Why Do I Struggle? | Marcus Mecum | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Why Do I Struggle?

7 Hills Church • Jul 21, 2025 • 36 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

When God explicitly introduced Himself to humanity in Exodus 3, He chose not to list cosmic accolades, but declared Himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. By taking this title, God revealed that He is not only the God of great faith and miraculous promises, but also the God of strugglers who refuse to give up in the face of life's hardships. Experiencing ongoing struggle is not proof that you have failed or that God has abandoned you; it is evidence that God is shaping your character and inviting you to hold fast to Him until He transforms your struggle into a blessing.

Themes

God of StrugglersPerseverance in TrialsFaithfulness in HardshipIdentity and BlessingGod's Grace in WeaknessRedemption through Struggle

Key Points

1.
When God introduced Himself in Exodus 3, He chose not to list cosmic accolades like Alpha and Omega, but identified Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
2.
Abraham represents extraordinary faith to leave everything behind on God's word, while Isaac represents walking in and standing on God's miraculous promises.
3.
God specifically declared Himself the God of Jacob because Jacob was a man defined by struggle from the womb who nevertheless refused to quit or give up on God.
4.
Jacob's life demonstrates that personal faults, failures, and constant hardships do not disqualify a believer from God's favor and redemptive purpose.
5.
When Jacob wrestled with the angel at Peniel, he refused to tap out or let go even after his hip was dislocated, demanding God's blessing.
6.
Because Jacob persevered through struggle and held tight to God, God renamed him Israel—a prince who has power and prevailed with God and man.
7.
God chose to name His covenant people the "children of Israel," forever linking His people's identity to a persistent struggler who prevailed.
8.
Jesus Himself experienced continuous struggle throughout His earthly ministry, showing that hardship is often evidence of walking in God's divine purpose.
9.
God does not require you to conquer every sin or fix your struggles before coming to Him; He invites you to come exactly as you are to receive His grace.

Sermon Moments

“The picture of Jacob and Esau wrestling in Rebecca's womb like a intense battle, setting the stage for a lifetime of fighting for survival.”

“The analogy of Jacob wrestling the angel at Peniel and refusing to tap out or surrender even when his hip joint was dislocated.”

“The powerful realization that God named His chosen people the 'children of Israel'—identifying His family by a struggler rather than Abraham or Isaac.”

“The trace of Jesus' earthly life from birth in a barn to death on the cross, demonstrating that struggle is present even in the life of the Savior.”

“The moment of corporate prayer where church members lay hands on each other, acknowledging that everyone sitting next to them is fighting a personal struggle.”

“The truth that God gives each believer a new spiritual name and identity, defining them by His grace rather than their past mistakes.”

“The gospel invitation assuring listeners that God does not ask them to clean up their lives before coming to Him, but welcomes strugglers just as they are.”

This Week

Refuse to give up or turn your back on God when facing relentless life struggles and hardships.

Hold fast to God in prayer during difficult trials, declaring, "I will not let go until You bless me."

Reframe your perspective on hardship, realizing that struggle is not proof of failure or God's abandonment.

Reject negative labels spoken over you by others, and seek God's perspective on your true identity.

Pray for and encourage fellow believers in your church community who are silently enduring difficult personal struggles.

Come to God honestly as you are with your current struggles instead of trying to clean up your life first.

Confess Jesus as your Lord and trust in His resurrection for complete forgiveness, healing, and a fresh start.

Remember This

Experiencing continuous struggle in life is not a sign of failure or God's absence, but an invitation to hold fast to God, persevere, and receive His transformational blessing.

A Challenge for You

Don't let go until He blesses you. Hang on in Jesus' name through every struggle, trusting that He breaks us, blesses us, and empowers us to prevail.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.