Complete Surrender: Living Without Exceptions to God
Summary
In my sermon, I began by discussing the importance of serving our community, highlighting an upcoming event where we would be packing and distributing food to those in need. I emphasized the value of showing Jesus' love through our actions and encouraged the congregation to participate in these acts of service.
I then transitioned into the story of King Solomon, focusing on the complexities of his character and reign. Solomon's story is a fascinating one, marked by his request for wisdom and the building of the temple. However, as I delved deeper into his life, I was struck by the word "except" in the description of Solomon's obedience to God. Despite his love for the Lord and his adherence to his father David's decrees, Solomon made exceptions in his life, allowing for compromises that ultimately led him astray.
I reflected on how we, too, often live with "except that" moments, where we follow God but hold back certain areas of our lives. I shared the insight that it is these exceptions that define us, just as they defined Solomon. I urged the congregation to consider what they might be withholding from God and the impact of those choices on their relationship with Him.
I also spoke about the importance of not relying on the faith of our parents or others to carry us into a relationship with God. Each person must find their own faith and surrender fully to God, without exceptions. I highlighted the difficulty of entrusting our loved ones, especially our children, to God, but stressed the necessity of doing so for their spiritual growth and our own.
As I concluded, I reminded the congregation that God's promises are true and available to us, but we must live without exceptions to fully experience His blessings. I called on everyone to surrender their lives completely to God, to live a life poured out to Him, and to trust in His plan for us.
Key Takeaways:
1. Serving our community is a tangible expression of our faith and love for Jesus. By participating in acts of service, such as food distribution, we not only meet the physical needs of others but also have the opportunity to share the love of Christ in a practical way. This is an essential aspect of our calling as Christians. [38:09]
2. The story of Solomon teaches us that wisdom alone is not enough; it must be accompanied by complete obedience to God. Holding back any part of our lives from God's lordship creates a barrier to the fullness of His blessings and can lead to spiritual compromise. [41:25]
3. Our faith must be our own; it cannot be inherited or piggybacked from others. While we may be influenced by the faith of our parents or mentors, each of us must make a personal decision to follow Christ and surrender every aspect of our lives to Him. [47:46]
4. Surrendering our loved ones to God, especially our children, is a profound act of trust in His sovereignty and goodness. By dedicating them to the Lord, we acknowledge that God's plans for their lives are superior to our own and that He is ultimately in control. [49:25]
5. Living a life without exceptions to God's commands is the pathway to experiencing His peace, joy, and love. When we fully surrender to God, we open ourselves to the transformative power of His Spirit and align ourselves with His perfect will for our lives. [51:13]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Kings 3:1-5 - "Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and married one of his daughters. He brought her to live in the city of David until he could finish building his palace and the temple of the Lord and the wall around the city. At that time the people of Israel sacrificed their offerings at local places of worship, for a temple honoring the name of the Lord had not yet been built. Solomon loved the Lord and followed all the decrees of his father, David, except that Solomon too offered sacrifices and burned incense at the local places of worship. The most important of these places of worship was at Gibeon. So the king went there and sacrificed a thousand burnt offerings. That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, 'What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you.'"
2. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 - "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil."
3. Romans 12:1-2 - "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific actions did Solomon take that showed his love for the Lord, according to 1 Kings 3:1-5?
2. What was the significance of the word "except" in the description of Solomon's obedience to God? [41:25]
3. According to Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, what is the duty of all mankind?
4. What does Romans 12:1-2 urge believers to do with their bodies and minds?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Solomon's exceptions in his obedience to God were significant in his life and reign? [44:40]
2. How does the concept of "except that" moments apply to modern believers' lives? [44:40]
3. What does it mean to offer your body as a living sacrifice, as mentioned in Romans 12:1-2, and how does this relate to living without exceptions to God's commands?
4. How can the wisdom Solomon asked for be applied in our daily lives, and what are the potential pitfalls if it is not accompanied by complete obedience to God? [46:17]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you participated in a community service event. How did it impact your faith and your relationship with others? How can you get involved in serving your community this week? [38:09]
2. Identify an "except that" moment in your life where you have held something back from God. What steps can you take to surrender that area to Him fully? [44:40]
3. Think about the faith of your parents or mentors. How has it influenced your own faith journey? What can you do to ensure your faith is personal and not just inherited? [47:46]
4. Consider the challenge of entrusting your loved ones, especially your children, to God. What practical steps can you take to dedicate them to the Lord and trust in His plan for their lives? [49:25]
5. Reflect on a specific command of God that you find difficult to follow. What practical steps can you take this week to align your life more closely with that command? [51:13]
6. How can you apply the wisdom of Solomon in your decision-making processes this week? Identify a specific decision you need to make and seek God's wisdom in that area. [46:17]
7. Romans 12:1-2 talks about being transformed by the renewing of your mind. What is one specific area of your life where you need transformation, and what steps can you take to allow God to renew your mind in that area?
Devotional
Day 1: Faith in Action Nourishes Community
Community service is a practical demonstration of faith, reflecting Jesus' love by meeting the needs of others. When individuals engage in acts such as food distribution, they embody the compassion and care that Jesus exemplified during His ministry. This tangible expression of faith not only provides for the physical necessities of those in need but also serves as a witness to the transformative power of Christ's love. By participating in these acts, believers are given the opportunity to connect with their community, break down barriers, and create a space where the message of the Gospel can be shared and received. It is through these actions that faith becomes more than a personal journey; it becomes a collective effort to uplift and support one another, mirroring the early church's commitment to communal well-being. [38:09]
"Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him." - Proverbs 14:31 ESV
Reflection: How can you serve someone in your community this week to demonstrate the love of Jesus in a practical way?
