Finding True Independence Through Dependence on God

Devotional

Day 1: Trust in God's Comfort and Hope

In times of trial and suffering, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and alone. However, the Apostle Paul reminds us that God's comfort overflows into our lives, especially during these difficult moments. This divine comfort is not just for our own benefit but also equips us to comfort others who are going through similar struggles. Our ultimate hope lies in the resurrection and eternal life, which provides us with a deep sense of security and confidence. This eternal perspective helps us to endure present hardships, knowing that they are temporary and that God's promises are everlasting. [41:15]

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

Reflection: Think of a recent trial you have faced. How did you experience God's comfort during that time, and how can you use that experience to comfort someone else who is currently struggling?

Day 2: Dependence on God in Crisis

The story of King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20 illustrates the importance of turning to God in times of crisis. Faced with a vast and formidable enemy, Jehoshaphat sought God's guidance through prayer and fasting, acknowledging his own helplessness. This act of dependence led to divine deliverance, reminding us that the battle belongs to God. When we face our own crises, we must remember to turn to God, seeking His strength and guidance rather than relying solely on our own abilities. [54:28]

2 Chronicles 20:12 (ESV): "O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."

Reflection: Think of a current crisis or challenge you are facing. Have you fully surrendered it to God in prayer and sought His guidance, or are you trying to handle it on your own? What steps can you take today to depend more on God in this situation?

Day 3: Faith Beyond Results

Our faith should not be based on the outcomes we desire but on the character and promises of God. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that our hope is not in the results but in God Himself, who is unchanging and faithful. This perspective shifts our focus from temporary circumstances to eternal truths. By placing our trust in God's character and promises, we can maintain our faith even when the outcomes are not what we expected or hoped for. [48:59]

Hebrews 10:23 (ESV): "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."

Reflection: Reflect on a situation where the outcome was not what you desired. How did this affect your faith? How can you shift your focus from the results to trusting in God's unchanging character and promises?

Day 4: Living with Hope and Patience

Trusting in God involves practicing patience and living with hope. The Israelites waited 400 years in Egypt and another 400 years between the Old and New Testaments. This teaches us that God's timing is perfect, and our role is to remain faithful and hopeful, even when answers seem delayed. Patience is a virtue that requires us to trust in God's perfect timing and His plan for our lives, even when it doesn't align with our own timelines. [17:32]

Psalm 27:14 (ESV): "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are struggling to be patient? How can you practice trusting in God's timing and remain hopeful, even when answers seem delayed?

Day 5: Proclaiming Trust in God

Proclaiming our trust in God serves a dual purpose: it strengthens our own faith and serves as a testimony to others. When we openly declare our dependence on God, it not only encourages us but also draws unbelievers to the hope and peace that we have in Christ. By sharing our faith and trust in God, we can be a light to those around us, pointing them to the source of true hope and security. [18:55]

Psalm 62:8 (ESV): "Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us."

Reflection: Think of a recent opportunity you had to share your faith with someone. Did you take it? How can you be more intentional about proclaiming your trust in God to others in your daily life?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

This morning, we began with a heartfelt prayer for Verl, who had an accident and was taken to the hospital. We prayed for her comfort and healing, and for Brad, who is also recovering from surgery. This incident served as a poignant reminder of the unpredictability of life and the importance of placing our trust in God.

We then transitioned into a time of worship and celebration, acknowledging the various ways we can give back to the Lord. I also announced an upcoming concert of prayer on July 13th, where we will gather to pray for our unbelieving family members and friends.

As we delved into the Word, we focused on the theme of dependence on God, especially in times of crisis. We explored how we often place our faith in various things—jobs, finances, relationships, health, and even our own good works—only to find that these can fail us. True faith, however, is placing our trust in God, who never fails.

We examined the Apostle Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 1:3-11, where he speaks of the comfort and hope that come from God, even in the face of severe trials. Paul reminds us that our ultimate hope is in the resurrection and eternal life, which gives us a profound sense of security and confidence.

We also looked at the story of King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20. Despite facing a vast army, Jehoshaphat turned to God in prayer and fasting, acknowledging his own helplessness and placing his trust in God's deliverance. This story underscores the importance of seeking God as our refuge and relying on His strength rather than our own.

