Genesis 32:22-31
Sermon Series: Wrestle
Sermon: Alone With God
How does being alone with God help us in our wrestling with Him?
There are four aspects of being alone with God.
I. Separation
- Relationships and Possessions
- V. 24 left alone
- Jacob could not have had this life-changing experience surrounded by all the things God had given him.
- God blesses us and we forget Him.
- We must die (separate from this world) to find Him.
- [1Co 15:31 NASB95] 31 I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
II. Priority
- He calls us to separation because He must become a priority.
- Seek first the Kingdom of God. [Mat 6:33 NASB95] 33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
- You will find Me when you seek Me with all of your heart. He will not be found by someone who half-heartily seeks Him. [Jer 29:12-13 NASB95] 12 'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 'You will seek Me and find [Me] when you search for Me with all your heart.
III. Secret
- God is in the Secret Place - [Mat 6:6 NASB95] 6 "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.
- God sees in the Secret Place - you want the attention of God, go to the secret place.
- It is the place of prayer.
- Shunammite woman Elisha [2Ki 4:33 NASB95] 33 So he entered and shut the door behind them both and prayed to the LORD.
- He is not hidden just secluded. He who dwells in the secret place. Go there and stay there. [Psa 91:1 NASB95] 1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
IV. Alone
- Moses and Israel; God wanted a relationship with them; only got one with him. [Exo 20:18-21 NASB95] 18 All the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw [it,] they trembled and stood at a distance. 19 Then they said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we will die." 20 Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin." 21 So the people stood at a distance, while Moses approached the thick cloud where God [was.]
- Something about God that thrives for individual attention; He is the only shepherd that will leave 99 for the one. [Luk 15:4-7 NASB95] 4 "What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 "When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 "And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' 7 "I tell you that in the same way, there will be [more] joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
- Peter with the boat; walked on water; had to climb out of big boat (hold twelve disciples and their stuff); alone on the water. [Mat 14:28-29 NASB95] 28 Peter said to Him, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." 29 And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
As we wrestle with God, it will start by being alone with Him.
