Choosing Surrender: Embracing God's Path to Freedom
Summary
Beloved congregation, as we conclude our journey through the book of James, I reflect on the profound impact it has had on our lives. Over the past ten weeks, we have delved into the depths of this powerful scripture, seeking to align our actions with the image of Jesus. James has served as a practical guide, offering us daily applications of our faith through our interactions and deeds. It is my hope that this series has ignited a new intentionality within you, a bridge to a future that mirrors Christ more closely.
As we wrap up our series, we turn to the book of Joshua, drawing parallels between the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land and our own spiritual conquests. Just as Joshua led God's people to reclaim their inheritance, we too are called to take back our spiritual heritage, to choose whom we will serve, and to surrender to the Lord's will.
The internal struggle between our flesh and our spirit is a war that rages within each of us. James vividly describes this conflict as a battlefield where our passions are at odds, leading to quarrels and fights. It is in the choices we make, the words we speak, and the actions we take that we determine which army prevails. Are we reinforcing our sinful nature or nurturing the new life growing within us?
James challenges us to close the door to the world and fully surrender to the Lord, who fills us with the very things we've been seeking. It is a call to submit, to relinquish control, and to embrace the life God has promised. This surrender, though daunting, is the key to the freedom, hope, and grace we long for.
The stark choice presented by James is clear: friendship with the world is enmity with God. We cannot straddle the fence; we must choose. The concept of "cakeism," the desire to indulge in two incompatible alternatives, is not an option in our spiritual walk. We must fully commit to the path God has set before us, relying on His grace, which is ever abundant.
As we move forward, let us carry the lessons of James with us, allowing them to shape our lives and our community. May we be a church that embodies the humility, surrender, and grace that James calls us to, and may our lives be a testament to the transformative power of God's word.
Key Takeaways:
1) The journey through James has been a call to action, urging us to embody the likeness of Christ not only in word but in deed. As we have explored the book, we've been challenged to live out our faith in tangible ways, impacting how we interact with others and the choices we make daily. This intentional living is a bridge to a future that reflects Jesus more clearly, and it is my prayer that this bridge-building process has begun in earnest within our hearts. [48:22]
2) The internal war between our flesh and our spirit is a vivid reality that James does not shy away from addressing. This battle is not abstract; it is felt in the decisions we make every day. The army that we reinforce—be it our sinful nature or our spiritual life—will ultimately claim victory. It is crucial to feed the new life within us with our focus, time, and energy, for it is this life that will lead us to victory in Christ. [01:02:57]
3) Surrendering to the Lord is a counter-cultural act that requires humility and trust. It may feel uncomfortable, even un-American, to relinquish control, but it is through this surrender that we find true freedom and the abundant life that God promises. As we humble ourselves before the Lord, He will exalt us, and we will experience His mercy, grace, and love in new measures. [53:43]
4) The concept of "cakeism," or trying to maintain a foothold in two opposing worlds, is incompatible with a life devoted to God. James reminds us that we cannot have our cake and eat it too when it comes to our spiritual walk. We must make a definitive choice, fully committing to the life God has for us and closing the door to the world's temptations. This commitment is the pathway to experiencing God's grace in its fullness. [01:09:17]
5) As we face the pressures and tensions of life, both external and internal, it is essential to remember that our responses and actions within the church community have a significant impact. The quarrels and fights that arise from our passions can cause rifts among believers, just as they did in the early church. Let us strive to resolve conflicts with grace and unity, keeping our focus on the greater mission of living out our faith in love and harmony. [59:25]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. James 4:1-10: "What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, 'He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us'? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does James identify as the root cause of quarrels and fights among believers? ([55:01])
2. According to James, what are the consequences of being friends with the world? ([55:41])
3. What does James say will happen when we submit ourselves to God and resist the devil? ([56:24])
4. How does James describe the internal conflict between our flesh and spirit? ([59:57])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does James emphasize the importance of humility and submission to God in overcoming internal conflicts? ([56:24])
2. How does the concept of "cakeism" relate to the choices we make in our spiritual lives? ([01:09:17])
3. What does it mean to "draw near to God," and how does this action impact our spiritual battles? ([56:24])
4. How can the story of Joshua and the Israelites' conquest of the Promised Land serve as a metaphor for our spiritual journey? ([49:00])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent conflict you experienced. How did your actions align with or contradict James' teachings on humility and submission? ([55:01])
2. In what areas of your life are you tempted to maintain a foothold in both the world and your faith? How can you fully commit to the path God has set before you? ([55:41])
3. What practical steps can you take this week to "draw near to God" and resist the devil's temptations? ([56:24])
4. Think about a time when you felt the internal war between your flesh and spirit. How did you handle it, and what can you do differently next time to nurture your spiritual life? ([59:57])
5. How can you apply the lessons from the Israelites' journey to reclaim their inheritance to your own spiritual conquests? ([49:00])
6. Identify one area in your life where you need to surrender control to God. What specific actions will you take to relinquish that control and trust in His plan? ([53:43])
7. How can you encourage and support others in your small group to live out the principles of humility, surrender, and grace that James calls us to? ([47:42])
Devotional
Day 1: Intentional Living Reflects Christ
Living out one's faith is not merely a matter of belief but of daily action. It is through the choices made and the interactions with others that one's alignment with Christ is truly demonstrated. This intentional living is a transformative process, bridging the gap between the current self and a future that more closely mirrors Jesus. It requires a conscious effort to apply the teachings of faith in every aspect of life, from the smallest decision to the most significant action. This journey through the book of James has been a reminder that faith without works is incomplete, and it is through works that faith is made perfect. [48:22]
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like." - James 1:22-24 (ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific way you can live out your faith in action today that reflects the character of Christ?
