Complete Surrender: The Essence of True Conversion
Summary
In the transformative encounter on the road to Damascus, Saul of Tarsus, who later became the Apostle Paul, experienced a profound change that serves as a pattern for all who come to faith in Christ. This pivotal moment is marked by Saul's question, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" This question signifies a complete surrender of his will to Christ, a necessary step in the journey of faith. Saul's conversion is not just a dramatic story but a template for understanding the essence of becoming a Christian. It involves a deep realization of one's own sinfulness and the need for a Savior, leading to a total submission to Christ's lordship.
The essence of Christianity is not merely intellectual assent or emotional experience but the engagement of the entire personality—mind, emotions, and will. True conversion involves a radical change in one's relationship with God, characterized by obedience and a desire to glorify Him. This transformation is not about adhering to a set of rules but about a personal relationship with Christ, where His will becomes our own. Saul's question reflects this shift from self-reliance to complete dependence on Christ, acknowledging Him as Lord and Master.
The sermon emphasizes that many people may think they are Christians without truly understanding the depth of their sin and the necessity of surrendering their will to God. True repentance involves recognizing our rebellion against God and turning away from self-centeredness to live for His glory. This surrender is not a one-time event but a continuous process of aligning our will with God's, seeking to obey Him in all aspects of life.
Key Takeaways:
- True conversion involves the engagement of the entire personality—mind, emotions, and will. It is not enough to intellectually agree with Christian doctrines or have an emotional experience; the will must be surrendered to Christ. This surrender is a vital part of becoming a Christian, as it signifies a complete submission to God's will. [12:49]
- The essence of sin is disobedience to God, and true repentance involves acknowledging this rebellion and turning away from it. It is not merely about feeling sorry for specific actions but recognizing the self-centeredness that separates us from God. [23:26]
- Saul's question, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" signifies a radical change in his relationship with God. It reflects a shift from self-reliance to complete dependence on Christ, acknowledging Him as Lord and Master. This is the essence of true conversion. [17:01]
- The Christian life is marked by a continuous process of aligning our will with God's, seeking to obey Him in all aspects of life. This involves a willingness to follow Christ wherever He leads, even when we do not fully understand His ways. [36:09]
- The glory and love of Christ compel us to surrender our lives to Him. When we truly see Him for who He is, everything else pales in comparison, and we are drawn to follow Him wholeheartedly. This is the ultimate response to His grace and mercy. [44:47]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction to Saul's Conversion
[00:34] - Context of Saul's Encounter
[01:27] - Saul's Question and Its Significance
[02:07] - Differences in Biblical Versions
[03:38] - The Pattern of Conversion
[05:01] - Saul's Transformation
[06:17] - Seeing Christ and Self
[07:21] - Tests of True Christianity
[09:04] - Astonishment and Trembling
[10:31] - Engaging the Will
[12:15] - The Whole Personality in Faith
[14:10] - Surrender of the Will
[17:01] - Radical Change in Saul
[23:26] - Essence of Sin and Repentance
[36:09] - Following Christ Without Full Understanding
[44:47] - The Glory of Christ Compels Surrender
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Acts 9:1-6
- Romans 6:17
- Matthew 22:37-38
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Observation Questions:
1. What was Saul's initial reaction when he encountered the light from heaven on the road to Damascus, and what question did he ask? ([00:10])
2. How does the sermon describe the change in Saul's attitude towards Christ before and after his conversion? ([16:43])
3. According to the sermon, what are the three elements of the personality that must be engaged in true conversion? ([12:49])
4. What does the sermon suggest is the essence of sin, and how does it relate to Saul's transformation? ([23:26])
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Saul's question, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" reflect a shift in his relationship with God, and why is this significant for understanding true conversion? ([17:01])
2. The sermon emphasizes the engagement of the entire personality in conversion. How does this compare to the common misconceptions about what it means to be a Christian? ([11:23])
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that self-reliance and self-centeredness are obstacles to true repentance and conversion? ([27:27])
4. How does the sermon explain the continuous process of aligning our will with God's, and why is this important for the Christian life? ([36:09])
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt a need to surrender your will to God. What steps did you take, and how did it impact your faith journey? ([17:01])
2. The sermon suggests that true repentance involves recognizing our rebellion against God. How can you identify areas in your life where you might be resisting God's will? ([23:26])
3. Consider the idea that conversion involves the engagement of the entire personality. How can you ensure that your mind, emotions, and will are all actively involved in your faith? ([12:49])
4. The sermon highlights the importance of obedience in the Christian life. What specific areas of your life do you find challenging to align with God's will, and how can you work towards greater obedience? ([36:09])
5. Reflect on the glory and love of Christ as described in the sermon. How does this compel you to surrender more of your life to Him, and what practical steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Christ? ([44:47])
6. The sermon discusses the importance of seeing oneself as a sinner in need of a Savior. How can this understanding shape your interactions with others and your approach to sharing the gospel? ([27:27])
7. How can you cultivate a continuous process of aligning your will with God's in your daily life, especially when faced with decisions or challenges that test your faith? ([36:09])
Devotional
Day 1: Surrendering the Will to Christ
True conversion involves the engagement of the entire personality—mind, emotions, and will. It is not enough to intellectually agree with Christian doctrines or have an emotional experience; the will must be surrendered to Christ. This surrender is a vital part of becoming a Christian, as it signifies a complete submission to God's will. [12:49]
"For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God." (Romans 8:7-8, 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 2: Recognizing Our Rebellion
The essence of sin is disobedience to God, and true repentance involves acknowledging this rebellion and turning away from it. It is not merely about feeling sorry for specific actions but recognizing the self-centeredness that separates us from God. [23:26]
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision where you prioritized your desires over God's will. How can you realign your choices to reflect obedience to Him today?
