Embracing 'Even If' Faith: Surrendering to God's Will

Devotional

Day 1: Experiencing Abundant Life in Christ

The abundant life that Jesus offers is not confined to the afterlife but begins the moment one accepts Him as their Savior. This life is characterized by joy, peace, and power, which are available to believers here and now. It is a testament to God's love and His desire for us to live fully in His presence. Embracing this abundant life means recognizing the richness of God's blessings in our daily experiences and understanding that His presence transforms our ordinary moments into extraordinary ones. [01:14:54]

John 10:10 (ESV): "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

Reflection: How can you actively seek to experience the abundant life Jesus offers in your daily routine today?

Day 2: Embracing Faith Beyond Negotiation

True faith in God transcends any form of negotiation or conditional agreement. It is not a business deal but a complete surrender to God's will, trusting Him wholly even when circumstances are dire or outcomes are uncertain. This kind of faith requires letting go of our need to control and trusting that God's plans are greater than our own. It challenges us to move beyond a transactional relationship with God and into a deeper, more trusting relationship. [51:29]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself negotiating with God? How can you practice surrendering this to Him today?

Day 3: Cultivating "Even If" Faith

The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego illustrates a faith that stands firm regardless of the outcome. Their declaration of "even if" God does not save them, they will not bow, challenges us to trust God beyond our immediate needs and desires. This "even if" faith is a powerful testament to trusting God regardless of circumstances, knowing that His plans are perfect and His love is unwavering. It invites us to develop a faith that is resilient and steadfast, even in the face of trials. [59:59]

Daniel 3:17-18 (ESV): "If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

Reflection: What is a current challenge you are facing where you need to adopt an "even if" faith? How can you express this trust in God today?

Day 4: Finding Thankfulness in Trials

Corrie Ten Boom's story teaches us to find gratitude even in the most challenging circumstances. Her ability to thank God for the fleas, which ultimately protected her, shows a deep trust in God's providence and goodness. This perspective encourages us to look for God's hand in our trials and to cultivate a heart of thankfulness, even when it seems counterintuitive. It reminds us that God's ways are higher than ours and that He can use even the most difficult situations for our good and His glory. [01:08:35]

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV): "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Reflection: Think of a difficult situation you are currently facing. What is one thing you can thank God for in this situation today?

Day 5: Surrendering for True Freedom

Louis Zamperini's journey from negotiation to surrender demonstrates the freedom and peace that come from fully trusting in God. When we lay down our conditions and embrace God's will, we find true liberation and purpose. This surrender is not a sign of weakness but a pathway to experiencing the fullness of life that God intends for us. It invites us to release our burdens and trust in God's sovereignty, knowing that His plans for us are good and perfect. [01:11:31]

Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV): "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are holding back from surrendering to God? What steps can you take today to begin releasing this to Him?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound concept of faith that transcends negotiation with God. We began by celebrating the abundant life that Jesus offers, not just in the afterlife but here and now. This life is filled with joy, peace, and power, available to us when we accept Jesus as our Savior. We prayed for open hearts and minds, ready to receive God's word and glorify His name.

We then delved into the story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympian and World War II veteran who found himself in dire circumstances, clinging to a life raft in the Pacific Ocean. In his desperation, he made a deal with God, promising to serve Him if he was saved. Although he was rescued, Louis initially forgot his promise, turning to alcohol to cope with his trauma. It wasn't until he attended a Billy Graham crusade that he remembered his vow and surrendered his life to Christ, finding true freedom and peace.

This narrative set the stage for a deeper exploration of faith through the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the book of Daniel. These three Hebrew boys faced a fiery furnace for refusing to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar's golden statue. Their faith was not conditional; they declared that even if God did not save them, they would not worship other gods. This "even if" faith is a powerful testament to trusting God regardless of circumstances.

We also reflected on the story of Corrie Ten Boom, who, despite the horrors of a concentration camp, found reasons to thank God, even for the fleas that plagued her. These fleas, she later realized, kept the guards away, allowing her and her sister to hold Bible studies in secret.

The message concluded with a call to abandon the "if-then" negotiations with God and embrace a faith that says "even if." This is a faith rooted in surrender, trusting God wholly, regardless of life's challenges. We were invited to lay down our negotiator hats and fully surrender to God, trusting in His goodness and sovereignty.

Key Takeaways

1. Abundant Life in Christ: The life Jesus offers is not just for the afterlife but begins the moment we accept Him as our Savior. It is a life filled with joy, peace, and power, available to us here and now. This abundant life is a testament to God's love and desire for us to live fully in His presence. [74:54]
2. Faith Beyond Negotiation: True faith in God is not a business deal or negotiation. It is not based on conditions or terms but on surrender. This faith is about trusting God wholly, even when circumstances are dire or outcomes are uncertain. [51:29]
3. "Even If" Faith: The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego illustrates a faith that stands firm regardless of the outcome. Their declaration of "even if" God does not save them, they will not bow, challenges us to trust God beyond our immediate needs and desires. [59:59]
4. Thankfulness in Trials: Corrie Ten Boom's story teaches us to find gratitude even in the most challenging circumstances. Her ability to thank God for the fleas, which ultimately protected her, shows a deep trust in God's providence and goodness. [68:35]
5. Surrender Leads to Freedom: Louis Zamperini's journey from negotiation to surrender demonstrates the freedom and peace that come from fully trusting in God. When we lay down our conditions and embrace God's will, we find true liberation and purpose. [01:11:31]
** [71:31]

