Misquoted - "God Helps Those Who Help Themselves" - Tim Nay

LifeSpring Christian Church Sermons

God Helps Those Who Help Themselves
Hezekiah 12:18
Tim Nay

Part of Misquoted - Context is Key

July 16, 2023

What we think:
God helps those who help themelves.Where did the phrase originate?

11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. —Acts 17:11

Bible Verses in Support

14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. —2 Chronicles 7:1410 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. —2 Thessalonians 3:105 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; —James 1:5-76 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. —Hebrews 11:6

A Better Phrase
God often helps those who earnestly seek Him.

11 Therefore, thus says the Lord, Behold, I am bringing disaster upon them that they cannot escape. Though they cry to me, I will not listen to them. —Jeremiah 11:1114 “Therefore do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer on their behalf, for I will not listen when they call to me in the time of their trouble. —Jeremiah 11:14For I solemnly warned your fathers when I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, warning them persistently, even to this day, saying, Obey my voice. 8 Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but everyone walked in the stubbornness of his evil heart. Therefore I brought upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but they did not. —Jeremiah 11:7-8

Bible Verses Against

45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. —Matthew 5:45For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous person; though perhaps for the good person someone would even dare to die. —Romans 5:6-7 NASBBut God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. —Romans 5:8-9 NASBAs it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one.’ —Romans 3:1023 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, —Romans 3:23

A Better Phrase
God provides salvation through Jesus because we cannot spiritually help ourselves

Takeaway: Do your part, God will do His.

What part do you need to do?

5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, —Titus 3:5