Choosing Control: Surrendering to the Spirit's Guidance
Summary
In my sermon today, I began by sharing a light-hearted story about proving to some young people that despite my age, I could still perform a backflip on a trampoline. This humorous anecdote served as a segue into a deeper discussion about control and who truly governs our lives. I reminisced about my childhood, particularly about driving my father's old Chevy Spectrum, which symbolized my early experiences with control. This memory illustrated the illusion of control I felt as a child, steering the car while my father actually operated the pedals, highlighting the true control he retained.
Transitioning from personal anecdotes to scriptural analysis, I delved into Romans Chapter 8, focusing on the dichotomy between living according to the flesh and living according to the spirit. I emphasized that living by the flesh leads to death, whereas living by the spirit brings life and peace. This theme of control—or rather, the surrender of it to God—was central to my message. I stressed that daily, we face the decision of allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us, which contrasts sharply with following our sinful desires.
I shared a personal testimony about a pivotal moment in my life in 2015, when I surrendered control to God during a low point in a run-down hotel. This act of surrender marked a significant turning point, leading me away from a life dominated by fleshly desires to one guided by the Spirit. This story was not just about personal transformation but also a call to the congregation to reflect on who controls their lives—the flesh or the Spirit.
The sermon also addressed the practical implications of this spiritual battle for control. I highlighted the real-life consequences of living according to the flesh, such as addiction and moral decay, and contrasted these with the fruits of living by the Spirit, such as peace and joy. I used my own life changes, including a career shift from teaching to full-time ministry, as an example of the radical obedience and trust in God that living by the Spirit requires.
As we neared the conclusion, I invited the congregation to a time of reflection and prayer, urging everyone to consider areas of their life where they had not relinquished control to God. This was a moment for personal commitment, to choose the Spirit over the flesh, to choose life over death.
Key Takeaways:
1. The battle for control of our minds is a daily decision that determines our spiritual state and our eternal destination. Choosing to let the Holy Spirit lead our thoughts and actions each day is crucial for living a life that aligns with God's will. This choice leads to life and peace, contrasting sharply with the death brought by living according to the flesh. [41:44]
2. Living by the Spirit requires a conscious decision to reject the flesh and its desires. This decision is not a one-time event but a continuous battle that must be fought daily. The Spirit offers us the power to overcome sinful desires and live a life that pleases God, as evidenced by the fruits of the Spirit such as love, joy, and peace. [42:54]
3. The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is transformative, enabling us to live in a way that might not make sense to the world but brings us closer to God. This transformation often requires radical obedience and trust, as seen in my personal decision to leave a secure job for full-time ministry, guided by the Spirit's leading. [52:10]
4. The consequences of whom we allow to control our minds are stark: life or death, both spiritually and eternally. Feeding the Spirit through prayer, Scripture, and fellowship strengthens our spiritual life, while feeding the flesh leads to spiritual death and eternal separation from God. [58:34]
5. Surrendering control to God is not a sign of weakness but of ultimate strength and wisdom. In prayer, we find the courage to hand over every aspect of our lives to God's control, trusting that He will lead us to true life. This act of surrender should be a daily practice, reflecting our ongoing commitment to live under God's guidance and in His power. [01:08:14]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Romans 8:5-13 (NLT)
- Galatians 5:17 (NLT)
- John 10:10 (NLT)
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 8:5-6, what are the two mindsets Paul contrasts, and what are their outcomes?
2. In the sermon, the pastor shared a personal story about a pivotal moment in 2015. What was the significance of this moment in his spiritual journey? [01:01:22]
3. What does Galatians 5:17 say about the relationship between the desires of the flesh and the Spirit?
4. How does John 10:10 describe the purposes of the thief and Jesus?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to set your mind on the flesh versus setting your mind on the Spirit, according to Romans 8:5-6? How does this affect one's daily life and decisions?
2. The pastor mentioned that living by the Spirit might not make sense to the world. Why do you think this is the case, and how can this impact a believer's life choices? [50:31]
3. In Galatians 5:17, Paul talks about the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit. How does this internal battle manifest in a believer's life?
