Self-Sufficient part 1
I remember preaching a message similiar to this--wow, probably like five years ago now--and when I was done I had to say, "That wasn't what I had planned to preach tonight, it was a break from our usual series, but that's what I had in back pocket." And one of the people who heard the message was like, "I'm glad you finally stopped sitting on it and let it out!" Because I think this is something we need to hear. Especially now. It's a timely message. And, really, a simple message. But one that (hopefully) shifts our mindsets. Here it is: We are completely self-sufficient. Because we have everything we need. Because we have God. Now, having said THAT, let me say THIS: It is not good for man to be alone. We need each other. God works in mysterious ways because He works through people. The reason, and the way, that I have everything I need in my life... is because I have YOU in my life. It's like the old yin yang. Two pieces that come together to make a whole. I have what you need, and you have what I need. But, at the same time, look at Matthew 18:20, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." I have everything I need. You have everything you need. When we gather together... it's even better. Even more powerful. Even more excellent. I have two memory verses I want to use for this Rant series. Philippians 2:13, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." And 2 Corinthians 3:5, "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God." Pointing it--always--back to the Father. Why do we do the things we do? Because it's in our heart to do it. Because it is GOD working in us to will. How do we do the things that we do? Through the power of God. The power of LOVE. It is Him working in us to do. If ever we think, "I got this," it HAS to be because we know GOD'S got us! Not that we are sufficient of ourselves, but because our sufficiency is of God. I know I can't do anything by myself. I'm Ranted many times about how I've always written books, but how it wasn't until I started writing Jesus books that anything ever happened with them. Let me say it like this, "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, not by power, but by my spirit, sayeth the LORD of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6). Our self-sufficiency is in Him. Our self-sufficiency IS Him. It's not me. It's Christ IN me. And that's the connection that binds us together. The Christ in me connecting with the Christ in you. The light in me shining on the light in you. I have what I need... because I have God. I have love. I have YOU. We have each other. We're all in this together. So while I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me... things work out better when we work together. I know that if I'm operating in love I cannot fail. Because love never fails. Now, that doesn't necessarily mean I'll always get what I want. But it means LOVE will always get what HE wants. And love wants things like peace, honesty, joy, forgiveness. Love wants to give what it's got. Love wants to give who He is. So... self-sufficiency isn't just about HAVING what I need, it is about GIVING what I've got! That's love. Love is giving!