Daily Dependence on God: Trusting His Provision
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to discuss several important announcements and transitions within our church community, including the upcoming Kid Men Volunteer Appreciation and Interest Center, Promotion Palooza, and the Back to School Bash for our youth. We also celebrated Sandy Stone King's retirement and welcomed Debbie Atwood as our new communications director.
As we transitioned into worship, I shared my thoughts on the recent cultural events that have mocked Jesus and the Lord's Supper. While it's natural to feel anger and offense, Jesus calls us to love even our enemies and to respond with the gospel rather than hostility. This world is increasingly out of sync with Christian values, and we must stand firm in our faith while reaching out to those who are lost and confused.
We then returned to our series on the Lord's Prayer, focusing on Matthew 6:11, "Give us this day our daily bread." This prayer teaches us to depend on God for our daily needs, recognizing that He is our ultimate provider. Jesus emphasizes that our Heavenly Father knows our needs even before we ask, but He desires a relationship with us, which is why we are encouraged to present our requests to Him daily.
The concept of daily dependence on God was illustrated through the story of manna in the Old Testament, where God provided just enough for each day to teach His people to trust Him continually. Similarly, Jesus teaches us to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, promising that all our needs will be met as we prioritize Him in our lives.
In conclusion, we are reminded that Jesus is the bread of life, offering spiritual sustenance that goes beyond our physical needs. As we navigate our daily lives, let us seek God day by day, trusting in His faithfulness to meet our needs and guide us in His truth.
### Key Takeaways
1. Dependence on God for Daily Needs: Jesus teaches us to pray for our daily bread, emphasizing our need to depend on God for our everyday necessities. This dependence fosters a deeper relationship with Him, reminding us that He is our ultimate provider. [38:29]
2. Responding to Cultural Mockery with Love: When the world mocks Jesus, it is natural to feel offended. However, Jesus calls us to respond with love and the gospel, even towards those who mock Him. This approach not only honors God but also opens doors for sharing His truth. [06:56]
3. God's Faithfulness in Provision: The story of manna in the Old Testament illustrates God's faithfulness in providing for His people's needs daily. This teaches us to trust God continually, knowing that He will meet our needs in His perfect timing and way. [52:01]
4. Seeking First the Kingdom of God: Jesus instructs us to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, promising that all our needs will be met as we prioritize Him. This principle encourages us to align our lives with God's will, trusting that He will take care of the rest. [57:17]
5. Jesus as the Bread of Life: Jesus declares Himself as the bread of life, offering spiritual sustenance that satisfies our deepest needs. By trusting in Him, we find eternal life and fulfillment that goes beyond our physical needs. This truth calls us to place our faith in Jesus and share His message with others. [01:01:43]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:12] - Kid Men Volunteer Appreciation
[02:27] - Back to School Bash
[04:02] - Celebrating Sandy Stone King's Retirement
[05:27] - Responding to Cultural Mockery
[06:56] - Loving Our Enemies
[08:23] - Mission Work in France
[09:36] - Local Outreach Efforts
[11:00] - God's Faithfulness in Provision
[35:33] - Introduction to the Lord's Prayer
[37:07] - Overcoming Worry
[38:29] - Dependence on God for Daily Needs
[43:01] - Parable of the Friend at Midnight
[46:10] - The Importance of Asking God
[52:01] - The Story of Manna
[57:17] - Seeking First the Kingdom of God
[01:01:43] - Jesus as the Bread of Life
[01:06:20] - Invitation to Respond
[01:11:12] - Upcoming Financial Stewardship Class
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:11 - "Give us this day our daily bread."
2. Exodus 16:4-5 - "Then the Lord said to Moses, 'I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.'"
3. John 6:35 - "Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'"
### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus teach us to pray for in Matthew 6:11, and why is this significant? [38:29]
2. How did God provide for the Israelites in the wilderness according to Exodus 16:4-5? [52:01]
3. In John 6:35, what does Jesus mean when He says, "I am the bread of life"? [01:01:43]
4. What recent cultural events were mentioned in the sermon that mocked Jesus and the Lord's Supper? [05:27]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize the need to pray for "daily bread" rather than for long-term provisions? [38:29]
2. How does the story of manna in the Old Testament illustrate God's faithfulness and the importance of daily dependence on Him? [52:01]
3. What does it mean to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and how does this promise that all our needs will be met? [57:17]
4. How should Christians respond to cultural mockery of Jesus according to the sermon, and why is this response important? [06:56]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily routine. How can you incorporate a practice of praying for your "daily bread" and recognizing God's provision in your life? [38:29]
2. Think about a recent situation where you felt offended by cultural mockery of Jesus. How did you respond, and how might you respond differently in the future to show love and share the gospel? [06:56]
3. In what ways can you actively seek first the Kingdom of God in your daily life? Identify one specific area where you can prioritize God's will over your own desires. [57:17]
4. Consider a time when you experienced God's provision in a challenging situation. How did this experience strengthen your faith, and how can you share this testimony with others? [52:01]
5. Jesus calls Himself the "bread of life" in John 6:35. How does this truth impact your understanding of spiritual sustenance and your relationship with Jesus? [01:01:43]
6. How can you support and encourage others in your church community to depend on God for their daily needs? Think of one practical way to offer support this week. [49:33]
7. Reflect on the concept of loving your enemies as discussed in the sermon. Is there someone in your life you find difficult to love? What steps can you take to show them Christ-like love? [06:56]
Devotional
Day 1: Dependence on God for Daily Needs
Description: Jesus teaches us to pray for our daily bread, emphasizing our need to depend on God for our everyday necessities. This dependence fosters a deeper relationship with Him, reminding us that He is our ultimate provider. In Matthew 6:11, "Give us this day our daily bread," we are encouraged to present our requests to God daily, acknowledging that He knows our needs even before we ask. This daily dependence on God is illustrated through the story of manna in the Old Testament, where God provided just enough for each day to teach His people to trust Him continually. By seeking God daily, we learn to trust in His faithfulness and provision. [38:29]
Exodus 16:4 (ESV): "Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.'"
