Wrestling Free From Seculosity
Pastor Erickson preaches from Galatians 2:16, Ephesians 2:8 and Jacob's wrestling match in Genesis 32 on seculosity, the habit of turning careers, children, social media and politics into idols that define us. He calls the church to rest in the grace of God, wrestle free from those idols at the altar, and receive a new identity as Jacob did.
The message in 6 points
What seculosity means
From a book called Seculosity he explains how people set up new places of worship in everyday life. Careers, children's achievements, social media likes and politics can become idols that we expect to give us identity and purpose.
1:09:03Grace is enough
These false gods always want more, but God did not design us to be defined by them. From Ephesians 2:8, John 1:16-17 and 2 Corinthians 12:9 he teaches that we are saved by grace, not works, because Jesus has already paid the price.
1:16:50Esau sold his birthright
Esau had everything culture says should be enough, yet he traded his birthright for a bowl of red pottage because he was driven by his immediate hunger. He let the world's quick rewards define him and did not wrestle against his urges.
1:19:32Jacob the striver wrestles with God
Jacob schemed and worked for years to prove he was worthy, and his life was in shambles. In Genesis 32 he wrestles with God until daybreak and will not let go until he is blessed.
1:22:39A new name and a limp
Jacob walks out with his name changed to Israel and a limp he will carry the rest of his life. He points to people in the church who wrestled free from drugs, alcohol and false idols, and says a limp is just a reminder that we are champions.
1:30:55Wrestle free at the altar
Grace does not wait until the end of the struggle; Jesus says come unto me and find rest. With Galatians 2:20 and James 4:6 he calls every age to find their idol, break its control over their time, and wrestle at the altar for a new identity.
1:36:31
In his words
“God did not create us he didn't design us to be defined by any of these things that I'm speaking about he invites us to experience Grace a Grace that doesn't demand your resume”
“You serve a God who wants to be there for you he wants to help you in the time of need he's not going to leave you by yourself”
“I know we've got a [limp] but we also got a belt that says Champion we also have a belt that says I've been through it”
Taken word for word from the video, with punctuation added. Words in [brackets] were fixed so the line reads clearly.
Scripture
He reads
Galatians 2:16
16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
King James Version.
Ephesians 2:8-9
8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
King James Version.
Genesis 32:28
28And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
King James Version.
John 1:16-17
16And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
King James Version.
Genesis 25:30
30And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.
King James Version.
Genesis 25:32
32And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?
King James Version.
Romans 9:13
13As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
King James Version.
Genesis 32:24-26
24And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 25And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. 26And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
King James Version.
Matthew 11:28-30
28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
King James Version.
Galatians 2:20
20I am crucified with Christ: neverthless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
King James Version.
James 4:6
6But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
King James Version.
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