Embracing Our Dependence on God's Grace
Summary
In the midst of life's droughts, both physical and spiritual, we are reminded of our utter dependence on God. Just as the people of Israel faced a literal drought, leading them to despair and a realization of their need for divine intervention, we too must recognize our need for God's grace in our lives. The passage from Jeremiah 14 serves as a poignant reminder that all of creation is sustained by God's will, and without His provision, we are left barren and desolate.
Our lives, much like the land in drought, are dependent on the "rain" of God's grace. Without it, we face spiritual famine, unable to produce the fruits of righteousness on our own. This dependency is not just a matter of physical sustenance but extends deeply into our spiritual lives. We cannot achieve salvation, forgiveness, or spiritual growth through our own efforts. These are gifts from God, bestowed upon us through His sovereign grace.
The sermon calls us to acknowledge our dependence on God and to turn to Him in our times of need. It is a call to humility, recognizing that our own efforts, no matter how noble, are insufficient without God's intervention. We are encouraged to wait upon the Lord, trusting in His timing and His provision. This waiting is not passive but an active seeking of God's presence and His will in our lives.
In our spiritual droughts, we often turn to "secondary causes" or false sources of hope, much like the Israelites searching for water in empty cisterns. These can be our own efforts, religious rituals, or even other people. Yet, true satisfaction and fulfillment come only from God. We are urged to abandon these false hopes and turn directly to God, who alone can quench our spiritual thirst.
Ultimately, the message is one of hope and assurance. Despite our failures and shortcomings, God's grace is sufficient. He invites us to come to Him, to lay down our burdens, and to trust in His mercy. In doing so, we find not only relief from our spiritual drought but also the abundant life that He promises.
Key Takeaways:
1. Dependence on God: Our lives are utterly dependent on God for both physical and spiritual sustenance. Without His grace, we face spiritual drought and famine, unable to produce the fruits of righteousness on our own. Recognizing this dependence is the first step towards a deeper relationship with Him. [02:41]
2. The Futility of Self-Reliance: In times of spiritual drought, we often turn to our own efforts or false sources of hope, much like the Israelites searching for water in empty cisterns. These efforts are futile without God's intervention. True satisfaction comes only from God. [23:40]
3. The Call to Humility: Acknowledging our dependence on God requires humility. We must recognize that our own efforts, no matter how noble, are insufficient without God's grace. This humility leads us to seek His presence and His will in our lives. [22:26]
4. The Assurance of God's Grace: Despite our failures and shortcomings, God's grace is sufficient. He invites us to come to Him, to lay down our burdens, and to trust in His mercy. In doing so, we find relief from our spiritual drought and the abundant life He promises. [37:42]
5. The Urgency of Turning to God: We are urged to abandon false hopes and turn directly to God, who alone can quench our spiritual thirst. This turning to God is not just a one-time event but a continual process of seeking His presence and His guidance in our lives. [44:36]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - The Drought of Nature
- [01:00] - A Call to Wait on God
- [02:41] - Man's Dependence on God
- [04:08] - The Fragility of Human Life
- [06:24] - The Reality of Famine
- [08:30] - Spiritual Dependence on God
- [11:07] - The New Birth from Above
- [13:38] - The Sovereignty of God
- [15:55] - The Justice and Mercy of God
- [18:10] - Dire Distress and Spiritual Drought
- [20:07] - The Thirst for Living Water
- [23:40] - The Futility of Secondary Causes
- [31:29] - God as Our Only Refuge
- [38:34] - The Call to Wait on God
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Jeremiah 14:3-4, 22
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#### Observation Questions
1. What was the physical condition of the land described in Jeremiah 14, and how did it affect the people of Israel? [00:10]
2. How does the sermon describe the Israelites' response to their drought and their search for water? [23:24]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the role of God's will in sustaining creation? [03:13]
4. According to the sermon, what are some of the "secondary causes" or false sources of hope that people turn to during spiritual droughts? [23:40]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the sermon interpret the physical drought in Jeremiah 14 as a metaphor for spiritual drought in our lives? [19:23]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the futility of self-reliance in times of spiritual need? [23:55]
3. How does the sermon explain the concept of waiting on God, and what does it mean for this waiting to be active rather than passive? [38:34]
4. In what ways does the sermon describe the assurance of God's grace despite human failures and shortcomings? [37:42]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a "spiritual drought." What false sources of hope did you turn to, and how can you redirect your focus to God in similar situations? [23:40]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of humility in acknowledging our dependence on God. What practical steps can you take to cultivate humility in your daily life? [22:26]
3. Consider the idea of waiting on God. How can you actively seek God's presence and will in your life this week? [38:34]
4. Identify an area in your life where you have been relying on your own efforts rather than God's grace. What changes can you make to depend more on God? [23:55]
5. The sermon calls us to abandon false hopes and turn directly to God. What is one false hope you need to let go of, and how can you turn to God for true satisfaction? [44:36]
6. How can you remind yourself of the sufficiency of God's grace in moments of failure or doubt? [37:42]
7. Think of a specific burden you are carrying. How can you lay it down before God and trust in His mercy this week? [37:42]
Devotional
Day 1: Dependence on God's Grace
In the journey of life, both physical and spiritual, we are reminded of our utter dependence on God. Just as the Israelites faced a literal drought, leading them to despair and a realization of their need for divine intervention, we too must recognize our need for God's grace in our lives. Our lives, much like the land in drought, are dependent on the "rain" of God's grace. Without it, we face spiritual famine, unable to produce the fruits of righteousness on our own. This dependency is not just a matter of physical sustenance but extends deeply into our spiritual lives. We cannot achieve salvation, forgiveness, or spiritual growth through our own efforts. These are gifts from God, bestowed upon us through His sovereign grace. [02:41]
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to acknowledge your dependence on God today? How can you actively seek His grace in those areas?
