Daily Dependence: Embracing God's Provision and Grace
Summary
In my sermon today, I began by addressing the congregation and online viewers, emphasizing the importance of staying engaged with the message, especially since it was Communion Sunday. I encouraged everyone to prepare their hearts and minds for the service and to participate in the Lord's Supper with us, even if they were joining digitally.
I then transitioned into discussing the Lord's Prayer, focusing on the phrase "give us today our daily bread," which I interpreted as a call to daily depend on the Lord for our needs, distinguishing between wants and needs. This led to a broader reflection on the nature of our relationship with God, highlighting the importance of exalting Him and recognizing His holiness.
The sermon continued with an exploration of the Apostle Paul's writings to the Corinthians, where I emphasized the importance of fearing the Lord and living a life that persuades others of the truth of the Gospel. I stressed the authenticity of our faith and the need to be genuine in our actions, not seeking approval from others but acting out of reverence for God.
I then delved into the concept of sin, defining it as missing the mark, active rebellion, and disobedience. I used a visual aid to illustrate how sin separates us from God and prevents us from having a personal relationship with Him. I explained that all have sinned and fall short of God's glory, but God's love and plan for us is to know Him personally.
The sermon moved on to the solution to our sin problem: the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I explained that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us, and through His resurrection, we have the hope of eternal life. I outlined the steps to knowing God personally, which include a personal invitation to Jesus into our lives, accepting His forgiveness, repenting of our sins, and taking a step of faith.
I also addressed the two types of people who have invited Jesus into their lives: those who keep Jesus on the periphery and those who truly submit to His lordship. I urged the congregation to examine their lives and consider whether they have truly given Jesus control.
As we prepared for Communion, I reminded the congregation of Jesus' sacrifice and the significance of remembering Him through the breaking of bread and the drinking of the cup. I encouraged everyone to confess any sins and to come to the table with a heart ready to receive God's grace.
Finally, I concluded the sermon by inviting the congregation to take action, to be compelled by Christ's love to share the message of the Gospel with others, and to live lives that reflect the transformative power of Jesus' love.
Key Takeaways:
1. Daily dependence on God for our needs is a fundamental aspect of our faith, teaching us to trust in His provision and to differentiate between our wants and our true needs. This reliance on God cultivates a deeper sense of gratitude and humility in our lives. [19:11]
2. Authenticity in our faith journey is crucial. We must live lives that genuinely reflect our reverence for God, not seeking the approval of others but acting out of a sincere desire to honor Him. This authenticity is what persuades others of the truth of the Gospel and demonstrates the transformative power of a life lived in fear of the Lord. [44:59]
3. Understanding sin as missing the mark, rebellion, and disobedience helps us grasp the severity of our separation from God. It is only through recognizing our sinfulness that we can fully appreciate the magnitude of God's grace and the necessity of Jesus' sacrifice for our redemption. [57:37]
4. The personal invitation to Jesus into our lives is the beginning of a transformative journey. Accepting His forgiveness and repenting of our sins are steps that lead us to a deeper, more intimate relationship with God, where we experience His love and grace firsthand. [01:03:32]
5. Christ's love compels us to live selflessly, to submit to His will, and to share His message with others. This love is not passive; it actively moves us to serve God and others, reflecting the greatest commandment to love one another as Christ has loved us. [49:43]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:11 - "Give us today our daily bread."
2. 2 Corinthians 5:11-15 - "Since then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. If we are out of our mind, as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does the phrase "give us today our daily bread" in Matthew 6:11 teach us about our dependence on God?
2. According to 2 Corinthians 5:11, what motivates Paul and his companions to persuade others about the Gospel?
3. How does Paul describe the authenticity of his actions in 2 Corinthians 5:12-13? What does he hope to achieve by this authenticity? [44:59]
4. What does Paul mean when he says, "For Christ’s love compels us" in 2 Corinthians 5:14? How does this love influence their actions? [49:43]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of daily dependence on God for our needs, as seen in Matthew 6:11, challenge our modern understanding of self-sufficiency and materialism?
2. In 2 Corinthians 5:11, Paul speaks about the fear of the Lord. How does this fear influence the way believers should live their lives and interact with others? [44:08]
3. Paul emphasizes the importance of authenticity in his ministry (2 Corinthians 5:12-13). Why is authenticity crucial in persuading others about the truth of the Gospel? [44:59]
4. Reflect on the statement "Christ’s love compels us" (2 Corinthians 5:14). How does understanding Christ's sacrificial love change the way we approach our daily lives and relationships? [49:43]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily life: Are there areas where you rely more on your own strength than on God's provision? How can you cultivate a habit of daily dependence on God for your needs? [17:36]
2. Think about your interactions with others: Do you live in a way that persuades others of the truth of the Gospel? What changes can you make to ensure your actions reflect your reverence for God? [44:08]
3. Consider the authenticity of your faith: Are there moments when you seek approval from others rather than acting out of a sincere desire to honor God? How can you shift your focus to living authentically for God? [44:59]
4. Reflect on your understanding of sin: How does recognizing sin as missing the mark, rebellion, and disobedience help you appreciate the magnitude of God's grace and the necessity of Jesus' sacrifice? [57:37]
5. Examine your relationship with Jesus: Have you truly submitted to His lordship, or is He on the periphery of your life? What steps can you take to ensure Jesus is at the center of your life and decisions? [01:06:14]
6. Think about the love of Christ: How does Christ's love compel you to live selflessly and share His message with others? Identify one specific way you can demonstrate Christ's love in your community this week. [49:43]
7. As you prepare for Communion, is there any sin you need to confess and seek forgiveness for? How can you come to the table with a heart ready to receive God's grace and remember Jesus' sacrifice? [01:10:51]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God's Daily Provision
Trusting in God's provision requires a conscious effort to distinguish between wants and needs, recognizing that our true sustenance comes from the Lord. It is easy to become preoccupied with material desires or to worry about the future, but faith calls for a reliance on God for our daily bread. This trust is not passive; it involves actively seeking God's will and being content with the blessings He provides each day. By doing so, one cultivates a heart of gratitude and humility, acknowledging that every good gift comes from above. This daily dependence is a testament to the faithfulness of God and a reminder of His constant care for His children. [19:11]
"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" - Hebrews 13:5
Reflection: How can you demonstrate trust in God's provision today, and what steps can you take to distinguish between your wants and your needs?
