Churches can be so tempted not to see the very things that are subtle, things that become like Mad Cow Disease in our lives, things that become part of our work lives, our lifestyle, where even our social life sees some of us unfollow Jesus.

What would Satan do to get you to stumble?

We get to Nike it. In some ways, you could sum up the Book of Revelation in a word, and that word appeared around Asia Minor on stone images, just like it appears on our clothing (for different reasons). It is the word, “Nike”.

So what if our hearts have lost our first love?

We hear, and we pray.

We call out to him, in our weariness, even in the place where we have fallen – FOR he hears you, he hears the prayers of Reforming,

his church- and the Spirit of Christ can renew our repentant hearts, and rekindle that love.

For when we call out to him, and when we see his love for us conquered, won victory, Nike over our sins…love is found.

“Outwit, Outplay, Outlast…” Jesus Christ is risen one with us in the Tribulation, and with him we will outlast.

Reading Revelation will be a lifestyle changer for you and me, for us as a church.

We don’t need to be scared of the apocalypse.

Do you see who Jesus is for you? He is the curse carrier so you can be the blessing receiver! So now we say, sing and pray, the Benediction that God speaks to those who belong to him.

As we finish this series today, here is the cliffhanger question for you. Will you just quietly walk away like Esau? Or will you, with all your life, worship Jesus Christ?

Now is your opportunity to turn toward Jesus, and not miss out on coming home to that better country, that heavenly home with Christ.

With eyes to see that God is with me. by anxious prayers to Him who hears me, as we wrestle with the One who humbles me.

In our fallen world, what happens when we meet not simply conflict in relationships – but we start to recognise abusive relationships?

Jacob seeks the same love story of old, and operates by the same old formula….boy meets girl, girl beautiful, boy moves heavy things in front of girl, boy gets girl.

But his heart doesn't get what he craves.

God does not come to us by grace, for us to set the conditions.

He is the Lord God, and we are sinners who get to repent, to respond to the grace of God, and turn to him with our sin…and not our conditions.

How may we respond to the sovereign grace of God?

“Do you believe that God is with you, in whatever mess you’re in? Do you believe that God has been with you the whole time? Then, drink from that well, and be refreshed in this life where we never feel quite at home, and yet - know, believe, that we are never alone.”

For all who weep, grieve and visit cemeteries of loved ones, in the same way humans have done since that first funeral of Abel, we have hope we can see – even if through bleary-eyed tears.

For one day in human history, the Risen Jesus will come again, and he will empty the cemeteries.