The Greatest Act of Faith
Dear Mosaic Family,
Bible Trivia Time: without looking it up, what was Jacob's greatest act of faith for which he is commended in the Hall of Faith, Hebrews 11?
If I were writing Hebrews 11, I'd probably include mention of the occasion when Jacob was at the most critical, stress-inducing, emotionally tumultuous juncture in his life when he fled Laban and was on his way home, knowing he'll have to meet with his disgruntled brother Esau. The account is found in Genesis 32:24-31 and goes like this:
"And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day.When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip."
Jacob wrestled with a man, who turns out to be God. He wrestled with the God-Man. Theologians call this a Christophany, an appearance of Christ in the Old Testament Scriptures. If I were Jacob, I'd definitely want to be remembered for the time I wrestled Jesus, without letting go, until He blessed me.
As remarkable of an encounter as this was between Jacob and God, Jacob is remembered in Hebrews 11 for a greater act of faith. Hebrews 11:21 says, "By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff." Jacob's greatest act of faith was blessing his grandchildren with faith in God and showing them how to worship God. From God's perspective, one of our greatest acts of faith is sharing our faith—lovingly, compellingly, and worshipfully.
Join us this Sunday, as we study Genesis 48 and seek to grow in faith and in our desire to share the Gospel with the people around us.
Looking forward to worshiping with you!
Pastor Jan
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This Week's Announcements
Baptism Seminar
Sunday, August 27 at 1:00 PM
“We believe that Christian Baptism is the Baptism of a believer upon their profession of faith, into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit; to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful sign, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life. Baptism is a symbol of union with Christ and entry to his church but does not impart spiritual life.”
— Mosaic Boston Statement of Faith
WHY BAPTISM?
Baptism symbolizes a Believer’s union with Jesus Christ, who laid down His life and took it up again for us, so that we too might walk in the newness of life. It is a picture of death and resurrection. And deciding to be baptized is a big milestone for any Christian, and it is an important part of your walk with God.
Coming to faith in Christ is not an abstract, theoretical exercise. Becoming a Christian is about regeneration, the regeneration of your heart. It’s about freeing yourself from all the things that can never really make you happy, and accepting all the awesome things that God wants for you and your life. For this transformation to happen, you have to realize just how much God loves you and how broken we are without Him. And it also means coming to terms with the cost of what Jesus did to restore our relationship with God and with one another, and the fact that this gift is given to us by grace, and not through our own human efforts.
But baptism itself isn’t what changes you. It’s an outward expression of a change that’s already happened on the inside. So why do we do it? It’s part of the Great Commission from Jesus, Himself, who taught us to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And it is also a fantastic way to celebrate, profess and share your faith with the people in your life who support and love you.
Register for an upcoming Baptism Seminar to learn more.
Mosaic Members' Meeting
Sunday, September 10 at 1:00 PM
If you are a covenant member of Mosaic or have been notified that you are being voted into membership, join us for our quarterly meeting. Please bring a dish to share.
If you are not yet a covenant member, but would like to pursue membership with us at Mosaic, you can sign up for our next membership 101 class here.
Giving Platform
We've changed our online giving platform. If you have recurring giving set up in Pushpay, please login and follow these steps to cancel. You can now give via Planning Center Giving here.
Songs for Sunday
If you would like to know what we'll be singing on Sunday, you can find the playlist here.