Embracing Surrender: Trusting God's Plan for Our Lives
Summary
In reflecting on the profound experiences of the past week, I was reminded of the power and potential of a fully surrendered life to God. Imagine the impact if thousands of college students, or even just our congregation, left their gatherings with a genuine commitment to do whatever God asks of them. This week, I witnessed 24,000 college students in Atlanta, passionately worshiping and many committing to serve God overseas. It was a powerful reminder of the potential within the next generation to transform the world through their faith.
As we begin this new year, I urge us to consider what it means to truly surrender to God. Often, surrender is seen as a negative or fearful act, but we must remember that God is a loving Father who desires the best for us. Just as a parent would choose wisely for their child, God’s plans for us are rooted in His perfect love and wisdom. Therefore, surrendering to Him should be a source of excitement and trust, not fear.
Before diving into the Word, I challenge you to approach it with a heart ready to obey, even before knowing what it says. True surrender means committing to follow God’s Word without hesitation or reservation. James 4:11 warns against slander, emphasizing the importance of loving others as ourselves. Slander is not just about lying; it’s about speaking against someone, which violates the royal law of love. We must strive to build each other up, not tear each other down.
Furthermore, James reminds us of the brevity and uncertainty of life. We are like a mist, here one moment and gone the next. This reality should lead us to live with a constant awareness of God’s sovereignty, saying, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” Our plans should always be submitted to God’s greater plan, recognizing that He is in control of every moment.
As we move forward, let us commit to a year of no slander, no judgment, and complete surrender to God’s will. Let us be a community that builds each other up and lives with an eternal perspective, ready to follow wherever God leads.
Key Takeaways:
- The Power of Surrender: Surrendering to God is often seen as a negative or fearful act, but it should be a source of excitement and trust. God, as a loving Father, desires the best for us, and His plans are rooted in perfect love and wisdom. Embracing this truth can transform our perspective on surrender. [06:09]
- Commitment to God’s Word: True surrender involves a commitment to follow God’s Word without hesitation. Before even hearing what the Word says, we should be ready to obey, trusting that God’s commands are for our good and His glory. This requires a heart fully submitted to His lordship. [09:38]
- The Sin of Slander: Slander is not just about lying; it’s about speaking against someone, which violates the royal law of love. We are called to build each other up, not tear each other down. A community free from slander and judgment reflects the love of Christ and strengthens the body of believers. [12:22]
- Life’s Brevity and God’s Sovereignty: Our lives are like a mist, here one moment and gone the next. This reality should lead us to live with a constant awareness of God’s sovereignty, submitting our plans to His greater plan. Recognizing His control over every moment helps us live with humility and dependence on Him. [28:28]
- The Call to Action: Knowing the good we ought to do and failing to do it is sin. God calls us not only to avoid prohibited actions but to actively pursue His will. This involves reconciling with others, serving where He leads, and living with an eternal perspective. Surrendering to God’s call is the wisest decision we can make. [38:58]
YouTube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:19] - New Year's Reflections
- [01:46] - Worship in Atlanta
- [03:30] - The Next Generation's Potential
- [05:40] - The Call to Surrender
- [08:23] - Commitment to God's Word
- [10:30] - Understanding Slander
- [14:12] - Judging the Law
- [19:09] - Questioning God's Commands
- [21:19] - Who Are You to Judge?
- [26:01] - Planning with Humility
- [28:28] - Life's Brevity
- [31:41] - Living in God's Will
- [38:37] - The Sin of Omission
- [45:16] - The Example of Heather Mercer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. James 4:11-12 - "Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?"
2. James 4:13-15 - "Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.'"
3. Ephesians 4:29 - "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does James 4:11-12 say about the act of slandering others, and how does it relate to judging the law? [14:12]
2. According to James 4:13-15, what is the proper attitude we should have when making plans for the future? [31:41]
3. How does Ephesians 4:29 instruct us to use our words, and what is the intended outcome of our speech? [12:22]
4. In the sermon, what was the pastor's reaction to witnessing 24,000 college students worshiping and committing to serve God? [02:04]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of life being a "mist" in James 4:14 influence our understanding of God's sovereignty and our daily decisions? [28:28]
2. What does it mean to truly surrender to God's will, and how does this surrender relate to our trust in Him as a loving Father? [06:09]
3. How does the sermon illustrate the impact of slander on a community, and what is the biblical response to this issue? [13:21]
4. What are the implications of knowing the good we ought to do and failing to do it, as mentioned in the sermon? [38:58]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you made plans without considering God's will. How can you incorporate the mindset of "If it is the Lord’s will" into your future planning? [31:41]
2. Identify a person you have spoken negatively about. What steps can you take to genuinely love and build up that person instead? [16:27]
3. Consider the areas of your life where you struggle to fully surrender to God. What specific fears or reservations do you have, and how can you address them? [06:09]
4. How can you actively pursue God's will in your daily life, rather than just avoiding prohibited actions? What is one specific action you can take this week? [39:14]
5. Think about the brevity of life as described in the sermon. How does this perspective change the way you prioritize your time and relationships? [28:28]
6. In what ways can you contribute to creating a community free from slander and judgment, as envisioned in the sermon? [13:21]
7. Reflect on the story of Heather Mercer shared in the sermon. How does her example challenge you to live with an eternal perspective and surrender to God's call? [45:16]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Surrender with Joy
Surrendering to God is often misunderstood as a loss of control or a fearful act. However, it is an invitation to trust in a loving Father who desires the best for us. When we surrender, we align ourselves with God's perfect love and wisdom, which can transform our perspective and bring excitement and trust into our lives. This act of surrender is not about giving up but about gaining a deeper relationship with God, who knows us better than we know ourselves. [06:09]
"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 find yourself holding back from surrendering to God? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 2: Obedience to God's Word
True surrender involves a commitment to follow God's Word without hesitation. This means approaching the Bible with a heart ready to obey, trusting that God's commands are for our good and His glory. It requires a heart fully submitted to His lordship, willing to act on His Word even before fully understanding it. This kind of obedience is not passive but active, calling us to live out our faith in tangible ways. [09:38]
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific command from the Bible that you find challenging to obey? How can you take a step towards obedience today?