Day 2: The Futility of Self-Reliance
In times of spiritual drought, we often turn to our own efforts or false sources of hope, much like the Israelites searching for water in empty cisterns. These efforts are futile without God's intervention. True satisfaction and fulfillment come only from God. We are urged to abandon these false hopes and turn directly to God, who alone can quench our spiritual thirst. This turning to God is not just a one-time event but a continual process of seeking His presence and His guidance in our lives. [23:40]
Isaiah 55:2-3 (ESV): "Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David."
Reflection: Identify a "secondary cause" or false source of hope you have relied on recently. How can you shift your focus back to God as your primary source of fulfillment?
Day 3: The Call to Humility
Acknowledging our dependence on God requires humility. We must recognize that our own efforts, no matter how noble, are insufficient without God's grace. This humility leads us to seek His presence and His will in our lives. It is a call to lay down our pride and self-reliance, and to wait upon the Lord, trusting in His timing and His provision. This waiting is not passive but an active seeking of God's presence and His will in our lives. [22:26]
Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where pride has hindered your relationship with God? How can you practice humility in that area today?
Day 4: The Assurance of God's Grace
Despite our failures and shortcomings, God's grace is sufficient. He invites us to come to Him, to lay down our burdens, and to trust in His mercy. In doing so, we find not only relief from our spiritual drought but also the abundant life that He promises. This assurance of God's grace is a source of hope and encouragement, reminding us that we are never beyond the reach of His love and mercy. [37:42]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (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."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent failure or shortcoming. How can you embrace God's grace and allow it to transform your perspective and actions?
Day 5: The Urgency of Turning to God
We are urged to abandon false hopes and turn directly to God, who alone can quench our spiritual thirst. This turning to God is not just a one-time event but a continual process of seeking His presence and His guidance in our lives. It is an urgent call to prioritize our relationship with God above all else, recognizing that He alone can provide the fulfillment and satisfaction we seek. [44:36]
Hosea 6:1-3 (ESV): "Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to turn away from false hopes and seek God's presence more intentionally in your life?
Quotes
I shall not be satisfied to have delivered a discourse nor for you to have heard it and even approved of it unless there shall come from it this delightful fruit that those far off from God shall be drawn near to him and shall say in very deed and of a truth therefore we will wait upon thee. [00:58:08]
First consider that man is a very dependent creature. He is in some respects the most dependent creature that God has made for the range of his wants is very wide and at a thousand points he is dependent upon something outside of himself. All creation exists by the will of the Lord. [02:44:27]
In spiritual things this dependence is most evident. Brethren if God shall bless us with his saving health and with the visitation of his Spirit we shall be as a field that God has blessed and our lives shall be glad with the Harvest to his praise but apart from God what can we do. [08:25:55]
Salvation is of the Lord vain is all trust which builds not on him. The Priceless blessings of Pardon and Grace how can we procure them apart from God in Christ Jesus. How can sin be removed except by the Lord who passes by iniquity. Who is he that can absolve but he against whom the transgression was committed. [08:57:38]
The new life must come from God except a man be born from above he cannot see the kingdom of God. The new heart and the right Spirit whence come they can the carnal mind which is enmity against God beget within itself love of God and desire for fellowship with him. [11:07:40]
We are absolutely dependent upon God not only for all spiritual gifts but for the power to become partakers of them and Brethren All The Graces that are pleasing to the Lord come they not to us from God our savior. Is there a grain of faith in the world that God did not create. [12:02:42]
Thus have I met with many who after going to many confidences have been disappointed in all and seem ready to lie down in Despair and put forth no more effort. They fear that God will never bless them and they will never enter into life eternal and so they sigh their own death warrants. [27:52:58]
Man's only sure Resort is his God. God is a refuge for us. If I address myself to any here who are in such trouble as I've described let me press upon them this thought the only place of Refuge for you is in God as he reveals himself in Christ Jesus. [31:27:36]
There is no hope for you but in God and the way to God is by his son Christ Jesus. Why do you get about so much straightforward to God is the surest safest way. Why do you not take it God is our Haven and our Heaven why are we so reluctant to seek him. [37:31:12]
If God himself saved thee not o man all that can be done by men or Angels throughout the ages can never help the one single jot. Thou Art lost lost if a stronger arm than man's be not stretched out to help thee but with God is all power there is the mercy. [35:59:39]
He can he can he can reach the extremity of human weakness and woe what can he not do nothing is too hard for the Lord and thou poor sinner dried up like the sand of the desert God can within an hour I in a moment make thy heart to be flooded with his grace. [36:45:18]
If thou believe is that he can and will trust him as he displays his love in the Lord Jesus he will save thee he can give Thee the power to believe it and Lead thee now to cast thyself on him he can but it hangs upon his will does he not say I will have mercy. [37:43:00]
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