August 3, 2026
Abundance, Jacob, and the God Who Strives With Us — A Sermon on Genesis 32 & Matthew 14
<p><strong>Speaker:</strong> Mr. Earl Beede on the 10th Sundayafter Pentecost (Proper 13A), August 2, 2026</p><p><strong>Location:</strong> Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Kenmore,Washington</p><p>A deep exploration of abundance — not as the accumulation of stuff, but as the life‑giving relationship of striving with God. Through Jacob’s long night of wrestling and Jesus’ feeding of the multitude, this sermon reframes abundance as the core encounter with God that restores identity, dignity, justice, and community.</p><p>All are welcome to fully participate at Episcopal Church of the Redeemer:</p><p>✅All races. </p><p>✅All religions. </p><p>✅All countries of origin. </p><p>✅All sexual orientations, including LGBTQ+. </p><p>✅All genders.</p><p> The Episcopal Church welcomes you.</p><p>Keywords </p><p>abundance, Jacob wrestles God, Israel, striving with God, feeding of the 5000, Matthew 14, Genesis 32, spiritual hunger, justice, community, peace, Kingdom of Heaven, Way of Love, Episcopal sermon</p><p>Chapters</p><p><strong>00:00 – Welcome & Opening Theme: Abundance Good morning, please be seated; introduction of “abundance” and its cultural moment.</strong></p><p><strong>00:34 – Abundance and Everyday Images (Oreos) Positive spin on abundance, Oreo cookies as playful metaphor for “more than enough.”</strong></p><p><strong>01:54 – Abundance as Stuff & Prosperity Gospel Abundance equated with accumulation of things and God’s favor; critique of prosperity gospel.</strong></p><p><strong>02:52 – Jacob the Supplanter: Accumulating More Jacob’s name, his wheeling and dealing for inheritance, Rachel, and wealth.</strong></p><p><strong>03:59 – Esau Approaches with 400 Men Jacob’s fear, division of wealth, sending bribes, separating family to avoid slaughter.</strong></p><p><strong>04:48 – The Long Night of Wrestling Jacob alone, wrestling with the image of God—his conscience, soul, core being.</strong></p><p><strong>06:03 – Breakthrough Insight: True Abundance Jacob realizes his wealth is not God’s promise; abundance is intense relationship with God.</strong></p><p><strong>07:00 – Jacob Becomes Israel: One Who Strives With God New name, disabled hip, yet confidence that striving with God is enough.</strong></p><p><strong>08:04 – Gospel Turn: Feeding of the 5,000 Reframing the miracle as addressing spiritual hunger and striving, not just food.</strong></p><p><strong>08:51 – The Crowd’s Striving for Justice, Community, Peace, K‑shaped economy, propaganda, conspiracy; people longing to be valued and recognized.</strong></p><p><strong>09:57 – Five Loaves and Two Fish as Covenant Symbol Numbers as law, prophets, writings; Eucharistic overtones in blessing and breaking.</strong></p><p><strong>10:58 – Kingdom of Heaven and Renewed Story of Israel, God in all, over all, with all creation; disciples sent to striving people.</strong></p><p><strong>11:53 – Oreo Theology: Agape Abundance “Two chocolate wafers of God and God’s image… sweet creme of Agape love.”</strong></p><p><strong>12:29 – Closing: Abundance as Life with God Living a life of love and striving with God as more than enough for the soul—“It is abundance.”</strong></p><p><br></p>
