Living a Life of Surrender and Faithfulness

Summary

The call today is to bow not just our knees, but our entire lives before Jesus, recognizing Him as both Savior and King. Life is not about drawing attention to ourselves, but about glorifying God in everything—whether in our eating, drinking, working, or resting. Each of us has a unique story of God’s grace, a testimony that is meant to be shared, not hidden. Our stories, woven together, form a beautiful mosaic of God’s faithfulness, and it’s through these stories that others can see the reality of Christ at work.

We are reminded that the enemy seeks to attack our minds, to make us forget the blessings of God and focus on our failures. But Scripture calls us to guard our hearts and minds, to fix our thoughts on what is true, honorable, and excellent. In Christ, we are more than conquerors—not because of our own strength, but because of His overwhelming victory. We must stop beating ourselves up over our shortcomings and instead celebrate God’s patience and faithfulness, training our minds to focus on His blessings.

God’s faithfulness is not just for us, but for the generations that follow. Just as Israel set up memorial stones to remember God’s victories, we are called to keep reminders of His faithfulness before us—whether it’s a picture of our family, our church, or a simple card marking the day we said yes to Jesus. These reminders are not only for our benefit but also to spark conversations with our children and others about the goodness of God.

Ultimately, the invitation is to move beyond knowing about Jesus to truly accepting Him as Savior. Salvation is not about religion or ritual, but about believing in and receiving Jesus Christ, the only one who can rescue us from our lostness. For those who have not yet taken that step, the invitation is open: to repent, to believe, and to receive the gift of new life in Christ. And for those who have, the challenge is to keep telling the story, to keep the faith, and to live in such a way that generations to come will know of God’s faithfulness.

Key Takeaways

- Bowing our lives, not just our knees, is the true act of worship. It means surrendering every part of who we are—our time, talents, treasures, and testimony—to the authority of Jesus, living each day for His glory rather than our own recognition. This is the essence of being a living sacrifice, as called for in Romans 12, and it is the foundation for a life that truly honors God. [32:17]

- Every believer has a unique story of redemption that is meant to be shared. Our testimonies are not for our own pride, but to point others to the grace and power of God. When we share our stories, we become witnesses, offering hope to those who need to know that God’s grace is available to them as well. [38:30]

- The battle for our minds is real, and the enemy seeks to distract us with negativity and spiritual amnesia. We must intentionally guard our thoughts, focusing on the blessings and victories we have in Christ rather than our failures. Training our minds to dwell on what is true and excellent is a spiritual discipline that leads to joy and resilience. [44:48]

- Memorials and reminders of God’s faithfulness are vital for us and for future generations. Whether it’s a physical object, a family tradition, or a personal story, these markers help us remember God’s goodness and provide opportunities to share His faithfulness with others, especially our children. Our faithfulness today can impact lives for years to come. [53:44]

- Salvation is a personal decision that requires both belief and acceptance of Jesus Christ. It is not enough to know about Jesus; we must invite Him into our lives, repent, and trust Him alone for forgiveness and new life. This step of faith is the beginning of a lifelong journey, and it is a story worth telling and celebrating, both now and for generations to come. [01:02:37]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[32:17] - Bowing Our Lives, Not Just Our Knees
[36:08] - Living for God’s Glory in All Things
[38:30] - The Power and Purpose of Your Story
[44:48] - Guarding Your Mind Against Negativity
[46:35] - Embracing Your Identity in Christ
[47:58] - The Overflow of Joy in God’s Presence
[51:57] - Keeping Reminders of God’s Faithfulness
[53:44] - Faithfulness for the Next Generation
[54:33] - The Ripple Effect of a Faithful Life
[55:46] - Generational Impact: A Family Testimony
[57:36] - Commitment for Years to Come
[58:14] - The Urgency of Sharing Your Story
[59:10] - The Need for Rescue and Salvation
[01:02:37] - Accepting Jesus: The Invitation
[01:05:56] - Marking the Moment: Memorials of Faith
[01:06:59] - Next Steps and Closing Remarks

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide

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### 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.

Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
> Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Joshua 4:6-7 (ESV)
> that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Romans 12:1-2, what does it mean to be a “living sacrifice”? How does this relate to the idea of bowing our lives, not just our knees, before Jesus? ([32:17])
2. In Philippians 4:8, what kinds of things does Paul tell believers to focus their minds on? Why do you think he lists these specific qualities? ([44:48])
3. In Joshua 4:6-7, what was the purpose of the memorial stones? How were they supposed to be used by future generations? ([47:58])
4. The sermon mentioned that every believer has a unique story of God’s grace. What are some examples given of how these stories can impact others? ([38:30])

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that bowing our lives is the true act of worship, not just a physical gesture. What does it look like in everyday life to surrender “every part of who we are” to Jesus? ([32:17])
2. Why is it important to share our personal stories of God’s faithfulness, even if we think our story isn’t dramatic or impressive? How can sharing our story point others to Jesus? ([38:30])
3. The pastor talked about the enemy attacking our minds and trying to make us forget God’s blessings. Why do you think it’s so easy to focus on our failures instead of God’s faithfulness? ([44:48])
4. The sermon described memorials and reminders (like photos, cards, or traditions) as ways to remember God’s faithfulness. How can these reminders help us and our families stay faithful over time? ([53:44])

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to “bow our lives” and not just our knees. Is there an area of your life (time, talent, treasure, or testimony) that you find hard to surrender to Jesus? What is one step you could take this week to give that area to Him? ([32:17])
2. Think about your own story of God’s grace. Have you ever shared it with someone? If not, what holds you back? If yes, how did it impact the person you shared with? ([38:30])
3. The enemy tries to fill our minds with negativity and spiritual amnesia. What is one negative thought or lie you often struggle with? How can you replace it with a truth from God’s Word this week? ([44:48])
4. The pastor encouraged us to keep reminders of God’s faithfulness visible in our lives. Do you have any “memorials” (photos, journals, objects) that help you remember what God has done? If not, what could you create or start this week? ([53:44])
5. The sermon talked about the impact of faithfulness on future generations. Who in your family or circle of influence needs to hear about God’s faithfulness from you? How can you start that conversation? ([54:33])
6. Salvation is described as a personal decision to believe in and accept Jesus, not just know about Him. Have you made that decision? If not, what questions or doubts do you still have? If yes, how can you help someone else take that step? ([01:02:37])
7. The pastor mentioned celebrating God’s patience and faithfulness instead of beating ourselves up over our shortcomings. What is one way you can celebrate God’s faithfulness in your life this week, even if you feel like you’ve failed? ([44:48])

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Devotional

Day 1: Bowing Our Lives as Living Sacrifices
To truly follow Jesus is to offer not just our words or moments, but our entire lives as living sacrifices, surrendered to His will and glory. This means that every part of our daily existence—our actions, decisions, and even our thoughts—should be intentionally placed before God as an act of worship. We are called to live in such a way that our lives point to Christ’s authority and kingship, not just His saving grace. When we bow our lives, we acknowledge that everything we do, whether big or small, is an opportunity to honor God and reflect His love to the world around us. [32:17]

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 you have not fully surrendered to God’s authority? What would it look like to bow your life in that area today?


Day 2: Guarding Your Mind and Focusing on Blessings
The way you think shapes the way you live; if you dwell on God’s blessings and faithfulness, you will walk in victory and gratitude, but if you focus on negativity, you risk spiritual amnesia and miss out on the joy God intends for you. Scripture urges us to guard our hearts and minds above all else, because our thoughts direct the course of our lives. Instead of letting the enemy fill your mind with defeat or discouragement, choose to fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Training your mind to focus on God’s goodness will help you live out your identity as more than a conqueror in Christ, no matter what comes your way. [44:48]

Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Reflection: What negative thought or worry do you need to replace today with a truth about God’s faithfulness or your identity in Christ?


Day 3: Sharing Your Story for God’s Glory
Every believer has a unique story of God’s grace, and sharing that story is a powerful way to bring glory to God and offer hope to others. Your testimony is not just for you; it is meant to be a living memorial of God’s faithfulness that can encourage and inspire those around you, especially those who have not yet experienced His love. Just as Israel set up memorial stones to remember God’s victories, you are called to keep reminders of His work in your life and to tell your children, your family, and your community about what He has done. Don’t belittle your story—God can use it to change lives for generations to come. [47:58]

Joshua 4:6-7 (ESV)
that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear your story of God’s faithfulness this week, and how can you share it with them in a meaningful way?


