Declaration of Dependence

Introduction: The Lie We Tell Ourselves

When someone asks how you're doing, the typical answer is "I'm fine" or "Everything's great." But the truth is, everything is not fine. If we could see the reality behind the words—the anxiety, overwhelm, depression, trauma, abuse, and addiction—we'd understand that every person listening is contending with something.

Jesus came that we might have life abundantly. We should not be okay with things that are not right. This church has shown courage in addressing this reality through a series based on the 12 steps—practical, transferable principles that work best when placed under the umbrella of faith.

The Power of Steps

No one arrives at their desired destination by desire alone. We must take steps. Just as I didn't jump from the floor to the stage—I took steps—none of us reach freedom without action.

Step One was acknowledging powerlessness: admitting we are not okay.

Step Two is coming to believe that a power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity.

Step Three is making a decision to turn our will and lives over to the care of God.

Simply put: believe and trust.

From Independence to Dependence

250 years ago, colonists declared independence from tyranny. They wrote words that had never been penned before: that all people have inalienable rights, endowed by their Creator, and that government would be "of the people." This experiment has made us one of the greatest nations on earth.

But today, we need a different declaration. Not a declaration of independence, but a declaration of dependence—a declaration that we will no longer try to fix ourselves, but will depend on God.

Many of us present are public successes but private failures. We mask our pain with achievement, showing the world we've made it while privately struggling. We try to ignore our issues, but they leak out in how others perceive us—our anxiety, poor self-image, unaddressed trauma.

A Personal Journey

I stood before my church years ago and took a sabbatical because I felt a tidal wave coming. Growing up on the south side of Chicago to an amazing single mother, I was consistently abused as a child. I suffered from extremely low self-esteem and compensated by achieving—creating an image of success while failing privately.

I grew up in the Baptist church, where we believed Jesus would fix anything. We didn't believe in therapy. But after 20 hours of "Jesus will fix it," I was still broken. I went from church to church, person to person, genuinely believing God could heal me. He could. But I needed to take a step.

I went to a Christian therapist and unpacked my childhood trauma. The assessment revealed I was emotionally and developmentally about seven years old—the age where my trauma stopped my growth. Imagine being a husband, father, and pastor who is developmentally seven years old.

Just because you age chronologically doesn't mean you've emotionally matured. Just because you've gotten older doesn't mean you've dealt with things.

Three Elements of Declaration of Dependence

There are three ways we'll address this today:

1. The Spark

Philippians 2:13 (Amplified): "Not in your own strength. For it is God who is all the while effectually at work in you, energizing and creating in you the power and desire both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

God desires that your life would be a delight to Him. It begins with the spark—belief that God has power to fully restore us.

We have a God who can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine. He holds the power of the universe. He spoke light into existence—light that had never been became simply because God said it. Everything that exists was made by His word and is sustained by His power. He raised Jesus from the dead. Do you think He's unable to handle your depression, addiction, or trauma?

God is able. God is able.

But here's the profound truth: the spark isn't even starting with you.

John 6:44 says, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them." Jesus says you can't even come to Him unless He draws you. You didn't choose Him; He chose you. That desire for freedom isn't coming from within you—it's coming from the One who made you, calling and drawing you to Himself.

Before your parents even thought of you, before you were formed in the womb, God had a purpose and plan for your life. Your steps are ordered in Him, and your life is not an accident.

I wondered why God allowed my abuse. Now I understand: all things work together for good. My trauma, which I hated, now allows me to help others who've experienced the same pain—not conceptually, but experientially. Could it be that the very thing you're angry at God about is the thing that will enable you to help someone else?

We live in a fallen world. God didn't intend for murder, abuse, or mistreatment. Sin is in the world because of Adam and Eve's choice—not God's design. But God says, "When I get a child of mine, I will take what the devil meant for evil and use it for My good." He can redeem your life.

Jeremiah 31:3 says, "The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying, I've loved you with an everlasting love, and I've drawn you with unfailing kindness." God is drawing you with love—not judgment, not shame, but with unfailing love to freedom.

