Embracing God's Holiness: The Journey of Surrender
Summary
In today's message, I shared my personal journey of transformation through faith in Jesus Christ. Growing up, I faced significant loss and hardship, including the deaths of my parents and stepmother. These experiences left me feeling lost and questioning my purpose. It wasn't until I encountered the message of Jesus and began to study the Bible that I found answers and a sense of belonging. Understanding God's holiness and the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross changed everything for me. I realized that God is not just a distant figure but a loving Father who desires a relationship with us.
The Bible reveals a God who is so holy that even the angels cover themselves in His presence. This understanding of God's holiness and power is both awe-inspiring and humbling. It made me realize that my life is not my own; every breath I take is a gift from Him. This realization led me to surrender my life to His authority, understanding that He is the true Lord and Master. The story of my friend Stan Gerlach, who died while proclaiming the gospel, serves as a powerful reminder of the urgency and importance of living a life that confesses Jesus before others.
Being a disciple of Jesus means more than just saying a prayer; it involves a complete surrender to His lordship. This surrender is not a burden but a blessing, as it allows us to experience the fullness of life that God intends for us. Just as I adopted a 16-year-old girl and desired to provide for her and guide her, God desires to lead us and provide for us. However, this requires us to trust Him and submit to His authority.
I encourage you to reflect on your relationship with God. Have you truly surrendered your life to Him? Do you recognize His holiness and love for you? Take time to pray and consider what it means to make Him the Lord of your life. Remember, He is a loving Father who desires the best for you, and His authority is meant to guide and protect you.
Key Takeaways:
1. Understanding God's Holiness: God's holiness is so profound that even the angels cover themselves in His presence. This understanding should lead us to a place of reverence and awe, recognizing that our lives are not our own and that every breath is a gift from Him. [03:30]
2. The Urgency of Confessing Christ: The story of Stan Gerlach illustrates the urgency of living a life that confesses Jesus before others. We never know when our time will come, and it's crucial to be ready to meet God, having lived a life that honors Him. [07:18]
3. True Discipleship Requires Surrender: Being a disciple of Jesus means more than just saying a prayer; it involves a complete surrender to His lordship. This surrender is not a burden but a blessing, as it allows us to experience the fullness of life that God intends for us. [13:54]
4. God's Authority is Good News: The lordship of Jesus is good news because it means we have a loving King who guides and protects us. Trusting in His authority leads to a life of purpose and fulfillment, even through trials and hardships. [21:37]
5. Reflecting on Our Relationship with God: It's important to regularly reflect on our relationship with God, ensuring that we have truly surrendered our lives to Him. Recognizing His holiness and love for us should lead us to trust Him fully and submit to His authority. [25:31]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:34] - Personal Introduction
- [01:06] - Early Life Challenges
- [02:06] - Encountering Jesus
- [02:42] - Discovering God's Holiness
- [04:03] - The Immortal God
- [05:11] - The Fragility of Life
- [07:02] - Story of Stan Gerlach
- [09:38] - Confessing Christ
- [12:26] - The Importance of Scripture
- [14:12] - Understanding Lordship
- [16:03] - The Car Analogy
- [19:04] - The Cost of Discipleship
- [21:37] - The Good News of Lordship
- [25:31] - Surrendering to God's Authority
- [30:20] - Time for Reflection and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Isaiah 6:1-5
2. Matthew 10:32-33
3. Luke 14:25-27
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Observation Questions:
1. In Isaiah 6:1-5, what is the reaction of the angels in the presence of God's holiness, and how does Isaiah respond to this vision? How does this passage illustrate the concept of God's holiness as described in the sermon? [02:42]
2. According to Matthew 10:32-33, what does Jesus say about confessing Him before others, and how does this relate to the story of Stan Gerlach shared in the sermon? [10:14]
3. In Luke 14:25-27, what does Jesus say is required to be His disciple, and how does this challenge the common understanding of discipleship mentioned in the sermon? [19:04]
4. How does the speaker describe the impact of understanding God's holiness on his personal life journey? [03:30]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the vision of God's holiness in Isaiah 6 impact Isaiah's understanding of himself and his mission? What might this suggest about the importance of recognizing God's holiness in our own lives? [02:42]
2. In what ways does the story of Stan Gerlach illustrate the urgency and importance of confessing Christ before others, as mentioned in Matthew 10:32-33? How does this story challenge or inspire you? [07:18]
