Embracing Dependence: Finding Strength in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Dependence on Christ: “Apart from Me You Can Do Nothing”

True discipleship means recognizing our complete inability to thrive or bear fruit apart from Jesus. He is the vine, and we are the branches—our spiritual life, growth, and effectiveness are utterly dependent on remaining connected to Him. When we try to live in our own strength, we may achieve short-term results or create a façade of success, but only abiding in Christ brings lasting fruit and genuine transformation. Dependence on Jesus is not a last resort but the foundation of our daily walk, shaping every decision, relationship, and response. [47:32]

John 15:5 (ESV)
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Reflection: In what area of your life are you still trying to “fix it” on your own, and what would it look like today to surrender that area fully to Jesus, trusting Him to bear fruit through you?

Day 2: Jesus Is the Way, the Truth, and the Life

Jesus alone is the way to the Father, the source of all truth, and the giver of true life. No other path, philosophy, or self-made plan can lead us to God or provide the abundant life we seek. When we are confused, lost, or searching for answers, we are invited to turn to Jesus, who is the unchanging standard and the perfecter of our faith. He is not just a guide but the very destination and the means by which we journey. [46:45]

John 14:6-7 (ESV)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Reflection: When you face uncertainty or difficult decisions, how can you intentionally seek Jesus as your way, your truth, and your life today rather than relying on your own understanding?

Day 3: The Power of “It Is Written”: Standing on God’s Word

When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He responded not with His own reasoning but with the authority of Scripture: “It is written.” In moments of temptation, confusion, or pressure to depend on lesser things, we are called to know and stand on God’s Word. The world offers many false truths and distractions, but Scripture anchors us in what is real and eternal. Having God’s Word hidden in our hearts equips us to resist the lies of the enemy and to remain steadfast in our dependence on God. [55:35]

Luke 4:3-8 (ESV)
The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’”

Reflection: What is one specific temptation or challenge you are facing right now, and what Scripture can you memorize or meditate on today to help you respond with “It is written”?

Day 4: Trusting God When Dependence Feels Like Weakness

Dependence on God often feels countercultural and even weak, especially in a world that prizes self-sufficiency and control. Yet, Scripture teaches that God’s grace is sufficient in our weakness, and that true strength is found in relying on Him. Like Paul, who learned to embrace his limitations and trust God’s sufficiency, we are invited to let go of the need to appear strong and instead rest in Christ’s power. Dependence is not a sign of failure but the pathway to spiritual survival and fruitfulness. [01:07:16]

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Reflection: Where do you feel most vulnerable or weak right now, and how can you invite God’s grace and strength into that area instead of hiding or compensating for it?

Day 5: To Whom Shall We Go? Choosing Daily Dependence on Jesus

Ultimately, we depend on what we truly believe gives us life and sustains us. When others turned away, Peter declared to Jesus, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Each day, we are faced with the choice to depend on Jesus alone or to seek life elsewhere. This dependence is not just for salvation but for every decision, struggle, and joy. Jesus invites us to come to Him, to trust Him with our whole lives, and to find in Him the only source of eternal life and hope. [01:12:29]

John 6:68-69 (ESV)
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can declare your dependence on Jesus today—whether in prayer, a decision, or an act of surrender—trusting that He alone has the words of eternal life?

Sermon Summary

Dependence on God is not a natural instinct for most of us. We live in a world that prizes independence, self-sufficiency, and control, and we’re taught from a young age to “pull ourselves up by our bootstraps.” Yet, when it comes to life in Christ, the truth is that we cannot do it on our own. Jesus’ promise in Matthew 28—“I am with you always, even to the end of the world”—is the foundation for our dependence. Without his presence, we would be left to our own devices, but with him, we have the assurance that we are never alone, no matter how inadequate or weak we may feel.

Jesus makes two definitive statements that shape our understanding of dependence: “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14), and “apart from me, you can do nothing” (John 15). These are not just theological ideas; they are practical realities. Our attempts to control, fix, or manage life apart from Christ are ultimately short-lived and superficial. True fruitfulness and spiritual survival come only from abiding in him, letting go of our illusions of control, and trusting that he is enough.

The example of Jesus in the wilderness, fasting and being tempted, shows us what it means to be utterly dependent on God. He resisted the urge to satisfy his hunger, to seize power, and to test God, always responding with, “It is written.” This deep knowledge of and reliance on God’s word is essential for us as well. We are constantly tempted to depend on things other than God—our resources, our intellect, our technology, even our religious traditions. But Jesus calls us back to a singular dependence on him.

Dependence on God is not weakness; it is the only way to spiritual strength and fruitfulness. Paul’s testimony about his thorn in the flesh reminds us that God’s grace is sufficient, even when our circumstances are not. Sometimes, dependence means suffering or letting go of comfort, but it is always the path to true life. As Peter confessed, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Our daily decision must be to depend on Jesus alone, believing that he is the Holy One of God and the only source of life.