Day 2: Living Authentically for God
Authenticity in faith is about living a life that genuinely reflects a reverence for God, not seeking approval from others but acting out of a sincere desire to honor Him. This authenticity is evident when one's actions align with their beliefs, and when the fear of the Lord guides their decisions. It is about being true to one's convictions and allowing the transformative power of the Gospel to shape one's life. When authenticity is present, it becomes a powerful witness to others, persuading them of the truth of the Gospel through a life lived in fear and awe of the Lord. [44:59]
"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." - Colossians 3:17
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel pressured to conform to the expectations of others, and how can you more authentically live out your faith in those areas?
Day 3: Recognizing the Gravity of Sin
Understanding sin as missing the mark, rebellion, and disobedience is crucial to comprehending our need for God's grace. Sin creates a chasm between humanity and the Divine, disrupting the relationship we were created to enjoy. Recognizing one's own sinfulness is the first step toward redemption, as it leads to an appreciation of the magnitude of God's mercy and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It is through this acknowledgment that one can truly grasp the depth of God's love and the transformative power of His forgiveness. [57:37]
"For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot." - Romans 8:7
Reflection: What are some ways you have seen sin disrupt your relationship with God, and how can you actively seek His forgiveness and restoration today?
Day 4: Inviting Jesus into Our Lives
The personal invitation to Jesus into one's life marks the beginning of a transformative journey. Accepting His forgiveness and repenting of sins are steps that lead to a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. This journey is marked by a personal encounter with God's love and grace, which brings about a change in one's heart and life. It is a step of faith that requires humility and a willingness to surrender to God's will, allowing Him to guide and shape one's path. [01:03:32]
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." - Revelation 3:20
Reflection: Have you fully opened the door of your life to Jesus, and if not, what is holding you back from inviting Him into every area of your life?
Day 5: Compelled by Christ's Love
Christ's love compels us to live selflessly, to submit to His will, and to share His message with others. This love is not passive; it actively moves us to serve God and others, reflecting the greatest commandment to love one another as Christ has loved us. When one truly grasps the depth of Christ's love, it becomes the driving force behind every action and decision. This love motivates us to reach out to others, to share the hope of the Gospel, and to live in a way that honors God and exemplifies the life of Jesus. [49:43]
"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died." - 2 Corinthians 5:14
Reflection: How can Christ's love move you to take a specific action today to serve or share the Gospel with someone in your community?
Quotes
1) "Give us today our daily bread, what we need today. Allow us to know the difference between needs and wants. And then what we need to do is we need to just exalt the Lord, lift him up, sing songs because he is worthy. Of all of our voices, because he is full, but let's stand and let's join with the saints who've already said this today and yet to say it." [19:11]
2) "Christians. They see the invisible. Hear the inaudible. And know that which surpasses not. They feel supreme love. For one. Whom they've never seen. They expect to go to heaven. On the virtue. Of another. They empty themselves. Knowing that they'll be filled. They admit their wrongs. So that they can be declared right." [46:58]
3) "We love. We love. Look around the room. We love each other. Because he loved us first. He loved us first. Therefore, we love one. And we know this love. And we know love by this. That he laid down his life for us. We ought to lay down our life for each other. We empty ourselves. We give ourselves freely for another." [49:09]
4) "Christ's love compels us. It overcomes our resistance to submit. If you truly have the love. Of Christ. Then your unwillingness to submit to God. You go, oh, Jesus loves me. I need to submit. I should obey because of my love for Jesus. I should act because of my love for Jesus." [49:43]
5) "Every single one of us is guilty of sin. See, the word of God, as you read this, the word of God says, the wages of sin is death, spiritual death. You are separated from God. God longs to have a relationship with you. But because of our sin, we can't have a relationship. We are stuck. We are separated from God." [58:19]
6) "For God so loved the world that he gave only the Son. One and only Son. He gave Jesus. I purposely had the arrow come down red, because he came and he died. His blood was spilt for our sin, because all sin needs to be paid for with sin. Sin is not a debtless activity." [01:00:26]
7) "You accept Jesus as your Savior, yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves. It is a gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." [01:03:01]
8) "The resurrection is the focal point of our faith. If Jesus stayed and he never rose from the dead, Jesus was just a miracle working magnet that that was not a good teacher because he proclaimed, he taught that he would raise from the dead. If the tomb still kept his body, he was just a miracle working, very nice guy who was a little crazy." [42:26]
9) "The Apostle Paul made that his mission, his purpose, was to persuade others. We try. We try to persuade others. He says, what we are is plain to God. And I hope that it is also plain to you. What we are. In other words, Paul, how he lived was genuine. He was accused of being someone who was seeking his glory." [44:59]
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