Embracing Personal Faith and Full Surrender to God
Summary
Today is a day to remember that God’s presence is not just something we experience in a church service, but something that anchors us in every part of our lives. No matter where you are—whether you’re celebrating victory or walking through failure—God’s love is constant and personal. We’re not here out of routine, but because the Spirit of the living God is alive and wants to intersect with us in the real situations we face. The invitation is to posture ourselves to hear God’s voice, to be open and ready to receive what He wants to say, and to move beyond just hearing into doing.
Reflecting on the words of Jesus in Matthew 22, the greatest commandment is clear: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is not about loving someone else’s God or living off someone else’s faith. It’s about a personal relationship—a direct, vulnerable, and authentic connection with God as your own Lord and ultimate authority. Just as there’s a difference between driving your mom’s car and owning your own, there’s a transformation that happens when faith becomes personal. God doesn’t want a secondhand relationship; He wants your heart, your mind, your soul—everything.
But loving God as Lord means surrendering every area of life, not just the easy or convenient parts. Like the hoarders on TV who struggle to let go of certain things, we often keep “escape hatches” or hold back areas from God’s authority. Yet, unless Jesus is Lord of everything, He’s not truly Lord at all. This isn’t about condemnation, but about the freedom and security that comes from anchoring ourselves in God’s love—a love that meets us even in our mess and brokenness.
God prioritizes you in relationship. Even though you may be the “expert” in your own life, He knows you better and loves you deeper than anyone else. The call is to move from being an expert in managing your own life to surrendering to the One who created you and knows you intimately. When Jesus endured the cross, He did it for you personally, not just for the world in general. The invitation is to make God the ultimate authority in your life, to surrender fully, and to experience the transformation and comfort that only He can bring.
Key Takeaways
- God’s Presence Is Personal and Transformative
God’s presence is not confined to a building or a moment of worship; it is meant to anchor us in every circumstance. When we open ourselves to truly hear and respond to His voice, we move from passive listeners to active participants in His work in our lives. This personal encounter with God is what brings real change and growth, even in seasons of pain or uncertainty. [44:33]
- Faith Must Become Personal, Not Borrowed
There is a profound difference between knowing about God through someone else and knowing Him for yourself. Just as driving your own car feels different from borrowing one, faith that is owned and lived out personally brings confidence and transformation. God desires a direct relationship with you, not a secondhand connection through a parent, friend, or pastor. [01:00:17]
- Surrendering Everything: No Escape Hatches
True lordship means giving God access to every area of your life, not just the parts you’re comfortable with. Like the hoarders who struggle to let go of certain possessions, we often keep “escape hatches” or excuses that prevent full surrender. Real freedom and transformation come when we trust God enough to give Him everything, sealing off those escape routes and anchoring ourselves in His love. [01:16:22]
- God Prioritizes and Personalizes Relationship With You
Even though you may feel like the expert in your own life, God knows you more deeply and loves you more completely. He narrows His focus from the whole world to you personally, inviting you to experience His love and authority in a way that is unique and intimate. This personal prioritization is the foundation for a relationship that brings true security and purpose. [01:19:47]
- The Call to Vulnerability and Full Surrender
Making God the ultimate authority in your life requires vulnerability—a willingness to be exposed and honest before Him. This surrender is not about shame or condemnation, but about stepping into the fullness of God’s love and purpose for you. When you let go of control and trust Him with everything, you find the peace, healing, and transformation that only He can provide. [01:24:28]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[44:33] - God’s Presence Anchors Us
[46:17] - Jesus Is Alive: Resurrection Power
[52:44] - The Greatest Commandment: Love God
[54:18] - Obedience and Radical Change
[55:37] - Personal Faith vs. Borrowed Faith
[58:01] - The Shift When Faith Becomes Personal
[59:24] - Loving the Lord as Your God
[01:01:15] - Direct Relationship With God
[01:04:31] - Jesus as Ultimate Authority
[01:12:19] - Surrendering Everything to God
[01:13:30] - God’s Love in Our Mess
[01:16:22] - Identifying and Closing Escape Hatches
[01:19:47] - God Prioritizes You
[01:21:25] - The Personal Invitation of John 3:16
[01:22:24] - Seek First the Kingdom
[01:23:46] - Next Steps: Surrender and Vulnerability
[01:26:30] - Ministry and Prayer for Healing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
---
### Bible Reading
- Matthew 22:34-40
(The Greatest Commandment: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.)
