Embracing Humility: The Journey of Faith and Dependence
Summary
In our journey through life, we often encounter the tension between independence and the need for help. This tension is vividly illustrated through the story of my five-year-old granddaughter, Ella, who is learning to balance her desire for independence with the wisdom of seeking assistance. This balance is not just a childhood lesson but a lifelong spiritual journey. As we grow, we must learn to humbly ask for help, especially from God, to navigate the complexities of life and our own shortcomings.
Our culture often glorifies self-reliance, but the truth is, we are designed to live in community and to rely on God. The reluctance to ask for help can stem from various reasons, such as the desire for control, fear of burdening others, trust issues, or pride. However, true change and growth require us to move through the valley of humble dependence, acknowledging our powerlessness and seeking divine intervention.
The process of change, as outlined in the Twelve Steps, begins with admitting our powerlessness and recognizing a higher power's ability to restore us. It involves a decision to turn our lives over to God, making a fearless moral inventory, and admitting our wrongs. This leads us to the crucial step of humbly asking God to remove our shortcomings. This is not about managing our flaws but allowing God to completely root them out.
Faith, unlike religion, is about acknowledging our inability to achieve righteousness on our own and trusting God to do what we cannot. It requires humility, recognizing that we cannot dictate the terms or timing of God's work in our lives. We must be willing to let go of our own will and embrace God's will, trusting that He knows what is best for us.
The journey of faith is a lifelong process of becoming more like Christ. It involves daily application of humility and willingness to let God work in us. While we may never achieve perfection in this life, progress is marked by our willingness to let God transform us, one day at a time.
Key Takeaways:
- The Balance of Independence and Help: Just as Ella learns to balance independence with seeking help, we too must learn to rely on God and others. True growth comes from recognizing when to be independent and when to seek assistance, especially from God. [06:16]
- The Power of Humility: Humility is essential in our spiritual journey. It involves acknowledging our limitations and asking God to remove our shortcomings. This humility opens us to God's will and timing, allowing Him to work in us as He sees fit. [11:49]
- Faith vs. Religion: Faith is about trusting God to do what we cannot, while religion often focuses on self-effort. True faith acknowledges our need for God and relies on His power to transform us, rather than our own abilities. [15:08]
- The Lifelong Process of Change: Spiritual growth is a lifelong journey. We must remain vigilant, allowing God to continually work in us. This process involves daily humility and willingness to let God remove our defects of character. [23:36]
- The Purpose of Confession: Confession is not about feeling small but about restoring our relationship with God. It involves acknowledging our sins and seeking forgiveness, allowing God to cleanse us and guide us towards His will. [27:30]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [06:16] - The Balance of Independence and Help
- [11:49] - The Power of Humility
- [15:08] - Faith vs. Religion
- [17:56] - The Parable of Humility
- [21:00] - Understanding Our Purpose
- [23:36] - The Lifelong Process of Change
- [27:30] - The Purpose of Confession
- [31:19] - The Scope of Prayer
- [33:55] - Staying Vigilant in Faith
- [37:41] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. James 4:10 - "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor."
2. 1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
3. Luke 18:14 - "For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
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Observation Questions:
1. What are some reasons mentioned in the sermon that people struggle to ask for help? [06:16]
2. How does the story of Ella illustrate the balance between independence and seeking help? [06:16]
3. According to the sermon, what is the difference between religion and faith? [15:08]
4. What does the sermon suggest is the purpose of confession? [27:30]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of humility, as discussed in the sermon, relate to the biblical instruction in James 4:10? [11:49]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that faith involves trusting God’s timing and methods over our own desires? [15:08]
3. How does the sermon describe the lifelong process of spiritual growth and change? [23:36]
4. What does the sermon imply about the role of community in our spiritual journey? [21:00]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you hesitated to ask for help. What was the underlying reason, and how might you approach it differently in the future? [06:16]
2. Consider the balance between independence and seeking help in your own life. How can you better discern when to rely on others or God? [06:16]
3. How can you practice humility in your daily life, especially in situations where you feel the need to control outcomes? [11:49]
4. Identify an area in your life where you have been trying to manage your shortcomings on your own. How can you invite God to completely root them out? [23:36]
5. Think of a time when you relied on your own efforts rather than trusting in God’s power. How can you shift your mindset to embrace faith over self-reliance? [15:08]
6. How can you incorporate regular confession into your spiritual practice to maintain a healthy relationship with God? [27:30]
7. What steps can you take to remain vigilant in your faith journey, allowing God to work in you continuously? [33:55]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the Balance of Independence and Help
In life, we often find ourselves caught between the desire to be independent and the need to seek help. This balance is crucial for spiritual growth. Recognizing when to rely on God and others is a sign of maturity. Our culture may glorify self-reliance, but true strength lies in understanding our limitations and reaching out for assistance when needed. This journey is not just about childhood lessons but a lifelong spiritual endeavor. By acknowledging our need for help, especially from God, we open ourselves to His guidance and wisdom. [06:16]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you have been trying to manage everything on your own. How can you invite God or others into this area today?