Day 4: Passing Faith to the Next Generation
God’s faithfulness is not just for us to experience, but for us to pass on to our children and the generations that follow, so they too can know and trust Him. The impact of your faithfulness today can echo for years, even decades, as you intentionally tell your children and grandchildren about what God has done in your life. Whether through words, actions, or special moments, you have the opportunity to create spiritual “memorial stones” that will help your family remember and celebrate God’s goodness. Your commitment to Christ is not just for a season, but for a lifetime, and it can set the foundation for your family’s faith for years to come. [58:14]

Joel 1:3 (ESV)
Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children to another generation.

Reflection: What is one story of God’s faithfulness you can intentionally share with a child or young person in your life this week?


Day 5: Receiving and Extending the Gift of Salvation
Salvation is not about religion or good works, but about believing in and accepting Jesus Christ as Savior, receiving forgiveness, and being born again into God’s family. Every person must come to a place of personal faith, turning from sin and trusting in Jesus alone for rescue and new life. This gift is available to all who call on His name, and it is the foundation of every testimony and every blessing we experience. If you have received this gift, you are called to live in the joy and assurance of being a child of God—and to invite others to do the same. [01:01:01]

John 1:12 (ESV)
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

Reflection: Have you personally accepted Jesus as your Savior, and if so, who is one person you can pray for and invite to receive this gift of new life?

Quotes

Everybody is an absolute masterpiece in Jesus Christ. Amen. And you have a story. My story is not going to resonate with some of the people, you know, and some of the people I know, your story is not going to resonate, but together we, we, we, we create this beautiful mosaic of God's grace. And that's why we say at Granny United Church, Jesus Christ will not be our best kept secret. Amen. [00:38:22] (28 seconds)  #MosaicOfGrace Edit Clip

Thank God he was patient. He was long -suffering, and Jesus was willing to meet me where I was, save me by his amazing grace, and he refused to leave me there. Come on somebody. [00:39:00] (17 seconds)  #GraceThatNeverLeaves Edit Clip

As you think the way you think will determine how you act. If you feel blessed you're going to walk around blessed if you feel like man you know we'll never make it the sky is falling i want to remind you of some things today that in christ somebody say in christ that you are more than a conqueror romans chapter 8 verse 37 you ought to read the whole chapter sometime the preceding verses says it doesn't matter what's thrown at you it doesn't matter and then you come to verse 37 no despite all these things what granted is ours these two words are very important what are they what are they through christ not because of who i am but because of whose i am the bible says i can do all things through christ who strengthens me the old testament says not by my might not by my power but by the spirit of god so don't tell me what what i can't do because here's the deal not everything is possible with me but i serve the god of all possibilities amen i can do all things why because overwhelming overwhelming victory is mine come at me whatever you will but know this man i got this because god's got me come on somebody amen [00:41:28] (89 seconds)  #VictoryThroughChrist Edit Clip

Don't belittle your story your story is your story and people need to hear it that God is faithful. Life happens, but God is in the midst and God is faithful and he's a good, good father. And Jesus said, I'll never leave you nor forsake you. [00:51:49] (20 seconds)  #FaithfulInTheMidst Edit Clip

Tell your children about it for years to come and let your children. Donald throw the picture up of the baptism. And so all of a sudden what happens is because the big guy on the left, we reached his family for Jesus, grew up and fell in love with Jesus, fell in love with my daughter. As I told my daughter about the faithfulness of God and continue to tell the story of Jesus through my life, she married a man who loves God, who is now telling my grandson, their son about Jesus Christ. Don't tell me what God can't do. But the commitment isn't for days or weeks for years to come. You have a story and your story matters. And somebody needs to hear your story. And that story starts with Jesus. [00:58:02] (61 seconds)  #LegacyOfFaith Edit Clip

Everybody's created in the image of God. Everybody's loved by God, for God so loved the world. But here's the thing, God's not willing that any should perish, but here's the deal. He won't force his way. The Bible says, whosoever will may come. Jesus said to a woman at a will, I have some water to give to you that if you drink of this water, I'm just offering it to you, you'll never thirst again. Jesus is that living water. Amen. He's the bread of life. [01:01:47] (38 seconds)  #GodsLoveInvites Edit Clip