Dont Give Up: God is at Work

WORSHIP
Suggested Worship Songs:
Trust His Heart, One Thing Remains, Worthy is the Lamb
WELCOME
Quit Quiz. Cite one case that you must quit, and another that you should not.
WORD
Genesis 31:26-27
26
Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, and let me depart; for you yourself know my
service which I have rendered you.
27
But Laban said to him, If now it pleases you, stay with me; I have divined
that the Lord has blessed me on your account.
28
He continued, Name me your wages, and I will give it.
If what you experience now does not match your
expectations, do not give up easily. Endure. In the
proper time, when you have done the will of God,
you will receive His promise (Hebrews 10:36).
What can we learn from Jacob about not giving up
too soon?
Jacob worked hard for Laban for 20 years. He had
12 sons born by Leah, Rachel and their
maidservants Bilhah and Zilpah. These are the 12
sons of Jacob: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan,
Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun,
Joseph and Benjamin.
Jacob makes a deal (Genesis 30:25-42)
After Rachel gave birth to Joseph, Jacob was ready
to quit and go back to his homeland. He reminded
Laban how much he had worked and how greatly
he had contributed to increasing Labans livestock
over the years.
But Laban was shrewd; he did not allow Jacob to
leave. Instead he asked Jacob to name his wages so
that he will still stay and work for him. Jacob made
a deal: the streaked, speckled and spotted flock
would be his and all the rest would be Labans.
God had a greater plan for this deal. If Jacob had
left at this point, he would have been poor because
he had nothing but his big family. God was at work
in Jacobs life. Despite Labans devious schemes,
God intended to bless Jacob materially and
spiritually in due time.
Like Jacob, you have probably worked hard for a
long time. Maybe you have not been compensated
enough and maybe you do not even see a
promising future for yourself. Your natural
recourse is to quit and say enough is enough! But
if you are a child of God and you are doing Gods
will, do not give up just yet. Always remember that
God is at work in your life.
In the midst of this trying, Gods Word and Spirit
are transforming us. He also uses people (EGR-
Extra Grace Required, KSP-Kulang sa Pansin or
onion-skinned), circumstances (difficult &
unpleasant) and time (Gods time), by His grace to
transform us into Christlikeness.
Gods Word & Spirit + People + Circumstances + Time
= transformation, christlikeness
Jacob grows in faith (Genesis 30:43-31:13)
Despite the unfounded basis of his deal with
Laban, by the end of six years by Gods grace, Jacob
became exceedingly prosperous. He had large
flocks, camels, and servants. This made Labans
sons jealous of Jacob. At this time the LORD said to
Jacob, Return to the land of your fathers and to your
relatives, and I will be with you (Genesis 31:3).
Jacob knew of Labans unfairness, cheating and
unfriendly attitude toward him, but despite all of
these, Jacob learned to acknowledge that the God
of his father has protected him and has not
allowed Laban to hurt him (Genesis 31:5-9). Jacob
learned that blessings do not come from Laban or
from anything but from God.
God protected Jacob from Laban who obviously
would like to cheat and score against Jacob. God
knew of Labans schemes and He thwarted his
plans in favor of Jacob (Genesis 31:7-12).
August 17, 2014
Vol. 14, No. 33

WORD (contd)
Jacob attempted to secretly flee from Laban.
Unbeknownst to Jacob, God had spoken even to
Laban in a dream to be careful not to speak good
or bad to Jacob (v.34). In this, Jacob learned that
God is bigger than Laban.
Since the time Jacob decided not to give up give up
too soon in his struggle with Laban he experienced
a growing faith with his personal encounter with
God.
Do you have Labans in your life that make your life
miserable? Your natural reaction would be to give
up following God or give up doing what is right.
Remember that real blessings come from God, not
from people, your career or business, not from
anything but all from God. He can take away
everything from you in an instant. But He can also
turn around the worst of situations into your
favor.
God remembered His promise to Jacob as He does
to us today. When it is time to go, He will let you
know, so do not quit too soon, but rest in the Lord
and wait patiently for Him (Psalm 37:7).
Deepen your personal relationship with Jesus and
do not give up, you will receive what He has
promised in His time. He who began a good work
in you will perfect it until the day of Christ
(Philippians 1:6). So do not give up, God is at
work!
Discussion Questions:
(Leaders: Please choose questions that are appropriate to the level of spiritual maturity of your members)
1. Deal or No Deal. What was Labans proposed deal with Jacob according to Genesis 30:26-27? If you
were Jacob, how will you reply to Laban? Why?
2. Enough is Enough. Are you at the end of your rope? Why wouldnt you quit after the message today?
3. In His Time. How would you know when it is time to go? How do you apply Gods grace of transforming
us into Christlikeness with His Word and Spirit, people, circumstances and time?
WORKS
Whats in a Name
According to Bible scholars, the meaning of the
names of Jacobs sons in their birth order gives a
prefigure of Jesus Christ the Messiah that was to
come. Why is it so?
Name Mother Name means Reference
1.Reuben Leah see a son Genesis 29:32
2.Simeon Leah hearing Genesis 29:33
3.Levi Leah joined Genesis 29:34
4.Judah Leah praise Genesis 29:35
5.Dan Bilhah Judged/vindicated Genesis 30:5-6
6.Naphtali Bilhah wrestling, prevailed Genesis 30:7-8
7.Gad Zilpah fortune, blessed Genesis 30:10-11
8.Asher Zilpah happy Genesis 30:12-13
9.Issachar Leah reward Genesis 30:17-18
10.Zebulun Leah honor, dwell Genesis 30:19-20
11.Joseph Rachel reproach taken away Genesis 30:23-24
12.Benjamin Rachel son of my right hand
Genesis 35:16-18
Weekly Prayer Points
I. Thanksgiving
Worship God for who He is, what He has
done, and what He will do in our lives
II. Country and the World
Upright and moral governance of Public
Servants and a God-centered Philippines
Repentance and Salvation
III. Church
That CCF Members would honor and love God
and make disciples
Elders, Pastors, Leaders, and Families
Ministries and Churches worldwide
IV. CCF Facilities
New Worship and Training Center
Prayer Mountain
V. Personal Concerns
Deeper intimate relationship with God
Righteous living
Salvation of family and friends