Embracing God's Call: Surrender, Service, and Faithfulness
Summary
Today, I shared my heart and my journey with you, reflecting on the transforming power of God’s call and the meaning of true surrender. I began by recalling how, 25 years ago, I knew nothing about the Bible or the Lord, and how my life was marked by brokenness, addiction, and a lack of direction. Yet, in my desperation, God heard my prayer and began a work of grace and restoration in me. Through the years, I learned that God is not looking for perfect people, but for those who are willing to say, “Here am I—send me,” just as Isaiah did. This Hebrew word, “Heni,” is a declaration of surrender, a willingness to volunteer for God’s purposes even before knowing what He will ask.
I recounted how my journey in faith was shaped by mentors, especially Pastor Alberto, who modeled a life of commitment and service. His example taught me that God uses all kinds of people, regardless of background or education, and that our usefulness is not about our abilities but about God’s power working through us. I also shared the story of our house fire in 2011—a tragedy that nearly took our lives but became a turning point, deepening my trust in God’s promises and faithfulness. In the midst of loss, God’s love and the support of the church family became tangible, reminding me that we are never alone in our trials.
We looked at the life of Isaiah, a man of high status who became a prophet not by his own merit, but by God’s appointment. Isaiah’s willingness to answer God’s call, despite the challenges and the rebellion of his people, is a model for us. God’s promises to strengthen, help, and uphold us are as true today as they were then. I encouraged everyone to examine their own willingness to serve, to make God the priority above all else, and to remember that our calling is not just to attend church, but to bring the kingdom of God to those around us.
Ultimately, our hope is anchored in the promise that one day we will see Jesus face to face, and until then, we are called to live lives of surrender, service, and faithfulness. May we each be able to say, “Here am I, send me,” and trust God to use us for His glory.
Key Takeaways
- Surrendering to God’s call means volunteering our lives before knowing the details. The Hebrew word “Heni” is a posture of open-handed willingness, placing God’s purposes above our own comfort or understanding. True surrender is not about having all the answers, but about trusting the One who calls. [12:33]
- God delights in using imperfect people who are works in progress. Our backgrounds, education, or perceived inadequacies do not disqualify us from service; in fact, God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. What matters is our willingness to be used, not our qualifications. [15:02]
- The trials and tragedies we face can become turning points of deeper faith and trust. When our house burned down, it was not the end, but a new beginning where God’s love and the support of His people became more real than ever. In suffering, God’s promises shine brightest, and our roots in Him grow deeper. [53:07]
- Abiding in Christ is essential for fruitful service. Without Him, our efforts are empty and self-driven, but when we remain in Him, we become part of His body, united with others, and empowered to bear lasting fruit. Our unity in Christ transcends language, background, and circumstance. [57:08]
- Making God the priority in our lives requires intentional choices and sometimes sacrifice. Serving the Lord must come before personal interests, routines, or even good things like sports or leisure. When we seek first His kingdom, everything else falls into place, and our lives become aligned with His eternal purposes. [01:05:22]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:41] - The Power of Worship and Christian Music
[02:00] - The Journey from Brokenness to Holiness
[06:21] - God’s Promise to the Seeker
[09:45] - Experiencing God’s Grace and Salvation
[12:33] - The Meaning of “Heni” – Here Am I
[14:20] - Isaiah’s Vision and God’s Call
[16:25] - God Uses All for His Purposes
[19:10] - Early Church Experiences and Surrender
[22:36] - Mentorship and Life with Pastor Alberto
[25:43] - The Life and Mission of Isaiah
[29:55] - The Challenge of Commitment
[31:50] - The Importance of Personal Time with God
[34:41] - Sharing the Gospel in Everyday Life
[42:54] - God’s Promises in Times of Difficulty
[49:00] - Surviving the House Fire: A Turning Point
[53:07] - God’s Presence in Tragedy
[57:08] - Abiding in Christ and the Church Family
[01:03:09] - The Call to Serve and Prioritize God
[01:07:13] - The Hope of Heaven and Our Mission
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Here Am I – Surrendering to God’s Call”
---
### Bible Reading
Isaiah 6:1-8 (ESV)
> 1 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.
> 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
> 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”
> 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.
> 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”
> 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar.
> 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”
> 8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
Isaiah 41:9-10 (ESV)
> 9 you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”;
> 10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
> 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
---
### Observation Questions
1. In Isaiah 6:1-8, what is Isaiah’s initial reaction when he encounters the holiness of God? What does God do to prepare Isaiah for his calling?
2. According to the sermon, what does the Hebrew word “Heni” (Here am I) mean, and how does it reflect a posture of surrender? [[12:33]]
3. What promise does God give in Isaiah 41:10 to those He calls to serve Him?
4. The speaker shared about a personal tragedy (the house fire). What role did the church family play during that time? [[53:07]]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God chooses to use imperfect people, like Isaiah or the speaker, instead of only those who seem “qualified”? [[15:02]]
2. What does it mean to say “Here am I, send me” before knowing what God will ask? How is this different from only volunteering when we know the details? [[12:33]]
3. How can trials or tragedies, like the house fire, become turning points for deeper faith rather than reasons to give up? [[53:07]]
4. The sermon mentioned that abiding in Christ is essential for fruitful service. What does it look like practically to “abide” in Christ in daily life? [[57:08]]
---
### Application Questions
1. The speaker shared that God is not looking for perfect people, but for those willing to say “Here am I.” Is there an area in your life where you feel unqualified or hesitant to serve? What would it look like to offer that area to God this week? [[15:02]]
2. “Making God the priority in our lives requires intentional choices and sometimes sacrifice.” What is one routine, hobby, or comfort that sometimes takes priority over serving God in your life? What step could you take to put God first this week? [[01:05:22]]
3. The story of the house fire showed how the church family became a source of support in crisis. When have you experienced the support of the church, or when could you be that support for someone else? [[53:07]]
4. The sermon encouraged us to bring the kingdom of God to those around us, not just attend church. Who is one person in your life who needs to experience God’s love? What is one practical way you can serve or encourage them this week? [[42:11]]
5. The speaker talked about the importance of personal time with God, even in busy routines. What is one small change you could make to spend more intentional time with God this week? [[31:50]]
6. The Hebrew word “Heni” is a declaration of surrender. What would it look like for you to say “Here am I, send me” in your current season of life? Is there something specific God might be calling you to do, even if you don’t know all the details? [[12:33]]
7. The hope of seeing Jesus face to face was described as an anchor for our lives. How does this future hope shape the way you face challenges or make decisions today? [[01:08:00]]
---
Close in prayer, asking God to give each person a willing heart to say, “Here am I, send me,” and to trust Him with the details.
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Aug 04, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?