Key Takeaways

1. Dependence on God is countercultural and often feels unnatural, but it is the only way to experience the fullness of life in Christ. Our world teaches us to be self-reliant, but Jesus’ promise to be with us always is the foundation for surrendering control and trusting him in every circumstance. [44:46]
2. Jesus’ statements—“I am the way, the truth, and the life” and “apart from me, you can do nothing”—are not just theological truths but practical guides for daily living. Every attempt to find life, truth, or direction apart from him will ultimately fail; only in him do we find what we truly need. [47:32]
3. The example of Jesus in the wilderness teaches us that dependence on God is forged in times of testing and need. When we are tempted to rely on our own strength or to seek satisfaction in lesser things, we must be rooted in God’s word, able to say, “It is written,” and resist the pull of self-sufficiency. [53:41]
4. True dependence means letting go of the facades and masks we use to appear strong or in control. It requires humility to admit our need and to trust that God’s grace is sufficient, even when we feel weak or inadequate. Spiritual fruitfulness comes not from our own efforts, but from abiding in Christ and allowing his life to flow through us. [65:36]
5. Sometimes, dependence on God leads us into suffering or loss, as seen in the lives of the heroes of faith. The call to discipleship is not a call to comfort, but to faithfulness—even when it costs us dearly. Our willingness to depend on God, even when it means sacrifice, is the measure of our trust in his sufficiency and goodness. [68:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[15:11] - Opening Prayer and Setting Our Hearts
[37:30] - Scripture Reading: Jesus’ Temptation
[44:46] - The Promise of Christ’s Presence
[47:32] - Jesus: The Way, the Truth, and the Life
[49:08] - Confession: Struggling with Dependence
[50:14] - Discipleship and Imitating Jesus
[52:01] - The Example of Jesus’ Baptism and Temptation
[53:41] - Fasting and Dependence in the Wilderness
[55:35] - Material Dependence vs. Spiritual Dependence
[57:51] - The Temptation of Power and Control
[58:51] - Artificial Intelligence and False Dependencies
[60:21] - Religious Temptations and Twisted Truths
[63:03] - Digging Deep into God’s Word
[65:36] - Abiding in Christ: The Only Way to Spiritual Survival
[67:16] - Paul’s Thorn and God’s Sufficient Grace
[68:55] - Suffering, Sacrifice, and the Cost of Dependence
[71:04] - John 6: To Whom Shall We Go?
[72:29] - The Daily Decision to Depend on Jesus
[73:25] - Invitation to Deeper Dependence

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1. Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV) — > And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

2. John 15:5 (ESV) — > “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

3. Luke 4:1-13 (ESV) — > (The temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. For brevity, read Luke 4:1-4, 8, 12.)

Observation Questions

In Matthew 28:18-20, what specific promise does Jesus make to his disciples as he sends them out?
According to John 15:5, what is the result of abiding in Jesus, and what does Jesus say happens if we try to do things apart from him?
In the story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness (Luke 4), how does Jesus respond each time the devil tempts him? What phrase does he repeat?
What are some of the things, according to the sermon, that people today are tempted to depend on instead of God?

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus’ promise to be “with you always” matter so much for our dependence on God, especially when we feel inadequate or alone?
The sermon says, “Apart from me, you can do nothing.” What does this mean for our daily lives and the way we approach challenges or decisions?
When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, he relied on God’s word to resist. What does this teach us about the role of Scripture in our own struggles with dependence and temptation?
The sermon mentions that dependence on God can sometimes lead to suffering or loss. Why might God allow this, and how does it relate to spiritual growth?

Application Questions

The world teaches us to be self-reliant and in control. Can you think of a recent situation where you tried to “fix” something on your own instead of depending on God? What was the outcome?
Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Are there areas in your life where you are looking for direction, truth, or fulfillment apart from Jesus? What would it look like to surrender those areas to him?
The sermon talked about Jesus fasting and being tempted, showing total dependence on God. Is there a spiritual practice (like prayer, fasting, or Scripture reading) that you struggle to make a priority? What is one step you could take this week to grow in that area?
We often depend on things like technology, money, or even religious traditions. What is one “false dependency” in your life that you sense God is asking you to let go of? How could you begin to do that?
The pastor admitted struggling with dependence on God and feeling inadequate. Do you ever feel like you have to “wear a mask” and appear strong? What would it look like to admit your need for God’s help to someone you trust?
Paul’s story of the thorn in the flesh reminds us that God’s grace is enough, even when life is hard. Is there a struggle or weakness in your life where you need to hear that God’s grace is sufficient? How can the group pray for you in that area?
Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” What would it mean for you, practically, to make a daily decision to depend on Jesus alone this week?

