Embracing Surrender: Partnering with God in Life
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound concept of surrendering our lives and wills to God, drawing from personal experiences and the teachings of James. The essence of our journey with God is not about self-reliance but about acknowledging His presence and partnership in every aspect of our lives. We began by reflecting on a personal story of my son, Jonah, who, as a child, wanted to push the lawnmower by himself, not realizing that he needed my help to keep it moving safely. This story serves as a metaphor for our lives, where we often believe we can manage everything on our own, forgetting that God is the one sustaining us.
We delved into the book of James, emphasizing the importance of recognizing God's role in our lives and the futility of boasting in our own plans without Him. The questions posed—whether God has our best interests at heart, if our interests are better than His, and if we can try on our own first—challenge us to reconsider our self-reliance and invite us back to surrender.
The journey of surrender is not just about giving up control but about discovering God's will for every situation and aligning our efforts with His direction. This surrender leads to a life of multiplication, where God does more for us than we could ever do for ourselves. We explored the Lord's Prayer, focusing on the phrase "Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven," which calls us to align our earthly lives with the realities of the kingdom of heaven.
We also discussed the concept of debts—emotional, financial, and spiritual—and the importance of forgiveness. Holding onto grudges and self-reliance can lead to a life of isolation and bitterness, whereas surrendering these debts to God brings freedom and togetherness. Ultimately, the journey with God is about togetherness, where our lives are not our own, but a shared journey with Him and with each other.
Key Takeaways:
1. Surrendering Our Will: True surrender involves not just giving our lives to God but also our will. This means acknowledging our self-reliance and willfulness and choosing to trust God's plans over our own. Surrender leads to a life of multiplication, where God does more for us than we could ever do alone. [12:46]
2. God's Role in Our Lives: Recognizing that God is the source of everything we have is crucial. Our lives are sustained by His grace, and acknowledging His presence in our daily activities transforms our perspective from self-reliance to gratitude and dependence on Him. [23:12]
3. The Power of Togetherness: The essence of our relationship with God is togetherness. It's not about the destination but the journey with Him. This togetherness extends to our relationships with others, emphasizing the importance of community and shared experiences. [01:23:53]
4. Forgiveness and Letting Go: Holding onto debts, whether emotional or financial, hinders our spiritual growth. Forgiveness is a key aspect of surrender, freeing us from the burdens of grudges and self-reliance, and allowing us to experience the fullness of God's grace. [01:12:45]
5. Aligning with God's Will: Our purpose and identity are found in aligning our lives with God's will. This involves seeking His guidance through prayer, scripture, and the leading of the Holy Spirit, ensuring that our actions reflect His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. [57:54]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:00] - Introduction and Communities
- [05:30] - Opening Prayer
- [07:45] - Story of Jonah and the Lawn Mower
- [12:46] - The Illusion of Self-Reliance
- [18:00] - Exploring the Book of James
- [23:12] - Acknowledging God's Role
- [30:00] - The Journey of Surrender
- [35:00] - The Lord's Prayer and Kingdom Realities
- [45:00] - Understanding Debts and Forgiveness
- [57:54] - Aligning with God's Will
- [01:05:00] - The Temptation of Self-Reliance
- [01:12:45] - Emotional and Financial Debts
- [01:23:53] - The Power of Togetherness
- [01:34:16] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. James 4:13-17
2. Matthew 6:9-13
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Observation Questions:
1. In James 4:13-17, what does James say about making plans without considering God's will? How does this relate to the story of Jonah and the lawnmower shared in the sermon? [07:45]
2. How does the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 emphasize the importance of aligning our will with God's will? What specific phrases highlight this alignment?
