Embracing Surrender: Trusting God's Plan in Obedience
Summary
In our journey of faith, we often encounter moments where God calls us to obedience before we fully understand His plans. This is a divine invitation to trust in His sovereignty and to surrender our need for control. As we delve into the scriptures, we find that Jesus, in His final days, becomes increasingly direct with His disciples, preparing them for the ultimate sacrifice He would make for humanity. He challenges them to move beyond their expectations of a conquering, earthly king and to embrace the vision of an eternal kingdom that transcends national boundaries and temporal power.
The disciples, even without full comprehension, obey Jesus' instructions. They fetch a donkey for Him to ride into Jerusalem, fulfilling ancient prophecies and demonstrating the upside-down nature of God's kingdom. This act of obedience, despite their lack of understanding, is a powerful testament to their faith. It is in these moments of surrender that we, too, are called to trust in God's greater plan, even when it contradicts our expectations or desires.
The crowd that welcomes Jesus into Jerusalem is a mix of motivations—some seeking a political savior, others drawn by His miracles, like the raising of Lazarus from the dead. Yet, Jesus accepts their imperfect motivations, knowing that He is there to offer a salvation that is not just for a moment but for eternity. This teaches us that God can use us, regardless of our motivations, as long as we are willing to step forward in obedience.
As we approach the season of Lent, we are reminded that surrender is not just about giving up something; it's about gaining a deeper awareness of God's desires for us. It's a time to recalibrate our hearts and realign our devotion to God. We are encouraged to let go of the good things we've made ultimate in our lives and to elevate God to His rightful place.
In summary, our path of surrender involves trusting God beyond our understanding, obeying His call even when we don't see the full picture, and allowing Him to use our mixed motivations for His purposes. As we prepare for Easter, let us embrace this season of Lent as an opportunity to deepen our walk with Christ, to surrender our will to His, and to anticipate the transformative work He desires to do in and through us.
Key Takeaways:
- Obedience before understanding is a hallmark of mature faith. We must be willing to follow God's direction even when the path is not clear, trusting that He sees the bigger picture and has our ultimate good in mind. This kind of trust deepens our relationship with God and demonstrates our commitment to His lordship over our lives. [30:54
- God's kingdom often subverts our worldly expectations. Just as Jesus entered Jerusalem on a humble donkey instead of a majestic steed, God's ways frequently challenge our notions of power and success. Embracing God's upside-down kingdom means seeking humility and service over personal glory and recognition. [33:07
- God can use our imperfect motivations for His perfect purposes. Even when we come to Him with mixed intentions, God is able to work through us. Our willingness to be used by God is more important than having flawless motives. This should encourage us to step out in faith, even when our hearts are not fully aligned. [38:58
- Lent is a season of intentional focus on God. By surrendering something of value, we create space to reflect on Jesus' sacrifice and to cultivate a greater appetite for God. This practice is not about deprivation but about reorienting our desires toward the One who truly satisfies. [48:25
- The path of surrender is a journey of transformation. As we give up our illusions of control and submit to God's will, we open ourselves to the life-changing power of His grace. This surrender is not a one-time event but a daily practice that shapes us into the image of Christ. [49:34
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 21:1-11 - Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
2. Zechariah 9:9 - Prophecy of the King riding on a donkey
3. John 12:12-19 - The crowd welcomes Jesus, referencing the raising of Lazarus
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions did Jesus give to His disciples regarding the donkey? (Matthew 21:2-3)
2. How did the crowd react to Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, and what were they shouting? (Matthew 21:8-9)
3. What prophecy was fulfilled by Jesus riding on a donkey, and where is it found in the Old Testament? (Zechariah 9:9)
4. According to the sermon, what were some of the mixed motivations of the crowd that welcomed Jesus? [43:51]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to enter Jerusalem on a donkey rather than a horse? What does this signify about His kingdom? (Matthew 21:5)
2. How does the concept of "obedience before understanding" challenge our modern approach to decision-making and faith? [27:03]
3. In what ways does the crowd's reaction to Jesus' entry reflect their misunderstanding of His mission? How does this apply to our own expectations of Jesus? [29:17]
4. How can God use our imperfect motivations for His perfect purposes, as seen in the crowd's reaction to Jesus? [38:58]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to obey God without fully understanding His plan. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [27:33]
2. Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on a donkey subverted expectations of a conquering king. How can you seek humility and service over personal glory in your daily life? [33:07]
3. The sermon mentioned that Lent is a time to recalibrate our hearts and realign our devotion to God. What is one thing you can surrender during this season to deepen your walk with Christ? [49:34]
4. Think about a situation where your motivations were mixed, but you still felt called to act. How did God use that situation for His purposes? [38:58]
5. The sermon highlighted the importance of trusting God beyond our understanding. What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God fully, and how can you take a step of faith this week? [30:54]
6. How can you create space in your life to reflect on Jesus' sacrifice during Lent, and what specific practices can help you cultivate a greater appetite for God? [48:25]
7. The path of surrender is a journey of transformation. What is one practical step you can take this week to submit to God's will and open yourself to His transformative grace? [49:34]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God's Unseen Plan
When God calls us to action, it's not always with a clear roadmap. The essence of faith is found in our willingness to obey before we understand, to step into the unknown with confidence that God is guiding us. This trust is not passive; it's an active choice to follow God's direction, even when the path ahead is shrouded in mystery. It's about acknowledging that our vision is limited, but God's is not. He sees the end from the beginning and orchestrates our steps towards a greater good that we might not yet comprehend. This trust is a testament to our belief in God's sovereignty and wisdom. It's a surrender of our desire to control and a commitment to follow, even when we're stepping into the fog of uncertainty. [30:54]
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: What is one decision or situation in your life where you feel uncertain, and how can you demonstrate trust in God's plan for it today?
