Pastor Josh Weisbrod – September 29, 2019

Key Idea: God never said: “God helps those who help themselves.” // Key Passage: Matthew 11:28-30

SUMMARY: The idea of “God helps those who help themselves” is not only not in the Bible, but it comes from the marriage of a protestant ethic of blessings and a modern economic theory of capitalism success and leaves us feeling like we have to work to earn God’s favor, God’s love, and God’s blessings. The truth is that there is nothing we can do to get God to love us more or less than He already does. He loves us and he wants to help us because it’s who He is.

TEACHING:

The idea of “God helps those who help themselves” is meant to tackle idleness and the value of hard work. The problem is that I begin to attach my worth and my value to my work. Then I begin to think I have to work hard to earn God’s love and blessings.
God never said, “God helps those who help themselves.” What did He say?
- God helps the helpless.
  - Luke 5:31-32; Romans 5:6-8
  - Jesus came for the hurting, broken, unwelcome and undesirable.
  - Ephesians 2:8
- Obedience brings opportunity.
  - You don’t have to earn new life in Christ—He’s already given it to you! You have nothing to prove.
  - John 14:15
  - Jesus’ disciples knew Jesus’ great love for them. Obedience is a relational response to the love they had already received from Him.
  - In response to the great love I’ve received, I obey what He asks of me.
- Struggle doesn’t mean disobedience.
  - The myth that “God helps those who help themselves” creates a false connection.
  - When we are working hard and showing up and yet we haven’t seen the fruit of our work, we mistakenly conclude that we haven’t done enough or we aren’t worthy enough.
  - Some of our struggles are simply the consequences of bad decisions.
  - The Bible is full of God followers who faced struggles.
  - You can be in the middle of a struggle with Jesus.
  - When we place ourselves on the ladder of self-worth, everyone below me is lazy and hasn’t worked as hard as me, and everyone above me is lucky. We live in space of judging and evaluating everything.
  - Stop judging yourself and others.
- Take the weight off.
  - Stop trying to prove yourself.
  - Matthew 11:28
  - Stop working for the Lord and start working with the Lord.
- God gives grace according to His character, and asks us to do the same.
  - Ephesians 2:8-9
  - Luke 6:37-38.
  - As you give grace, God keeps pouring more grace into you and filling you up to overflowing.
  - You cannot give what you cannot receive.

Conclusion

God helps you because He loves you. You don’t have to prove yourself to Him.

Reflection:

Throughout the week in your own time with the Lord, you can use these reflection questions as a way to deepen your relationship with God. Reflect on these questions in the presence of God, allowing the Holy Spirit to shine a light into your heart.

1) Were you surprised to learn where the idea of “God helps those who help themselves” came from? Have you ever heard someone say it, said it yourself or had someone say it to you? What was the situation and what do you think prompted someone to say it?

2) Have you ever been in the middle of a struggle and thought or believed that maybe you were not loving, serving, or obeying God enough? Do you ever feel that you have to constantly prove yourself or work hard enough to get God’s love and attention?

3) Read Ephesians 2:8-9 and Luke 6:37-38. When you hear that God gives grace (unearned favor) according to His character, how easy or difficult is it for you to accept the grace that God so freely gives to you?

4) Is there a particular area in your life that feels difficult to stop trying to prove yourself? Is there a particular area of your life where you need to understand not just in your mind, but also in your heart that God is ready and willing to help you simply because He loves you? Pray for these requests.

FAQs:

I want a relationship with Jesus, but I’m not sure how to do that.

You can pray a simple prayer from your heart, no matter where you are or what you are doing.

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Your Name, I pray, Amen.

The next step is to tell someone. Talk to someone at church who is wearing a “How Can I Help You?” badge on Sunday, or share in your small group, that you prayed that prayer. They can make sure you get a Bible and support you in beginning your new life with Jesus.

I want to read the Bible but I’m not sure where to start. I don’t have a Bible.

If you are not familiar with the Bible and you aren’t sure where to start, you can always start reading about the life of Jesus in the book of Matthew in the New Testament. If you don’t have a Bible, let someone who is wearing a “How Can I Help You?” badge on Sunday morning that you don’t have a Bible and would like one.

Full Podcast Episode: http://banner.church/podcast/2019/10/2/god-never-said-that-god-helps-those-who-help-themselves-92919