Embracing Weakness: The Power of Dependence on God
Summary
The speaker begins by reflecting on their history of preaching, drawing a parallel between counting sermons and counting days of sobriety. They recall the first two sermons they ever delivered—one at the age of 18 and the other during their time at Bible college. These early experiences were formative, setting the stage for a lifelong journey of delivering messages that resonate with individuals and impact their lives. The speaker's current message revolves around the theme of why God can't use Bible school students and why He doesn't move in greater ways in some people's lives.
The sermon then transitions into a call to worship, emphasizing the importance of focusing on God and expecting to receive from Him. The speaker leads the congregation in prayer, seeking God's anointing and help in delivering the message. This sets the tone for a worship service filled with anticipation for God's presence and power.
The speaker shares insights from their pastor, Pastor Profeta, and a young preacher named David DeMola, emphasizing the necessity of God's anointing and presence in our lives. They recall a sermon series titled "Extraordinary," which underscores the importance of making time for God and allowing Him to fill our lives. The speaker quotes D.L. Moody, reinforcing the idea that being too busy for God means being simply too busy.
The sermon continues with a focus on recognizing our limitations as opportunities for God's power to manifest. The speaker encourages the audience to see their limitations not as flaws but as points of dependence on God. They highlight that a perfect heart is a dependent one and that God's power is made perfect in our weakness. The speaker shares stories of biblical characters and historical figures who were greatly used by God because of their reliance on Him.
The speaker concludes by discussing the concept of being a vessel for God's treasure. They emphasize that while we are treasured by God, we are not the treasure ourselves. The sermon encourages a shift from self-reliance to God-reliance, allowing Jesus to have His way in our lives. The speaker also stresses the importance of the Holy Spirit's power over our own abilities, quoting C.H. Spurgeon on the necessity of spiritual unction.
Key Takeaways:
- The essence of extraordinary service to God lies not in our abilities or knowledge but in our complete dependence on His anointing and presence. As the speaker's pastor once said, when we think we know how to preach, God allows us to proceed, but it is His touch that truly empowers our words and actions. This reliance on God's grace is what fuels the most impactful sermons and lives. [49:14]
- A perfect heart before God is characterized by its dependence on Him. The speaker reminds us that our limitations are not signs of failure but invitations for God's power to work through us. When we embrace our weaknesses, we create space for God's strength to be displayed, as seen in the lives of biblical heroes and revered church figures. [01:36:25]
- The story of Solomon serves as a powerful example of what can be achieved when we seek God's wisdom above all else. Solomon's request for wisdom, rather than personal gain, led to God blessing him with not only wisdom but also riches and honor. This teaches us that dependence on God's guidance is the key to true success and influence. [01:18:08]
- The greatness of biblical characters like Moses and Joshua was not inherent in their names but was a result of God's greatness working through their lives. They learned to focus not on their abilities but on God's ability, which is a pattern for us to follow. Preaching the truth and the good news of the gospel is most effective when it comes from a place of personal need and humility. [01:02:52]
- Our human vessels are designed to be imperfect, like slightly cracked clay pots, to showcase the excellence of God's power. Eugene Peterson's interpretation reminds us that if we only look at the vessel, we may miss the brightness of the message it carries. Our imperfections are intentional, allowing God's glory to shine through our cracks. [01:24:29]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 2 Corinthians 4:7 - "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us."
2. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
3. 1 Kings 3:9-12 - "Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours? The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. Then God said to him: 'Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.'"
### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he says we have "this treasure in earthen vessels"? (2 Corinthians 4:7)
2. How does Paul describe the relationship between weakness and strength in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10?
3. What did Solomon ask for in his prayer to God, and how did God respond? (1 Kings 3:9-12)
4. According to the sermon, why does God sometimes not use Bible school students or move in greater ways in some people's lives? [48:41]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize that the excellence of the power is of God and not of us in 2 Corinthians 4:7? How does this relate to the sermon's message about dependence on God?
2. In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Paul speaks about boasting in his infirmities. How does this perspective challenge common views on strength and success?