Sermon Clips

Dependence on God, dependence on Christ, says that I drop all of the masks, I drop all of the facades, I drop all the things that I think I can do, and I depend solely on God. And I just don't know how to get there yet. I mean, I'm better on some days than others. Some days I can say, God, take it. And maybe, I don't know who sang this song. Jesus, take the wheel. I mean, sometimes I, who sang it? Carrie Underwood. Carrie Underwood. I was going to say Taylor Swift. That probably got me in trouble, right? Yeah. Carrie Underwood. Carrie, if you're watching, Taylor, if you're watching, I messed that all up. I'm sure you're not, but just in case. But Jesus, take the wheel. I mean, and here's the thing. When I say, Jesus, take the wheel, I still want the driver's ed car, where I might be in the passenger seat, but I've got my own brake, so I can stop it when I need to. So we struggle with that whole idea of dependence. [00:49:50] (68 seconds) #DropTheMasks

But the point of being dependent on God is getting to the point to realize even physically we need to fully depend on God. Matthew 6, seek first the kingdom of God and all these things that will be given to you. Those verses prior say, why do you worry about what you're going to eat, what you're going to drink, what you're going to wear? Those things take secondary importance to giving full credence to God. [00:55:35] (25 seconds) #TrueDependence

Do you have enough of the word of God in you that when you are tempted to depend on your own strength and your own power or something else other than God, you can say, it is written. God's word says this. God's word takes me here. God's word leads me down this path. God's word, I know what it says. Or do we have to try to figure out that, oh, maybe we don't know what God's word says. So we just give in. It is written. Don't be caught up in this idea of the materialistic thing that we depend on, all of those kinds of things. [00:57:09] (41 seconds) #SpiritLedUnderstanding

And our dependence on him means that we realize and understand even when we come to God's word, our dependence is fully on him and the Holy Spirit to work in us and through the word so that we can see and know and understand what he wants us to see. Not something that we've always believed just because we've always believed it or just because that's the way I was taught. We need to dig deep into God's word so that when we are struggling, we can clearly say it is written. And this is why I do what I do. This is why I am who I am. This is how I get from point A to point B to point C and the rest of the points in my life that matter because I depend solely on God. [01:03:08] (49 seconds) #SacrificeForKingdom

Jesus gives us this perfect example and he set the example for us to learn dependence. This was not Jesus going in. And there are multiple times throughout the gospels where Jesus continues to say, what I do, I don't do of my own will. This is not me doing something. I only do what the Father tells me to do. Every step I take, every direction I go, whatever decision I make, whatever direction I decide to end up, that's because the Father told me to do it. I do nothing without him telling me. [01:04:13] (37 seconds) #DependOnLifeSource

How, how, how do we get to where we are dependent? How, how do we, how do we get to a point where it is our first response? Not our last ditch response. That no matter what is going on, my dependence is set solely in my relationship with God, the Father, through Jesus, the Son, with the Spirit working through me to give me peace and comfort and joy. Are we willing to do that? [01:05:21] (32 seconds) #NoOtherPlace

Now, here's the thing. Maybe this is why I struggle. When we start depending on other things, I feel weak. Don't you? I mean, I do. If I have to depend on somebody else or some other thing, I feel weak in that process because there's a part of me that says, you're stronger than that. You do it on your own. You don't need X, Y, Z. You don't need to do this. You don't need that person or that group or that place. And sometimes it's even if I would never say it, I don't even need God to get me through this because I know me better than God knows me. I can just muddle through and get to the next point. So when we get to this, am I going to be dependent on God? We have to fight this idea of feeling weak and feeling like we have to be self -sufficient because in Christ, we are not self -sufficient. In Christ, we are him -sufficient and we are totally connected to him because he is the one who gives us everything, Peter says, for life and for godliness. It's not a question. [01:06:15] (77 seconds)

And my question for all of us, if our dependence leads us to a point where we have to give up everything we have in this life for the sake of the gospel, are we willing to do it? Would we be willing to forego the comforts of this life for the greatness of the next? And sometimes being dependent on God means that we suffer. And we don't like that. We don't like it so much. [01:08:33] (38 seconds)

If we are doing things for the sake of the kingdom of God, it doesn't matter what the world thinks. It only matters what he thinks. And are we willing to go to that length for the sake of the gospel of Christ? And that's tough. If we believe in what he says, then we are willing to make that sacrifice. Because discipleship in and of itself is not easy. [01:09:53] (32 seconds)

We only depend on what we really believe gives us life and sustains our life. So let that sink in for a minute. Maybe we're mistaken on what really gives us life and sustains our life. Because that's what we're going to depend on. [01:12:17] (28 seconds)

``In this life that we're living, our dependence on Jesus, on God, on the Father, is a daily decision that we make based on the depth of our relationship with him. And so today, I want to invite you to make this statement in your life. To whom shall I go? God, there's no other place I can go. You are the one place I can go, the one place I can depend. We know that you have the words of eternal life. I've come to believe and to know that Jesus, you are the Holy One of God. God, and that's where my dependence lies. Solely in that. [01:13:12] (47 seconds)

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