Showing posts with label dependent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dependent. Show all posts

Friday, January 25, 2013

Totally Submitted & Utterly Dependent (Part 2)


Totally Submitted & Utterly Dependent (Part 2)

As a man Jesus submitted totally and completely to the Father
In John 4:34 Jesus says:
"My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work."
and again in John 5:19:
"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." (italics added)
We do so much for ourselves. We are most focused on ourselves, which is seen in our passion for what we are doing. We tend to be most passionate about the things we thought of or which we have stock in. Jesus' food is to do the will of His Father. Totally submitted, not focused on His needs or Himself, but on the Father. It is a fearful thing when you think about the Judgement day which is coming because we will not be compared to those around us or even to our old ways but to Jesus, the perfect man and our example.  It would appear from the outside that American Christians, especially, do so much without seeking God (for a number of reasons), but Jesus said He could do nothing of His own accord(John 5:19). Why do we presume that we can?

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Totally Submitted & Utterly Dependent (Part 1)


Why should we make every effort to maximize time with God in prayer, and seek always to submit to Him and depend upon Him? Jesus did. And if Jesus needed to, how much more do we? 
(Adapted from a Sermon by Paul Washer)

In Luke 11:1 it says that Jesus was praying, and when He finished one of the disciples approached Him [perhaps amazed at seeing the Son of God communicating with His Father] and said, "Lord teach us to pray.." Notice that the disciples dared not interrupt the Son of God while He was in prayer (it says when He finished). There was something about the connection between Jesus and the Father that the disciples both saw/wanted but also knew better than to break. Notice also the disciples request, "Lord teach us to pray.." because the disciples never asked Jesus to teach them to preach or teach or cast out demons nor anything else that I can find. Think briefly about how you would assess someone as to what they might teach you. You ask someone to teach you about something which you see in their life as something which is exemplary or extraordinary which you have met no one else who could do X or Y like that person. The disciples could not believe what the saw or heard when Jesus prayed; therefore the request comes to be taught.

-Has anyone ever come to you and asked, "Teach me to pray!"?