4. John 10:10 contrasts the thief's purpose with Jesus' purpose. How do these purposes reflect the outcomes of living according to the flesh versus living according to the Spirit?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a specific area of your life where you struggle to relinquish control to God. What steps can you take this week to surrender this area to the Holy Spirit? [01:05:59]
2. The pastor shared about his career shift from teaching to full-time ministry as an act of radical obedience. Is there a decision in your life that requires radical trust in God? What is holding you back from making that decision? [52:10]
3. Identify a daily habit that feeds your flesh rather than your spirit. How can you replace this habit with one that nurtures your spiritual growth? [58:34]
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of feeding the Spirit through prayer, Scripture, and fellowship. What specific actions can you take this week to strengthen your spiritual life in these areas? [58:34]
5. Think about a recent situation where you acted out of fleshly desires. How could you have responded differently if you were led by the Spirit? What can you learn from this experience for future situations? [46:56]
6. The pastor mentioned that living by the Spirit might lead to actions that don't make sense to the world. Can you recall a time when you felt led by the Spirit to do something unconventional? How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [50:31]
7. Reflect on John 10:10 and the abundant life Jesus promises. What does a rich and satisfying life look like for you, and how can you pursue it by living according to the Spirit? [57:19]
Devotional
Day 1: Choosing the Spirit Daily Shapes Our Destiny
Every day presents a new battle between following the flesh and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead. This choice is not merely about avoiding wrongdoing; it's about embracing a life that aligns with divine will, which leads to peace and life. The daily decision to let the Holy Spirit guide thoughts and actions is crucial. It's a conscious choice that impacts not only the present moment but also sets the trajectory for eternal life. This isn't about occasional spiritual practices but a continuous, moment-by-moment lifestyle choice that defines one's spiritual state and eternal destination. [41:44]
Galatians 5:16-17 says, "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."
Reflection: What specific moment today can you choose to respond by the guidance of the Holy Spirit instead of following a fleshly desire?
Day 2: Rejecting the Flesh to Embrace Spiritual Fruits
Living by the Spirit requires a deliberate rejection of the flesh and its desires. This ongoing battle demands vigilance and the willingness to continually say no to sinful urges. The Spirit empowers believers to overcome these desires and live a life that bears the fruits of love, joy, and peace. This transformation is evident in the radical changes one can experience, from personal habits to life decisions, all reflecting a commitment to God's way rather than human inclinations. [42:54]
Ephesians 4:22-24 instructs, "Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: Identify one 'old self' habit you struggle with. How can you actively 'put it off' and 'put on' the new self today?
Day 3: The Transformative Power of the Holy Spirit
The presence of the Holy Spirit in one's life is not just comforting; it's transformative. This transformation often requires radical obedience and trust, such as leaving a secure job for a calling in ministry, guided by the Spirit. This path might not make sense to the world but brings believers closer to fulfilling God's purpose for their lives. The Spirit's guidance is crucial in making decisions that align with divine wisdom rather than worldly logic. [52:10]
Colossians 3:1-2 says, "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Reflection: What is one decision you are facing where you can choose to follow the Spirit’s leading over worldly wisdom?
Day 4: Life or Death: The Stakes of Spiritual Control
The control we allow over our minds leads to profound consequences: spiritual and eternal life or death. Feeding the Spirit through prayer, Scripture study, and Christian fellowship strengthens our spiritual life, while indulging the flesh leads to spiritual decay and eternal separation from God. This stark choice underscores the importance of daily spiritual nourishment and vigilance. [58:34]
Romans 8:13-14 states, "For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to feed the Spirit rather than the flesh?
Day 5: Surrendering Control to God: A Sign of Strength
Surrendering control to God is not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of ultimate strength and wisdom. In daily prayer, believers find the courage to hand over every aspect of their lives to God's control, trusting that He will lead them to true life. This act of surrender should be a daily practice, reflecting an ongoing commitment to live under God's guidance and in His power. [01:08:14]
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 declares, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find it difficult to surrender control to God? How can you begin to trust His guidance in this area today?
Quotes
1) "Things that you do when you are living by the spirit will not totally make sense to the rest of the world. I had my poor grandma just in shambles. She was like, but what about your degree? What about your job? How are you gonna make money? And I said, you know what? I don't know, but God does. Because when you're living by the spirit, it doesn't look right to the rest of the world." [52:40]
2) "We have two destinations, life or death. And who is in control will determine your destination. As hard as that is to hear sometimes, who is in control will determine your destination." [53:23]
3) "I cannot continue to live like this. I was at the end of my rope, and I was a walking dead person. So I said very simply, I just simply, I said, okay, God, you take it from here. You drive. You are in control from here." [01:01:46]
4) "The same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is inside of you. All you gotta do is accept it." [01:04:48]
5) "The one that you feed is the one that will grow stronger. If you are feeding your spirit with quiet time and time spent with God and time in prayer, and time in the word, and time doing community with other Christian Christ followers, then your spirit will grow." [58:34]
6) "Who is in control of our mind? And before you leave here this morning, as Brian just said, this message is not a hear it and walk out of the building message. This message is a hear it and take action message." [41:44]
7) "Some of the things that we do and we say and we practice on a daily basis may not make sense to the world. It may be different than what the world would have you do. It may be very different than what the world defines as success." [50:31]
8) "We wanna be in control of just about everything. We wanna be in control of our finances, which is good to an extent. We wanna be in control of our future. Parents, we wanna be in control of our kids' future. We wanna be in control of our job, of our marriage, of our relationships, of our friendships, you name it and we want to be in control." [40:20]
9) "Express your willingness to the Spirit to surrender control. To say, I want you to be in control. This is you and God in your own way, in your own space. You sitting in his throne room at his feet with your hands raised saying, here it is, God, take it over." [01:08:14]
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