Day 2: Victory in the Spiritual Battle
The internal conflict between the flesh and the spirit is a reality that every believer faces. James does not shy away from addressing this battle, emphasizing that the choices made daily are the battleground where this war is won or lost. To emerge victorious, it is essential to feed the spirit and starve the flesh. This means dedicating time, focus, and energy to spiritual growth and resisting the temptations that lead to sin. The victory in Christ is not a passive achievement but an active pursuit, requiring a steadfast commitment to the new life that has been given through faith. [01:02:57]
"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit." - Romans 8:5 (ESV)
Reflection: What is one habit you can change or develop this week to strengthen your spiritual life and weaken the influence of the flesh?
Day 3: The Freedom Found in Surrender
Surrendering to the Lord is a paradoxical concept that promises freedom through submission. It is a counter-cultural act that requires humility and trust, often feeling uncomfortable and against one's natural inclinations. However, it is through this act of surrender that one finds the true freedom and abundant life that God promises. By relinquishing control and humbling oneself before the Lord, one opens the door to experiencing His mercy, grace, and love in new and profound ways. This surrender is not a one-time event but a daily practice of submitting one's will to God's. [53:43]
"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you." - James 4:10 (ESV)
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 4: Rejecting Cakeism in Spiritual Commitment
The concept of "cakeism," or attempting to maintain a foothold in two opposing worlds, is a spiritual fallacy. James reminds believers that they cannot have their cake and eat it too when it comes to their walk with God. A definitive choice must be made, fully committing to the life God has set before them and closing the door to the world's temptations. This commitment is not merely a mental assent but a wholehearted embrace of God's path, which leads to experiencing His grace in its fullness. It is a call to live a life that is not divided but wholly devoted to God's purposes. [01:09:17]
"You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." - James 4:4 (ESV)
Reflection: In what ways might you be trying to "have your cake and eat it too" in your spiritual life, and what steps can you take to fully commit to God's path?
Day 5: Grace and Unity in Community
The church community is not immune to the pressures and tensions of life, and the way members respond to these challenges has a significant impact. Quarrels and fights that arise from unchecked passions can cause rifts among believers, just as they did in the early church. It is essential to approach conflicts with grace and unity, focusing on the greater mission of living out faith in love and harmony. This approach requires a conscious effort to resolve differences and to foster an environment where the transformative power of God's word is evident in the lives of the congregation. [59:25]
"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." - Colossians 3:13 (ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent conflict within your church community. How can you contribute to resolving it with grace and seek unity in the body of Christ?
Quotes
1) "If you consider yourself family with the world, then you are an enemy of God. That's scary for me. It's so easy to play the game of why can't I just have a little of this, why can't I just say that thing one time?" [01:07:02] (Download clip | | )
2) "When we choose to close the door to the world, to surrender our life to the Lord, he fills us with these things that we've been seeking all along. If you would just submit, if you would just surrender." [01:13:19] (Download clip | | )
3) "The war that is raging within us, our flesh against our spirit, can breed some pretty terrible things... James draws a line in the sand between the Lord and the world." [01:05:13] ( | | )
4) "The army that's receiving the reinforcements is the one that will win the war. Are you feeding this sinful nature within us, or are you feeding this new life growing within you?" [01:02:57] ( | | )
5) "Cakeism... being faced with the desire to indulge in two incompatible alternatives. If I have my cake, I can't eat it, but I want to eat it. You can't serve two masters." [01:09:17] (Download clip | | )
6) "But he gives more grace. We are constantly making enemies with the Lord, are we not? And the choices we make... because of his grace that is compassionate and merciful, that calls us sons and daughters." [01:10:39] ( | | )
7) "Surrender is an uncomfortable thing... it feels un-American to think about surrendering... but James tells us... that this is the key to the life that you've always wanted." [53:43] ( | | )
8) "We're called as believers to look like, to model and mirror the image of Jesus in our lives, not just in the words that we say but in the actions that we do." [47:42] (Download clip | | )
9) "We've been building every day a bridge into the likeness of Jesus... this intentionality, this new attention and emphasis on Christlikeness began that I've been building a bridge in my life to the future that will look more like Jesus." [48:22] (Download clip | | )
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