Sermon Sketch for Sunday, March 9

Goodbye Self-Reliance,
Hello Dependence Exodus 14
Recognizing that you are not able to save yourself.

Readings:
OT - Deut. 26:1-10
NT – Romans 8:18-28

What do we do when we come to the end of ourselves and run out of options? How do we deal with the crisis of a dead end?

Crisis situations may be serving
a greater purpose than we know.
Exodus 14:1-4
A. God was making their deliverance more certain.
B. God making himself known and displaying his power.
C. God establishing his people and clearing the way for their future.

Crisis situations force us to abandon self-reliance.
Exodus 14:10-14
A. They humble us by exposing our fears and failings.
B. They force us to trust because there is no other option.
C. They make us evaluate our desires and needs.

Crisis situations can strengthen our faith.
Exodus 14:29-31
A. They demonstrate God’s power to make a way.
B. They prove God’s power to defend and deliver.

Where is Your Faith?
Luke 8:22-25
A. Enter into the possibilities of God’s greater purposes.
B. Face the futility of self-reliance. Get honest with self and humble before God.
C. Put your faith in Jesus. Marvel at his power to calm the storm.