Guided by God: Surrender, Transform, and Discover His Will
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church family. Today, we delve into Romans 12, focusing on the importance of allowing God to pilot our lives. Just as a plane without a pilot is destined to crash, our lives without God's guidance will inevitably falter. This week marks the conclusion of our VBS series, "Breaker Rock Beach," where we celebrated the acceptance of Jesus by several children and planted the gospel seed in many hearts. Our motto, "God's rock-solid truth in a world of shifting sands," underscores the need for unwavering faith in God's Word.
We explored three essential steps to discern God's will: total dedication, spiritual transformation, and personal revelation. Total dedication involves presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, fully surrendering to God without reservations. This act of surrender is motivated by the mercies of God, as outlined in the first 11 chapters of Romans, which detail salvation, justification, sanctification, and glorification.
Spiritual transformation requires us to renew our minds, resisting conformity to the world's schemes and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us from within. This transformation is akin to a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, reflecting an inward change outwardly. The mind is the battleground where this transformation occurs, and saturating it with God's Word is crucial.
Finally, personal revelation is the reward of this process. When we dedicate ourselves and undergo spiritual transformation, God reveals His will to us. This will is good, acceptable, and perfect, offering us the best possible path in life. We must trust God completely, giving Him a blank check with our lives, and He will guide us to His perfect will.
### Key Takeaways
1. Total Dedication to God: Presenting our bodies as living sacrifices is the first step in discerning God's will. This act of surrender is motivated by the mercies of God, which include salvation, justification, sanctification, and glorification. By fully dedicating ourselves to God, we open the door for Him to reveal His will in our lives. [52:20]
2. Spiritual Transformation: Transformation begins with the renewal of our minds. We must resist conforming to the world's schemes and allow the Holy Spirit to transform us from within. This inward change will manifest outwardly, reflecting the image of Christ in our lives. [01:01:18]
3. The Battle of the Mind: The mind is the battleground where spiritual transformation occurs. By saturating our minds with God's Word, we equip ourselves with the wisdom to discern and follow God's will. This mental renewal is essential for living a life that pleases God. [01:09:45]
4. God's Will is Good, Acceptable, and Perfect: God's will is not just good for us; it is the best possible path we can take. It is profitable, acceptable, and perfect, offering us the greatest fulfillment and joy. Trusting in God's will leads to a life of purpose and peace. [01:13:15]
5. Living Out Our Faith: True worship and service to God are intertwined. We must live out our faith daily, not just on Sundays. Our lives should consistently reflect the transformation that Christ has worked within us, serving as a testimony to others. [01:00:07]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[44:48] - Introduction and Romans 12
[45:20] - The Plane Story
[46:29] - VBS Recap and God's Rock-Solid Truth
[47:33] - Children's Impact and Fundraising
[48:39] - The Eternal Impact of VBS
[49:11] - Understanding and Obeying God's Will
[50:38] - Paul's Method for Revealing God's Will
[51:13] - Romans 12:1-2 Reading
[52:20] - Total Dedication
[53:31] - Motivation for Surrender
[55:10] - Living for Jesus
[56:03] - Sacrificial Living
[57:36] - Spiritual Transformation
[01:00:07] - Worship and Service
[01:01:18] - Confirmation vs. Transformation
[01:04:03] - Spiritual Chameleons
[01:05:07] - Consistency in Faith
[01:09:45] - The Battle of the Mind
[01:11:51] - Conformers vs. Transformers
[01:12:39] - Personal Revelation
[01:13:15] - The Profitability of God's Will
[01:14:38] - Acceptable and Perfect Will
[01:15:54] - The Captain on Board
[01:16:56] - Invitation and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- 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."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean by presenting our bodies as a "living sacrifice"? ([52:53])
2. How does Paul describe the process of spiritual transformation in Romans 12:2? ([51:13])
3. According to the sermon, what are the three steps to discerning God's will? ([52:20])
4. What is the significance of the mind in the process of spiritual transformation? ([09:45])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is total dedication to God described as presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice? How does this concept challenge our daily lives? ([52:53])
2. What does it mean to be conformed to this world versus being transformed by the renewal of your mind? How can this transformation be seen in practical terms? ([01:01:18])
3. How does the sermon illustrate the importance of saturating our minds with God's Word in the battle of the mind? ([09:45])
4. Why is God's will described as good, acceptable, and perfect? How does this understanding affect our trust in God's plan for our lives? ([01:13:15])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you have not fully dedicated yourself to God? What steps can you take this week to present your body as a living sacrifice? ([52:53])
2. In what ways have you conformed to the patterns of this world? Identify one specific area and discuss how you can begin the process of transformation by renewing your mind. ([01:01:18])
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of saturating our minds with God's Word. What practical steps can you take to immerse yourself more in Scripture this week? ([09:45])
4. Think about a recent decision you made. How did you seek to discern God's will in that situation? What can you do differently next time to ensure you are following God's good, acceptable, and perfect will? ([01:13:15])
5. The sermon mentioned the concept of spiritual chameleons. Are there areas in your life where you act differently in church compared to the rest of the week? How can you strive for consistency in your faith? ([01:04:03])
6. How can you live out your faith daily, not just on Sundays? Identify one specific action you can take this week to serve God and others as an act of worship. ([01:00:07])
7. The sermon talked about giving God a blank check with our lives. What fears or reservations do you have about fully surrendering to God's will? How can you overcome these fears? ([52:53])
Devotional
Day 1: Total Dedication to God
Total dedication to God means presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, fully surrendering to Him without reservations. This act of surrender is motivated by the mercies of God, which include salvation, justification, sanctification, and glorification. By fully dedicating ourselves to God, we open the door for Him to reveal His will in our lives. This dedication is not a one-time event but a daily commitment to live for Jesus, allowing Him to guide our actions, thoughts, and decisions. It is through this total dedication that we can truly discern and follow God's will. [52:20]
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?
