Choosing God's Path: The Power of Submission
Summary
In our journey through life, we often find ourselves at a crossroads between the world's way and God's way. Jesus calls us to choose a different path, one that is not necessarily easier but is undoubtedly better. This path requires us to focus on God, setting aside the distractions of the world and the desires of our own hearts. By doing so, we align ourselves with a life of greater purpose and deeper meaning.
We began today by closing our eyes and contemplating our perception of God. This exercise is crucial because how we see God shapes our relationship with Him. If we don't take the time to consider God, our faith risks becoming obligatory or conditional, rather than a genuine pursuit of His presence in our lives. When we focus on God, we recognize that Jesus is the standard. He calls us to go deeper, to allow Him into every area of our lives, even those we have kept from Him.
Jesus is the perfect example of truth and love. He challenges us to follow His example, not just in words but in actions. This means submitting to His will, even when it conflicts with our desires for independence and control. Submission is not a popular concept, especially in a culture that values freedom and self-reliance. Yet, it is through submission that we find true freedom in Christ.
The story of the Rich Young Ruler illustrates the struggle between holding onto worldly possessions and following Jesus. The young man was sincere in his quest for eternal life, but he couldn't let go of his wealth. Jesus offered him the opportunity to release his grip on what controlled him and to follow a better way. This invitation is extended to each of us. We must identify what we are holding onto and choose to submit it to God.
In my own life, I have experienced the power of submission. When I let go of my need to control and allowed God to guide me, I found peace and freedom. This is the better way that Jesus offers us. It is not easy, but it is transformative. As we submit more of our lives to Him, we become more like Him, drawing others to His love and grace.
Key Takeaways:
- The Importance of Perception: How we perceive God shapes our relationship with Him. If we don't prioritize seeing God clearly, our faith can become obligatory or conditional, rather than a genuine pursuit of His presence. [03:22]
- Jesus as the Standard: Jesus calls us to a deeper relationship with Him, encouraging us to allow Him into every area of our lives. He is the standard of truth and love, and following Him requires us to submit our desires to His will. [08:01]
- The Challenge of Submission: Submission is a difficult concept, especially in a culture that values independence. Yet, it is through submission to God's will that we find true freedom and purpose. [16:03]
- The Rich Young Ruler's Dilemma: The story of the Rich Young Ruler illustrates the struggle between holding onto worldly possessions and following Jesus. We must identify what controls us and choose to release it to follow a better way. [24:26]
- Personal Experience of Submission: In my own life, I have found peace and freedom by submitting my need to control to God. This transformative process allows us to become more like Jesus, drawing others to His love and grace. [37:26]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to the Series
- [00:59] - A Different Start
- [01:43] - Contemplating God
- [02:54] - How We See God
- [03:49] - The Abundant Life
- [04:32] - Embracing Differences
- [05:15] - God's Unique Gift
- [06:21] - Visualizing God
- [07:27] - Jesus as the Standard
- [08:47] - The Challenge of Focus
- [10:38] - Jesus as the Way, Truth, and Life
- [11:27] - Jesus' Example of Service
- [13:35] - The Gospel Message
- [15:32] - The Call to Submit
- [17:45] - The Rich Young Ruler
- [24:26] - The One Thing Lacking
- [29:03] - Personal Story of Submission
- [36:37] - Praying for Others
- [41:10] - Invitation to Submit
- [43:03] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 13:13-17
2. Matthew 19:16-22
3. Galatians 2:20
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Observation Questions:
1. In John 13:13-17, what example does Jesus set for His disciples, and how does He instruct them to follow it?
2. What was the Rich Young Ruler's initial question to Jesus in Matthew 19:16-22, and how did Jesus respond to him? [17:59]
3. According to Galatians 2:20, what does it mean to be "crucified with Christ," and how does this affect the believer's life?
4. How does the sermon describe the importance of how we perceive God and its impact on our faith? [03:22]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does Jesus emphasize the importance of submission in the story of the Rich Young Ruler, and what does this reveal about the nature of true discipleship? [24:26]
2. How does the concept of being "crucified with Christ" in Galatians 2:20 relate to the idea of letting go of control and submitting to God's will?
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our perception of God can become obligatory or conditional, and how can this be avoided? [03:22]
4. How does Jesus' example of washing the disciples' feet in John 13:13-17 illustrate the balance between truth and love in His teachings?
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you were at a crossroads between the world's way and God's way. What choice did you make, and what was the outcome? [00:29]
2. Identify an area of your life where you struggle with submission to God's will. What steps can you take this week to begin releasing control in that area? [16:03]
3. How do you currently perceive God, and how does this perception shape your relationship with Him? What changes might you need to make to see Him more clearly? [03:22]
4. Consider the story of the Rich Young Ruler. What is one "possession" or aspect of your life that you find difficult to let go of in order to follow Jesus more closely? [24:26]
5. Jesus is described as the standard of truth and love. How can you incorporate His example into your daily interactions with others this week? [08:01]
6. The sermon mentions the power of submission leading to peace and freedom. Can you recall a personal experience where submitting to God brought about a positive change in your life? [37:26]
7. What practical steps can you take to prioritize focusing on God amidst the distractions of daily life? How can you make this a regular practice? [04:04]
Devotional
Day 1: Perception Shapes Relationship
How we perceive God fundamentally shapes our relationship with Him. If we view God as distant or indifferent, our faith may become a mere obligation or a conditional practice. However, when we see God as loving and present, our faith transforms into a genuine pursuit of His presence. This perception influences how we prioritize our spiritual life and how we respond to His call. By focusing on God and seeking to understand Him more deeply, we open ourselves to a more profound and meaningful relationship with Him. [03:22]
"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." (1 Corinthians 13:12, ESV)
Reflection: How do you currently perceive God, and how does this perception affect your daily walk with Him? What steps can you take today to see Him more clearly?
