Embracing a Surrendered Heart: The Power of Faith
Summary
In the message delivered by Pastor Joel A. Brooks Jr. at Stones Church, the central theme revolves around the concept of a surrendered heart and the transformative power of faith. The discourse begins with an emphasis on the nature of God's word as living and powerful, capable of discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. The speaker underscores the omniscience of God, who knows everything about us and still calls us to Him, highlighting the importance of holding fast to our confession of faith.
The message then delves into the sympathetic nature of Jesus, who, being tempted in all ways as humans are, yet without sin, serves as the high priest who understands our weaknesses. This understanding invites believers to approach God's throne of grace boldly to obtain mercy and find help in times of need. The speaker encourages the audience to seek mercy and grace proactively, to prevent falling into sin rather than seeking forgiveness post-fall.
A call to action is made for the listeners to ask God for a heart that is soft, impressionable, and trusting—a heart that is open to surrendering and yielding to God's word. The speaker emphasizes the importance of resurrecting every word spoken by God, every prophetic word received, and every hope planted in the heart to step into one's destiny, replacing unbelief, fear, and insecurity with confidence and assurance.
The narrative of the Prodigal Son from Luke 15 is revisited, where the younger son demands his inheritance prematurely and squanders it, only to return to his father in humility. The father's compassionate response, despite the son's rebellion, serves as a powerful illustration of God's grace and forgiveness. The speaker draws parallels between the father's love and God's love for His children, emphasizing the father's sacrifice and the celebration upon the son's return.
The message also touches on the concept of rest in God, which is likened to living by God's power rather than one's own. An analogy is made with the convenience of modern technology, such as cars and microwaves, which we rely on without a second thought. This ease of reliance is compared to how believers should trust in God's power, having their minds renewed in the Kingdom to live by God's power effortlessly.
The speaker further discusses the importance of the word of God in preventing believers from giving up when faced with pressure or obstacles. The word of God is described as a discerning force that can reveal self-deception and remind believers of God's promises and faithfulness.
The message concludes with an invitation to embrace the life that God offers—a life of fellowship, power, and purpose. The speaker leads a prayer for salvation, which is more than just a request for forgiveness; it is a plea for the life that God has designed for each individual.
Key Takeaways:
- The power of God's word is not only in its ability to create and transform but also in its precision to discern the deepest thoughts and intentions of the human heart. This discernment is crucial for believers to understand their own motives and align themselves with God's will. [01:31:56]
- Approaching God's throne of grace with boldness is not a matter of presumption but a reflection of the confidence we have in Jesus, our high priest, who empathizes with our weaknesses. This boldness allows believers to receive mercy and grace in anticipation of challenges, empowering them to overcome temptations and trials. [01:32:34]
- The story of the Prodigal Son serves as a profound metaphor for God's unconditional love and forgiveness. It teaches that no matter how far one strays, the Father's arms remain open, ready to restore and celebrate the return of a lost child. This narrative encourages believers to adopt a heart that seeks the lost and rejoices in their redemption. [01:34:13]
- Living in God's rest means trusting in His completed work and power, rather than relying on personal effort. This rest is a state of spiritual assurance where believers can operate within the full scope of God's provision and promises, knowing that the path ahead has been divinely prepared and blessed. [01:26:57]
- The act of yielding to faith is not passive but an active surrender to the promises of God, regardless of how impossible they may seem. Like Mary's response to the angel's announcement, believers are called to submit to God's word, allowing the impossible to become possible through divine intervention. [01:01:17]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 1:26-38 - The Annunciation to Mary
2. Luke 15:11-32 - The Parable of the Prodigal Son
3. Hebrews 4:12-16 - The Power of God's Word and Jesus as High Priest
#### Observation Questions
1. In Luke 1:26-38, how does Mary respond to the angel's message, and what does this reveal about her faith? ([53:17])
2. What actions does the father take when the prodigal son returns in Luke 15:20-24, and what do these actions signify? ([01:08:14])
3. According to Hebrews 4:12, what are the characteristics of the word of God? ([01:29:27])
4. How does the sermon describe the concept of "yielding to faith" as seen in Mary's response to the angel? ([01:01:17])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Mary's willingness to accept the angel's message, despite its impossibility, teach us about the nature of faith? ([53:17])
2. How does the father's reaction to the prodigal son's return illustrate God's grace and forgiveness? ([01:08:14])
3. In what ways does Hebrews 4:12-16 encourage believers to approach God's throne of grace with confidence? ([01:31:56])
4. How does the sermon explain the importance of having a "soft, impressionable heart" in relation to God's word? ([01:32:34])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was calling you to do something that seemed impossible. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Mary's example of yielding to faith? ([01:01:17])
2. The father in the parable of the prodigal son shows unconditional love and forgiveness. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive or show grace to? How can you take a step towards that this week? ([01:08:14])
3. Hebrews 4:12 describes the word of God as living and active. How can you incorporate more of God's word into your daily life to help discern your thoughts and intentions? ([01:29:27])
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking mercy and grace proactively. What are some practical ways you can seek God's grace in your daily challenges before they become overwhelming? ([01:32:34])
5. Pastor Joel mentioned the need to replace unbelief, fear, and insecurity with confidence and assurance. Identify one area in your life where you struggle with these feelings. What steps can you take to build confidence and trust in God's promises? ([01:33:23])
6. The sermon calls for a heart that is open to surrendering to God's word. What specific areas of your life do you find hardest to surrender to God, and how can you begin to yield those areas to Him? ([01:32:34])
7. Reflect on the concept of living in God's rest as described in the sermon. How can you shift from relying on your own efforts to trusting in God's power in your daily life? ([01:26:57])
Devotional
Day 1: Discerning the Heart's Intentions
God's word pierces deeply, revealing our true motivations and desires, guiding us to align with His will. It is a mirror reflecting the innermost parts of our being, urging us to honesty and transformation. The precision of this divine discernment is a gift that allows for genuine self-reflection and growth in faith. [01:31:56]
Hebrews 4:12-13 - "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."
