The Way of Dependence.

Introduction.

Much is made of Jesus in churches, have you noticed that?

Talk about the guy a lot.

In fact, we co-opted his name to describe ourselves.

Like to call ourselves his followers and disciples and witnesses.

We celebrate his big life events together.

Like to quote from his greatest hits.

Teaching series on the Way of Jesus.

What paths does Jesus really lead us down?

If we are people of His Way, what do we follow?

If we love Him as much as we claim, do we really demonstrate that love?

Our hope is that as a family of believers in Graham, that our path in this life is more united, more focused, more direct, in following the Way of Christ.

Turning to “dependence”.

Christ’s journey on this life, the way he lived, the message he pointed to, was one of profound dependence.

Depending on where you are in life, dependence may not sound like a great thing.

If you’re eyeballing your taxes, you may like a high count of dependents.

If you’re eyeballing your Costco bill, you may not like a high count of dependents all that much.

If you’re under the age of 16, you may not like your dependence on your parents for transportation.

If you are of employment age, you may not love your dependence on a job and a paycheck.

If you’re over the age of 60, you may not much like your growing dependence on tools and implements to help you accomplish things you used to do without any assistance. Reading glasses. Braces. Canes. Advil.

Something in our culture tends to be dependence averse, which is really problematic when we want to be Christ’s people. Why?

Jesus. God’s Dependent.

Often like to focus on Christ’s authority and power.

Not as quick to recognize him as God’s dependent.

Not as appealing for our theology to have a Savior whose life embodies dependency on God.

But Jesus makes quite clear he is living a life to demonstrate dependence on God.

John 5:19 ESV

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.

John 5:30 ESV

“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.

John 6:37–40 ESV

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

John 8:28–30 ESV

So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” As he was saying these things, many believed in him.

Acts 10:37–43 (ESV)

you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Peter speaking. Notice some specific things that Peter claims of Jesus’s power and authority:

“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.”

“He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, FOR God was with him.”

“…but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear...”

“…he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead...”

Jesus was really clear about his time on earth-

He came to glorify God.

He did so through submission to God’s will.

He did so by reliance on God’s power.

The outcome for Jesus was that as a result of his dependence on God, he was glorified and exalted to his rightful place.

Philippians 2:9–11 ESV

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Now look at the beautiful full circle that is created here though- Jesus, sent by God and empowered by God, exalts God, who exalts him, to God’s glory.

All through dependence.

Us. Christ’s Dependents.

One of the great errors we can make as believers is to think that our call to freedom is a call to independence.

We think our salvation somehow is going to lead to freedom built on personal independence from sin and from its condemnation.

So many of us, we get into this awesome stretch of our journey with the Lord where:

Temptations are few and far between.

Our instincts are inclined towards what is right.

Circumstances align so we do good and not what is wrong.

As we go through these phases, we can get into the treacherous mindset that it is US who is responsible.

Lose sight of our dependence on our Savior.

On the Holy Spirit he gave to us.

Christian freedom is built on dependence on Christ.

John 15:1–11 ESV

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Highlighting key points about our dependence today:

If its not clear- we’re the branches. He’s the vine. The fruit is the outcome of our relationship to the vine.

The branch that tries for independence from Christ withers and dies.

Ultimately thrown into the fire.

The branches who abide in Christ bear much fruit. Apart from him we cannot bear fruit.

We cannot do anything.

Nothing is required of the branch that depends on the vine, except that which is provided for by the vine.

Probably one of my favorite thoughts coming out of this Scripture.

Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.

Charles Finney, a man who found faith in Jesus after studying law in the 1700’s and later went on to be a key evangelist in the 2nd Great Awakening put it this way-

Every command implies a corresponding promise, that is, if we are required to do any thing by Christ, the very requirement is a virtual promise or offer of all the aid we need to make it possible for us to perform it. Indeed, the command in itself is an implied offer of all needed help.

Modernizing- Every command from Christ, also comes with a promise- that promise being that Christ offers the help and every resource we need to obey.

If you’ve watched my devotional videos, you know that I’m really hung up on the idea that we were made to glorify God.

I mentioned earlier, the beautiful cycle of God sending Christ, Christ glorifying God, God glorifying Christ.

The Bible says that we’re added to that cycle through Christ. God sends Christ,the Spirit empowers Christ, Christ glorifies God, God glorifies Christ, through Christ we are made new, through the Spirit we are empowered, and God glorifies us.

Romans 8:16–17 ESV

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

If the Scripture is true, and I believe it is- what then? How do we abide? How do we depend?

Living as Dependents.

About 18 years ago now, I applied to a number of different colleges. Along the way, I had to fill out a FAFSA form, which determined if I was eligible for any financial aid programs.

Interesting thing about the FAFSA financial aid was that it wasn’t based on me.

The aid was for me, for my benefit, but it wasn’t really based on me.

The big determinant was who my parents where. What their resources were.

