Embracing Surrender: Letting Go of Control
Summary
In our new series, "When Your Way Isn't Working," we delve into the pervasive issue of control in our lives. From the moment we are born, we have an innate desire for control, whether it's a baby crying for attention or a child claiming ownership with the word "mine." This longing for control often leads to stress and anxiety, as we try to manage every aspect of our lives. However, the Bible teaches us that we cannot have both control and growth in our spiritual journey. As Paul writes in Galatians, we are called to be crucified with Christ, living by faith rather than by our own control.
We explored three biblical examples of control gone wrong: relationship control with Abraham and Sarah, financial control with the rich young ruler, and emotional control with the Israelites creating a golden calf. Each story illustrates the pitfalls of taking matters into our own hands rather than trusting in God's timing and provision. In contrast, Jesus exemplifies the ultimate surrender in the Garden of Gethsemane, praying, "Not as I will, but as you will," even as He faced crucifixion.
The key to overcoming our need for control is surrender. It's about saying "nevertheless" to our desires and trusting God's will. Surrender is not a passive act but a courageous one, requiring us to wait on God with confident assurance. It's about finding internal rest and allowing God to work in His perfect timing. We must recognize that our desire for control often stems from a lack of trust in God. By surrendering, we open ourselves to His peace and the transformative power of His grace.
Key Takeaways:
- The Illusion of Control: Our desire for control often leads to stress and anxiety, as we try to manage every aspect of our lives. True growth in our spiritual journey requires surrendering control and living by faith, as Paul writes in Galatians. [05:08]
- Biblical Lessons on Control: The stories of Abraham, the rich young ruler, and the Israelites show the pitfalls of taking matters into our own hands. Each example highlights the importance of trusting in God's timing and provision rather than relying on our own understanding. [08:54]
- Jesus' Example of Surrender: In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus exemplifies the ultimate surrender, praying for God's will to be done despite His own desires. This act of surrender is a powerful lesson for us in relinquishing control and trusting God's plan. [13:18]
- The Courage of Surrender: Surrender is not a passive act but a courageous one, requiring us to wait on God with confident assurance. It's about finding internal rest and allowing God to work in His perfect timing, rather than striving to control every outcome. [16:34]
- Trusting God's Plan: Our desire for control often stems from a lack of trust in God. By surrendering, we open ourselves to His peace and the transformative power of His grace. It's about trusting that God is actively at work, even when we can't see it. [23:18]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Introduction to the Series
- [02:30] - The Innate Desire for Control
- [05:08] - Control vs. Growth
- [07:00] - Relationship Control: Abraham and Sarah
- [08:54] - Financial Control: The Rich Young Ruler
- [11:30] - Emotional Control: The Golden Calf
- [13:18] - Jesus' Example of Surrender
- [16:34] - The Courage of Surrender
- [18:45] - Trusting God's Plan
- [20:59] - The Power of "Nevertheless"
- [23:18] - The Role of Faith in Surrender
- [25:43] - Waiting on God
- [28:52] - Invitation to Surrender
- [30:00] - Prayer and Invitation to Receive Jesus
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "When Your Way Isn't Working"
Bible Reading:
1. Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
2. Matthew 26:39 - "Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.'"
3. 2 Corinthians 12:9 - "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean when he says he has been "crucified with Christ" in Galatians 2:20? How does this relate to the concept of control? [05:08]
2. In the sermon, how does the story of Abraham and Sarah illustrate the pitfalls of trying to control God's promises? [08:54]
3. How does Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane demonstrate the ultimate act of surrender? [13:18]
4. What are some examples given in the sermon of how people try to maintain control in their lives? [16:34]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the desire for control lead to stress and anxiety, according to the sermon? What does this suggest about the relationship between control and faith? [05:08]
2. Why might the rich young ruler have struggled with Jesus' command to sell everything? What does this reveal about the connection between control and trust in God? [08:54]
3. How does the story of the Israelites and the golden calf reflect our own tendencies to create "idols" when we feel God is distant? [13:18]
4. What does the phrase "nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will" teach us about the nature of true surrender? [20:59]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when your desire for control led to stress or anxiety. How might surrendering that control to God have changed the outcome? [05:08]
2. In what areas of your life are you most tempted to take control rather than wait on God's timing? How can you practice patience and trust in those areas? [08:54]
3. Consider the "idols" you might have created in your life. What steps can you take to remove these and refocus on God's presence? [13:18]
4. How can you incorporate the practice of saying "nevertheless" in your daily prayers and decisions? What impact do you think this could have on your spiritual growth? [20:59]
5. Identify a specific area where you struggle to trust God fully. What practical steps can you take this week to surrender that area to Him? [23:18]
6. How can you cultivate a mindset of internal rest and courageous action in your life? What changes might you need to make to achieve this? [25:43]
7. Think of a situation where you need to wait on God. How can you actively wait with confident assurance, rather than passively or impatiently? [28:52]
Devotional
Day 1: The Illusion of Control
Our desire for control often leads to stress and anxiety as we attempt to manage every aspect of our lives. This illusion of control can hinder our spiritual growth, as true growth requires surrendering control and living by faith. Paul writes in Galatians that we are called to be crucified with Christ, which means letting go of our need to control and instead trusting in God's plan. By relinquishing control, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's grace and find peace in His presence. [05:08]
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are holding on to control? How can you begin to release that control to God today?
