Embracing Surrender: Trusting God's Plan Over Control

In the sermon titled "Surrender Over Control" by Pastor Rob Dixon at Abundant Life Church, the central theme revolves around the concept of surrendering to God's will rather than trying to maintain control over life's circumstances. Pastor Dixon emphasizes the importance of giving our worries and concerns to God daily, acknowledging that while we cannot control everything, we can choose to rely on God's guidance and lean into His plan for our lives.

Pastor Dixon reflects on personal revelations and the peace that comes from surrendering to God. He encourages the congregation to consider what they need to surrender, whether it be a person, situation, or concern, and to trust that God will carry their burdens. He draws a parallel between our struggles and Jesus' ultimate act of surrender on the cross, where Jesus chose God's will over exerting control.

The sermon also delves into the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, highlighting her initial confusion and disturbance upon learning of her role in God's plan. Despite her fears, Mary chose to trust in God's word and surrender to His purpose. Pastor Dixon uses this narrative to illustrate the power of surrender and obedience to God.

Furthermore, Pastor Dixon discusses the concept of going "all in" with God, pointing out that partial surrender is a common struggle among believers. He warns against underestimating God's power and faithfulness by overestimating our ability to control situations. He reminds the congregation that surrender is not a one-time event but a daily practice that must be continually renewed.

The sermon also recounts the story of Mary and Joseph, emphasizing that on the other side of our faith, we witness God's faithfulness. Despite the challenges they faced, including a decree from King Herod to kill young boys, Mary and Joseph's trust in God exemplified true surrender.

Pastor Dixon addresses the audience's concerns about the future and the challenges of the holiday season, urging them to surrender to God's purpose even when life is confusing. He shares a personal anecdote about driving in slippery conditions, highlighting the importance of obedience and control over one's response, words, attitude, and gratitude in difficult situations.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Reading

Luke 1:26-38 (NIV) — > In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; his kingdom will never end." "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail." "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May your word to me be fulfilled." Then the angel left her.

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Observation Questions

1. What was Mary's initial reaction to the angel Gabriel's message, and how did she express her confusion and disturbance? ([01:06])
2. How did the angel Gabriel reassure Mary about her role in God's plan? ([02:15])
3. What choice did Mary make after hearing the angel's message, and what phrase did she use to express her surrender? ([02:54])
4. According to Pastor Dixon, what is the relationship between our attempts to control and our trust in God? ([06:47])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Mary, despite her initial confusion and fear, chose to surrender to God's will? What does this tell us about her faith? ([02:54])
2. Pastor Dixon mentioned that what we try to control the most is often where we trust God the least. How does this statement challenge our daily lives and decisions? ([06:47])
3. How does the story of Mary and Joseph illustrate the concept of God's faithfulness in response to our acts of faith and surrender? ([25:27])
4. In what ways does Pastor Dixon suggest that partial surrender reflects a lack of trust in God's plan? How can this be seen in our own lives? ([21:09])

Application Questions

1. Reflect on a situation in your life where you feel the need to control the outcome. How can you practice surrendering this situation to God this week? ([08:02])
2. Mary said, "Let it be to me according to your word." What specific area of your life do you need to say "Let it be" to God's plan? ([02:54])
3. Pastor Dixon shared a personal story about driving in slippery conditions and the importance of controlling one's response. How can you apply this lesson to a current challenge you are facing? ([16:17])
4. Think about a time when you experienced God's faithfulness after an act of surrender. How can this memory encourage you to trust God more fully in a current struggle? ([25:27])
5. Pastor Dixon warned against partial surrender. Identify one area of your life where you have been partially surrendered. What steps can you take to go "all in" with God in this area? ([21:09])
6. During the holiday season, many people feel confused or disturbed. How can you support someone in your life who is struggling with these feelings, and how can you encourage them to surrender their worries to God? ([14:31])
7. Pastor Dixon emphasized that surrender is a daily practice. What daily habits or practices can you implement to remind yourself to surrender to God each day? ([22:20])