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He said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.” Genesis 32:28

Jacob prevailed when he finally surrendered.  Had he not surrendered the battle may have lasted his whole life.  When we emerge from resisting God it is fitting we receive a new name.  The battle, where we face off against God, will mark is for the rest of our lives.  The new name is a new identity.  After we have finally submitted to the leadership of God we are different people.

The goal of our Christian life is transformation lived out, to be a city set on a hill.  If you have resisted God and finally come to a place of surrender will you tell others?  Will you live differently in the future?

More times than not, despite our new identity, we still resist God.  Even with a new name we lock arms. How can we be transformed?

Wrestling God: Locking arms

Genesis 32:24 Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.25 When he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he touched the socket of his thigh; so the socket of Jacob’s thigh was dislocated while he wrestled with him.26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking.” But he said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

Am I the only one who reads the bible and thinks; “what the heck?”  I realize most everyone I know is more spiritual than I am, but still even those of you who are close to God will have to admit this is a weird story.  Even stranger is the position Jacob finds himself in, locking arms with God almighty.  A quick read can leave you thinking the aim of Jacobs grappling was to obtain a blessing but that’s not characteristic of the Jacob we read about in the previous chapters of Genesis.

Jacob isn’t out for a blessing, at first… He is out to push God away.
Who would push God away?
Who would resist God?
Who would???

Me.

Jacobs literal tangle provides an analogy for the struggle common to most all of us who believe in Christ.  Jacob has made his own path for years; secured his fathers blessing on his own at the cost of his family, worked for his wives, and now as he strikes out in fear of an enemy he is forced to face the greatest sin of his life, resisting God’s work and calling.

Wrestling with God is the spiritual place we find ourselves when we a resisting what God is calling us to.  So, it’s a weird story, I will give you that.  Ask yourself one question; is it my story?

Already this ride has been exciting!  When I think through a new church community I immediately think of Acts chapter 2:42-47.

They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Mostly I think of how amazingly different my experience is with the one described above.  Don’t get me wrong, I want to be an Acts Chapter 2 church… well at least an Acts chapter 2 church in 2010 terms.  But the reality of these first couple of weeks feels more like starting a small business than a church.  Don’t judge me, you try it.  My days are full of tax filing, space renting, equipment purchasing, lawyer talking, merch. accounting, etc.  So, I guess what I am saying is I haven’t been of one mind yet.

So is this business?
Most certainly not…

We met up to check out a possible location to begin meeting.   As we waited in the lobby, next to the buddha sculpture, we were 100% focused on the space, and wondering if we could afford it. The owner walked out and said, “wow, you guys are not at all what I expected.”  I asked her, “what did you expect?” She said, “white shirts, khakis, much older…”  We laughed and began touring the facility.  I have no idea where she is at with regards to faith, the buddha may not even be hers. However, what struck me was how she didn’t know how to take us.  I was quickly yanked from the world of church business to actually being the church.  As we walked I prayed, “Lord, let us live in such a way that the world says, you aren’t what I expected of Christians.”  I have no doubt God lead us to that space because He is on a mission for the owners heart, we are just fortunate to be along for the ride.    That’s about as Acts Chapter 2 as I know how to be.

But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. -Matthew 6:33

I have often seen this verse engraved on cups, painted on walls in decorative fonts, or painted on canvas beneath a woodland scene. More times than not the verse is shown alone, out of context. If you had never taken the time to read Matthew chapter 6 you may easily deduce that God will give you the woodland scene pictured above the verse if you seek Him first.

What will be added unto you?
It’s a fair question, the items are listed in verse 31. God will provide for you the things you need to eat, to drink, and the clothes you wear, if you seek Him first. Earlier Matthew urges us to not worry about our lives. In other words…

The provision of God goes before the people of God.
If we will seek Him, He will handle the details of what we need. We can’t abuse the passage by twisting the words to read; seek Him and you will get everything you ever wanted. This isn’t a name it and claim it passage, or Gospel. But, we can trust, the provision we need will be there when we seek after Him.

So then here’s a question…
What does it look like to seek first the kingdom of God?
What would the kingdom of God look like if you found it?

Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.  -Isaiah 43:19

God is doing a “new thing” in our city.  Amongst the great churches in San Antonio we are planning to launch a new one.  We are blessed to have been given the support of Community Bible Church as we launch out to gather this new community.  The journey begins today for The Park Community Church.

Does San Antonio need another church?
Without question!  As we can see the churches in the city are doing an awesome job and serve as a light to the city but we are all to aware of darkness that still exist. Our prayer is that God will bless our community to stand among so many others to speak the truth of God into a lost world.

The Park DNA is comprised of three building blocks: Passion, Compassion, & Wisdom

1. The Passionate Pursuit of God. Each of us is hard wired by God to long for spirituality, to ask the question is there more?  We believe the pursuit of God is a life long quest, one we are individually called to.  In Christ we find God, but the journey continues as we daily try to know more of the heart of God.
2. Overflowing Compassion for People. There is something deep inside of us that knows we need to be connected to other people.  Even more, we know we are called to make a difference in the world.  Our prayer is, as a church, we would extend daily compassion to one another and as a community we would be known for overflowing compassion to the social injustices of our world.
3. Godly wisdom in every day decisions.
   Our attention is often divided between what seems to be wise and what the scriptures outline as actual wisdom.  We trust in God as the author of creation and; therefore, believe He offers us the very best way to live.  As we apply the scriptures to our daily lives our faith becomes alive.

We are asking 5 things of everyone we know, and anyone we can meet…

1. Pray for us.  Our dream is to gather a community whose calling is the passionate pursuit of God, overflowing compassion for people, and Godly wisdom.
2. Network For us. We are willing and ready to grab a cup of coffee, or a meal, and tell anyone about our vision.  Connect us.
3. Support us. We have committed our time and money to this new church.  We are asking you to do the same.
4. Join us. We will begin meeting soon, if you want to join us then e-mail me austintx1@mac.com and we will keep you up to date.
5. Lead with us. Our passion is to build a leadership culture sending people into the city for ministry.  If you think God may be calling you to leadership in this new church then let me know your heart.  e-mail me… austintx1@mac.com

As we build steam we are looking forward to a citywide launch service on Easter Sunday, April 4 at Orsinger Park.  It’s going to be an amazing journey, you are invited to join us.