2. The Surrender

Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

We want the end result without the process. We say, "Lord, make my way straight," but haven't trusted Him or acknowledged Him in all our ways.

Trust means being willing to fall back on God, knowing He has both the power and love to hold you. It means trusting Him not with some of you, but with all of you.

Your theology—your view of God—will determine your relationship with God. If you believe God can't be trusted, no amount of scripture will convince you to trust Him. And here's the tragedy: your only deliverance is God, but if you're blaming God, you won't trust God, and the devil will keep you trapped.

Some of you have trust issues because abuse built walls to protect you. Those walls are safe but lonely. They keep people out—and sometimes they keep God out.

I understand the struggle. When you've been abused, how can you trust the God who allowed it? I can't reconcile that easily. But I can tell you from experience: He has never let me down. He has never failed me.

During my sabbatical, seeking my own freedom, my mother died suddenly. I'm an only child—no dad, no siblings, just me and my mom. She had an aneurysm and went brain dead right in front of me. I didn't know how I'd survive.

But through my mother's passing, through my own abuse and trauma, there has never been a moment when God wasn't faithful. All my life, He has been good. Even in my darkest moments, when I didn't want to live, God was there. So I'm saying to you: It's time to let down your guard and trust Him with all of your heart.

Matthew 16:24: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me."

Trusting God means dying to self. It's not a one-time event; you lay down your cross daily. Those who desire to follow God must deny themselves, deny their will for His will.

But here's the beautiful part: the ability to trust isn't entrusted to you. God doesn't trust you to do it alone.

3. The Strength

Philippians 2:13 continues: God is working in you, giving you the ability and the desire to do this.

How many of you have made decisions and didn't follow through? How many projects are incomplete at home? How many courses did you sign up for and never take? We all struggle with follow-through. But God knows this task is too big for us.

He says, "I cannot rely on your ability or energy to keep this going. So I will be the one energizing you. By My power working inside you, you can do the thing you desire to do to be free."

And it gets better: He's not only giving you energy; He's also giving you the desire and will to do it. He's placing in you the inclination, the resolve, the want to do something.

There's a gospel song that asks, "What is this that makes me do right when I want to do wrong? Whatever it is, it won't let me hold my peace." That's God giving you the capacity to want His will.

In Gethsemane, Jesus—facing separation from God—prayed, "Is it possible for this cup to pass from me? But nevertheless, not my will, but your will be done." Jesus asks us to do the same thing. But He also knows we might not choose that on any given day. So He becomes our helper through the Holy Spirit, giving us both the energy and the desire.

Is there anybody who wants to be free? Who wants chains broken? Who wants addiction snapped in half? Who wants authentic relationships but can't connect because of unprocessed pain? That want isn't just inside you—it's from God for you.

I don't have to rely on myself to get this done. Neither do you. That's good news.

Sustaining the Journey

We take steps. We admit where we are. We acknowledge God is greater. We trust Him. He gives us ability and desire. But how do we sustain this when we leave this room?

With the strength of God.

Isaiah 40:31: "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Eagles don't flap constantly—they catch the adversarial winds and soar higher. When opposing winds come at you, you're not allowing those things to take you out. By the strength of God, you soar above your problems and issues.

This is not a New Year's resolution or a gym membership you never use. This is God inside you, giving you the ability to run and finish the race. It's not given to the swift or the strong, but to the one who endures to the end.

You might take a step back. But get back up and keep moving. Keep it moving.

Grace Is Sufficient

Paul begged God to remove his affliction. God said, "No, my grace is sufficient for you, because my power is made perfect in weakness."

Paul understood: when he was weak, he was strong. Therefore he would glory in the things he couldn't do so that he could glory in the things God could do.

God is able to do in you what you could never do. You have the strength of God behind you to conquer every addiction and trauma—so that your children, your children's children, and those after them will be blessed. Your bloodline can be redeemed from the curse that's been pursuing your family.

Declaration

On this 250th celebration of our nation's independence, I declare today: A declaration of dependence. A declaration of dependence. A declaration of dependence.

Be free. Be free. BE FREE IN THE NAME OF JESUS.