A Limp and a Leap Into Glory
E.A. Johnston teaches that the Christian life is a valiant race marked by perseverance through struggle, culminating in a triumphant yet humble finish dependent on God's strength.
In this devotional sermon, E.A. Johnston reflects on the challenging journey of the Christian life, using the example of Jacob’s wrestling with God to illustrate the perseverance and dependence required to finish well. Johnston encourages believers to embrace their weaknesses as reminders of God's sustaining power and to press on valiantly toward their heavenly reward. The message offers hope and practical insight for those navigating spiritual battles and seeking to complete their race with faith.
Full Transcript
Listen friends, the Christian life was never meant to be all sunshine and honey blossoms, but a life of faith, lived in the midst of smoke and thunder, on a battlefield, while engaged in hand-to-hand combat with a fierce enemy and overwhelming odds. When I was a young man, I envisioned myself running across the finish line of life, triumphantly, with record-setting speed. But now, that I'm an old man, I see the reality of the race, where the main objective is not to finish first, but to hang on valiantly and finish well.
When Jacob was in Egypt, standing before Pharaoh, the patriarch told the monarch, the days of the years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty years. Few and evil have the days of the years of my life been. Jacob's up-and-down life, in his walk with God, had mountain peaks and valleys, as he encountered God, in great spiritual experiences, but it lacked consistency, until Jacob had his Jabbok, where he wrestled with God, in desperate prayer, gaining him a new name, Israel, meaning prince, power with God.
But if you read the text carefully, from Genesis chapter thirty-three, you'll come across the words. And as he passed over Peniel, the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh. I believe Jacob walked with a limp for the rest of his life, as a constant reminder of his dependency upon God, and every step he took, he winced in pain.
Our verse says he passed over Peniel, halting upon his thigh. And to me, friends, this is striking imagery of the Christian life, as we near the finish line of a life lived on the full stretch for God, having fought all the battles, and we limp on in, not so much as a virile athlete, but as a valiant soldier. The older I get, the more frail I become, and the more dependent upon God I am.
My goal is to run the race and finish well, crossing that finish line with a limp and a leap into glory.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Reality of the Christian Life
- Life is a battlefield with fierce enemies
- Faith is lived amid struggle, not ease
- The goal is to finish well, not first
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II. Jacob’s Journey and Spiritual Struggles
- Jacob’s life had highs and lows in faith
- His wrestling with God brought transformation
- He lived with a limp as a reminder of dependence
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III. The Limp and the Leap into Glory
- The limp symbolizes ongoing weakness and reliance on God
- The leap represents the triumphant finish in God’s presence
- A life well-lived is marked by perseverance and grace
Key Quotes
“The Christian life was never meant to be all sunshine and honey blossoms, but a life of faith, lived in the midst of smoke and thunder, on a battlefield, while engaged in hand-to-hand combat with a fierce enemy and overwhelming odds.” — E.A. Johnston
“Jacob walked with a limp for the rest of his life, as a constant reminder of his dependency upon God, and every step he took, he winced in pain.” — E.A. Johnston
“My goal is to run the race and finish well, crossing that finish line with a limp and a leap into glory.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Embrace your weaknesses as opportunities to rely more deeply on God’s strength.
- Focus on finishing your spiritual race with faithfulness rather than speed or worldly success.
- Remember that spiritual battles are part of the Christian journey and perseverance leads to victory.