The sermon centers on the transformative power of a personal, possessive relationship with God, illustrated through biblical narratives of longing, wrestling, and divine encounter. Drawing from Psalm 42's image of the soul panting like a deer for water brooks, it emphasizes that true spiritual vitality arises from a deep, personal thirst for God, not merely religious routines. The story of Jacob's wrestling at the Jabbok highlights how meeting God changes one's identity—renaming him Israel—and alters one's walk, symbolizing a life marked by surrender and dependence. Similarly, the Exodus account at the Red Sea underscores that salvation becomes real only when God is personally claimed as 'my God,' 'my strength,' and 'my salvation,' shifting from passive faith to active possession. The preacher calls listeners to examine their hearts: Are they merely attending church, or do they truly possess it as their own? Are they seeking God's blessings on their own terms, or are they willing to be changed by Him? Ultimately, the message is a pastoral challenge to move from intellectual assent to heartfelt commitment, where faith is not abstract but deeply personal, anchored in a living, owning relationship with God.