Reflection: What is one specific need you have today that you can bring before God, trusting Him to provide for it?
Day 2: Responding to Cultural Mockery with Love
Description: When the world mocks Jesus, it is natural to feel offended. However, Jesus calls us to respond with love and the gospel, even towards those who mock Him. This approach not only honors God but also opens doors for sharing His truth. In a world increasingly out of sync with Christian values, we must stand firm in our faith while reaching out to those who are lost and confused. By responding with love rather than hostility, we reflect the character of Christ and create opportunities for meaningful conversations about faith. [06:56]
Romans 12:20-21 (ESV): "To the contrary, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Reflection: Think of someone who has mocked your faith. How can you show them Christ's love in a practical way this week?
Day 3: God's Faithfulness in Provision
Description: The story of manna in the Old Testament illustrates God's faithfulness in providing for His people's needs daily. This teaches us to trust God continually, knowing that He will meet our needs in His perfect timing and way. Just as God provided manna for the Israelites, He promises to provide for us as we depend on Him. This daily provision is a reminder of His constant care and faithfulness. By trusting in God's provision, we can experience peace and assurance, knowing that He is always with us and will never forsake us. [52:01]
Deuteronomy 8:3 (ESV): "And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when God provided for you in an unexpected way. How can this memory strengthen your trust in His provision today?
Day 4: Seeking First the Kingdom of God
Description: Jesus instructs us to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, promising that all our needs will be met as we prioritize Him. This principle encourages us to align our lives with God's will, trusting that He will take care of the rest. By seeking God's kingdom first, we shift our focus from our worries and anxieties to His purposes and plans. This realignment helps us to live with a sense of purpose and direction, knowing that God is in control and will provide for our needs as we follow Him. [57:17]
Matthew 6:33-34 (ESV): "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to seek God's kingdom first in your life?
Day 5: Jesus as the Bread of Life
Description: Jesus declares Himself as the bread of life, offering spiritual sustenance that satisfies our deepest needs. By trusting in Him, we find eternal life and fulfillment that goes beyond our physical needs. This truth calls us to place our faith in Jesus and share His message with others. As we navigate our daily lives, let us seek God day by day, trusting in His faithfulness to meet our needs and guide us in His truth. Jesus, as the bread of life, provides us with the spiritual nourishment we need to thrive and grow in our faith. [01:01:43]
John 6:35 (ESV): "Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.'"
Reflection: How can you share the message of Jesus as the bread of life with someone in your life who is spiritually hungry?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "When people mock Jesus, if that doesn't irritate you, you need to check your heart. If it doesn't cause like a level of offense where you're like, they did like, why they did not just do that. Listen, man, the Lord Jesus, he's the answer the world needs, even as they mock him. And we know that. And so it should burden us." [05:27] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Those who seek God day by day will find him faithful need by need. And I'm telling you, that is a liberating reality. Those who seek God day by day will find him faithful need by need. Jesus teaches us here to pray for specifically for bread, right? For our daily bread." [38:29] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus says in verse 11, And so prayer, again, that we ask, seek, knock, that doesn't mean we always get everything that we want. But he's calling us to live in this trusting, depending relationship. Believing that our heavenly Father is God. Our heavenly Father is holy, pure, good, loving, and giving. Those who seek God day by day will find him faithful need by need." [45:15] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Those who seek God day by day will find him faithful need by need. We're talking today about, like, the physical things that we need. But again, there's a spiritual principle here that is just awesome. This is Deuteronomy chapter 8 on the screen. This is late in life. Moses is, he's like, near the end of his ministry. And so, Moses is reflecting back on the people depending on the man." [58:49] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount, right, And again, we live in a world that's trying to feed themselves moldy bread of this world that is built on lies and untruth and only simply will create more lostness and pain and death in their lives. The philosopher Blaise Pascal said that it's like, like, there's a God-shaped hole. Like, we're throwing all this stuff in. Listen, Jesus alone will satisfy." [59:35] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "If you are only angry about that, you also need to check your heart. Because the Bible, Jesus, here's the problem with Jesus. He makes it really tricky to figure out who our enemies are because he tells us to love everybody and then says, oh, and the ones that might actually be your enemies, love them too." [06:56] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We may think that it would be better if God gave us more resources at one time. More grace. More whatever we need. If God gave us larger chunks at one time. He says, But what God has chosen to do instead is it's as if he's put every, like, all the provision for the needs we really need. God's put all that in a bank account." [46:47] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And so, Jesus gives us a really clear answer. Am I responsible to seek God, provide for my life in the way that he promises? Is there anything I'm responsible for? And I would tell you it's living for him day by day, right? Those who seek God day by day will find him faithful need by need." [54:10] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And so, listen, work, that we go to work, that was before the fall. Like, sometimes we act like working is, like, a problem, like, well, Genesis 3. God puts Adam to work in Genesis 2, right? Man, working is a God-honoring thing. What has God given you to do? Be faithful to what's in front of you. That's how God, that's a grace God has given you to provide for what your family needs." [56:19] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And so, for us today, those who seek God day by day will find him faithful need by need. But here's the question. Is this automatic? Like, how exactly does this work, right? Because if you're like me, there's many times when, like, I did have needs and I wasn't sure how to meet them. Or I was up against challenges and those kind of things. And we all go through. We all go through moments where we experience that." [54:10] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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