3. Jesus' call to discipleship in Luke 14:25-27 involves a radical commitment. What might this level of commitment look like in practical terms for a believer today? [19:04]
4. The sermon emphasizes the idea of surrendering to God's authority. How does this concept of surrender align with the biblical passages discussed, and what implications does it have for a believer's daily life? [21:37]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your understanding of God's holiness. How does this understanding influence your daily life and decisions? Are there specific areas where you need to grow in reverence and awe of God? [03:30]
2. The story of Stan Gerlach highlights the urgency of living a life that confesses Jesus. How can you be more intentional about sharing your faith with others? Is there someone specific you feel called to share the gospel with this week? [07:18]
3. Jesus calls for complete surrender in discipleship. What are some areas of your life where you struggle to fully surrender to His lordship? How can you take steps towards greater surrender this week? [13:54]
4. Consider the analogy of giving Jesus the keys to your life. What does it mean for you to let Jesus "drive" in your life? Are there specific decisions or areas where you need to trust His guidance more fully? [18:21]
5. Reflect on the concept of God's authority as good news. How can embracing His authority bring purpose and fulfillment to your life, even in the midst of trials? Can you identify a recent trial where you saw God's guidance and protection? [21:37]
6. The sermon encourages regular reflection on our relationship with God. How can you incorporate this practice into your routine? What specific steps can you take to ensure you are continually surrendering your life to Him? [25:31]
7. Think about the speaker's personal journey of transformation through faith. How has your own journey been shaped by your understanding of God's holiness and love? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him? [02:06]
Devotional
Day 1: Reverence for God's Holiness
Understanding God's holiness is foundational to recognizing our place in the universe. The Bible describes a God so holy that even the angels cover themselves in His presence. This profound holiness should lead us to a place of reverence and awe, acknowledging that our lives are not our own and that every breath is a gift from Him. Recognizing God's holiness helps us understand the depth of His love and the magnitude of His sacrifice through Jesus. It is a call to live a life that honors Him, acknowledging His authority and grace. [03:30]
Isaiah 6:2-3 (ESV): "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. And one called to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!'"
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverence for God's holiness in your daily life? Consider a specific action you can take today to honor His presence.
Day 2: The Urgency of Living for Christ
The story of Stan Gerlach serves as a powerful reminder of the urgency of living a life that confesses Jesus before others. Life is fragile, and we never know when our time will come. It is crucial to be ready to meet God, having lived a life that honors Him. This urgency is not about fear but about living with purpose and intention, ensuring that our lives reflect the love and truth of Christ. It challenges us to be bold in our faith, sharing the gospel with those around us and living in a way that points others to Jesus. [07:18]
James 4:14 (ESV): "Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about the love of Jesus? How can you take a step today to share your faith with them, even in a small way?
Day 3: Surrendering to Jesus' Lordship
True discipleship requires more than just saying a prayer; it involves a complete surrender to Jesus' lordship. This surrender is not a burden but a blessing, as it allows us to experience the fullness of life that God intends for us. Surrendering to Jesus means trusting Him with every aspect of our lives, allowing Him to guide and direct our paths. It is an invitation to let go of control and embrace the freedom that comes from living under His authority. This surrender leads to a life of purpose, joy, and fulfillment, even in the midst of challenges. [13:54]
Luke 9:23-24 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'"
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 4: Embracing God's Good Authority
The lordship of Jesus is good news because it means we have a loving King who guides and protects us. Trusting in His authority leads to a life of purpose and fulfillment, even through trials and hardships. God's authority is not oppressive but liberating, as it aligns us with His perfect will and plan for our lives. Embracing His authority means recognizing that He knows what is best for us and that His guidance is rooted in love. It is an invitation to experience the peace and security that comes from knowing we are under the care of a good and faithful God. [21:37]
Psalm 32:8 (ESV): "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you."