In conclusion, we are reminded that our belief in God must translate into trust in Him. This trust is demonstrated through seeking God as our refuge, practicing patience, proclaiming our trust in Him, and living with hope. As we celebrate our nation's independence, let us remember that our true independence is found in our dependence on God.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Trust in God's Comfort and Hope: The Apostle Paul teaches us that God's comfort overflows into our lives, especially during trials. This comfort is not just for us but also equips us to comfort others. Our ultimate hope lies in the resurrection and eternal life, which provides us with a deep sense of security and confidence. [41:15]
2. Dependence on God in Crisis: King Jehoshaphat's story in 2 Chronicles 20 illustrates the importance of turning to God in times of crisis. Despite facing a formidable enemy, Jehoshaphat sought God's guidance through prayer and fasting, acknowledging his own helplessness. This act of dependence led to divine deliverance, reminding us that the battle belongs to God. [54:28]
3. Faith Beyond Results: Our faith should not be based on the outcomes we desire but on the character and promises of God. Paul emphasizes that our hope is not in the results but in God Himself, who is unchanging and faithful. This perspective shifts our focus from temporary circumstances to eternal truths. [48:59]
4. Living with Hope and Patience: Trusting in God involves practicing patience and living with hope. The Israelites waited 400 years in Egypt and another 400 years between the Old and New Testaments. This teaches us that God's timing is perfect, and our role is to remain faithful and hopeful, even when answers seem delayed. [17:32]
5. Proclaiming Trust in God: Proclaiming our trust in God serves a dual purpose: it strengthens our own faith and serves as a testimony to others. When we openly declare our dependence on God, it not only encourages us but also draws unbelievers to the hope and peace that we have in Christ. [18:55]
### [18:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[28:18] - Introduction and Announcements
[28:47] - Ways to Give
[29:16] - Upcoming Concert of Prayer
[30:16] - Importance of Revisiting the Word
[31:16] - Celebrations and Recognitions
[32:17] - Independence and Dependence on God
[33:46] - Prayer for Understanding
[34:46] - Where Do We Place Our Faith?
[40:44] - Paul's Message to the Corinthians
[50:11] - Jehoshaphat's Story
[54:28] - Jehoshaphat's Prayer and God's Response
[58:12] - Trusting God in Parenting
[60:29] - Jehoshaphat's Dependence on God
[63:00] - The Battle Belongs to God
[66:15] - God's Deliverance Through Praise
[69:28] - Witnessing God's Power
[72:06] - Psalm 62: Trust in God Alone
[74:13] - Practical Steps to Trust in God
[82:51] - Encouragement to Trust and Pray
[83:56] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to 2 Corinthians 1:3-11, what is the purpose of the comfort we receive from God? How does Paul describe the relationship between suffering and comfort? [41:15]
In 2 Chronicles 20:1-12, what was King Jehoshaphat's initial reaction to the news of the vast army coming against him, and what did he do in response? [54:28]
Psalm 62:5-8 speaks about finding rest in God alone. What metaphors does the psalmist use to describe God, and what do these metaphors signify about God's character?

Interpretation Questions

How does Paul’s experience of despair and subsequent reliance on God in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 help us understand the nature of true faith? [42:15]
What does Jehoshaphat’s prayer in 2 Chronicles 20:6-12 reveal about his understanding of God’s power and past faithfulness? How does this shape his response to the crisis? [54:59]
Psalm 62:5-8 emphasizes trusting in God at all times. How can this passage help us reframe our understanding of security and stability in our lives?

