July 5, 2026
OPENING
John 8:32 (NLT) — “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
INFORMATION: The Lies of Independence
Matthew 6:25-33 (NLT) — “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life — whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at how the lilies of the field grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Four lies that independence produces — and what Jesus says about every one of them:
Lie 1: God cannot be trusted. Worry isn’t atheism — it’s a trust issue, and Jesus names it as a faith problem rooted in the belief that we have to figure things out ourselves.
James 1:17 (NLT) — “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.”
Lie 2: I have to protect myself in relationships. We call it wisdom, being careful, not getting hurt again — but when you fully understand your value to the Father, you no longer need others to prove it, and that’s what frees you to love.
John 13:34 (NLT) — “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.”
Lie 3: I have to provide for my own needs. This isn’t just a financial posture — it’s a survival identity. But the Father already knows what you need, and He wants to provide it.
Matthew 6:31-32 (NLT) — “Don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.”
Lie 4: My work is my value. It doesn’t sound like pride — it sounds like responsibility. But you were not made to prove yourself, and you were valuable before you produced a single thing.
Matthew 6:28-29 (NLT) — “Look at how the lilies of the field grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.”
INSPIRATION: What Dependence Looks Like
1. The exhaustion you feel has a name.
Matthew 11:28 (NLT) — “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
2. The longing for help is real.
1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) — “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”
MOTIVATION: Why We Choose Independence
Obstacle 1: “I tried depending on God and it didn’t work out the way I thought it would.”
Romans 8:28 (NLT) — “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
Obstacle 2: “If I just trust God, nothing’s going to happen. I still have to do something.”
James 4:8 (NLT) — “Come close to God, and God will come close to you.”
TRANSFORMATION: Where Kingdom Living Starts
Matthew 6:33 (NLT) — “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
THREE CALLS TO ACTION:
- Today — Name the lie. Declare the truth.
- Daily — Remind yourself of truth.
- This week — Reach out to someone. Don’t do it alone.
Following Jesus, Sent On A Mission
The Community