1. Scripture: Jacob as a Paradigm of Victory

That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so the socket was wrenched while he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.

Genesis 32:22-29

2. Prayer

We too yearn for this blessing, clinging to You, and running the race with all our might for all our lives.

3. The Essence Within (Jacob's unyielding nature, clinging to God)

3.1 The Lord Jesus said: All things are possible for one who believes.

3.2 Faith is a personal choice.

3.3 Build a resolute character, unwavering in its resolve.

4. Character and Integrity are a Person's Most Valuable Assets—Unwilling to Give Up Without a Blessing

4.1 Jacob received the blessing at 75; prior to that, he did not pursue relationships.

4.2 When Jacob worked for his uncle, he earned nothing for 14 years, yet he did not give up.

4.3 Even knowing his brother intended to kill him, he still sought to enter Canaan.

4.4 Wrestling for the blessing, thereafter, he surged from the back to the front.

4.5 Surrender before God is victory.

5. Victory as an External Manifestation of One's Character

5.1 Character is more important than skill.

5.2 What matters is not what you are born with, but the choices we make today.

5.3 Postnatal training: The church shapes people into victorious characters!

6. The environment is the best material for shaping character

6.1 Laban was the environment God used to shape Jacob's character.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

2 Corinthians 4:7-10

6.2 The path to victory for Christians is sure to have obstacles!

6.3 We must be strong and courageous, get up again after falling, and get up again after falling!

7. Only a lifetime of victory can obtain the promise

7.1 Victory will surely lead to the presence of God.

7.2 Cannot be a casual Christian.

To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’ —just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give that one the morning star. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Revelation 2:26-29)

7.3 Letting go of oneself is the only way to be victorious. This is grace and is undeserved.

8. Conclusion:

Shape the concept of eternal life, hold on to it for a lifetime, and be victorious for a lifetime!

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6-8)