Day 2: Spiritual Transformation
Spiritual transformation begins with the renewal of our minds. We must resist conforming to the world's schemes and allow the Holy Spirit to transform us from within. This inward change will manifest outwardly, reflecting the image of Christ in our lives. The process of transformation is akin to a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, signifying a profound change that starts from within and becomes visible to others. By saturating our minds with God's Word, we equip ourselves with the wisdom to discern and follow God's will. This mental renewal is essential for living a life that pleases God. [01:01:18]
Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: In what ways can you renew your mind daily to resist conforming to the world and allow the Holy Spirit to transform you from within?
Day 3: The Battle of the Mind
The mind is the battleground where spiritual transformation occurs. By saturating our minds with God's Word, we equip ourselves with the wisdom to discern and follow God's will. This mental renewal is essential for living a life that pleases God. The mind is constantly under attack from worldly influences, and it is through the consistent study and meditation on Scripture that we can fortify our minds against these attacks. The transformation of the mind is a continuous process that requires diligence and commitment to God's Word. [01:09:45]
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (ESV): "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to saturate your mind with God's Word and equip yourself for the spiritual battles you face?
Day 4: God's Will is Good, Acceptable, and Perfect
God's will is not just good for us; it is the best possible path we can take. It is profitable, acceptable, and perfect, offering us the greatest fulfillment and joy. Trusting in God's will leads to a life of purpose and peace. When we dedicate ourselves and undergo spiritual transformation, God reveals His will to us. This will is good, acceptable, and perfect, offering us the best possible path in life. We must trust God completely, giving Him a blank check with our lives, and He will guide us to His perfect will. [01:13:15]
Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: How can you trust God more fully with your future, believing that His will is good, acceptable, and perfect for your life?
Day 5: Living Out Our Faith
True worship and service to God are intertwined. We must live out our faith daily, not just on Sundays. Our lives should consistently reflect the transformation that Christ has worked within us, serving as a testimony to others. This means that our actions, words, and attitudes should align with the teachings of Christ, demonstrating His love and grace to those around us. Living out our faith is a continuous journey that requires intentionality and commitment to God's Word and His will for our lives. [01:00:07]
James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Reflection: What are some practical ways you can live out your faith daily, demonstrating the transformation that Christ has worked within you to those around you?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Our lives are like that plane. And without God piloting our life, and without us flying according to his will, the plane of our life will always inevitably crash." [45:53] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Week one, we learned that God's word is true. Somebody say amen. Week two, God's plan is best. Amen. Week three, everybody needs Jesus. Week four, Jesus is the only way. Amen." [46:29] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The Bible's telling us that the wisest thing you can ever do in your life is to find out what the will of God is for your life, and then do it." [49:11] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Because Jesus died for you, you should live for him. I've heard people all my life say, I would die for Jesus. I would die for Jesus. Jesus doesn't want you to die for him. That may happen, and if it does, I pray that you are faithful to the end and that you do it. Jesus wants you to live for him." [55:10] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus Christ can transform anybody. Amen. You know how I know that? Because he transformed me. And that was hard work, I'm sure. And he's still transforming me. He's still chipping away. And I'm going to tell you, there's days that it's not very fun. When God chips away the things in your life that don't please him, that don't conform to his image, there's times that it's painful. But you have to trust him." [01:07:43] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Dedication always comes before revelation. Remember that. Until we dedicate ourselves to the Lord, he will not reveal his will to us. Now, what's the motivation for our presentation? Why should we surrender our lives? Why should we sacrifice our bodies to God? Well, Paul tells us it's found in those four words, the mercies of God." [53:31] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "See, because we are saved through his sacrifice for us, we are to live in sacrifice to him. And that's why Paul says, present your bodies as a living sacrifice. Now, a sacrifice is something that is killed. And yet, we find here that God not only demands a sacrifice, he demands the sacrificer as well. He doesn't just want us to sacrifice. He wants all of us." [55:37] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Listen, there is a gravitational pull towards sin. 24-7. There is a gravitational pull of us away from God and towards the world. So the folks that are spiritual chameleons come in, pretend to be Christians. They go to work the next day. They stand around the same water cooler and they tell the same dirty jokes. They hang out with the same dirty folks. And there's never a change in their lives." [01:05:07] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The greatest news you're ever going to hear. Jesus Christ can transform anybody. Amen. You know how I know that? Because he transformed me. And that was hard work, I'm sure. And he's still transforming me. He's still chipping away. And I'm going to tell you, there's days that it's not very fun. When God chips away the things in your life that don't please him, that don't conform to his image, there's times that it's painful. But you have to trust him." [01:07:43] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Because God does not reveal his will to conformers. God only reveals his will to transformers. We will see the results of spiritual transformation. Finally, you will get the reward of, of personal revelation. So after the dedication, after the transformation, comes the revelation. And all of this is in order so that we may, as Paul says, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." [01:11:51] (-1219 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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