- John 14:15-16
(“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever.”)
- Matthew 6:33
(“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”)
---
### Observation Questions
1. In Matthew 22:37, what does Jesus say is the greatest commandment? What does He add as the second greatest?
(See [52:44])
2. According to John 14:15-16, what does Jesus promise to those who love Him and keep His commands?
(See [49:33])
3. The sermon compared borrowing a car to owning one. What was the point of this illustration?
(See [58:01])
4. What does the word “Lord” mean in the context of “Love the Lord your God” as explained in the sermon?
(See [01:01:15])
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus emphasizes loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind, rather than just following rules or traditions?
(See [52:44])
2. The sermon says, “Unless Jesus is Lord of everything, He’s not truly Lord at all.” What does this mean for how someone lives out their faith?
(See [01:04:31])
3. The pastor talked about “escape hatches” or areas we hold back from God. Why do people tend to keep certain parts of their lives off-limits to God?
(See [01:16:22])
4. How does making faith personal (not borrowed from parents, friends, or pastors) change someone’s relationship with God?
(See [01:00:17])
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenged us to move from being “experts” in managing our own lives to surrendering to God’s authority. What is one area of your life where you still act as the “expert” and struggle to let God lead? What would it look like to surrender that area?
(See [01:19:47])
2. The pastor used the example of hoarders who struggle to let go of certain things. Is there something in your life—an “escape hatch,” habit, or excuse—that you have trouble surrendering to God? What is it, and what’s holding you back?
(See [01:16:22])
3. Jesus wants a direct, personal relationship with you—not a secondhand faith. Have you ever realized you were living off someone else’s faith? What steps can you take to make your relationship with God more personal and real?
(See [01:00:17])
4. The sermon said God’s presence is meant to anchor us in every circumstance, not just at church. Where do you most need to experience God’s presence outside of Sunday services? How can you invite Him into that part of your life this week?
(See [44:33])
5. Vulnerability and surrender are required to make God the ultimate authority. What does vulnerability before God look like for you? Is there a specific way you can practice being more open and honest with Him this week?
(See [01:24:28])
6. The pastor said, “God prioritizes you in relationship.” How does it change your view of God to know He sees and loves you personally, not just as part of a crowd? How might this affect the way you pray or approach Him?
(See [01:19:47])
7. Matthew 6:33 says to “seek first the kingdom of God.” What is one practical way you can put God first in your daily routine this week?
(See [01:22:24])
---
Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray for courage to surrender “everything” to God, and for a deeper, more personal relationship with Him in the week ahead.
Devotional
Day 1: Love God Personally and Completely
Loving God is not about following someone else’s faith or relying on another’s relationship with Him; it is about making Him your own God, engaging in a direct, personal relationship that involves your whole heart, soul, and mind. This means moving beyond religious tradition or secondhand faith and embracing God as the ultimate authority and loving presence in your life. When you choose to love God personally, you experience a shift in confidence and intimacy, knowing that He desires a relationship with you—not just with pastors, parents, or friends, but with you individually. This personal connection is the foundation for true spiritual transformation and fulfillment. [01:01:15]
Matthew 22:36-37 (ESV)
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
Reflection: In what area of your life have you been relying on someone else’s faith or relationship with God instead of making it personal? What is one step you can take today to engage with God directly and wholeheartedly?
