Trusting God: Our Sole Source of Provision
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound truth that God is our only true source, while everything else in our lives serves merely as a resource. This understanding is crucial because it shifts our reliance from earthly provisions to divine providence. We examined the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath, where God instructed Elijah to seek sustenance from a widow who was herself in dire need. This narrative illustrates that God often requires a response of faith in the very area of our need. By asking us to give what we need, God tests our trust in His word and His ability to provide.
The widow's initial reluctance to give Elijah food, despite her own scarcity, mirrors our own hesitations when God asks us to step out in faith. Yet, when she obeyed, God miraculously provided for her and her household. This teaches us that obedience precedes provision. God can use any means, even those we deem unclean or unlikely, to fulfill His promises. He is not limited by our understanding or expectations.
Moreover, the sermon emphasized the danger of idolizing resources, such as jobs or finances, which can lead us away from recognizing God as our sole provider. When we treat resources as our source, we risk making them idols, which can control us. Instead, we are encouraged to see God as our source, freeing us from the anxiety of fluctuating resources. This perspective allows us to trust God to provide through various means, reinforcing our faith and dependence on Him.
Key Takeaways:
- God as the Sole Understanding that God is our only source liberates us from the anxiety of relying on earthly resources. When we treat resources as our source, we risk idolatry, which can control us. Recognizing God as our source allows us to trust Him to provide through various means, reinforcing our faith and dependence on Him. [01:34]
- Faith Precedes Provision: The story of Elijah and the widow teaches us that obedience often precedes provision. God may ask us to give what we need to test our trust in His word. When we step out in faith, even when it doesn't make sense, we open the door for God's miraculous provision. [06:18]
- God Uses Unlikely Means: God is not limited by our understanding or expectations. He can use any means, even those we deem unclean or unlikely, to fulfill His promises. This challenges us to expand our view of how God can work in our lives. [04:22]
- The Danger of Idolatry: Idolizing resources like jobs or finances can lead us away from recognizing God as our provider. When we make resources our idols, we become controlled by their presence or absence. True freedom comes from acknowledging God as our only source. [02:08]
- The Blessing of Giving: The principle that it is more blessed to give than to receive highlights the importance of being a conduit of God's blessings. As we give, we position ourselves to receive more from God, expanding our capacity to be blessed and to bless others. [09:43]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Trusting God's Word
- [00:35] - Elijah's Journey to Zarephath
- [01:15] - God as Our Only Source
- [02:08] - The Danger of Idolatry
- [03:09] - Provision Through Unlikely Means
- [04:22] - God Uses the Unclean
- [05:07] - Encountering God in Our Needs
- [06:18] - Obedience Before Provision
- [07:29] - Giving What We Need
- [08:50] - Faith and Response
- [09:43] - The Blessing of Giving
- [10:18] - Overcoming Fear with Faith
- [11:23] - God's Miraculous Provision
- [12:17] - God as the Ultimate Provider
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Kings 17:8-16 - The story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath.
2. Luke 6:38 - "Give, and it will be given to you."
3. Psalm 104:10-17 - God's provision for all creation.
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Observation Questions:
1. In 1 Kings 17:8-16, what specific instructions did God give to Elijah regarding the widow of Zarephath? How did Elijah respond to these instructions? [05:50]
2. According to Luke 6:38, what is the promise associated with giving? How does this relate to the story of the widow and Elijah? [08:50]
3. In Psalm 104:10-17, how does the passage describe God's role in providing for His creation? What examples are given? [01:15]
4. What was the widow's initial reaction to Elijah's request, and how did her actions change after Elijah's reassurance? [06:57]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Elijah and the widow illustrate the principle that "obedience precedes provision"? What does this suggest about the relationship between faith and action? [06:18]
2. In what ways does idolizing resources, such as jobs or finances, affect one's relationship with God as the sole provider? How can this lead to anxiety? [01:34]
3. How does the sermon explain God's ability to use "unclean" or unlikely means to fulfill His promises? What does this reveal about God's sovereignty and creativity? [04:22]
4. What does the principle "it is more blessed to give than to receive" mean in the context of the sermon? How does this principle challenge common perceptions of giving and receiving? [09:43]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you relied on a resource as your source. How did this affect your faith and trust in God? What steps can you take to shift your reliance back to God? [01:34]
2. Consider a situation where God might be asking you to give something you need. How can you respond in faith, trusting in God's provision? [08:09]
3. Identify an area in your life where you might be idolizing a resource. What practical steps can you take to re-center your focus on God as your sole provider? [02:08]
4. How can you expand your view of how God can work in your life, especially through unlikely means? Share an example of a time when God provided for you in an unexpected way. [04:22]
5. Think of a person or situation where you can be a conduit of God's blessings. What specific action can you take this week to give and bless others? [09:43]
6. When faced with fear or uncertainty, how can you remind yourself of God's faithfulness and provision? What scripture or prayer can you use to reinforce this trust? [10:03]
7. How can you cultivate a mindset of gratitude and trust in God's provision, even when resources seem scarce? What daily practice can help reinforce this perspective? [11:41]
Devotional
Day 1: God as Our True Source
Understanding that God is our only source liberates us from the anxiety of relying on earthly resources. When we treat resources as our source, we risk idolatry, which can control us. Recognizing God as our source allows us to trust Him to provide through various means, reinforcing our faith and dependence on Him. This perspective shifts our focus from the instability of worldly provisions to the steadfastness of divine providence. By acknowledging God as our sole provider, we are freed from the fear and uncertainty that often accompany material dependencies. [01:34]
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: What is one resource in your life that you have been relying on more than God? How can you begin to shift your trust from this resource to God today?