Day 2: The Transformative Power of Humility
Humility is a cornerstone of spiritual growth. It involves acknowledging our limitations and asking God to remove our shortcomings. This humility is not about feeling less than others but about opening ourselves to God's will and timing. By admitting our weaknesses, we allow God to work in us as He sees fit. This process requires us to let go of pride and control, trusting that God's plan is greater than our own. Embracing humility leads to true transformation and growth. [11:49]
James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where pride held you back. How can you practice humility in a similar situation today, allowing God to guide your actions?
Day 3: Faith Over Religion
Faith is about trusting God to do what we cannot, while religion often focuses on self-effort. True faith acknowledges our need for God and relies on His power to transform us, rather than our own abilities. This distinction is crucial for spiritual growth. Faith requires us to let go of our own will and embrace God's will, trusting that He knows what is best for us. By doing so, we allow God to work in our lives in ways we could never achieve on our own. [15:08]
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV): "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
Reflection: Consider an area where you have been relying on your own strength. How can you shift your focus to trusting God in this area today?
Day 4: The Lifelong Process of Spiritual Change
Spiritual growth is a lifelong journey. It involves daily application of humility and willingness to let God work in us. While we may never achieve perfection in this life, progress is marked by our willingness to let God transform us, one day at a time. This process requires vigilance and a commitment to allowing God to continually work in us. By embracing this journey, we become more like Christ, reflecting His love and grace in our lives. [23:36]
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
Reflection: What is one small step you can take today to allow God to work in your life, moving you closer to His image?
Day 5: The Purpose of Confession
Confession is not about feeling small but about restoring our relationship with God. It involves acknowledging our sins and seeking forgiveness, allowing God to cleanse us and guide us towards His will. This practice is essential for spiritual growth, as it helps us to let go of guilt and shame, opening the door for God's healing and transformation. By confessing our sins, we align ourselves with God's purpose and invite His grace into our lives. [27:30]
1 John 1:9 (ESV): "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Reflection: Reflect on a sin or shortcoming you have been holding onto. How can you bring this to God in confession today, trusting in His forgiveness and grace?
Quotes
"This last week Lynn and I made a quick trip to her home in Oklahoma and we took our five-year-old granddaughter Ella with us. She had been asking to go. It was a fun time and she for the most part was a delight to have on the trip. However, she has entered into that five-year-old stage of I don't need your help." [00:00:00]
"As we're in this series about the power to change, the facts are that in order for change to come, especially the change that eludes us, it goes right through the valley of humble dependence. There's no way around it. So let me just, before we get to today, as we talk more about that, let me just do a quick review of where we have come." [00:05:50] (26 seconds)
"Remember, we're doing this because a long time ago, there were some very desperate people that were addicts. It started with alcoholism, it's expanded to other things, and they were so desperate, they'll say, we'll do whatever. And so they went to the wisdom of the ages, the Bible, in a Bible study called the Oxford Group. And from there, they developed eight principles, which turned into 12 steps to help people change." [00:06:16] (26 seconds)
"Twelve Step Sponsorship says this about the seventh step. It says, taking the third step, that was where we turned our will over to God, was a bold example of spiritual humility, because it was a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God. With the seventh step, we have an opportunity to put that decision into practice by asking God to do something specific for us." [00:10:47] (24 seconds)
"Being humble is being open to the will of God, however that will might be expressed. It is also recognizing that we are not able to remove these defects without God's help. They are too much for us acting alone. Now, this is, I cannot emphasize how key this is, this idea that they got from Scriptures." [00:12:10] (22 seconds)
"And actually, he knows what's more important. He knows what you can and cannot do and the order that it needs to happen. You can't dictate when he removes the defects. And that's the thing. A lot of times we go to God and say, okay, this one needs to go, but this one over here, can we just leave that one for a while?" [00:14:27] (20 seconds)
"The Bible says, ask and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must be either willing for Him to do what's required, or you must at least be willing to have Him change your will. Like I always say, if you have a clenched fist, that's fine. You can offer God a clenched fist. But if you do this, He'll leave it there." [00:23:36] (24 seconds)
"Confessing our sins simply means that we agree with God that an act or a thought was wrong. And we acknowledge this to God. We seek forgiveness. And we make a commitment, remember that word repentance, to not let it happen again. And confession, the purpose of confession isn't to make you feel small, but it's to free people. It's to free us from fellowship with Christ." [00:26:07] (26 seconds)
"See, the purpose of the humble yourself isn't just humiliation so you've paid for it, right? The purpose of humbling ourselves is so that we might receive the father's forgiveness and be restored back to relationship with him. That's the main point, that's the main point, to be restored back in relationship with him and also, too, to make us aware." [00:28:12] (22 seconds)
"Step seven is simply the response to become willing in step six. In fact, it's one of the fastest steps because once you're willing, all you need to do is go to God and say, okay, I'm willing. Do this. And the big book puts the prayer this way. It says, when ready, we say something like this. My creator. Notice the creator. So he's the one who designed us. Gives us our purpose." [00:31:06] (25 seconds)
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