Reflection: How can you actively trust in God's authority in a current situation you are facing? What steps can you take to align your actions with His guidance?
Day 5: Reflecting on Our Relationship with God
It's important to regularly reflect on our relationship with God, ensuring that we have truly surrendered our lives to Him. Recognizing His holiness and love for us should lead us to trust Him fully and submit to His authority. This reflection is an opportunity to evaluate our spiritual journey, identifying areas where we need to grow and deepen our faith. It is a call to renew our commitment to God, seeking His presence and guidance in every aspect of our lives. By doing so, we open ourselves to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, allowing God to shape us into the people He created us to be. [25:31]
2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV): "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!"
Reflection: Take a moment to examine your relationship with God. What is one specific area where you feel called to grow or change? How can you take a step today to deepen your connection with Him?
Quotes
When I began to understand that the Bible says God is holy, and how Moses said, "Can I see you, God?" and God says, "No one, no human being can see my face and live through it," I thought, "Whoa, that's amazing." So right now, in heaven, there is a being, there's a person that if he took the roof off of this building and we all looked at him, we would immediately die. [00:03:29]
You ever think about the fact that someone else is actually in charge of your life? Like there's someone in heaven who determines if I take another breath. He decided to give me another one. He just gave me another one. Like I'm not in charge of this. I mean, what does it do? I remember just realizing, wow, this is amazing to me. [00:04:43]
I had a friend who was at a funeral. He was a businessman, and it was his secretary's husband who died. So he's at the memorial service, and he begins speaking, and he realizes this is my opportunity to tell people about Jesus. It was my friend Stan Gerlach. And Stan, he looked at the crowd, people were telling me, he looked at the crowd at one point and he said to them, "You never know the moment when God will take your life." [00:06:35]
I remember the first time I read Isaiah 6, and then when it described God and described him sitting on a throne, and how the angels are covering themselves up and they're just screaming how holy he is. And I remember reading about Isaiah, like the moment he saw he got some glimpse of God, how he just says, "I'm dead, he's going to destroy me," and how God forgives him. [00:02:51]
I remember when I gave my life to Jesus, and I believe I was sincere. I was just so afraid to approach God, not knowing if I'm going to heaven or hell. And when people said that I could have a relationship with him, I could be forgiven, I'm like, absolutely, I want that. I want to be forgiven. I want to know where I'm going when I die. [00:12:54]
The more I read the Bible, the more I was shocked how few people read it. And I realized a lot of times in church, they'll preach the same few passages over and over and over. And I'm going, wow, there's a lot to this God that people don't talk about. [00:12:35]
I want to love you so well that one day you're going to be glad you're actually under the rules of my house because my rules are for you. They make your life amazing. I do anything for you, honey, and these rules that I have in the home and the authority over you is a great thing. [00:27:12]
I gave my life to the Lord as a teenager, and when I understood his lordship, it scared me at first, but I also thought, well, that's the only way I can have him. It's all or nothing. You can't say I want you to save me, but I don't want you to be Lord. He says, I am Lord. [00:28:48]
The Bible says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. In fact, in Psalm 25 verse 14, it says the friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him. Philippians says that we should work out our salvation with fear and trembling, understanding who he is, how powerful he is. [00:23:12]
I want to give you some time right now to just speak to him. You know, sometimes, and I really started praying at your age, and I would picture God on his throne, and the Bible says there's a hundred million angels worshiping him, and I would picture that, and even though I can't look at him, I just picture all the angels screaming at his holiness. [00:29:02]
I want to lead your life. You go, wow, that is great news because I will make a mess of my life. I actually want you to be the Lord, and all through my life, I just, I was doing it again today as I knew I was going to share this. I'm going, Lord, is there anything in my life that I've not given over to you? [00:25:00]
I want you to surrender everything to me, and maybe this is the first time you understand, wow, if that being is really like that and determines my every breath, and he so loved me that he would watch his son suffer so he could have relationship with me, I can trust him, and I want to come under that authority. [00:25:31]
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