Application Questions

Reflecting on 2 Corinthians 1:3-11, how can you use the comfort you have received from God to support someone else who is going through a difficult time? [41:15]
When faced with a crisis, like Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20, what practical steps can you take to seek God’s guidance and rely on His strength rather than your own? [54:28]
Paul mentions that our hope should be set on God and not on results (2 Corinthians 1:10). How can you shift your focus from seeking specific outcomes to trusting in God’s character and promises? [48:59]
Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast and gathered the people to seek the Lord (2 Chronicles 20:3-4). Is there a situation in your life where you need to take a similar step of faith and dependence on God? What would that look like for you? [54:28]
Psalm 62:5-8 encourages us to pour out our hearts to God. Is there an area of your life where you have been holding back from God? How can you begin to trust Him more fully in that area?
The sermon emphasized living with hope and patience, even when answers seem delayed (2 Chronicles 20:12). How can you cultivate patience in your current circumstances, and what specific actions can you take to maintain hope? [17:32]
Proclaiming trust in God serves as a testimony to others (Psalm 62:8). How can you openly declare your dependence on God in your daily life, and who might be encouraged by your testimony? [18:55]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "I think as believers, if anyone should care about and celebrate their independence, it's believers. It is Christians. We should celebrate our independence. Because we are utterly independent. Dependent in Him. And, you know, I think it was Rudolph who said it. Actually, I think it might have been Hermey who said it first. He said, let's be independent together. And, you know, together, we as a family, as a body of believers, as the body of Christ, may we never do anything without Christ. We need Him. We so desperately need Him. And we need Him individually, and we need Him together." [33:16] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "There are a lot of things we can place our faith in. There's a lot of things that we do place our faith in. We place our faith in our jobs. You know, we trust in our jobs. It's always going to be there until it's not. We trust in our finances. Things are going well until we open up the app and it says zero. You know, we trust in our achievements, the things, that we do, and how they kind of lift us up and we feel kind of good about ourselves. And even as believers, and we say that we don't, but we still do, we place our faith in our good works. In our Christ likeness. In our morality and our ethics." [34:46] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The world needs to hear that. They need to hear that if you're in Christ, you are going to be okay. Because there's a lot of, a lot of terror, terror out there, especially as we're, we're approaching the election. A lot of terror on all sides. You know, what's going to happen? And what happens if we, you know, if we can't afford food? You know, if we can't afford food, then we can't eat. And if we can't eat, we die. And as a believer, we have to say, yeah, you know, yeah, my wife's in the back with the kids right now. I love my wife and I love my kids and I want to be here for them. And I believe that God has plans for me while I'm here." [46:27] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The battle belongs to him and I know in the world that we live in right now and in our culture there's a lot of things where we're thinking you know we're losing we're losing if we don't do something soon you know the church is going to be done America is going to be done we got to do something we got to do and we need to remember that the battle belongs to God yes we are called to speak truth and we're called to be there when we can but the results are not upon us they're upon him." [01:03:00] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Our belief in God means nothing unless we trust in God. Our belief in God means absolutely nothing unless we trust in God. Only when we put feet to our faith does it make a significant difference in our life." [01:13:28] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "We place our faith in our health. You know, I feel good, our well-being, until we get that diagnosis that's like, ah, I don't know now. You we place our faith in, and many do, in the government, or in our future government, or in the future, future government, and we kind of look at that, and we say, you know, things will be better when this happens. Things will be better when that happens. We place our faith in our plans. We have lots of plans and future aspirations until our plans fall flat. As believers, we, especially here at West Shore, we put a great emphasis on God's Word and Scripture, and as believers, we can sometimes mistakenly place too much faith in our faith. Too much faith in our beliefs and opinions where the faith is more in what I believe than it is in the person of God in whom I believe." [37:16] (64 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Paul is saying, you know, the things that we went through are, we went through so that we could bring comfort to you and explain those things to you, so that when you go through those things, you will have comfort as well. And then he goes on to talk about kind of, giving them a little bit of a glimpse, he says, we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. He says, we were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. This is the Apostle Paul. He's saying, you know, things got so bad for us that we despaired even of life. We didn't know what was happening. We didn't know what was going to go on. And we were really, really struggling. We were really wrestling. He's like, you know, things were bad. You know, you look at us, we're here and we're preaching to you and we're teaching you and we're telling you about Jesus." [42:15] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Jehoshaphat is challenged. He's tested here. It says in verse 2 some men come and told Jehoshaphat a vast army is coming against you from Edom from the other side of the sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar that is in Gedi alarmed Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. Now my translation it says alarmed and some of your translations it might say terrified or something like that. So I decided to look it up in the Hebrew to see what it actually, what the actual translation is and the actual translation is shaking in his boots. Shaking in his boots Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord." [53:57] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We see this all throughout scripture. We see this even with Jesus. Jesus is baptized and after this he's led into the desert to be tempted. After this, that's when Satan says alright now I'm going to go. It started from the very beginning. In the garden. I mean they only give us a couple lines there but in the beginning of the garden, Adam and Eve things are going really really good for them. I mean they're like running all around the garden naked. And no shame either right? They're just all out there having fun. Everything's going great for them. And then all of a sudden Satan's like hey. comes in. And it's important to understand that. That as we come to Christ it's not always going to be beautiful. It's beautiful in him and he will see us through and it's beautiful when we're walking with him. But it rains on everybody. Everybody gets sick. Things happen." [52:13] (74 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We look at Paul's proclamation in 2 Corinthians and we see Jehoshaphat's trust in the Lord and if we look at that what we are reminded is this that our belief our belief in God means nothing unless we trust in God our belief in God means absolutely nothing unless we trust in God only when we put feet to our faith does it make a significant difference in our life so how how do we trust in him how do we place our dependence squarely in Jesus real quick four things seek God as our refuge when storms come." [01:13:28] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?