Day 2: Make Jesus the Ultimate Authority
To truly call Jesus “Lord” means surrendering every area of your life to His authority, not just the parts that are convenient or comfortable. It’s easy to hold back certain things—habits, relationships, or even secret “escape hatches”—but unless Jesus is Lord of all, He is not truly Lord at all. This surrender is not about condemnation but about trusting God’s love enough to give Him everything, knowing that He desires your good and can be trusted with your vulnerabilities. When you let go of your excuses and fully submit to His leadership, you find freedom, security, and transformation that cannot be found anywhere else. [01:16:22]
Matthew 22:37-38 (ESV)
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.”
Reflection: What is one “escape hatch” or area of your life you have not fully surrendered to Jesus’ authority? What would it look like to give Him control of that area today?
Day 3: God Prioritizes You in Relationship
God’s love is not generic or distant; He prioritizes you personally and desires a relationship that is intimate and unique to you. Even though you may feel like an expert in your own life, God knows you even better and values you deeply. He narrows His focus from loving the whole world to loving you specifically, inviting you to experience His love and purpose in a way that is tailored to your story and needs. This personal love is the reason Jesus endured the cross—for the joy of relationship with you—and it is available to you no matter your past or present circumstances. [01:21:25]
John 3:16 (ESV)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Reflection: How does it change your perspective to know that God prioritizes you personally? What is one way you can respond to His personal love for you today?
Day 4: Seek God’s Kingdom First
When you seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness above all else, you are choosing to make His priorities your own and to trust Him with every aspect of your life. This means putting God’s authority and relationship first, even above your own ambitions, anxieties, or desires. As you do this, God promises to provide for your needs and to add everything necessary for your journey. Seeking Him first is an act of faith that reorders your life around His purposes and brings peace and clarity in the midst of life’s challenges. [01:22:24]
Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Reflection: What is one practical way you can put God’s kingdom and righteousness first in your decisions or schedule today?
Day 5: Respond to God’s Love with Vulnerability and Surrender
God invites you to come to Him just as you are, with all your pain, struggles, and needs, and to make yourself vulnerable in His presence. He does not expose you to shame you, but to heal, comfort, and transform you by His Spirit. When you let go of your defenses and excuses, and allow yourself to be held by God, you experience the resurrection power that brings new life even in the midst of loss, trauma, or brokenness. Responding to God’s love with vulnerability is the pathway to true healing and spiritual growth. [01:26:30]
Psalm 34:18 (ESV)
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
Reflection: Where do you feel most vulnerable or in need of God’s comfort today? How can you open your heart to let Him meet you in that place right now?
Quotes
We're here today because the Spirit of the living God that raised Jesus from the dead is alive in us. And He's here in this place. And He wants to intersect with us in the things that we're dealing with in our life. [00:45:34]
Listen, none of us do. But aren't you thankful this morning that God loves us in spite of ourselves? [00:45:58]
Even if that's a faith statement for you, Jesus is alive. His spirit is alive. The same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, the resurrection power of God is alive in this room and we have the opportunity to join together in community for God to do something significant in our lives here today. [00:46:27]
I believe that when we hear the voice of God there's a radical change that begins to happen in our life amen and so as you begin to write down the things that God's inspiring I just want to refocus on John chapter 14 because here's where we ended up last week it says if you love me this is Jesus's words if you love me what keep my commands in verse 16 and I will ask the father and he'll give you another advocate to help you anybody need help help me somebody to help you and be with you forever I love that. [00:50:20]
So here's a picture of Jesus shutting the mouths and left them speechless. These religious leaders that were in his presence. [00:53:07]
And Jesus replied, Help me, love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. Verse 38, this is the first and greatest commandment. And the second's like it. Help me, love your neighbor as yourself. [00:54:03]
But there's a different kind of interaction that I have with God when I accept him as my own. That it's probably not like the difference between asking my mom to drive her Chevy Chevette or driving my 1984 Mercury Lynx. But there's a different kind of confidence and mentality that begins to shift. And Jesus was saying, love the Lord, what? Your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. You can't love somebody else's God. [01:00:20]