One of the important questions was whether or not someone else could claim me as a dependent.

If someone else could claim me as a dependent, that could disqualify me from receiving help.

In some ways, this Scripture is saying something like that.

Christ says you have all the resources you need, if you are my dependent.

Just depend on me, and I will take care of it. I’ll write the check. I’ll pay the price.

When we choose to deny that offer, in whole or in part, we become dependent on something or someone else.

One of the big dangers of living in a comfortable and secure society-

We tend to put a lot of names down before we acknowledge that we are dependent on Christ.

If we want to live as dependents of Christ-

Step One: Consider who else can claim us as dependents.

Sometimes our age- we’re young. We have years and plenty of time to figure these things out.

Sometimes our health. I’ve got a long life, and when I start to fade, I’ll be able to evaluate things then.

Sometimes our talents. We can lean on our skills and abilities to get us through or to help us be productive.

Sometimes our resources. We have money and good credit! We can buy what we need or address our needs ourselves.

Sometimes our relationships. We have people around us- we’ll lean on them first. Family and friends. They’ll get us through!

These aren’t always easy to spot. Here’s a few questions to help identify them-

1. When you have a problem or face a challenge, what do you do to solve it?

Go to a particular someone for help?

Endure it- wait it out?

Buy your way through it?

2. What things in your life are most evident to you when they’re gone?

Heard a story about a man who had an unresolved issue with his hip for years. Began using a cane as a middle aged man. Ten or so years in, he finally saw a doctor who could provide him with a surgery that would resolve his issue. Once the surgery was done, and the recovery was well under way, did he truly realize how much he depended on that cane. Even now, without need for it, he’d find himself looking for it as he prepared to stand or move from place to place.

Sometimes when things are taken away from us, its God exposing our dependence on things other than him.

3. What things hold the most sway over your attitude and mindset?

Sometimes we can recognize our dependency on something because if its not perfect, everything else is imperfect.

4. What are you afraid of? What are you hopeful for?

Sometimes our fears and hopes expose our dependency really clearly. If only this, if only that.

Step Two: Know God’s promises for those in Christ.

Sometimes our issue is that we get caught up in the nearness of the things we depend on- they seem more tangible.

Remember the story of the Israelites as they were about to go into the Promised Land- after having experienced God’s provision time and time again, the tangibles of the fortified cities and the giants seemed somehow bigger and more dependable than God’s promise to them.

Luke 12:27–34 ESV

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

John 14:1–7 ESV

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Two great promises.

One, the assurance that God is concerned with your needs here.

Two, the assurance that Christ has a place for you with him in heaven.

Step Three: Act like a dependent!

I often joke about registering your kids before Sunday School so that you can pick up the right one.

Part of how you know who your dependents are, is they act like your dependents.

They go home with you.

They run to you when they have a problem.

They wait for you to feed them.

They obey you.

I could try and tell your kids what to do, but most of them won’t listen to me. I’m not their Father.

Ways We Act Like Christ’s Dependents:

We Listen.

As kids, we responded to our parents voices most of all, didn’t we?

We have the words of God and the words of Christ recorded for us.

In the vast majority of our lives, most scenarios are addressed in God’s word.

John 15:10 ESV

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.

Shared that quote earlier- every command we have comes with a promise that God will provide a means to obey.

We Communicate.

NOTE: Sometimes we pray when we should obey.

What do I mean by that?

Ever have kids who try and go around the instructions of one parent by asking another parent for the alternative?

Start by listening and seeking God’s word. If you don’t find an answer, prayer is an immediate and natural next step.

“God- I am facing this situation and I don’t know what to do....”

John 15:7 ESV

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Prayer is a very real way of submitting your independence to God over every scenario and situation and need in your life.

Consider setting a calendar reminder as you transition through the big phases of your day to spend some time in prayer over each new phase.

We’re Grateful.

Over a dozen times in the gospel we see the writers recording that Jesus gave thanks.

We’re Alike.

You ever heard someone say, or perhaps said yourself- “that kid is so much like his or her dad? His or her mom?”

What makes us say that? Isn’t it that their behavior and actions and expressions are so much like their parents?

That should be true for us as the vines that grow out of Christ. Our fruit should look like his.

John 15:5 ESV

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

One of the beautiful things of God the Father, is he seems so mindful of the fact that we all grow at different paces. Some kids grow like weeds and others are late bloomers.

How do I know this? Jesus was an absolute sacrifice for every wrong done by a repentant sinner.

Closing.

Worship team come up.

In a minute we’re going to close in prayer together.

Two prayers -

Prayer asking to be made a dependent on Christ. Bible tells us that Christ died so that all who believed in him would find salvation and forgiveness, and empowering. If you’re not living live with those promises, God’s Word tells us that our repentance from our sins, and our faith in Christ as our Savior is all that’s needed.

Prayer asking that the Spirit would convict us who are believers. Asking that we would be made aware of our dependency on things other than our promised provider.