Day 3: Dependence on Christ
Saul's question, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" signifies a radical change in his relationship with God. It reflects a shift from self-reliance to complete dependence on Christ, acknowledging Him as Lord and Master. This is the essence of true conversion. [17:01]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways are you still relying on your own understanding rather than seeking God's guidance? How can you practice dependence on Him in your daily decisions?
Day 4: Continuous Alignment with God's Will
The Christian life is marked by a continuous process of aligning our will with God's, seeking to obey Him in all aspects of life. This involves a willingness to follow Christ wherever He leads, even when we do not fully understand His ways. [36:09]
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a situation where you are unsure of God's plan. How can you trust and follow Him even when the path is unclear?
Day 5: Compelled by Christ's Glory
The glory and love of Christ compel us to surrender our lives to Him. When we truly see Him for who He is, everything else pales in comparison, and we are drawn to follow Him wholeheartedly. This is the ultimate response to His grace and mercy. [44:47]
"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: How does the vision of Christ's glory inspire you to live differently today? What steps can you take to ensure that His glory remains the focus of your life?
Quotes
"True conversion involves the engagement of the entire personality—mind, emotions, and will. It is not enough to intellectually agree with Christian doctrines or have an emotional experience; the will must be surrendered to Christ. This surrender is a vital part of becoming a Christian, as it signifies a complete submission to God's will." [11:00]
"The essence of sin is disobedience to God, and true repentance involves acknowledging this rebellion and turning away from it. It is not merely about feeling sorry for specific actions but recognizing the self-centeredness that separates us from God." [21:20]
"Saul's question, 'Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?' signifies a radical change in his relationship with God. It reflects a shift from self-reliance to complete dependence on Christ, acknowledging Him as Lord and Master. This is the essence of true conversion." [16:56]
"The Christian life is marked by a continuous process of aligning our will with God's, seeking to obey Him in all aspects of life. This involves a willingness to follow Christ wherever He leads, even when we do not fully understand His ways." [36:09]
"The glory and love of Christ compel us to surrender our lives to Him. When we truly see Him for who He is, everything else pales in comparison, and we are drawn to follow Him wholeheartedly. This is the ultimate response to His grace and mercy." [44:47]
"To be saved means that I realize that my sins are forgiven by the blood of Christ and that I needed to be forgiven because of my disobedience. Sin is not a matter of actions; it isn't a question of good or bad actions; it's a question of my relationship to God." [28:18]
"Repentance means this: not so much that I go to God and say that I'm sorry that I did this and that and the other, but that I go to God and I say that I am sorry and bemoan the fact that instead of living entirely to His glory and keeping His holy law, I chose my own way." [29:38]
"Have you surrendered yourself to Christ yourself, I say, your mind, your will, your right to yourself, your own life, your future, your everything? Anybody who ever sees Him by faith or who comes to know Him invariably reacts like this." [45:00]
"Sin is essentially disobedience. Oh yes, Milton was absolutely right when he started that great epic Paradise Lost with these words of Man's first Disobedience and the fruit of the Forbidden tree. That is absolutely biblical; it's a spiritual Insight." [21:26]
"Self-will is the cause of all our troubles. That was the way in which the devil originally put it to man, you remember. Hath God said, should you submit yourself to God, he says. He suggested to them that they were not being given their rights." [24:20]
"To become Christian and to be reconciled to God must mean first and foremost that a man's whole attitude towards God is changed, his will is surrendered. There is no meaning whatsoever in saying that we have come to a realization of our guilt and our sinfulness without seeing that the most important thing of all is that we should surrender our wills." [25:13]
"Paul saw Him, and having seen Him, he wanted nothing else. Lord, lead on, whether it be a trackless waste, whether it be a stormy sea, whether friends plead with me, whether I lose all, what's it matter? Lead on." [48:06]
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