Being Led by the Spirit: Surrender, Pray, and Risk
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. My name is Andy Hare, and I am one of the pastors here at Hernando Church of the Nazarene. Today, we gather to worship the living God, our resurrected Lord and King Jesus. This past Thursday marked Ascension Day, the day Jesus ascended into heaven to take His seat at the right hand of God the Father. Next Sunday, we will celebrate Pentecost Sunday, commemorating the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the world. Today, we will explore how to be led by the Spirit.
As we gather, we also honor our mothers on this special Mother's Day. For some, this day is filled with joy, while for others, it may bring sadness due to various circumstances. The Bible acknowledges these diverse experiences, reminding us that God sees and knows our hearts. He desires to join us in our circumstances and fill us with His presence and love.
We begin by turning to Romans chapter 8, where we read about the importance of being led by the Spirit of God. Romans 8:14 says, "All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God." This guidance is crucial as we navigate the complexities of life, much like finding our way through a corn maze. The Holy Spirit is given to us not for material gain but to help us live out the divine purposes for which we were created.
To be led by the Spirit, we must first release control. Many of us struggle with control, wanting to manage every aspect of our lives. However, true surrender to God involves daily relinquishing control and allowing Him to guide us. Jesus exemplified this in the Garden of Gethsemane, praying, "Not my will, but Your will be done." We must follow His example and surrender our will to God's.
Secondly, we must watch and pray. Jesus urged His disciples to stay awake and pray with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane, but they fell asleep, missing the pivotal moment. Similarly, we often miss opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus because we are not vigilant. We need to pray with our eyes open, asking God to help us see and respond to the opportunities around us.
Thirdly, we must be willing to take risks. Following Jesus is not about safety and security; it involves stepping out in faith, even when it is uncomfortable. Jesus warned that His followers would face trials and persecution, just as He did. We must be prepared to take risks, trusting that God will be with us.
Stephanie and I experienced this firsthand when we moved from Kansas to Alaska. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, we felt God's leading and took the risk. It was a difficult journey, but God was with us, providing comfort and guidance through the Holy Spirit.
As we conclude, I encourage you to reflect on where God is calling you to take the next step of faith. Whether it is surrendering control, watching and praying, or taking a risk, trust that God will lead and empower you through His Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot live the Christian life. We need His guidance and strength to navigate the maze of life and fulfill our divine purpose.
### Key Takeaways
1. Release Control to God: True surrender to God involves daily relinquishing control and allowing Him to guide us. Jesus exemplified this in the Garden of Gethsemane, praying, "Not my will, but Your will be done." We must follow His example and surrender our will to God's, recognizing that our own decisions often lead us astray. [56:20]
2. Watch and Pray: Jesus urged His disciples to stay awake and pray with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane, but they fell asleep, missing the pivotal moment. Similarly, we often miss opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus because we are not vigilant. We need to pray with our eyes open, asking God to help us see and respond to the opportunities around us. [01:01:01]
3. Take Risks in Faith: Following Jesus is not about safety and security; it involves stepping out in faith, even when it is uncomfortable. Jesus warned that His followers would face trials and persecution, just as He did. We must be prepared to take risks, trusting that God will be with us. [01:02:32]
4. God's Guidance in Uncertainty: Stephanie and I experienced God's leading when we moved from Kansas to Alaska. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, we felt God's call and took the risk. It was a difficult journey, but God was with us, providing comfort and guidance through the Holy Spirit. [01:04:16]
5. Empowered by the Holy Spirit: Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot live the Christian life. We need His guidance and strength to navigate the maze of life and fulfill our divine purpose. Trust in the Holy Spirit to lead you, empower you, and help you take the next step of faith. [01:09:14]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [09:18] - Ascension Day and Pentecost Sunday
3. [10:24] - Honoring Mothers
4. [11:26] - Diverse Experiences on Mother's Day
5. [12:18] - Opening Prayer
6. [24:09] - Pastoral Privilege and Announcements
7. [35:38] - Children's Dismissal and Scripture Reading
8. [39:31] - Prayer for Understanding
9. [41:53] - Humorous Story and Life's Challenges
10. [43:11] - Navigating Life's Maze
11. [47:29] - Purpose of the Holy Spirit
12. [49:03] - Being Led by the Spirit
13. [50:27] - Holy Spirit's Guidance
14. [51:57] - Releasing Control
15. [53:22] - Control and Decision Making
16. [54:48] - Daily Surrender
17. [56:20] - Jesus' Example of Surrender
18. [58:08] - Cultural Misconceptions of Self
19. [59:39] - Watch and Pray
20. [01:01:01] - Opportunities to Serve
21. [01:02:32] - Taking Risks in Faith
22. [01:04:16] - Personal Testimony of Faith
23. [01:05:59] - Faith and Risk in Christian Life
24. [01:07:28] - Responding to God's Call
25. [01:09:14] - Empowered by the Holy Spirit
26. [01:11:29] - Call to Action
27. [01:13:56] - Closing Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Romans 8:14 - "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God."
