Learning to Rely on God - Sept 20, 2026

Learning to Rely on God 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 September 20, 2026 Speaker: Pastor Ian 2 Cor 1:8 afflictions we experienced in Asia The experience is not identified Possibly it was his experience in Ephesus Acts 19:23-41 offers a description of the riot in Ephesus We were so utterly burdened beyond our strength (vs 8) We despaired of life itself (vs 8) We felt we had received the sentence of death (vs 9) 2 Cor 1:9 But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God (who raises the dead). The key takeaway for Paul (and for us) We naturally rely on ourselves We are raised to be self-reliant We LEARN to rely on God through the afflictions of life The gift of Eternal Salvation begins by NOT relying on ourselves, but on God: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) 2 Cor 1:10 We discover that God delivers when we rely on him; we learn to rely on God for next time. 2 Cor 1:11 Prayer is a vital part of discipleship: in its essence, prayer is an act of relying on God.