3. What are the different types of "debts" mentioned in the sermon, and how do they relate to the concept of forgiveness in the Lord's Prayer? [01:12:45]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of self-reliance versus dependence on God through personal stories and biblical teachings? [01:23:53]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to surrender both our life and will to God, as discussed in the sermon? How does this surrender lead to a life of multiplication? [49:33]
2. How does the sermon challenge the idea of self-reliance, and what are the potential consequences of living a self-reliant life according to the teachings of James? [01:23:53]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that forgiveness can lead to freedom and togetherness? How does this align with the teachings of Jesus in the Lord's Prayer? [01:12:45]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between our earthly lives and the realities of the kingdom of heaven? What role does prayer play in aligning these two realities? [57:54]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you tried to manage a situation on your own without seeking God's guidance. What was the outcome, and how might it have been different if you had surrendered it to God? [07:45]
2. Consider the areas of your life where you are most self-reliant. What steps can you take to invite God into those areas and acknowledge His role in sustaining you? [01:23:53]
3. Identify any "debts" you are holding onto, whether emotional, financial, or spiritual. What practical steps can you take this week to forgive and let go of these debts? [01:12:45]
4. How can you incorporate the practice of praying "Your kingdom come, Your will be done" into your daily routine? What changes might you expect to see in your life as a result? [57:54]
5. Think about a relationship in your life that could benefit from a greater sense of togetherness. What actions can you take to foster this sense of community and shared journey with that person? [01:23:53]
6. Reflect on your unique identity and purpose as described in the sermon. How can you live out this identity in a way that aligns with God's will for your life? [57:54]
7. What is one specific area where you feel God is calling you to surrender more fully to His will? How can you take a step towards that surrender this week? [49:33]
Devotional
Day 1: Surrendering Our Will to God's Plan
True surrender involves not just giving our lives to God but also our wills. This means acknowledging our self-reliance and willfulness and choosing to trust God's plans over our own. By doing so, we open ourselves to the multiplication of blessings in our lives, as God does more for us than we could ever achieve alone. This continuous process of surrender is not about losing control but about gaining a deeper partnership with God, who knows our needs and desires better than we do. As we let go of our own plans and embrace His, we find that our lives are enriched in ways we could not have imagined. [12:46]
Jeremiah 10:23-24 (ESV): "I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Correct me, O Lord, but in justice; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing."
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 2: The Illusion of Self-Reliance
Like my son Jonah trying to push the lawnmower alone, we often believe we can manage life by ourselves. However, our safety and progress are sustained by God. Recognizing this truth helps us to see that our achievements and blessings are not solely our own but are gifts from God. This realization invites us to partner with God, acknowledging His presence in every aspect of our lives. When we understand that our self-reliance is an illusion, we can begin to trust in God's guidance and provision, knowing that He is always with us, guiding and sustaining us even when we think we can do it alone. [23:15]
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: Identify a recent situation where you relied solely on your own strength. How might acknowledging God's role in that situation change your perspective and approach?
Day 3: Understanding God's Will
To align with God's will, we must engage in prayer, study scripture, and listen to our souls. This alignment is not about restricting our freedom but about partnering with God in our endeavors, ensuring that our plans are in harmony with His divine purpose. By seeking God's will, we are reminded of the brevity of life and the importance of seeking His guidance in our plans. It's not about boasting in our own schemes but about doing life with God, allowing His wisdom to guide our decisions and actions. [45:30]
Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV): "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to better align your daily decisions with God's will? Consider setting aside time for prayer or scripture study to seek His guidance.
Day 4: The Power of Forgiveness
Holding onto debts, whether emotional or financial, can hinder our spiritual growth. Forgiveness is a crucial step in releasing these burdens and embracing the freedom that comes from living in God's grace. It allows us to move forward without the weight of past grievances, opening our hearts to the fullness of life that God intends for us. By forgiving others, we reflect God's love and mercy, creating a space for healing and reconciliation in our relationships. [01:12:45]
Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV): "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?
Day 5: Togetherness with God
The ultimate goal of our spiritual journey is togetherness with God. This relationship is the foundation of our identity and purpose. By surrendering our lives and wills to God, we cultivate a deep connection with Him, experiencing the fullness of life as He intended. This divine partnership invites us to live out our kingdom identity and purpose here on earth, embracing the love and guidance that God offers us. As we walk with God, we find that our lives are enriched and our paths are made clear, leading us to a deeper understanding of His will and purpose for us. [01:34:16]
John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of togetherness with God in your daily life? Consider practical ways to invite His presence into your routine, such as through prayer, worship, or acts of service.
Quotes
When my son who's not 12 was three, I was mowing the lawn and I was pushing our push mower and Jonah is his name he wanted to help me mow and so he, the push mowers usually have two rungs, because in the middle rung you can kind of unscrew it and then fold it in and throw it and it fits in different places. [00:45:43] (24 seconds)
I think something happens in our life where we all of a sudden realize hey I can do this by myself I can do this work by myself I can do this life by myself I can provide for myself I can feed myself I can clothe myself not realizing that our life is sustained by God. [00:46:53] (19 seconds)
During a really hard period of my life I really spent a lot of time in recovery rooms and in aa they have the third the 12 steps and the third step says I made a decision to surrender my life and will over the care of God as I understood him I had never heard that phrase before. [00:50:07] (21 seconds)
That step for me as I decided to surrender my life and will to him began a new season in my life it actually began a season in my life where everything was by addition a little bit at a time and in that time as I surrender my life and will over to the care of God. [00:52:51] (20 seconds)
If you surrender your life and will to the care of God if you surrender it's because you believe God to be a good dad and business partner that you believe God has good things prepared for you God has good things prepared for you mom God has good things prepared for you right. [01:22:24] (25 seconds)
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