Day 2: Wisdom and Obedience Walk Hand in Hand
Solomon's story is a cautionary tale that illustrates the insufficiency of wisdom without complete obedience to God. Despite his initial desire to lead with discernment and understanding, Solomon's reign was marred by exceptions to his obedience. These compromises eventually led him away from the path God had set for him. This serves as a reminder that wisdom must be coupled with a steadfast commitment to God's commands. Holding back any area of life from God's sovereignty can create barriers to His blessings and lead to spiritual compromise. Believers are called to examine their lives for any "except that" moments and to strive for a wholehearted devotion to God's will, ensuring that their wisdom is not tainted by disobedience. [41:25]
"For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity." - Proverbs 2:6-7 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 3: Personal Faith Beyond Ancestral Beliefs
Faith is a deeply personal journey that cannot be inherited or assumed through the beliefs of parents or mentors. Each individual must come to a personal decision to follow Christ and surrender every aspect of their lives to Him. This personal faith journey requires a conscious and deliberate choice to seek a relationship with God, independent of the influences and faith expressions of those around them. It is a step of maturity in one's spiritual walk, acknowledging that while the faith of others can inspire and guide, it cannot replace the need for a direct and personal connection with the Divine. [47:46]
"And Jesus answered them, 'Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.'" - Mark 11:22-23 ESV
Reflection: Reflect on the influence of your parents' or mentors' faith in your life. How can you cultivate a faith that is truly your own, starting today?
Day 4: Trusting God with Our Loved Ones
Surrendering loved ones to God, especially children, is an act of profound trust in His sovereignty and goodness. It is an acknowledgment that God's plans for their lives are superior to any desires or aspirations one might have for them. This surrender is not a relinquishment of responsibility or care but rather a partnership with God in guiding and nurturing their spiritual growth. It is a recognition that, ultimately, God is in control and that His love for them surpasses even the deepest parental affection. By dedicating loved ones to the Lord, believers express faith in His ability to lead and protect them throughout their lives. [49:25]
"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth." - Psalm 127:3-4 ESV
Reflection: What fears or hesitations do you have about entrusting your loved ones to God, and how can you begin to release these to Him?
Day 5: Wholehearted Surrender to God's Will
Living without exceptions to God's commands is the key to experiencing His full peace, joy, and love. When believers fully surrender to God, they open themselves to the transformative power of His Spirit and align with His perfect will for their lives. This surrender is not a one-time event but a daily practice of yielding one's desires, plans, and will to God. It is in this posture of surrender that believers find true freedom and the ability to live out their purpose. The call to live a life poured out to God is an invitation to experience the richness of a relationship with Him, unencumbered by reservations or conditions. [51:13]
"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." - Romans 12:1 ESV
Reflection: Identify a specific way you can practice surrendering to God's will today. How can this act of surrender become a regular part of your spiritual discipline?
Quotes
1. "Solomon loved the Lord, but was not born again, and thus was not filled with the Holy Spirit. You see, I think Solomon, in his questioning and asking for wisdom, God's spirit was poured out to him. But he was living on that side of the cross, and because we live on this side of the cross, into the resurrection, we can be filled with the Holy Spirit." [01:01:29]
2. "God, you can have my life, accept that. And, and Paul writes, we're to, we're to pour out our lives as a living sacrifice to God. Let your bodies be a living sacrifice to the Lord. It says, I plead with you to give your bodies to God, because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice, the kind he will find acceptable." [01:03:19]
3. "God loves us so much that he wants to give us peace. He wants to give us joy and pour out love upon us that we couldn't have ever imagined. This is the life that God wants us to live into. But we also have to do part of it. We have to give what we're holding back from God. We have to leave it before God and say, you know what? I thought I could hold on to this, but I can't hold on to that and have a full-blown relationship with you, God." [01:04:59]
4. "So it is our except that moments that will ultimately define our lives. It's what defines Solomon's life. It was that he followed the decrees of his father, he loved the Lord except that, and he still did some of the things that he thought he could do." [44:40]
5. "You don't get into heaven because your parents had a faith system, a strong faith system. You don't get into heaven that way. You don't have a relationship with God that way. Now, they may have you on their back, and they're trying to carry you to church and force you into a relationship with God, but until you make it your own, those moments that you say, well, God, I'll go to church, except you don't get this part of my life." [47:46]
6. "Parents, it's really hard to give your children to God, to dedicate them, to say, God, these kids are all yours, and I trust you with them completely. We can't use our kids to hold back our own lives, but we can't hold our children, back by not giving them to God. We have to do that painful thing of saying, God, these kids are yours." [49:25]
7. "The Lord was very angry with Solomon, for his heart had turned away from the Lord. The God of Israel who had appeared to him twice. He had made decisions and choices where God wasn't really the most important God in his life anymore. Solomon marries all of these foreign women who have all of these other gods and all of these other faith systems, and he begins to worship right alongside with these wives that he has." [51:13]
8. "Why do we believe what we believe? Because God can give us peace over chaos. He can give us peace in times of anxiety, and fear, and depression, and addiction. God can give peace over those things, but you can't hold it back from him." [56:09]
9. "God has blessings awaiting us if we just give our lives to him. Solomon held back from God, and God still blessed him, but that's because God had promised David that I will establish the kingdom of God through your family. It wasn't anything that Solomon did to gain all of that from God. It was that God had made a promise, and what God has promised you and I today is still true and still there for us, that he will take care of us." [57:54]
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