October 12, 2008
Self-Reliance v. God-Dependence!
Dave Bollenbacher

“I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate… For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.”
-Romans 7:14, 18-19

“The Lord helps those who help themselves.”

“And Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.' For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified.” -Mark 9:5-6

“But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?' But he turned and rebuked them.”-Luke 9:53-55

Question: What is the alternative to self-reliance?
Answer: Choosing God dependence

1. Resolved to Trust

“But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank.” -Daniel 1:8

“where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” -Matthew 6:21

“When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem.” -Luke 9:51-53

2. Community to Sharpen

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” -Hebrews 10:24-25

3. Consistent in Disciplines

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” -Hebrews 12:11

4. Responding with Thanks

“When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem . He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.”
-Daniel 6:10