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[00:00] - Welcome
[01:30] - Opening Prayer
[03:45] - Responsive Reading: Awake My Soul
[06:15] - Church Announcements
[09:00] - Distinguished Service Award
[12:30] - Worship: Holy Forever
[15:00] - Introduction to Louis Zamperini's Story
[20:00] - Negotiating with God
[25:00] - Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
[35:00] - "Even If" Faith Explained
[45:00] - Corrie Ten Boom's Story
[55:00] - Call to Surrender
[65:00] - Communion
[75:00] - Closing Worship and Prayer
[80:00] - Final Blessing and Dismissal

Sermon Clips

"Thank you, Jesus, for making the way. And thank you that the life that you have for us isn't just for when we get to heaven. It is an abundant life, joy-filled and peace-filled and power-filled life that begins today when we accept you as our Savior and Lord. So, Father God, I just pray that today as we have gathered in that every person who is with us here, everyone who is joining us online, that whatever is the point of their need and the place where they need an encounter with you, that you would meet them in that place today." [00:08:24] (33 seconds)

"Even if. We're going to go in God's word today to Genesis, where is it at? What Genesis? What? October instead of April? Oh, my goodness. We're going to, I need, and guess what? Tuesday is vacation. We're going to go to Daniel, if you want to open your Bibles to Daniel chapter three. We're going to look in the scripture today at three Hebrew boys who found themselves, like Louis Zamperini, they found themselves in a really sketchy situation, and did they try to negotiate their way out? Did they run and hide? No, they did not." [00:52:13] (41 seconds)

"So they said, we're not bowing down. So do you know what Nezabek Nezard is? He's like, okay. I think then the smoke went from his ears, probably started coming right out his head. He said, okay, I'm taking my strongest men. I want you to heat that fire up seven times hotter. You can read about this in the Bible. Who says the Bible is a boring book that you can't read it and get it? I mean, this book is fire. This is where I'm telling you the story from this book." [01:00:13] (31 seconds)

"Corrie tells the story that her sister, Betsy, smuggled a Bible into Ravensbrook. And she tells the story how in that camp that she was in, in the barracks that she was in, the fleas were so bad that they just ate every piece of exposed skin on their bodies. And she told that how her little sister, Betsy, would take the Bible and she would say, the scripture tells us to give thanks in all circumstances." [01:09:07] (35 seconds)

"Thanks in all circumstances? Yes, sister, it says give thanks in all circumstances. But for these fleas that are eating me alive, we have to thank God for even the fleas. And they did. Every day, they would pray. And do you know what they noticed after a bit of time? They noticed that their barracks was the only one where the guards, they weren't coming in and beating them and ravaging the women. And you know what I'm saying?" [01:09:31] (36 seconds)

"The very thing that they thanked God for, that they said, even if these fleas are going to continue to bite my skin, even if I'm in a concentration camp, even then I will rejoice in the Lord. You tell me that kind of faith isn't possible for us. I'm not saying it's easy faith, but I want to submit to you today. I want to submit to you today. I want to submit to you today." [01:10:22] (27 seconds)

"Louis made his way to the altar and instead of turning to leave, he turned and gave his life to Jesus. And that night, as I have it up there, for the first time, he truly gave his life to Christ. Not out of fear, and not a negotiation, but full surrender. And do you know what happened for Louis that night? That night, when he turned and surrendered his life to live by faith in Jesus Christ, Jesus set him free." [01:11:31] (40 seconds)

"He set his body free from addiction to alcohol. He set his mind free from the nightmares that were threatening to destroy him and the trauma. He set his heart free from the hatred that he held. When he surrendered, God set him free. He went on to be an evangelist and died, I think, in 2014 after giving his life, the rest of his life, to point people to Jesus. Jesus, my friends, we are all in battles." [01:12:50] (43 seconds)

"We remember that Jesus died to set us free. He wants to be the Lord of our life. He wants to go and change us and he wants us to be able to live this new life, born again, transformed from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of his son. He wants that for us. That is a life of faith. It's not a negotiation. That's a life that says even if." [01:13:10] (32 seconds)

"Lay that hat at the feet of Jesus. No more if you, God, than I. No more conditions. No more deals. No more escape clauses. Just faith. I surrender. Even if you don't fix it. Even if nothing gets better. Even if you fill in the blank. I surrender. I surrender. This is the symbol, isn't it? You know, I surrender." [01:14:12] (46 seconds)

"What's important in these next few minutes is what happens in your heart between you and God in surrender. If you could do that best by coming and surrendering at the altar, then you come and myself or one of our team will come and pray with you while we sing this song. If you need to sit down and close your eyes and think, if you want to sing out with your voice, how you express yourself to God in these next few moments isn't what matters. What matters is Jesus is calling you to faith in Him." [01:17:03] (36 seconds)

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