 00:24:55.590
Two brand-new series,
00:24:55.690 --> 00:24:57.158
"the blessing of letting go"
00:24:57.259 --> 00:24:58.460
And "challenge the shadow,"
00:24:58.560 --> 00:24:59.961
Call or go online now.
00:25:00.061 --> 00:25:01.229
>> let go
00:25:02.564 --> 00:25:03.698
Of the way you thought
00:25:03.765 --> 00:25:04.432
It was supposed to go.
00:25:04.499 --> 00:25:06.001
Let go of your comparison
00:25:06.101 --> 00:25:07.903
Let go of your comparison to other standards
00:25:07.969 --> 00:25:08.803
To other standards that have nothing to do
00:25:08.870 --> 00:25:10.171
That have nothing to do with who the sovereign god
00:25:10.238 --> 00:25:11.106
With who the sovereign god called you to be.
00:25:11.172 --> 00:25:12.007
Called you to be. let go of the expectations
00:25:12.073 --> 00:25:13.775
Let go of the expectations of perfection that you have
00:25:13.842 --> 00:25:15.143
Of perfection that you have for yourself that can only be
00:25:15.210 --> 00:25:16.177
For yourself that can only be satisfied through the perfect
00:25:16.244 --> 00:25:17.345
Satisfied through the perfect work of jesus and has already
00:25:17.412 --> 00:25:18.980
Work of jesus and has already applied to your account.
00:25:19.047 --> 00:25:20.048
Applied to your account. let go.
00:25:20.115 --> 00:25:20.715
Let go. that's the blessing
00:25:20.782 --> 00:25:22.217
That's the blessing of letting go
00:25:22.284 --> 00:25:23.552
Of letting go of the way you thought
00:25:23.618 --> 00:25:24.386
Of the way you thought it was supposed to be.
00:25:24.452 --> 00:25:25.921
It was supposed to be. it's that you get the grace
00:25:25.987 --> 00:25:28.189
It's that you get the grace to accept what it is.
00:25:28.256 --> 00:25:30.292
To accept what it is. that's where
00:25:30.358 --> 00:25:31.059
That's where the transformation is.
00:25:31.126 --> 00:25:32.961
The transformation is. that's where the power is.
00:25:33.028 --> 00:25:34.696
That's where the power is. and i feel god going through
00:25:34.763 --> 00:25:35.931
And i feel god going through somebody's temple today
00:25:35.997 --> 00:25:37.832
Somebody's temple today and clearing out everything
00:25:37.899 --> 00:25:39.301
And clearing out everything that doesn't belong
00:25:39.367 --> 00:25:40.702
That doesn't belong and wiping out every shadow
00:25:40.769 --> 00:25:42.737
And wiping out every shadow that has tried to eliminate
00:25:42.804 --> 00:25:44.139
That has tried to eliminate your purpose and your peace.
00:25:44.205 --> 00:25:45.874
>> in this exclusive
00:25:46.875 --> 00:25:47.642
Dual sermon pack,
00:25:47.742 --> 00:25:48.910
Pastor steven shares
00:25:49.010 --> 00:25:50.111
The importance of letting go
00:25:50.211 --> 00:25:51.446
Of past experiences to step into
00:25:51.546 --> 00:25:53.815
New opportunities and blessings.
00:25:53.915 --> 00:25:55.884
Call or go online now to receive
00:25:55.984 --> 00:25:57.652
The release and restore
00:25:57.752 --> 00:25:58.887
Sermon pack today
00:25:58.987 --> 00:26:00.088
For a gift of any amount.
00:26:00.188 --> 00:26:01.356
Don't wait to experience
00:26:01.456 --> 00:26:02.657
The freedom god has for you.
00:26:02.757 --> 00:26:04.359
Take action now.
00:26:04.459 --> 00:26:05.493
♪ oh my god ♪
00:26:32.020 --> 00:26:33.421
♪ you've sure been ♪
00:26:33.488 --> 00:26:34.856
♪ good to me ♪
00:26:34.923 --> 00:26:37.058
♪ our hearts are burning ♪
00:26:38.426 --> 00:26:40.028
♪ for fresh revival ♪
00:26:40.095 --> 00:26:44.666
♪ blow again ♪
00:26:44.733 --> 00:26:46.434
♪ our god is ♪
00:26:46.501 --> 00:26:47.502
♪ consuming fire ♪
00:26:47.569 --> 00:26:50.772
♪ our god is ♪
00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:51.840
♪ a holy wind ♪
00:26:51.906 --> 00:26:55.043
♪ whatever you speak ♪
00:26:55.110 --> 00:26:57.012
♪ is done ♪
00:26:57.078 --> 00:26:59.347
♪ whatever you touch ♪
00:26:59.414 --> 00:27:01.282
♪ will live ♪
00:27:01.349 --> 00:27:03.652
♪ our god is ♪
00:27:03.718 --> 00:27:04.619
♪ consuming fire ♪
00:27:04.686 --> 00:27:07.989
♪ our god is ♪
00:27:08.056 --> 00:27:09.024
♪ a holy wind ♪
00:27:09.090 --> 00:27:12.260
♪ whatever you speak ♪
00:27:12.327 --> 00:27:14.195
♪ is done ♪
00:27:14.262 --> 00:27:16.498
♪ whatever you touch ♪
00:27:16.564 --> 00:27:18.433
♪ will live ♪
00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:20.902
>> ♪ whatever you speak ♪
00:27:20.969 --> 00:27:22.804
♪ is done ♪
00:27:22.871 --> 00:27:23.371
>> ♪ oh ♪
00:27:23.438 --> 00:27:25.306
>> ♪ whatever you touch ♪
00:27:25.373 --> 00:27:27.008
♪ will live ♪
00:27:27.075 --> 00:27:28.576

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

May 25, 2025 | 27:29

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