The Power of Dependency on God and the Holy Spirit Copy

Introduction
Living a life that aligns with God's will and desires is a goal that many believers strive for. To truly understand how to live in accordance with God's plan, it is essential to look to the example set by Jesus. Jesus was sent by the Father with a specific purpose, and by studying His life and teachings, we can gain insights into how we should live as His followers. In this article, we will explore the reasons why Jesus was sent and the qualities He demonstrated during His time on earth, such as obedience, humility, and dependence. By embodying these characteristics, we can live a life that reflects the love of God and has a positive impact on our communities.

Why Jesus Was Sent
Jesus came to fulfill multiple purposes during His time on earth. These purposes shed light on the nature of His mission and the message He wanted to convey. Let's explore some of these reasons:

1. To Destroy Satan's Influence: One of the primary reasons Jesus was sent was to break the power of Satan over humanity's lives. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus defeated the works of the enemy and provided a way for us to be free from sin and its consequences.
2. To Reveal God's Faithfulness: Jesus came to show that God is a promise-keeper. Throughout His ministry, Jesus fulfilled numerous prophecies and demonstrated God's faithfulness to His people. He showed that God's promises can be trusted and relied upon.
3. To Reveal the Heart of the Father: Another purpose of Jesus' coming was to reveal the heart of the Father to the world. Through His words and actions, Jesus showed us the love, compassion, and grace that God has for His creation. He demonstrated that God desires a relationship with us and wants us to experience His love.
4. To Bring About the Resurrection of the Dead: Jesus came to bring hope and eternal life to humanity. Through His resurrection, He conquered death and opened the way for us to have everlasting life with Him. This gives us hope beyond this earthly existence and reassures us of God's power over life and death.
5. To Subdue All Authorities, Dominions, and Powers: Jesus came to establish His authority over all powers and principalities. He demonstrated His power over evil and showed that He is the ultimate authority in the spiritual realm.
6. To Destroy Death: Lastly, Jesus came to destroy the power of death. Through His sacrifice on the cross, He conquered death and provided a way for us to have eternal life. He gives us the assurance that death is not the end but a gateway to everlasting life with Him.

How Jesus Came
Understanding how Jesus came and the manner in which He lived is crucial to following His example. Jesus came with humility, dependence, and obedience. Let's delve into these qualities:

Humility
Jesus, being in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. Instead, He humbled Himself by taking on the form of a servant and being born in the likeness of men. Despite His divine nature, Jesus chose to live among humanity, experiencing the same struggles and temptations we face. His humility is evident in His interactions with people from all walks of life, showing no partiality or favoritism. Jesus' humility challenges us to set aside our pride and serve others with love and compassion.

Dependence
Jesus' life was marked by dependence on the Father. He relied on God for guidance, direction, and empowerment. From His conception through the leading of the Holy Spirit to His earthly ministry, Jesus exemplified a life of dependence on God. He only did what the Father told Him to do and went where the Father directed Him to go. This dependence on the Father's will and leading serves as a model for us to seek God's guidance and surrender our own plans and desires to Him.

Obedience
Jesus' obedience to the Father was unwavering. He willingly submitted Himself to the Father's plan, even to the point of death on the cross. Jesus' obedience was not forced or reluctant but stemmed from His deep love for the Father and His desire to fulfill the Father's will. His obedience serves as a reminder that our obedience to God should be motivated by love and a desire to align our lives with His purposes.

Following Jesus' Example
As believers, we are called to follow Jesus' example and live a life that reflects His character. By embracing humility, dependence, and obedience, we can embody the love of God and impact our communities positively. Let's explore how we can apply these qualities to our lives:

1. Humility: Like Jesus, we should cultivate a spirit of humility. This means recognizing that we are not the center of the universe and that our lives should be marked by servanthood and selflessness. Humility opens the door for meaningful connections with others and allows us to show the love of Christ in practical ways.
2. Dependence: Just as Jesus relied on the Father for guidance and empowerment, we should seek the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Dependence on God requires surrendering our own plans and desires and aligning them with His will. Through prayer and study of His Word, we can discern God's direction and trust in His provision.
3. Obedience: Obedience to God's commands is an essential aspect of following Jesus. It means aligning our actions, thoughts, and words with His teachings. Obedience demonstrates our love for God and our desire to honor Him in all areas of our lives. It also allows us to experience the abundant life that Jesus promised to those who follow Him.

Conclusion
Living the life God desires for us involves looking to the example set by Jesus. He was sent by the Father with specific purposes, including destroying Satan's influence, revealing God's faithfulness, and bringing about the resurrection of the dead. Jesus came with humility, dependence, and obedience, demonstrating the qualities we should strive to embody. By following His example, we can impact our communities positively and reflect the love of God to those around us. Let us humbly serve, love, and point people to Jesus Christ, removing any idols that hinder us from fully surrendering to Him. In doing so, we fulfill our call to be sent just as Jesus was sent.

This recap is from Great Week 5: A-All, The Scope | John 20:21. Check out the full sermon below from Senior Pastor Dr. Roger Patterson.