2 Self-Sufficient or Dependent? Rugged individualism and pioneering spirit is part of the American story Rugged individualism and pioneering spirit is part of the American story Gospel calls on us to depend on God rather than think we are self-sufficient, Lk 9:23; Phil 4:13; Heb 13:5-6 Gospel calls on us to depend on God rather than think we are self-sufficient, Lk 9:23; Phil 4:13; Heb 13:5-6 – “Self-sufficiency is a terrible place to be, because it is the worst deceit you can bring on yourself. You need God. You need God every minute of your life.” (Dr. Joseph Stowell)

3 Self-Sufficient or Dependent? To what or whom do you turn in times of abundance? In times of scarcity? To what or whom do you turn in times of abundance? In times of scarcity? Whether in little or in much – our sufficiency is of God, 2 Cor 3:5; Phil 4:10-13 Whether in little or in much – our sufficiency is of God, 2 Cor 3:5; Phil 4:10-13

4  The danger of forgetting God, Deut 8:11-20 May lose fear of God during times of abundance, Psa 106:6-15, May lose fear of God during times of abundance, Psa 106:6-15, Stubborn, unthankful hearts can develop toward God, Psa 78:5-11 Stubborn, unthankful hearts can develop toward God, Psa 78:5-11

5  The danger of trusting in self and material things, Luke 12:15-21 Ability to learn contentment comes from the challenges of both deprivation and prosperity, Phil 4:10-13; 1 Tim 6:6-10 Ability to learn contentment comes from the challenges of both deprivation and prosperity, Phil 4:10-13; 1 Tim 6:6-10 In what do you put your trust? In what do you put your trust?

6  The danger of self-indulgence, 2 Sam 11:1-2; Amos 6:1, 3-6 cf. Excesses of the “Roaring ’20’s” and the restraint of the 1930’s cf. Excesses of the “Roaring ’20’s” and the restraint of the 1930’s Self-indulgence is characteristic of forgetting God rather than turning to God, Dan 4:30; 5:20 Self-indulgence is characteristic of forgetting God rather than turning to God, Dan 4:30; 5:20

7  Sin reminds us we need God – Only God is sufficient to save us, Col 1:19-22 (Lk 15:17) Only Jesus saves, Acts 4:12; 1 Cor 15:55-57 Only Jesus saves, Acts 4:12; 1 Cor 15:55-57 Unbelief is a mark of self-sufficiency, Psa 78:21-22 Unbelief is a mark of self-sufficiency, Psa 78:21-22 By rejecting His plan of salvation, Mark 10:17-22 By rejecting His plan of salvation, Mark 10:17-22 By refusing to obey Him, Deut 9:4-7; Eph 2:8-9; Heb 5:9 By refusing to obey Him, Deut 9:4-7; Eph 2:8-9; Heb 5:9

8  Suffering reminds us we need God – Only God is sufficient to see us through Suffer for His sake, Phil 1:29; 1 Pet 3:14; 4:12-14 Suffer for His sake, Phil 1:29; 1 Pet 3:14; 4:12-14 Life’s sorrows, Eccl 3:1-8; Jas 5:10-11 Life’s sorrows, Eccl 3:1-8; Jas 5:10-11 Suffering keeps us humble and trusting in God, 2 Cor 12:7-10 Suffering keeps us humble and trusting in God, 2 Cor 12:7-10 Suffering teaches us empathy and compassion, Heb 2:18; 4:15-16; 1 Jno 3:16-17 Suffering teaches us empathy and compassion, Heb 2:18; 4:15-16; 1 Jno 3:16-17

9  The need for direction reminds us we need God – Only God is sufficient to guide us in truth, Jer 10:23; Jno 14:6 God’s word a complete guide, Psa 119: God’s word a complete guide, Psa 119: Full assurance of understanding in Christ (treasure of wisdom and knowledge are in Him), Col 2:2-3 Full assurance of understanding in Christ (treasure of wisdom and knowledge are in Him), Col 2:2-3 The self-sufficient arrogantly reject the truth, being deceived, Col 2:4 The self-sufficient arrogantly reject the truth, being deceived, Col 2:4

10 13 Consider the work of God; For who can make straight what He has made crooked? 14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, But in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, So that man can find out nothing that will come after him. (Eccl 7:13-14)

11 God fully supplies your needs when you make room for Him in you life, Phil 4:19 God fully supplies your needs when you make room for Him in you life, Phil 4:19 Room for every good work, 2 Cor 9:8 Room for every good work, 2 Cor 9:8 Room to endure suffering and be victorious over it with faith and good courage, 2 Cor 1:3-7 Room to endure suffering and be victorious over it with faith and good courage, 2 Cor 1:3-7 Only the “self-sufficient” arrogantly say, “Where is their God?” Psa 115:1-3 Only the “self-sufficient” arrogantly say, “Where is their God?” Psa 115:1-3