Day 2: Biblical Lessons on Control
The stories of Abraham and Sarah, the rich young ruler, and the Israelites with the golden calf illustrate the pitfalls of taking matters into our own hands. Each example highlights the importance of trusting in God's timing and provision rather than relying on our own understanding. When we attempt to control our relationships, finances, or emotions, we often find ourselves in difficult situations. Instead, we are called to trust in God's wisdom and wait for His perfect timing. [08:54]
"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." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you tried to control the outcome. How might the situation have been different if you had trusted in God's timing and provision?
Day 3: Jesus' Example of Surrender
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus exemplifies the ultimate surrender by praying for God's will to be done despite His own desires. This act of surrender is a powerful lesson for us in relinquishing control and trusting God's plan. Jesus' willingness to submit to the Father's will, even in the face of immense suffering, demonstrates the courage and faith required to truly surrender. By following His example, we can learn to let go of our own desires and trust in God's greater purpose for our lives. [13:18]
"And going a little farther, he fell on his face and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.'" (Matthew 26:39, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to say "not as I will, but as you will" to God? How can you begin to practice this surrender today?
Day 4: The Courage of Surrender
Surrender is not a passive act but a courageous one, requiring us to wait on God with confident assurance. It's about finding internal rest and allowing God to work in His perfect timing, rather than striving to control every outcome. By surrendering, we demonstrate our trust in God's plan and open ourselves to His peace. This courage to surrender is a vital part of our spiritual journey, as it allows us to grow in faith and experience the fullness of God's grace. [16:34]
"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!" (Psalm 37:7, ESV)
Reflection: What is one outcome you are striving to control? How can you practice being still and waiting patiently for God's timing in this situation?
Day 5: Trusting God's Plan
Our desire for control often stems from a lack of trust in God. By surrendering, we open ourselves to His peace and the transformative power of His grace. Trusting that God is actively at work, even when we can't see it, is essential for our spiritual growth. When we let go of our need to control, we allow God to guide us and work in our lives in ways we could never imagine. This trust in God's plan brings us closer to Him and helps us experience His love and grace more fully. [23:18]
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's plan? How can you begin to walk by faith and not by sight in this area today?
Quotes
"I think almost since the moment of birth, we are born longing for control, right? A baby cries and that's their way of getting what they want. It's innate. It's how we function. When a child is little and they're learning to talk, one of the first words they come up with is the word mine. We want control. We want it our way. It's innate in us." [00:00:37] (18 seconds)
"This is a problem, right? So if this is a problem, this is contrary to how God wants us to live. I love this quote from Craig Griselle. He says, you can have control, or you can have growth, but you can't have both. Yeah. So what does that mean? That means if I'm trying to grow in my walk with the Lord, I'm trying to become better in different areas, I can't do that and have control." [00:03:09] (23 seconds)
"Crucifixion, he didn't accidentally put that word in there. That means death, cruel death. I've been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. How do you have a life where it says, I no longer live, but also have control?" [00:03:46] (26 seconds)
"Does the idea of money freak you out, like generosity? Like God's speaking to you. You know he's been speaking to you to do something for somebody. Like you're supposed to buy somebody something, you're supposed to bless somebody with something, and it's like, but Lord, I have my finances squared away to a T. If I give this, I have to go and want. What if he just wants your heart? What if he just wants your yes?" [00:11:55] (22 seconds)
"It was easier to worship something they could see instead of having to wait on a God that they couldn't see. You laugh at this story. You're like, that's ridiculous. I've never in my life made a golden idol. Okay, but have you been waiting on the Lord and found that the bottle answered quicker? Have you been waiting on the Lord and found that distracting yourself with work was quicker than facing the fact that you feel like God is moving too slow?" [00:14:26] (30 seconds)
"It's very interesting to me, and this is bold, I wanna say this, but I truly believe you can't have control and have peace. I know that's harsh, I know that's a big statement, but I believe some of you are praying for peace in the one hand and throwing it away with the other, because you're insisting on your way and then asking God to bless them." [00:16:42] (23 seconds)
"Jesus is saying I don't want to do this your way but I'll pray and I'll say even though I don't want to do this if this is your will let it be done a second time says he went away a second time and he prayed my father if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." [00:18:37] (23 seconds)
"Nevertheless, not as I will. Your will be done, come what may, for better, for worse, right? He's saying, nevertheless, your will be done. He also faced things like we face things. And he prayed for his way like we pray for our way. There's nothing wrong with that. But how he ended it is the lesson for us. He surrendered. Here's the secret. Surrender is the answer to our need for control." [00:19:22] (32 seconds)
"Waiting on God isn't that passive waiting. Waiting on God is actually an action based on confident assurance of grace to come. Waiting on God. It's action based. It's not passive. You're sure. You're confident. Grace is coming. He's on his way. Why aren't you doing anything? Because I couldn't do anything that could ever compare to what God could do in a second to my lifetime of striving and stressing and worrying." [00:26:26] (35 seconds)
"Waiting on God is this. It's internal rest. Anybody in the room could use some internal rest that results in courageous action. Waiting is courageous. Surrender is courageous. It's saying, I'm taking my hands out. Finally, finally, finally, giving it up, leaving it here, trusting that you're coming. And maybe you need to do that today." [00:27:09] (26 seconds)
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