Trusting God's Power Over Our Own Efforts
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound lesson of trusting in God's power rather than relying on our own efforts. Reflecting on the story of Elijah, we see a powerful example of faith and obedience. Elijah, when faced with the challenge of proving God's power, did something counterintuitive—he added water to the sacrifice. In our human logic, we might have thought to add gasoline to make the fire more likely, but Elijah understood that true faith means trusting God to work in ways that defy human understanding. This act of faith was not about making things easier for God but about demonstrating complete reliance on His power.
The essence of this teaching is that our human efforts, no matter how well-intentioned, cannot substitute for the work of the Spirit. The flesh, or our human nature, often seeks to control or enhance situations, but it is the Spirit that gives life. When we try to manipulate circumstances to achieve a desired outcome, we risk stepping outside of God's will. Instead, we are called to trust in His word and His promises, even when it seems illogical or impossible.
This message challenges us to examine our own lives and consider where we might be trying to "help" God with our own plans and strategies. It encourages us to surrender those areas to Him, trusting that His ways are higher than ours and that His power is made perfect in our weakness. By doing so, we open ourselves to experiencing the miraculous and the divine in ways we could never orchestrate on our own.
Key Takeaways:
- True faith often requires us to act in ways that defy human logic, as demonstrated by Elijah's decision to add water to the sacrifice. This act of obedience shows that faith is about trusting God's power, not enhancing it with our own efforts. [00:14]
- Our human nature tends to rely on the flesh, seeking to control or manipulate situations. However, it is the Spirit that gives life, and our attempts to help God with our own strength can lead us away from His will. [00:31]
- Trusting in God's word means surrendering our own plans and strategies, even when they seem logical or necessary. This surrender allows us to experience God's miraculous power in our lives. [00:46]
- The story of Elijah reminds us that God's ways are higher than ours, and His power is made perfect in our weakness. By relying on Him, we open ourselves to divine possibilities beyond our imagination. [00:14]
- We are encouraged to examine our lives for areas where we might be trying to "help" God and to surrender those areas to Him, trusting in His promises and His perfect timing. [00:31]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:14] - Elijah's Counterintuitive Faith
[00:31] - The Spirit Gives Life
[00:46] - Trusting God's Word
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Kings 18:30-39 - The story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal.
2. John 6:63 - "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no help at all."
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Observation Questions:
1. In the story of Elijah, what was the significance of adding water to the sacrifice instead of something that would make it easier to burn? [00:14]
2. How does the sermon describe the difference between relying on the flesh and relying on the Spirit? [00:31]
3. What does the sermon suggest happens when we try to "help" God with our own plans and strategies? [00:46]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of God's power being made perfect in our weakness? [00:14]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Elijah's act of adding water to the sacrifice teach us about the nature of true faith and obedience? [00:14]
2. How might the idea that "the Spirit gives life" challenge our natural inclinations to control or manipulate situations? [00:31]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our human efforts can lead us away from God's will? [00:46]
4. How does the story of Elijah encourage believers to trust in God's promises, even when they seem illogical or impossible? [00:14]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a situation in your life where you might be trying to "help" God with your own plans. How can you surrender this area to Him and trust in His timing? [00:31]
2. Think of a time when you relied on your own strength rather than the Spirit. What was the outcome, and how might you approach a similar situation differently in the future? [00:31]
3. Elijah's faith led him to act in a way that defied human logic. Can you identify a current challenge where God might be calling you to trust Him in a similar way? [00:14]
4. How can you remind yourself daily that God's power is made perfect in your weakness? What practical steps can you take to rely more on His strength? [00:14]
5. Consider an area of your life where you feel weak or inadequate. How can you invite God's power into that area and open yourself to divine possibilities? [00:14]
6. How can you cultivate a mindset that prioritizes the Spirit's leading over your own desires to control outcomes? [00:31]
7. What specific promise from God's word can you hold onto this week as you face challenges that seem illogical or impossible? [00:46]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith Beyond Logic
In the story of Elijah, we witness a profound act of faith that defies human logic. When Elijah was tasked with proving God's power, he chose to add water to the sacrifice, an action that seemed counterintuitive. Human reasoning might suggest using something flammable to ensure the fire, but Elijah's faith was rooted in the understanding that God's power does not need human enhancement. This act was a demonstration of complete reliance on God, showing that true faith often requires us to trust in ways that go beyond our understanding. By doing so, we acknowledge that God's ways are higher than ours, and His power is sufficient in all circumstances. [00:14]
1 Kings 18:33-35 (ESV): "And he put the wood in order and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. And he said, 'Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.' And he said, 'Do it a second time.' And they did it a second time. And he said, 'Do it a third time.' And they did it a third time. And the water ran around the altar and filled the trench also with water."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you are relying on your own logic rather than trusting in God's power? How can you take a step of faith today that defies your own understanding?
Day 2: The Spirit Over the Flesh
Our human nature often seeks to control or manipulate situations to achieve desired outcomes. This tendency can lead us away from God's will, as we rely on our own strength rather than the Spirit. The Spirit gives life, and it is through surrendering our control that we allow God's power to work in us. When we attempt to "help" God with our own plans, we risk missing out on the divine possibilities He has in store. Trusting in the Spirit means letting go of our need to control and allowing God to lead us according to His perfect will. [00:31]
Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."
Reflection: Identify a situation where you are trying to control the outcome. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide you instead of relying on your own strength?
Day 3: Surrendering Our Plans
Trusting in God's word often requires us to surrender our own plans and strategies, even when they seem logical or necessary. This surrender is not a sign of weakness but an act of faith that opens us to experiencing God's miraculous power. When we let go of our own agendas, we make room for God to work in ways that are beyond our imagination. It is through this surrender that we align ourselves with His will and allow His promises to unfold in our lives. By trusting in God's word, we embrace the unknown with confidence in His divine plan. [00:46]
Proverbs 19:21 (ESV): "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."
Reflection: What is one plan or strategy you are holding onto tightly? How can you practice surrendering it to God today, trusting in His purpose?
Day 4: God's Power in Weakness
The story of Elijah reminds us that God's power is made perfect in our weakness. When we rely on Him, we open ourselves to divine possibilities that are beyond our imagination. Our weaknesses are not obstacles but opportunities for God to demonstrate His strength. By acknowledging our limitations and trusting in His power, we allow God to work through us in miraculous ways. This reliance on God transforms our perspective, enabling us to see our challenges as opportunities for His glory to be revealed. [00:14]
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: In what area of your life do you feel weak or inadequate? How can you invite God to show His strength through your weakness today?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Timing
We are encouraged to examine our lives for areas where we might be trying to "help" God and to surrender those areas to Him. Trusting in His promises and His perfect timing requires patience and faith. It is easy to become impatient and take matters into our own hands, but true faith involves waiting on God's timing. By trusting in His promises, we allow Him to work in His own time and way, which often leads to outcomes far greater than we could have imagined. This trust in God's timing is a testament to our faith in His sovereignty and goodness. [00:31]
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV): "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are struggling to wait on God's timing? How can you practice patience and trust in His perfect timing today?
Quotes
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