Reminder for listeners to actively engage during sermons: Proverbs 2 emphasizes the importance of inclining one’s ear to wisdom and seeking understanding.
Focuses on the act of actively seeking and asking the Lord for wisdom, likened to searching for hidden treasures.
Isaiah on Beholding God
The verse in Isaiah: "Behold your God." Importance of contemplating the specific attributes of God in daily life.
Self-reflection: What occupies our thoughts daily?
Encouragement to specifically think about God's attributes as revealed in scripture.
The Self-Sufficiency of God
Definition
English Definition: Able to live or function without help or support from others; able to provide for oneself.
Theological Perspective: God does not need us or the rest of creation for anything; He has no needs.
Notable Quote: "Need is a creature word."
Biblical Evidence
Acts 17:24-25 - God doesn’t need anything. He gives life and breath to all.
Psalm 50:10-12 - God owns everything and lacks nothing.
John 5:26 - The Father has life in Himself and grants the Son to have life in Himself.
Psalm 36:9 - God is the Fountain of Life. All creation depends on Him.
Contrast with Creation
All creation is dependent on God for existence and sustenance.
Genesis 1:1 - God created the universe.
Job 34:14-15 - The entire creation would perish without God’s sustenance.
Dependency of Humanity
Every human depends on God for sustenance.
Acts 17:25 - He gives breath and life to all.
Daily dependencies: food, water, sleep, health.
Human frailty highlights the sufficiency of God.
God’s Self-Sufficient Relationship
Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in perfect relationship.
John 10:15 - Intimacy within the Trinity.
John 14:23 - Promise of fellowship with the Trinity.
John 17 - Unity, love, and glory within the Trinity.
God’s Fulfillment and Joy
God is complete and joyful within Himself. He did not create man out of loneliness.
God created out of a desire to demonstrate His glory and goodness.
The Privilege of Knowing God
The joy of knowing God despite His lack of need for us.
Encouragement to be thankful and pursue intimacy with God.
God’s Purpose and Will
God does not need anyone to fulfill His purposes.
Acts 17:25 - God’s independence from human hands.
Psalms 115:3 - God does all He pleases.
Daniel 4:35 - No one can stay His hand.
Using Us Despite No Need
Privilege to be used by God who does not need us.
Importance of being ambassadors for Christ out of privilege, not necessity.
Self-Sufficiency in Believers
The Issue
Believers should not be self-sufficient but completely dependent on God.
Mark 10:15 - Entering the Kingdom requires child-like dependence.
Psalm 118:8, Psalm 146:3 - It’s better to trust in God than in man.
Indicators
Anxiety and feeling overwhelmed.
Prayerlessness, both in big decisions and daily life.
Relying on past victories or reputation rather than on God.
Contributions to Discouragement
Seeing one's weaknesses can lead to drawing back, but we should press on relying on God’s strength.
Developing true confidence in God’s sufficiency.
Example: Moses expressed inadequacy, and God reassured His sufficiency.
Relying on God’s Sufficiency
Encouragement to trust in God’s ability to provide and sustain.
2 Corinthians 9:8 - God is able to make all grace abound, providing sufficiency in all things.
Conclusion and Encouragement
Psalm 108:13 - With God, we shall do valiantly.
Daniel 11:32 - Knowing God leads to strength and exploits.
Psalm 18:29 - Faith in God enables overcoming obstacles.
Final Prayer:
Prayer for help to see God’s glory and trust in His self-sufficiency.