2. Matthew 26:41 - "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
3. Luke 22:42 - "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 8:14, what is the significance of being led by the Spirit of God?
2. In Matthew 26:41, what does Jesus instruct His disciples to do, and why is it important?
3. How did Jesus exemplify surrender to God's will in Luke 22:42, and what can we learn from His example? [56:20]
4. What are some of the challenges and uncertainties that Andy and Stephanie faced when they moved from Kansas to Alaska, and how did they experience God's guidance? [01:04:16]
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to be led by the Spirit of God, and how does this relate to our identity as children of God? [49:03]
2. How can the act of watching and praying help us to be more vigilant in recognizing and responding to opportunities to serve others? [59:39]
3. Why is it important to take risks in faith, and how does this align with Jesus' warning about trials and persecution? [01:02:32]
4. How does the Holy Spirit empower us to live out our divine purpose, and why is this essential for living the Christian life? [01:09:14]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a specific area of your life where you struggle with control. What steps can you take to release control to God and trust in His guidance? [54:48]
2. Think about a recent situation where you missed an opportunity to serve or help someone. How can you be more vigilant in watching and praying for such opportunities in the future? [01:01:01]
3. Identify a risk that you feel God is calling you to take in your faith journey. What fears or uncertainties are holding you back, and how can you overcome them? [01:05:59]
4. Share a personal experience where you felt led by the Holy Spirit. How did this guidance impact your decisions and actions, and what did you learn from it? [49:03]
5. Consider the ways in which you can be more open to the Holy Spirit's leading in your daily life. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper sensitivity to His guidance? [01:09:14]
6. How can you support and encourage others in your small group to take steps of faith and trust in God's guidance, especially in times of uncertainty? [01:04:16]
7. Reflect on the importance of daily surrender to God. What specific practices or habits can you incorporate into your routine to help you consistently surrender your will to His? [56:20]
Devotional
Day 1: Surrendering Control to God
True surrender to God involves daily relinquishing control and allowing Him to guide us. Many of us struggle with the desire to manage every aspect of our lives, believing that our own decisions will lead us to the best outcomes. However, the Bible teaches us that true wisdom and guidance come from God. Jesus exemplified this in the Garden of Gethsemane when He prayed, "Not my will, but Your will be done." This act of surrender is a powerful reminder that we must trust God's plan over our own.
Releasing control is not a one-time event but a daily practice. Each day, we are faced with decisions and challenges that tempt us to take the reins. By consciously choosing to surrender our will to God, we open ourselves to His divine guidance and purpose. This act of faith allows us to navigate life's complexities with the assurance that God is leading us. [56:20]
Romans 12:1-2 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 2: Vigilance in Prayer
Jesus urged His disciples to stay awake and pray with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane, but they fell asleep, missing a pivotal moment. Similarly, we often miss opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus because we are not vigilant. Being led by the Spirit requires us to watch and pray, staying alert to the needs and opportunities around us. This means praying with our eyes open, asking God to help us see and respond to the opportunities He places in our path.
Vigilance in prayer is about being spiritually awake and aware. It involves a proactive approach to our faith, where we seek God's guidance and remain attentive to His promptings. By doing so, we can better serve others and fulfill our divine purpose. [01:01:01]
Colossians 4:2-3 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you missed an opportunity to serve or help someone. How can you be more vigilant in prayer to recognize and act on such opportunities in the future?
Day 3: Stepping Out in Faith
Following Jesus is not about safety and security; it involves stepping out in faith, even when it is uncomfortable. Jesus warned that His followers would face trials and persecution, just as He did. Taking risks in faith means trusting that God will be with us, even in the face of uncertainty and challenges. It requires courage and a deep trust in God's promises.
Stepping out in faith is a testament to our trust in God's plan. It means moving beyond our comfort zones and embracing the unknown, confident that God is with us. This act of faith not only strengthens our relationship with God but also allows us to experience His power and presence in new and profound ways. [01:02:32]
Hebrews 11:8 (ESV): "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith? What steps can you take today to begin this journey, trusting in God's guidance and provision?
Day 4: Trusting God's Guidance in Uncertainty
Stephanie and I experienced God's leading when we moved from Kansas to Alaska. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, we felt God's call and took the risk. It was a difficult journey, but God was with us, providing comfort and guidance through the Holy Spirit. This experience taught us the importance of trusting God's guidance, even when the path is unclear.