Reflection: In what ways has the word of God revealed something about your heart that you were previously unaware of?
Day 2: Boldness at the Throne of Grace
Confidence in approaching God stems from our high priest, Jesus, who empathizes with our weaknesses and paves the way for us to receive mercy and grace proactively. This boldness is not presumption but a rightful claim to the promises of God, enabling us to stand firm in the face of temptation. [01:32:34]
Hebrews 10:19-22 - "Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings."
Reflection: How can you practice approaching God with boldness in your daily prayer life, and what specific situation do you need His mercy for today?
Day 3: Embracing the Father's Forgiveness
The story of the Prodigal Son is a testament to the boundless forgiveness and love of our heavenly Father. No matter the distance we have wandered, His arms are open, ready to restore and celebrate our return. This narrative challenges us to mirror such love and forgiveness in our own lives. [01:34:13]
Luke 15:20-24 - "So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.'"
Reflection: Who do you need to extend forgiveness to, mirroring the father's love in the Prodigal Son story, and how can you take a step towards reconciliation today?
Day 4: Resting in Divine Assurance
Living in God's rest means trusting in His power and provision, releasing our efforts to His sovereign care. This rest is not inactivity but a peaceful assurance that God is in control, orchestrating our steps and supplying our needs. [01:26:57]
Isaiah 30:15 - "This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: 'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.'"
Reflection: What area of your life do you struggle to trust God with, and how can you practice resting in His assurance in that area?
Day 5: Surrendering to Divine Promises
Yielding to faith involves an active surrender to God's promises, embracing the seemingly impossible with a heart of trust. This surrender is a step of faith, acknowledging that with God, all things are possible, and His word will not return void. [01:01:17]
Luke 1:37-38 - "For no word from God will ever fail. 'I am the Lord’s servant,' Mary answered. 'May your word to me be fulfilled.' Then the angel left her."
Reflection: What promise of God are you struggling to believe in, and how can you actively surrender to that promise today?
Quotes
1) "When I doubt my circumstances, when I respect the obstacle, I'm actually disrespecting God. No word of God is void of the power it takes to cause itself to come to pass." [56:56]
2) "God's power cannot be measured, there's no limit to what he can do. If you can't measure the loaf, you can't measure the slice, and if you can't measure the slice, you can't measure the crumb." [01:00:35]
3) "When God gives you a word, no matter how unreasonable the word is, you submit to it, you yield to it because God has called you to do the impossible." [01:01:17]
4) "The word of God is able to go into my heart and discern between soul and spirit... and keep you from giving up and remind you of the promises of God." [01:30:45]
5) "The works were finished before the foundation of the world... when God sends you a way, that way has been made for you." [01:27:34]
6) "Living by the power of God never occurs to you to try to do it in your own strength. That's what happens when your mind is renewed in the Kingdom." [01:25:30]
7) "The condition of our heart determines the condition of our walk with Him. So, make me, Lord, like one of your hired servants." [01:08:14]
8) "God doesn't do anything by Himself anymore... nothing happens in the Kingdom until something is said. Anything that happens is either prayed for or sown." [01:29:27]
9) "The rest of God is getting to a place where you trust in Him, you yield to Him, so that you live by His power and not your own." [01:22:50]
10) "God give me a heart for the lost. We're way too complacent about people being lost." [01:13:28]
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