Genesis Teaches Tension: Limper Genesis 32:22-32

LOSER

LOSER Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. … 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

LOSER Matthew 19:23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. ”

LOSER Mark 10:15 “ Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

LOSER John 15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. … 5b for apart from me you can do nothing.”

LOSER “To gain Jacob’s heart, God was willing to dislocate his hip. Sometimes for God to have our hearts often requires the divine dislocation of whatever it is that makes us strong, so that Christ’s strengths can shine through our weaknesses.” Sinclair Ferguson

LOSER

LEADER

LEADER 1 Corinthians 1:27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; … 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

LEADER 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

LEADER “Troubled leaders live with their weaknesses on their sleeve, and it is through their weakness that grace comes to be magnified. Weakness is the big idea of the gospel, which makes it good news for us—who are not terribly healthy, happy, or holy.” As an act of leadership, consider the risk of giving up your life through facing, naming, and bearing your weaknesses.” Dan Allender

LEADER