Trusting God's guidance in uncertainty requires faith and patience. It means believing that God has a plan for us, even when we cannot see the full picture. By leaning on the Holy Spirit, we can navigate the unknown with confidence, knowing that God is with us every step of the way. [01:04:16]
Isaiah 42:16 (ESV): "And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you faced uncertainty and felt God's guidance. How did this experience strengthen your faith? How can you apply this trust in God's guidance to a current situation in your life?
Day 5: Empowered by the Holy Spirit
Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot live the Christian life. We need His guidance and strength to navigate the maze of life and fulfill our divine purpose. The Holy Spirit empowers us to take the next step of faith, providing the wisdom and courage we need to follow God's call. Trusting in the Holy Spirit means relying on His power rather than our own abilities.
Being empowered by the Holy Spirit is about recognizing our dependence on God. It means inviting the Holy Spirit to lead us, guide us, and fill us with His presence. By doing so, we can live out our faith with boldness and purpose, knowing that we are not alone. [01:09:14]
Ephesians 3:16-17 (ESV): "That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love."
Reflection: In what ways do you rely on your own strength rather than the Holy Spirit's power? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to empower you in your daily life and decisions?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Sometimes life is difficult to navigate, and wouldn't it be nice if we had somebody who knew the way to show us the way? And that's what I want to talk about here this morning. I want to talk about the Spirit of God that God has sent us and given us, made available to us, so that we can navigate our way through the most difficult mazes that life has to offer. And this one that He wants to give us knows the beginning from the end, and He is not bound by time or space at all. And the good news is that He knows the beginning from the end, and He knows the beginning from the beginning. And the good news is this Holy Spirit is made available to each and every one of us." [45:53]
2. "We all like to be in control, but the bottom line is none of us are very good at being in control. If we're honest, the decisions that we make and the direction that we would go, it doesn't always line up with God's way. And it certainly doesn't end up well for us. And some of us have, we've recognized that and, and, and we've given God control maybe in the past maybe maybe we've had an experience where where we were you know maybe at a children's camp summer camp somewhere and and we were invited to respond and we responded we gave god our all we gave him everything that we had way back in 19 whatever and over time we've sort of taken control back of the day-to-day stuff right god will let you have control of heaven you know i want to go to heaven and so you can you can i'll let you control that one out but but i'll kind of run the day-to-day operations here i've kind of got it figured out and i i know what i want anyway that's not how it works though is it." [54:48]
3. "We have opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus over and over and over again. Watch and pray for those opportunities that we might respond. So how are we led by the Spirit? When we release control, when we watch and pray, and number three, when we take a risk. Some of us are sort of risk adverse, right? We avoid risky situations. Our prayers are, God keep us safe, God keep my family safe, keep my children safe, keep my grandkids safe. We want safety and security. But when you read the New Testament, you find Jesus promising just the opposite. It's not middle-class America with safety and security and comfort. Jesus says, if you're going to follow me, look at what they're doing to me. If you're going to follow me, look at what they're doing to me. Look at how they're persecuting me. You think you're going to escape it? Trial and trouble is going to come your way too. If they came after me, they're going to come after you, if you're my followers." [01:02:32]
4. "We have the story of the prodigal son whose disrespect to the father also went to the mother as well. We have women in diverse life circumstances right here in our midst. Some are thriving. Some are coping. Some are barely getting by. Some may be feeling like they're even going under even this morning. You're not alone. God sees you. God knows where you are. And He wants to come to you this very day. He wants to join you with His presence. And He wants you to experience His love even as we've gathered in this place to worship Him." [11:26]
5. "We can't find Jesus on our own. We're born separated from God. We're born cut off from him. We're born with a broken compass, so to speak. And we don't know our way to life. We can't find our way out of the maze. And so we need God to show us who Jesus is and show us the way of forgiveness and salvation. So He will lead us to Jesus. He will, number two, lead us to peace. And if you're looking for peace, if you've got anxiety that you're dealing with, and I'm not going to ask you to raise your hands for anxiety because we could all raise our hands probably. But there is a source of peace and the Holy Spirit wants to lead you to that source, which is Jesus." [50:27]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Without faith it's impossible to please God. It takes faith but it takes us being willing to risk and step out not watching by sight but by faith it takes faith to take the next step in your walk with God and some of you here you're following God from a distance and you're you're staying keeping your distance where it's safe you plan on going to heaven when you die but but don't get me too involved in the the muck of what we call Christianity today right it takes faith to join a church and make a commitment to say I'm gonna be here I'm gonna be a part of this church family warts and all it takes faith to get baptized it takes faith to join a small group and some of you've been burned by by being a part of a small group in the past and you were there and you exposed yourself you've made yourself vulnerable and you got hurt and you said I'm not going to do that again nope nope you can't make me do that it takes faith to find a place to serve in the church of Jesus Christ it takes faith to pay your tithe to give God the first 10% of an increase especially when you're struggling trying to make ends meet it takes faith to talk to somebody about spiritual things we have all these questions come to mind all the reasons not to to talk to somebody I might not have the right answers I might say the wrong thing what if what if what if what if it takes faith to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit it takes faith to respond to the leading to give maybe a single mom a word of encouragement maybe slipper a twenty dollar bill and say keep doing the right thing it takes faith from God from his Holy Spirit to live and to walk by faith to invite somebody to church or invite somebody to lunch it's risky what if they say no I'll feel stupid it takes faith risk your pride risk your ego." [01:05:59]
