• part 1: Anti-hero

    June 11, 2023


    There are many people in the Bible who inspire you with their strength, their courage, and their pursuit of justice. But Jacob is not one of them. He was a cheater, a deceiver, and an outcast who struggled in many ways. His story shows what can happen when those who struggle bring their struggle to God.


    NOTES  AUDIO

  • Part 2: In Control

    June 18, 2023


    We all have the desire for things to happen in life the way we want and when we want. But how do we respond when that doesn't happen? Our natural response is to try to control even more. That's what Jacob and his family did. But we're going to find out this weekend that there's a better way and it has everything to do with Jesus.


    NOTES  Audio

  • Part 3: Stairway to heaven

    July 2, 2023


    Jacob was forced to leave his home because of the decisions he had made earlier in his life. But even as he was suffering from the isolation and regret that were his own fault, God was there with him to restore him. This weekend we will see how God can unexpectedly show up in the loneliest of places to provide forgiveness and hope.


    NOTES  Audio

  • Part 4: A Work in Progress

    July 9, 2023


    This side of heaven, there will always be ways that we can grow in faith and Godly living. One way for that growth to happen is through pain or difficulty. Jacob leaves for Harran having just received the assurance of God's love and presence with him. And yet, not everything in Harran will be just as Jacob had hoped. It will be an opportunity for him to grow.


    NOTES  AUDIO

  • Part 5: God Loves Nobodies

    July 16, 2023


    Have you ever walked into a room full of people and felt completely invisible? There will be times when you be unnoticed, unappreciated, and unknown. Nobody knew that more than Leah. Jacob married her out of obligation, not out of love, and every day she was reminded that she was a nobody. Yet what God did for her and through her made one thing absolutely clear: God loves nobodies like Leah.


    NOTES  AUDIO

  • part 6: Good Riddance

    July 23, 2023


    For far too long, Jacob lacked clear boundaries with his father-in-law Laban. This resulted in unnecessary hardships for everyone involved. This weekend as we continue our look at Jacob's life, we will see what it takes to set up healthy boundaries in a loving way.


    NOTES  AUDIO

  • Part 7: holding On

    July 30, 2023


    We all would like to have more peace and less stress, but very few of us feel like we have it. This weekend we're going to discover that what you're "holding on to" makes a big difference. 


    NOTES  AUDIO

  • part 8: deal with it

    August 6, 2023


    When intense challenges come into your life, you might ask God to deliver you from them… and he might actually do it. Jacob's life shows us how God can do something even greater. He can give you what you need so that you can confront the challenge and deal with it. 


    NOTES  AUDIO

  • Part 9: Still is

    August 13, 2023


    This week as we continue our study of Jacob, we will see what happens when Jacob finally returns home to his father Isaac. Despite Jacob's many sins and mistakes during his decades of absence, he is reminded that Bethel still is Bethel, life still is hard, and his true name still is Israel.


    NOTES  AUDIO

  • Part 10: grace at the end

    August 20, 2023


    Death has a way of bringing a focus to what's most important in life. This was definitely true for Jacob. And in fact, what he learned led to him to be able to worship God even as he was dying. What a great way to live! What a great way to die! Join us for this powerful conclusion to the Jacob series.


    NOTES  AUDIO