It's a personal, we say this a lot, like just in a point of connecting with Jesus. It's a personal relationship with Jesus, not just a religious thought. Like how do I interact with Jesus in my life? [01:01:04]
But my parents raised us to understand that Jesus loved us. God loved us. But there was a point in my own life that I recognized that I couldn't live my mom's life with God. [01:01:34]
But there's something about making Jesus the lord of your life that the greatest thing that I could do as a pastor is to help you connect with the reality that no matter what I say from this platform and how I dig in and listen to what God's saying to me you have to dig in and listen to what God's saying to you he's the ultimate authority in your life but here's what's cool he loves you he doesn't just love pastor nate well pastor nate you're a pastor so you're probably way closer to jesus than me no he loves all of us the same he's not the respecter of any person. [01:06:15]
Unless Jesus is the lord of everything in our lives what he's not truly lord at all he won't sleep so here's what he says Thank you. now trust me like i want to pick myself up off the floor after reading this point when i hear god say that to me in my life the amazing thing about god's love for us that he recognizes that that we're we're not perfect come on just liberate yourself and tell your neighbor i'm not perfect i need jesus's help there's something liberating about that but unless jesus is lord of everything in our lives he's not truly lord at all and what did we say that the term lord means ultimate authority right so if jesus isn't the ultimate authority when i get on facebook he's not lord at all oh man i just went there didn't i. [01:07:34]
Sometimes that we we treat god that way that we say jesus i come to you because i i need you you're my creator thank you jesus for being in my life and for loving me and i know jesus that you said if if i love you i keep i want to keep your commands and you're going to give me an advocate thank you lord for being there with me but just like the pharisees and the sadducees jesus is saying to us the greatest command is to love the lord your ultimate authority with all your heart soul mind and strength we're to love him. [01:11:33]
If Christ be anything he must be everything oh rest not till love and faith in Jesus be the master passions of your soul if Christ be anything he must be everything this is the same thing oh rest not till love and faith in Jesus be the master passions of your soul. [01:12:26]
And what's cool is it's not in a condemning way, it's in a loving way. Like, you can trust him with everything. [01:13:27]
But there's something about sealing up. Like, if you create excuses for yourself or escape hatches in your life, I don't care if you're dealing with addiction. I don't care if you're dealing with pornography or drugs or just you're dealing with just sin in your life. Because if you're in addiction, right, Pastor Greg, if you leave yourself an escape hatch, you're going to take it. You're going to take it. [01:15:49]
But what if we could just anchor ourselves? Not like an abusive relationship be tied to something. But what if we anchored ourselves in the security? What is an anchor for? It's to give security in a storm or to keep you positioned without movement. Like what if you were sure and connected and anchored in a love of God that surpasses all of the frailty of your life and it leaves you, yes, exposed, but you're giving him everything and it radically changes who you are and what you believe. [01:16:47]
But the beautiful thing of this whole entire message is that God prioritizes you. He personalizes you. When he said, when he replied, you must love the Lord, the ultimate authority, your God, your God, your God, personalized with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, not your neighbors, not your best friend that's been trying to talk to you about accepting Christ. And you're like, no, he's talking to you. [01:20:03]
But what he's saying is that you're so valuable and he loves you so much and he sees you in the challenge of your natural life. Even though you're the expert at it, he's the one that has created you in his image. And now he wants to make this very, very personal with you. [01:21:05]
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have what? Everlasting life. He, it was a broad general term that he did it for everyone. But he narrows the focus down to you. [01:21:31]
When Jesus died on the cross and suffered, he was thinking of you. The Bible declares that it was for the joy that was set before him that he endured the great suffering that he had to endure. He did it for you. He did it for you. That whoever would believe, he would make it personal. [01:22:17]
But seek first the kingdom of God. And this is referring, the kingdom of God is his authority in your life. And it goes and says, and his righteousness, which is referring to a relationship, a right relationship that he wants to have with you. And all of the things in your life that you're aspiring to encounter and conquer. Whatever it is, the victories and the failures, all of these things. And all of the things. Thank you. that you're believing for will be added to you. [01:23:09]
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