2. "How do we find ourselves being led by the spirit starts with releasing control right secondly to watch and to pray and third to be willing to take a risk and that means not living the safe comfortable secure life so as we wrap up this message where's the gods speaking to you today where's he asking you to take the next step maybe maybe he's telling you that you need to surrender you've never surrendered you've always kind of held on to control but maybe today he's telling you you need to just release control Jesus said if you want to follow me you've got to take up your cross daily and come follow me and be my disciples you can't be a disciple you can't be a disciple you can't be a disciple you can't be a disciple unless you release control so where do you need to start surrendering to God today maybe you've been hurt in the past maybe you think your past is so so terrible that God would never forgive me that God would never want me to be a part of his family maybe you've been hurt maybe you've been afraid but let God have control trust in him God helped me to see the assignment that that you have around me every day every day he's got us on assignment help me to act on those opportunities that come before me help me to see them have my eyes open to see them and help me to have the faith to act on them without faith it's impossible to please God without the Holy Spirit leading us empowering us guiding us we can't live the Christian life we need God the line that I repeat over and over again I can't God can I think I'll let him I can't God can I think I'll let him." [01:09:14]
3. "So how are we led by the Spirit? When we release control, when we watch and pray, and number three, when we take a risk. Some of us are sort of risk adverse, right? We avoid risky situations. Our prayers are, God keep us safe, God keep my family safe, keep my children safe, keep my grandkids safe. We want safety and security. But when you read the New Testament, you find Jesus promising just the opposite. It's not middle-class America with safety and security and comfort. Jesus says, if you're going to follow me, look at what they're doing to me. If you're going to follow me, look at what they're doing to me. Look at how they're persecuting me. You think you're going to escape it? Trial and trouble is going to come your way too. If they came after me, they're going to come after you, if you're my followers. And so we shouldn't be surprised. We should be surprised if we're not being in trouble." [01:02:32]
4. "We all like to be in control, truth to be told, right? Even if we're not freakish about our control fetish. Stephanie and I, when we have the grandkids, it's always kind of fun. We'll have the grandkids with us and they'll spend maybe a day or two and they'll be playing and having fun. And then one of them will tell me, Paul, Paul, I'm getting hungry. What's for dinner? What can we eat? And I'm smart enough to know that I don't really care, but I don't give them a suggestion because I've got to clear it with grandma first. So I'm smart enough to know that. And so I'll go ask Stephanie, I said, well, what do you, what do you want to feed the kids today? And she'll say, oh, I don't care. You know, it doesn't matter. Why don't we go out and get something to eat? Okay. Where do you want to go? Oh, I don't care. Just let them choose. They can choose whatever they want. And I know how this is going to end because my grandkids, they're going to choose one of three places. It's Culver's, not because they like the food. It's because of the ice cream afterwards. Or it's Dairy Queen. Again, not because of the food, it's the ice cream afterwards. Or pizza. You know, it's just, and they know that grandpa and his heartburn is going to get ice cream afterwards. So they figured this stuff out. And, and so I know that those aren't Stephanie's first choices. So I said, are you, are you sure you want it up to them? And the control freak in her just kind of, well, let's try to tell them to go too. And, and that never really works. You know, you try, well, how about this restaurant? And no, let's go to Dairy Queen. Let's go to Culver's. We all like to be in control, but the, the bottom line is none of us are very good at being in control. If we're honest, the decisions that we make and the direction that we would go, it doesn't always line up with God's way. And it certainly doesn't end up well for us." [53:22]
5. "So how are we led by the Spirit? We number one, we release control number two we watch and pray so we need to pray with our eyes open god where are you leading me today you know sometimes i'll i'll pray that prayer in the morning and i i know i've got to go to the office and stephanie's giving me a list of things i got to go get at the store when i'm out she's always asking me to go to the store and i'm always asking when you're out running around like you know most of my running around has to do with you but anyway when i'm out running around could you go to the store could you do this and i said weren't you just there yesterday why well i forgot about that and okay all right so i i get this and i got a meeting in the afternoon another meeting in the evening and but i'm i'm praying god help me to see the opportunities that come before me when when i'm at walmart when when i'm when i'm shopping for stephanie when i'm at these meetings of course but i'm convinced that that sometimes we have our eyes closed and we miss these opportunities that are around us god's given us opportunities all the time and we miss them." [59:39]
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