Day 2: Jesus as the Standard of Truth and Love
Jesus calls us to a deeper relationship with Him, encouraging us to allow Him into every area of our lives. He is the ultimate standard of truth and love, and following Him requires us to submit our desires to His will. This submission is not about losing our identity but about aligning our lives with His purpose. By doing so, we experience a life of greater purpose and deeper meaning, as we reflect His love and truth in our actions and decisions. [08:01]
"Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked." (1 John 2:6, ESV)
Reflection: What areas of your life have you not fully allowed Jesus into? How can you begin to invite Him into those areas today?
Day 3: The Freedom Found in Submission
Submission is a challenging concept, especially in a culture that values independence and self-reliance. Yet, it is through submission to God's will that we find true freedom and purpose. By letting go of our need for control and trusting in God's plan, we experience peace and liberation. This act of submission is not about weakness but about recognizing that God's ways are higher and better than our own. It is through this surrender that we find our true identity and purpose in Christ. [16:03]
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle with submission to God? What would it look like to trust Him fully in this area today?
Day 4: Letting Go of What Controls Us
The story of the Rich Young Ruler illustrates the struggle between holding onto worldly possessions and following Jesus. We must identify what controls us and choose to release it to follow a better way. This may involve letting go of material possessions, ambitions, or even relationships that hinder our spiritual growth. By releasing our grip on these things, we open ourselves to the abundant life that Jesus offers, one that is filled with purpose and fulfillment. [24:26]
"And he said to them, 'Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'" (Luke 12:15, ESV)
Reflection: What is one thing you are holding onto that may be hindering your relationship with Jesus? How can you begin to release it today?
Day 5: The Transformative Power of Submission
In personal experiences of submission, many have found peace and freedom by letting go of the need to control and allowing God to guide them. This transformative process allows us to become more like Jesus, drawing others to His love and grace. As we submit more of our lives to Him, we reflect His character and become a living testimony of His transformative power. This journey is not easy, but it is one that leads to a life of greater purpose and fulfillment. [37:26]
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced peace through submission to God. How can you continue to embrace this transformative process in your life today?
Quotes
Jesus calls us to a different way of life not an easier way of life a better way of life a different way of life a a way that If we're honest runs counter to a lot of the ways of the world and if we're even more honest runs counter often times to the feelings in our own heart. [00:00:12]
If we don't we run the risk of blowing through too much of our Lives not considering him at all or our consideration of him becomes obligatory we're just checking Christian boxes just to try to look the part or even worse our consideration of him becomes conditional. [00:03:18]
Jesus is the standard Jesus is always encouraging us to go deeper he's always after our hearts when we stop to consider God that that need like we just sang about he says follow me walk with me be with me that that need to allow him in into those areas of our life. [00:07:40]
Jesus said I am the way not easier but better I am the way I follow after me learn from me I am the way I am the truth he doesn't water down the truth he doesn't whitewash the truth he is the truth and he is the life and nobody comes to the father but through me. [00:10:35]
Jesus is the standard that we should be focusing on each and every day in our lives not beating ourselves up but not letting ourselves off the hook with regards to this truth there are many places in the Bible where the perfect fulfillment of God's truth and God's love is evident. [00:11:00]
Jesus is the standard and he's always encouraging us to go deeper he's always after our hearts and he's pointing him to the Commandments in the hope of getting to his heart getting him to realize that he can't hold up against the weight of The Commandments not to look at them from a surface level perspective. [00:19:36]
Jesus looked at him and loved him and said yes there is it's a good question and here's an opportunity here's an invitation for Jesus to get to this man's heart for him to submit and to let Jesus in he says there's one thing that you lack go sell everything that you own and give to the poor. [00:22:13]
The one thing he lacks is Jesus and in order to get Jesus this man needs to open his hand to the one thing that has been controlling him the one thing that un unfortunately we tend to put our identity in we tend to put our security in we tend to put our fear in we tend to put our desire to control. [00:24:23]
The pain of discipline the pain of obedience the pain of submission it's going to cost us something to follow this better way I don't think Life as a Christian is easier I actually think it's harder than the life of a non-Christian but it is absolutely better we're all going experience one of those two pains. [00:26:33]
There is power in this ver first because there is power that gets released in your life when you submit when you submit an area of your life over to his lordship in your life I want to try to illustrate this so I'm going to give you an example from my life anybody here ever get lied about okay good. [00:28:55]
What is that to you as for you you follow me now if that's your first time reading that verse that might sound a little harsh like kind of you know Peter mind your own business you know I don't think it is Harsh I think it's actually loving it made me certainly fall in love with God even more. [00:34:20]
I want to encourage everyone here in fact I want to implore you don't let another day go don't let another day pass don't leave this church the same way you came in release that grip open up your hand and literally take Jesus's hand walk with him be with him learn from him yoke is easy his burden is light. [00:41:00]
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