Is true independence really what we should be striving for? In this powerful message (Part 2 of "Declaration of Independence"), Apostle Shane Wall dives deep into the illusion of self-sufficiency and its potential consequences.
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Here are the author's notes from this week's message:
The Declaration of Independence Part 2
*- There is no such position as independence, because we all depend on people and things.
*- Let the truth be told: People want to independently choose what they do or don’t do because they don’t want God controlling their lives.
*- What we fail to understand is that God never forces control over our lives.
*- What about when God hardened Pharaoh’s heart?
But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.
9 Now behold, the cry of the Israelites has come to Me, and I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them.
10 Come now therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh, that you may bring forth My people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.
*- Pharaoh’s heart was already evil.
*- Hardening hearts and imparting evil are completely different acts.
*- God hardened Pharaoh’s heart at the position it was already in—evil and selfish—so that he could not have a change of heart.
*- Some may argue, "But hardening a heart is still control."
*- No. Hardening a heart is not control—it is exposing independence.
*- God gave Pharaoh the freedom to be exactly who he had already chosen to be.
*- Think about this: Pharaoh could have let the Israelites go long before Moses ever arrived.
*- If you didn’t last Sunday, today, you will receive a scroll—sealed but blank. Why? Because independence from God produces nothing.
I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.
*- If you’ve lived like you’re in charge of any area of your life, it's time to tear up your own declaration of independence—the one that said to God:
*- “I’ve waited long enough—let me handle this myself.”
*- “This doesn’t make sense, so I’m choosing my own way.”
*- “I can’t trust what God may or may not do.” The truth is: God doesn't force rebellion—He simply allows what we have already chosen: His way or our own.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
*- We will invite God to renew our hearts daily.
*- We will hide His Word deeply in our hearts to remain dependent on Him.
*- We will not declare independence in any area—we will stay vitally connected to Christ.
*- Remember: God hardened Pharaoh’s heart at the position it was already in—evil and selfish—so that he could not have a change of heart. He died with his heart hardened in the position he chose.
*- Is your situation really worth a possible hardened heart, like Pharaoh’s, only to lead to your eventual destruction, spiritually or even naturally?
*- In this moment, ask the Holy Spirit:
*- “Where is my heart positioned right now when it comes to fully obeying God?”
*- “What is God's next move, based on the current position of my heart?”
***If you don’t want to take the current position of my heart with you, come and lay it down at the altar, before the Lord in prayer