Day 2: Embracing the Upside-Down Kingdom
The kingdom of God often defies our expectations, flipping our worldly understanding of power and success on its head. Jesus exemplified this when He chose a humble donkey for His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, a stark contrast to the grandeur expected of a king. This act was a profound lesson in humility and service, revealing that true greatness in God's kingdom is not about ascending to the top but about stooping to serve others. As followers of Christ, we are called to embrace this upside-down kingdom, seeking to live out the values of humility, service, and love in a world that often prioritizes the opposite. This means letting go of our desire for recognition and choosing to serve in anonymity, to love without expecting anything in return, and to prioritize the well-being of others above our own. [33:07]
Matthew 20:25-28 ESV
"But Jesus called them to him and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'"
Reflection: How can you practice servant leadership in your current context, perhaps at work, in your family, or within your community?
Day 3: God's Use of Imperfect Motives
Our motivations are rarely pure, often mixed with self-interest, doubt, or fear. Yet, God's ability to use us is not hindered by our imperfect motives. He works through our willingness to step forward, transforming our mixed intentions into actions that fulfill His purposes. This is a source of great hope, for it means that we don't have to wait until we are perfect to be useful in God's kingdom. Instead, we can come as we are, with all our complexities, and trust that God will refine us along the way. Our part is to remain open and obedient, allowing God to work through our imperfections to bring about His perfect will. This should encourage us to act, to serve, and to love, even when we feel unworthy or unprepared, knowing that God is at work in us and through us. [38:58]
2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV
"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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Reflection: Can you identify an area where your motives are mixed, and how can you offer that area to God, asking Him to work through you despite your imperfections?
Day 4: Lent: A Season of Refocusing on God
Lent is not merely a time of giving up pleasures; it's a season for deepening our awareness of God's presence and purpose in our lives. By intentionally surrendering something of value, we create space to reflect on the life and sacrifice of Jesus, allowing us to cultivate a greater desire for God. This practice is about reorienting our hearts towards the divine, recognizing that our ultimate satisfaction comes not from the things of this world but from a closer relationship with God. As we let go of the good things we've made ultimate, we make room for God to take His rightful place in our lives. This intentional focus helps us to recalibrate our priorities and to live in a way that is more aligned with God's will. [48:25]
Isaiah 58:6-7 ESV
"Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?"
Reflection: What is one thing you can give up this Lent to create more space for God in your life, and how will you use that space to grow closer to Him?
Day 5: The Transformative Journey of Surrender
Surrender to God is not a one-time event but a daily practice that transforms us from the inside out. It involves giving up our illusions of control and submitting to God's will, trusting that He knows what is best for us. This surrender is a journey, one that requires us to lay down our will and pick up God's, allowing His grace to change us. As we do this, we become more like Christ, reflecting His love and character to the world around us. The path of surrender is marked by moments of letting go, of choosing God's way over our own, and of finding our true purpose and identity in Him. It's a journey that leads to freedom, joy, and the abundant life that Jesus promises to those who follow Him. [49:34]
Romans 12:1-2 ESV
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
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?
Quotes
- "Sometimes it's about giving up status, sometimes it's about giving up success... it's a tool that we can have with surrender in which we ask God to transform the desire we have for that thing into an appetite or a desire for God." [21:51
- "Maybe for you this year, Lent is a reminder where some things about your faith have gotten off track... Lent is the time where God's going to call you back, to recalibrate your heart and devotion to be able to have a deeper walk with him than you have before." [38:25
- "God wants us to have the right motivation but he will even use the wrong motivation to move us in the right direction... as a parent with young kids, this is easy to spot almost every day." [38:58
- "So much of what it means to walk with Jesus is to continue to take steps even when our heart doesn't feel perfectly aligned to it, even when we don't fully understand it." [46:36
- "God doesn't want you to delete that app, stop buying on Amazon, change that routine because he gets something out of your sacrifice. God wants someone; he wants you. You are who he gets from that sacrifice." [48:25
- "What if you were directing your attention over these next seven weeks in a way that you didn't feel like you were giving something up but you gained an awareness of what God truly wanted for you for the rest of your life?" [49:01
- "Even though his disciples failed to understand and they did like they did this stuff without having all the details, they still obeyed. They still took steps towards what God was calling them to do." [37:59
- "Jesus fulfilled it... He would come in on a donkey, small and unimpressive. It was just one more way that God was showing the upside-down nature of the Kingdom of Heaven." [33:07
- "Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the one who is leading... even though I don't see it, I trust that you do." [30:54
- "Sometimes our path of surrender means that we acknowledge just how little of the plan we know, just how wrong our motivations might be, and yet we still take steps towards obedience to God in our lives." [46:04
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