Embracing Childlike Faith: Intimacy and Dependence on God

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Communication in Worship

In moments of worship, there is a profound connection between our spirit and God's Spirit. This connection allows for divine communication, where God can place impressions or visions in our hearts and minds. These moments are not just about music or waiting for the next part of the service; they are opportunities for intimacy with Jesus. It's a time to quiet our hearts and ask God to speak to us, revealing hidden things and prompting us to surrender areas of our lives that we may be holding back. [37:41]

"For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber on their beds, then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings." (Job 33:14-16, ESV)

Reflection: During your next moment of worship, ask God to reveal something specific He wants to communicate to you. How can you create space in your heart to listen and respond to His voice today?

Day 2: Embracing Childlike Faith

Jesus calls us to become like children, humbling ourselves and trusting in Him completely. This requires letting go of pride and the need to maintain a certain image. It's about surrendering to the Holy Spirit and being open to His work in our lives. Childlike faith involves three key aspects: dependence, exploration, and discovery. By embracing these aspects, we open ourselves to the fullness of God's kingdom and His transformative power. [01:28:07]

"Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." (Mark 10:15, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to let go of pride or control? How can you practice childlike faith by surrendering this area to God today?

Day 3: Dependence on God

Just as children rely on their parents for everything, we must rely on God for guidance, provision, and strength. He is always with us, ready to uphold us when we stumble. This dependence is not about searching for God but about nurturing our relationship with Him and trusting in His care. By acknowledging our need for Him, we can experience His presence and support in every aspect of our lives. [01:31:05]

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a situation where you have been relying on your own strength. How can you intentionally depend on God for guidance and support in this situation today?

Day 4: Exploration and Discovery in Christ

We are invited to explore the riches of wisdom and knowledge hidden in Christ. This exploration leads to discovery, where we find the surpassing riches of His grace and the unfathomable power available to us as believers. Like children on a treasure hunt, we are encouraged to delve into the depths of who God is and what He has for us, experiencing the joy and wonder of His presence. [01:38:00]

"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" (Romans 11:33, ESV)

Reflection: What is one new aspect of God's character or His promises that you can explore today? How can this exploration lead you to a deeper understanding of His grace and power?

Day 5: Keys to Childlike Faith

To walk in childlike faith, we must cultivate a trust prayer initiative, develop a desperation for God to speak through His Word, and seek wise counsel from those more mature in faith. These practices help us surrender control to God, listen to His voice, and grow in our understanding of His will for our lives. By embracing these keys, we can experience the fullness of life that God intends for us. [01:46:09]

"Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance." (Proverbs 1:5, ESV)

Reflection: Consider one area where you need guidance or wisdom. How can you seek wise counsel and deepen your prayer life to align with God's will in this area today?

Sermon Summary

In moments of worship and praise, there is a profound connection between our spirit and God's Spirit. This connection allows for divine communication, where God can place impressions or visions in our hearts and minds. Such moments are not just about music or waiting for the next part of the service; they are opportunities for intimacy with Jesus. It's a time to quiet our hearts and ask God to speak to us, revealing hidden things and prompting us to surrender areas of our lives that we may be holding back.

The essence of childlike faith is humility and dependence on God. Jesus taught that to enter the kingdom of heaven, we must become like children, humbling ourselves and trusting in Him completely. This requires letting go of pride and the need to maintain a certain image or reputation. It's about surrendering to the Holy Spirit and being open to His work in our lives. This childlike faith involves three key aspects: dependence, exploration, and discovery.

Dependence on God is foundational. Just as children rely on their parents for everything, we must rely on God for guidance, provision, and strength. He is always with us, ready to uphold us when we stumble. This dependence is not about searching for God but about nurturing our relationship with Him and trusting in His care.

Exploration is the joy of discovering the depths of who God is and what He has for us. Like children on a treasure hunt, we are invited to explore the riches of wisdom and knowledge hidden in Christ. This exploration leads to discovery, where we find the surpassing riches of His grace and the unfathomable power available to us as believers.

To walk in childlike faith, we must cultivate a trust prayer initiative, develop a desperation for God to speak through His Word, and seek wise counsel from those more mature in faith. These practices help us surrender control to God, listen to His voice, and grow in our understanding of His will for our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. Divine Communication: In moments of worship, God communicates with us, placing impressions and visions in our hearts. These are opportunities for intimacy with Jesus, where we can ask Him to speak to us and reveal hidden things. It's a time to surrender and let God address the secrets of our hearts. [37:41]
2. Childlike Faith: Jesus calls us to become like children, humbling ourselves and trusting in Him completely. This requires letting go of pride and the need to maintain a certain image. It's about surrendering to the Holy Spirit and being open to His work in our lives. [88:07]
3. Dependence on God: Just as children rely on their parents, we must rely on God for guidance, provision, and strength. He is always with us, ready to uphold us when we stumble. This dependence is about nurturing our relationship with Him and trusting in His care. [91:05]
4. Exploration and Discovery: We are invited to explore the riches of wisdom and knowledge hidden in Christ. This exploration leads to discovery, where we find the surpassing riches of His grace and the unfathomable power available to us as believers. [98:00]
5. Keys to Childlike Faith: To walk in childlike faith, we must cultivate a trust prayer initiative, develop a desperation for God to speak through His Word, and seek wise counsel from those more mature in faith. These practices help us surrender control to God and grow in our understanding of His will. [01:46:09]
** [106:09]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Divine Communication in Worship
[05:00] - The Power of Creative Imagination
[10:00] - Moments of Surrender
[15:00] - Prophetic Words and Healing
[20:00] - The Call to Intimacy with Jesus
[25:00] - Childlike Faith and Humility
[30:00] - Dependence on God
[35:00] - Exploration and Discovery in Christ
[40:00] - Trust Prayer Initiative
[45:00] - Desperation for God's Word
[50:00] - Seeking Wise Counsel
[55:00] - The Role of the Church Family
[60:00] - Invitation to Salvation
[65:00] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide**