3. Solomon's request for wisdom over personal gain pleased God. How does this story illustrate the sermon's point about seeking God's wisdom and guidance over self-reliance? [01:18:40]
4. The sermon mentions that our limitations are opportunities for God's power to manifest. How does this idea align with the biblical examples of Moses, Joshua, and Gideon? [01:03:33]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt weak or inadequate. How did you see God's strength manifest in that situation? How can you apply this experience to current challenges? [01:30:56]
2. Solomon asked for wisdom to lead God's people rather than personal gain. What is one area in your life where you need to seek God's wisdom instead of relying on your own understanding? How will you do this practically? [01:18:40]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of making time for God. What specific steps can you take this week to ensure you are not "too busy for God"? [51:44]
4. The speaker mentioned that our human vessels are designed to be imperfect to showcase God's power. How can you embrace your imperfections and allow God's glory to shine through them? [01:24:29]
5. Think about a situation where you have relied too much on your own abilities. How can you shift your focus to depend more on God's power and presence in that area? [48:41]
6. The sermon highlighted the importance of the Holy Spirit's power over our own abilities. What is one way you can invite the Holy Spirit to guide and empower you in your daily life? [01:00:41]
7. Reflect on the story of Gideon. How can you apply the lesson of relying on God's strength rather than your own in a current challenge you are facing? [01:08:07]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Divine Dependence
True service to God emerges from our reliance on His anointing, not our expertise. Recognizing that one's own knowledge and abilities are insufficient without God's touch is the foundation for a life that genuinely impacts others. This dependence is what allows sermons and actions to be empowered by grace. [49:14]
2 Corinthians 3:5 - "Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God."
Reflection: In what ways have you been relying on your own strength in your service to God, and how can you shift to a posture of dependence on His anointing?
Day 2: The Perfection of a Dependent Heart
A heart that is perfect before God is one that acknowledges its need for Him. Limitations are not failures but are divine opportunities for God's strength to be showcased. When one embraces their weaknesses, they allow God's power to be magnified, following the example of biblical heroes and revered church figures. [01:36:25]
James 4:6 - "But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'"
Reflection: How can you practice humility today to allow God's strength to work through your limitations?
Day 3: Seeking Wisdom Above All
Prioritizing God's wisdom leads to blessings beyond our own understanding. Solomon's example teaches that when one seeks divine guidance first, God provides not only what is asked for but also what is needed. This pursuit of God's wisdom is the cornerstone of true success and influence. [01:18:08]
1 Kings 3:9 - "So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
Reflection: What are you prioritizing in your prayers, and how can you adjust your requests to seek God's wisdom first?
Day 4: God's Ability in Our Service
The greatness in service to God comes from His ability working through us, not our own. Like Moses and Joshua, focusing on God's capabilities rather than our own leads to true effectiveness in sharing the gospel. This requires a heart of humility and recognition of personal need. [01:02:52]
Exodus 4:11-12 - "The Lord said to him, 'Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.'"
Reflection: Can you identify an area in your ministry or personal witness where you need to rely more on God's ability than your own?
Day 5: Imperfect Vessels, Perfect Glory
Our imperfections as human vessels are designed to display the excellence of God's power. Recognizing that we are not the treasure but bearers of God's treasure encourages us to let His glory shine through our flaws. This perspective helps us to focus on the message rather than the messenger. [01:24:29]
2 Corinthians 4:7 - "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."
Reflection: How can you embrace your imperfections today as a way for God's power to be more evident in your life?
Quotes
"I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down. What he did in fact was push me to my knees." [01:33:19] (Download)
"Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness." [01:34:21] (Download)
"Keep being nothing. Make him everything. And you'll be something." [01:35:23] (Download)
"God can use you. God can do great things with you. Don't negate his ability by relying on yourself or belittling yourself. Keep your eyes on him." [01:00:03] (Download)
"All your knowledge is nothing, all your ability is nothing, all your gifts are nothing if they're not lit aflame by the fire of God." [01:01:46] (Download)
"If you don't recognize your weakness, you'll never find his strength. If you don't know what you don't have, you'll never know what he does have. If you don't know what you need, you'll never experience what he brings." [01:07:33] (Download)
"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. God spurns those who rely on themselves, but comes to those who rely on him. The world teaches us to show ourselves strong. God tells us to show ourselves weak." [01:05:27] (Download)
"And the Lord says, shut up and look at me and depend on me. And I will make you, he called him a mighty man of valor, but he had no might of his own. But God was referring to his might working in Gideon's life." [01:09:07] (Download)
"He is not looking for extraordinary men and women. He is looking for the most ordinary men and women. The less than ordinary men and women. Through whom he can shine his brilliant power and great grace." [01:10:22] (Download)
"Stop looking for what you can do. And start looking for what he can do. And open your eyes to the heavenly gift. And that is the great gospel and goodness of God in Jesus Christ." [01:18:08] (Download)
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