Examining Our Faith: The Call to Full Surrender

In today's message, I explored the vision of the prophet Jeremiah, who saw two baskets of figs—one filled with good figs and the other with bad figs. This vision serves as a metaphor for the spiritual state of people. God asked Jeremiah to look closely, emphasizing the importance of seeing beyond the surface. The good figs represent those who are obedient and faithful to God, while the bad figs symbolize those who are rebellious and disobedient. This vision is a call to self-examination, urging us to consider which basket we belong to.

The story of the Jews exiled to Babylon illustrates that even in difficult circumstances, those who remain faithful to God will be blessed. Conversely, those who are complacent and disobedient, even if they remain in their homeland, will face curses. This highlights the importance of spiritual vitality and obedience to God's word, regardless of our physical location or circumstances.

I shared a poignant story of a woman who, upon reading the Bible for the first time, was convicted of her past actions. She had aborted 16 pregnancies and was overwhelmed with guilt. However, she found hope in the promise of forgiveness through Jesus Christ, who offers redemption to all who sincerely repent and turn to Him.

Another story involved a missionary who struggled with anger and frustration when the local people stole his pineapples. It was only when he fully surrendered everything to God, including his pineapples, that he found peace. This act of surrender led to a transformation in the community, as they realized the consequences of stealing from God.

These stories underscore the importance of full surrender to God. True peace and blessing come when we give everything to Him and trust in His sovereignty. We are reminded that partial surrender is not enough; we must give our whole lives to God and not take back what we have given.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Seeing Beyond the Surface: Just as God asked Jeremiah to look closely at the baskets of figs, we are called to examine our own lives. Are we living in obedience and faithfulness, or are we complacent and disobedient? This self-examination is crucial for spiritual growth. [01:19]
• 2. Blessing in Exile: The Jews in Babylon were promised blessings if they remained faithful, illustrating that God's blessings are not confined to our physical location. Spiritual vitality and obedience to God's word are what bring true blessing, even in difficult circumstances. [04:23]
• 3. The Power of Conviction and Repentance: The story of the woman convicted by the Bible highlights the transformative power of God's word. True repentance and turning to Jesus bring forgiveness and freedom from past sins, no matter how grave they may be. [19:04]
• 4. Full Surrender to God: The missionary's story teaches us that true peace comes from fully surrendering everything to God. When we hold nothing back, we allow God to work in our lives and communities in powerful ways. [36:02]
• 5. The Danger of Taking Back What We Surrender: William Booth's example reminds us that once we surrender something to God, we must not take it back. Doing so is akin to theft and hinders our spiritual growth and blessings. [44:34]
  ** [44:34]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:18] - Introduction to Jeremiah's Vision
• [00:41] - The Two Baskets of Figs
• [01:19] - Seeing Beyond the Surface
• [02:21] - The Metaphor of People
• [03:10] - Blessings and Curses
• [04:23] - Blessing in Exile
• [05:26] - Consequences of Disobedience
• [06:06] - The Basket of Bad Figs
• [07:31] - God's Promise of Restoration
• [09:51] - Story of Conviction and Repentance
• [19:04] - The Power of Forgiveness
• [29:26] - The Missionary's Struggle
• [36:02] - Full Surrender to God
• [44:34] - The Danger of Taking Back What We Surrender

1. In Jeremiah's vision, what did the two baskets of figs represent, and how did God use this vision to communicate a message to Jeremiah? [00:41]
2. How did the story of the Jews exiled to Babylon illustrate the concept of blessing despite difficult circumstances? [04:23]
3. What was the reaction of the woman who read the Bible for the first time, and what specific commandment convicted her? [13:46]
4. How did the missionary's experience with the stolen pineapples demonstrate the concept of full surrender to God? [36:02]

1. What does the vision of the two baskets of figs teach about the importance of self-examination and spiritual state? How can this be applied to one's personal life? [01:19]
2. How does the promise of blessing in exile challenge the common belief that blessings are tied to physical location or circumstances? [04:23]
3. In what ways does the story of the woman convicted by the Bible illustrate the power of God's word to bring about repentance and transformation? [19:04]
4. How does the missionary's story highlight the difference between partial and full surrender to God? What are the implications of taking back what we have surrendered? [44:34]

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be living in disobedience or complacency, similar to the bad figs in Jeremiah's vision? How can you address these areas? [01:19]
2. Have you ever experienced a situation where you felt blessed despite difficult circumstances? How did your faith play a role in that experience? [04:23]
3. The woman in the story was convicted by the commandment "You shall not kill." Is there a specific commandment or teaching in the Bible that has convicted you in the past? How did you respond? [13:46]
4. Consider the concept of full surrender to God. Is there something in your life that you have not fully surrendered? What steps can you take to give it to God completely? [36:02]
5. The missionary learned not to take back what he had surrendered to God. Have you ever taken back something you previously surrendered? How did it affect your spiritual journey? [44:34]
6. How can you practice seeing beyond the surface in your daily interactions with others, as God instructed Jeremiah? What practical steps can you take to improve your spiritual discernment? [01:19]
7. In what ways can you actively seek spiritual vitality and obedience to God's word in your current circumstances, regardless of where you are physically? [04:23]