Day 3: Building a Community of Love
Slander is more than just lying; it is speaking against someone and violating the royal law of love. We are called to build each other up, not tear each other down. A community free from slander and judgment reflects the love of Christ and strengthens the body of believers. By choosing to speak life and encouragement, we create an environment where love and grace can flourish. [12:22]
"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where you could have chosen words that build up rather than tear down. How can you intentionally speak life into your relationships today?
Day 4: Living with Eternal Perspective
Our lives are like a mist, here one moment and gone the next. This reality should lead us to live with a constant awareness of God's sovereignty, submitting our plans to His greater plan. Recognizing His control over every moment helps us live with humility and dependence on Him, knowing that our time on earth is limited and precious. [28:28]
"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12, ESV)
Reflection: What is one way you can shift your focus from temporary concerns to eternal values today? How can this change in perspective impact your daily decisions?
Day 5: Actively Pursuing God's Will
Knowing the good we ought to do and failing to do it is sin. God calls us not only to avoid prohibited actions but to actively pursue His will. This involves reconciling with others, serving where He leads, and living with an eternal perspective. Surrendering to God's call is the wisest decision we can make, as it aligns us with His purpose and plan for our lives. [38:58]
"So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." (James 4:17, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one good action you have been avoiding. What steps can you take today to pursue this action and align yourself with God's will?
Quotes
Imagine the impact if thousands of college students, or even just our congregation, left their gatherings with a genuine commitment to do whatever God asks of them. This week, I witnessed 24,000 college students in Atlanta, passionately worshiping and many committing to serve God overseas. It was a powerful reminder of the potential within the next generation to transform the world through their faith. [00:02:40]
As we begin this new year, I urge us to consider what it means to truly surrender to God. Often, surrender is seen as a negative or fearful act, but we must remember that God is a loving Father who desires the best for us. Just as a parent would choose wisely for their child, God’s plans for us are rooted in His perfect love and wisdom. [00:05:42]
Before diving into the Word, I challenge you to approach it with a heart ready to obey, even before knowing what it says. True surrender means committing to follow God’s Word without hesitation or reservation. James 4:11 warns against slander, emphasizing the importance of loving others as ourselves. Slander is not just about lying; it’s about speaking against someone, which violates the royal law of love. [00:08:21]
Furthermore, James reminds us of the brevity and uncertainty of life. We are like a mist, here one moment and gone the next. This reality should lead us to live with a constant awareness of God’s sovereignty, saying, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” Our plans should always be submitted to God’s greater plan, recognizing that He is in control of every moment. [00:28:28]
As we move forward, let us commit to a year of no slander, no judgment, and complete surrender to God’s will. Let us be a community that builds each other up and lives with an eternal perspective, ready to follow wherever God leads. [00:38:37]
Slander means to criticize someone with the intention of lowering other people's view of that individual. It's a whole idea that you're saying something against another person. The Bible says as believers we are not supposed to allow anything out of our mouths that is destructive. We are not to tear down and be against; we are supposed to be building up. [00:11:01]
When you break a law on a regular basis, you are implying that you don't believe that that's a good law for you to be under. For example, when you break the speed limit on a regular basis, you are judging the law, thinking it's not for you. The Bible says you are sitting in judgment over it. [00:17:18]
The Bible says, "What is your life? You're a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." Not only do you not know what's going to happen tomorrow, you don't even know if there's going to be a tomorrow for you. You're like a mist, a vapor, a breath. Our lives on earth are very transitory at best. [00:28:01]
Anyone then who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it sins. So he goes to wrap it up: anyone in this room that knows the good that he's supposed to do, like the things that God would want him to do today, and you don't do it, you're sinning. That's serious; you're sinning against God. [00:38:37]
Heather Mercer, who was imprisoned by the Taliban for speaking about Jesus, chose to return to serve in northern Iraq. Her story is a powerful example of surrendering to God's call, even in the face of danger. Her actions remind us of the eternal perspective we should have, valuing eternal rewards over temporary comforts. [00:45:16]
The Bible says that's how I ought to live my life. I have to say, "God, if you will, if you want it, then I'll live and I'll be able to walk." I got to live that way. When I was working through this yesterday morning, I started praying, "God, what does this mean to me?" [00:34:34]
I want to give you some time to pray and come before God because this is some heavy stuff. It should be easy. I keep thinking it'll get easier to surrender to God, but I haven't found out the secret yet. It's difficult each time just to trust again and go, "That's right, you're trustworthy. I can release my life." [00:48:09]
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