**Bible Reading:**

Matthew 18:1-6
Isaiah 41:13
1 Peter 5:6-7

---

**Observation Questions:**

In Matthew 18:1-6, what does Jesus say is necessary to enter the kingdom of heaven? How does this relate to the concept of childlike faith discussed in the sermon? [01:28:07]
According to Isaiah 41:13, what assurance does God give to those who rely on Him? How does this verse illustrate the idea of dependence on God as mentioned in the sermon? [01:31:05]
What does 1 Peter 5:6-7 instruct believers to do with their anxieties, and how does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on surrendering control to God? [01:33:21]
The sermon mentions moments of divine communication during worship. What are some examples given of how God might communicate with us during these times? [37:41]

---

**Interpretation Questions:**

How does the concept of childlike faith challenge the common adult tendencies of pride and self-reliance? What might it look like to humble oneself as a child in today’s world? [01:28:07]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that exploration and discovery in faith can lead to a deeper understanding of God’s grace and power? How does this align with the biblical passages discussed? [01:38:00]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking wise counsel. How does this practice contribute to walking in childlike faith, and what might be some barriers to seeking such counsel? [01:46:09]
How does the sermon describe the role of desperation in experiencing God’s presence and guidance? What does this suggest about the nature of our relationship with God? [01:28:07]

---

**Application Questions:**

Reflect on a recent moment of worship. Did you experience any form of divine communication or impression? How can you be more open to such experiences in the future? [37:41]
Consider an area of your life where you struggle with pride or maintaining a certain image. What steps can you take to humble yourself and embrace childlike faith in that area? [01:28:07]
Dependence on God is a key theme in the sermon. Identify a specific situation where you need to rely more on God’s guidance and provision. How can you actively practice this dependence? [01:31:05]
The sermon encourages exploration and discovery in faith. What is one new aspect of God’s character or His Word that you would like to explore this week? How will you go about this exploration? [01:38:00]
Think of a time when you felt desperate for God’s intervention. How did that desperation impact your faith journey? How can you cultivate a healthy desperation for God’s presence in your daily life? [01:28:07]
Identify a mature believer in your life whom you can seek for wise counsel. What specific area of your life would you like to discuss with them, and how will you approach this conversation? [01:46:09]
Reflect on the idea of surrendering control to God. What is one area of your life where you find it difficult to let go? What practical steps can you take to surrender this area to God’s will? [01:46:09]

Sermon Clips

"In moments just like this, I will often just still my heart, understanding that God inhabits or He participates in the praises of His people. And so in these amazing moments, there is a connection and a flow. So God's Spirit, our Spirit, one with Him in Spirit, and there's communication." [00:33:56] (37 seconds)

"See, Firefall is all about positioning us back into intimacy with Jesus. I want to invite you just for a moment. Maybe you haven't been focused like that and just thinking, oh, I don't quite know why they're going so long. Well, maybe because you never understood, this is a moment of communication." [00:36:23] (23 seconds)

"Dependence, the characteristic of any child is that they're dependent on their parents. Everything about their lives. Their care and their nurture is about what the parents do. And they simply build and strengthen their relationship with mum and dad. And this is why when there's marriage breakup, it's so damaging to children because the foundation of their lives, what they've been building their whole life is now fragmented." [01:29:49] (35 seconds)

"We're not trying to find a pathway to God. We're born again. We already have a relationship with God, our father. He's already with us. And now all we have to do is learn the pathway of denial of self and dependence upon Jesus. Learning how to be led by Jesus, how to be cared by him, how to be nurtured by him." [01:30:00] (26 seconds)

"Learning to be like a child with Jesus, it's exciting. And as we learn that whole process, suddenly we realize I actually don't need to fear anymore. He'll turn things around. We cling to him. He understands as the best parent that has ever been what I'm facing." [01:32:30] (22 seconds)

"Desperation creates visitation. See, I think there are some believers who say, well, if God wants to get me, he can. And I would say this to you, my friend, God will never get you. Because he responds to hunger. He responds to your response. He's waiting for us to respond to him." [01:28:07] (21 seconds)

"Have you gone on that search? Have you looked for those treasures? Have you discovered the wealth of what it is to know Jesus Christ? It's an amazing invitation but you see out of the invitation we've got we go on our exploration but then the third thing is we have discovery and the Bible seeks to motivate us to explore the endless riches found in Jesus and discover these treasures." [01:37:48] (37 seconds)

"Creating a trust prayer initiative. And it's a lifelong journey of deepening this prayer approach. It is the type of prayer that says, Lord, I'm dependent on you. I need your direction, Lord. I need your help. Help! Lord, I surrender to whatever your will is in this situation. I don't understand it, but I surrender to it." [01:44:39] (34 seconds)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?