Day 2: Faith Precedes Provision
The story of Elijah and the widow teaches us that obedience often precedes provision. God may ask us to give what we need to test our trust in His word. When we step out in faith, even when it doesn't make sense, we open the door for God's miraculous provision. This narrative challenges us to trust in God's promises and timing, even when circumstances seem dire. By prioritizing obedience over our understanding, we align ourselves with God's will and experience His faithfulness in unexpected ways. [06:18]
1 Kings 17:13-14 (ESV): "And Elijah said to her, 'Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, "The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth."'"
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where God is asking you to step out in faith? What would it look like to obey Him in this area today?
Day 3: God Uses Unlikely Means
God is not limited by our understanding or expectations. He can use any means, even those we deem unclean or unlikely, to fulfill His promises. This challenges us to expand our view of how God can work in our lives. By recognizing that God's methods are beyond our comprehension, we open ourselves to His creative and boundless ways of providing for us. This understanding encourages us to remain open to the unexpected and to trust in God's ability to work through any situation or person. [04:22]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: Think of a situation where you have limited God's ability to work because it didn't fit your expectations. How can you open your heart to His unexpected ways today?
Day 4: The Danger of Idolatry
Idolizing resources like jobs or finances can lead us away from recognizing God as our provider. When we make resources our idols, we become controlled by their presence or absence. True freedom comes from acknowledging God as our only source. This understanding helps us to maintain a healthy relationship with the material world, ensuring that our focus remains on God rather than on the temporary and unstable nature of earthly provisions. By keeping God at the center, we safeguard our hearts from the bondage of idolatry. [02:08]
Ezekiel 14:6 (ESV): "Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations."
Reflection: What is one idol in your life that you need to repent of and turn away from? How can you refocus your heart on God as your ultimate provider?
Day 5: The Blessing of Giving
The principle that it is more blessed to give than to receive highlights the importance of being a conduit of God's blessings. As we give, we position ourselves to receive more from God, expanding our capacity to be blessed and to bless others. This principle encourages us to live generously, trusting that God will replenish what we give and use it to further His kingdom. By embracing a lifestyle of giving, we align ourselves with God's heart and experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from being a blessing to others. [09:43]
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV): "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can bless today with your time, resources, or encouragement? How can you take a step to give generously to them?
Quotes
why if you need something would God ask you to give something that you yourself need because God wants to know whether you trust his word god responds to our response Luke 6:38 give and it will be given back to you God will regularly require a response of faith in the very area of which your own need [00:00:36]
you only have one source there it is as simple as that sounds it is a life transforming you do not have multiple sources anything outside of God is a real resource not a source it's merely a vehicle over and over again the Bible declares that God is your only source [00:00:50]
whenever you treat a resource as though it is the source you have now made your resource an idol so for some people their job is their Idol or their bank account is their Idol or their contacts that's their Idol or their edication that's their Idol because they think because I have this resource I am taken care of [00:01:31]
God tells Elijah to go to a widow okay so he tells her to go to he tells him to go to somebody who can't even take care of herself he says I want you to go to zerath which is in sidon let me tell you about zerath zerath we we you know Texas is like the Bible Belt zarap was the baale belt it was the center of baale worship [00:02:17]
God you're going to tell the Ravens to feed me now why is that a big deal cuz Raven the unclean Birds the Jews were proh hited from eating Ravens they were unclean birds and yet he says I'm going to tell the unclean bird Deuteronomy 14: 11-4 Ravens are unclean and yet God says I'm going to tell the unclean bird to take care of you [00:03:14]
one of the things you need to know about God is that he trumps his rules he's never inconsistent with himself but anything he created he can use to accomplish his purpose even if it belongs to the devil I'mma throw a curveball to you right now but God can use the devil to answer your prayers that that's how good God Is [00:04:12]
a lot of us want to see God's provision without our obedience we want God to provide first and then we might obey no he wouldn't see the provision until he did The Obedience so he goes to zarapa not a comfortable place to be it was the baale seat the seat of idolatry but he fulfills God's command and he sees the Widow [00:06:16]
when God wants to do something for you he may first want something from you I knew it would get quiet on that one but often when God wants to do something for you he will ask something from you first that's why the prophet says give to me first why if you need something would God ask you to give something that you yourself need [00:07:41]
God responds to our response Luke 6:38 give and it the thing you give will be given back to you pressed down flowing over a lot of lot of people love that verse who don't do anything with it God will regularly require a response of faith in the very area of which your own need [00:08:46]
when she let her faith overcome her feeling proven by the fact that she did what the prophet said do it says that she did verse 15 according to the word of Elijah which was based on the word of God and she and her household ate for many days the bowl of flour was not exhausted nor did the jar of oil become empty [00:10:57]
the point of this passage is for you to experience and encounter God as your provider you only have one source everything else is a resource if you ever flip that and make that your modus operandi how you roll if you ever operate this way you are free cuz when a resource go go left on you you can say Okay God what's next [00:11:33]
praise God for the bank but it ain't my source praise God for the job but it ain't my source so the idea is for God to be your source and let him choose what resource he wants to use today [00:12:21]
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