Living a Purpose-Focused Life Through Total Submission
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the profound theme of living a purpose-focused life, emphasizing the importance of total submission to God. We began by reflecting on our level of submission to God, challenging ourselves to rate our commitment and consider whether partial submission can truly be called submission. We acknowledged that sanctification is a daily, progressive process that requires us to become more like Jesus every day. This transformation starts with a decision—a kingdom decision to be born again and fully commit to God.
We explored the essence of worship, particularly through the lens of Romans 12:1 and John 4:23-24. True worship involves adoring God in spirit and in truth, not just in imagination but in the reality of our lives. Genuine worshipers are those who have made a decisive commitment to Jesus, recognizing Him as Lord and Master. This commitment means denying ourselves and fully submitting to His will, which is often challenging because it requires us to give up our own desires and compromises.
We discussed the importance of making a clear decision for Jesus, dedicating ourselves to Him, and dying daily to our fleshly desires. This involves a radical shift in how we live, prioritizing God's will over our own. We must count the cost of following Jesus, understanding that it may require significant sacrifices, but the rewards are eternal and far outweigh any temporary losses.
In practical terms, this means examining every aspect of our lives—our relationships, finances, health, and daily choices—to ensure they align with God's will. True repentance involves not just confessing our sins but hating them and turning away from them. We must live in a way that reflects our commitment to Jesus, allowing His Lordship to guide every decision we make.
### Key Takeaways
1. Total Submission to God: True submission to God requires complete surrender. Partial submission is not enough; we must be wholly dedicated to His will, allowing Him to sanctify us daily. This means setting ourselves apart from sin and the world, becoming more like Jesus every day. [02:46]
2. Genuine Worship: Worshiping God in spirit and truth means living out our faith in the reality of our daily lives. It involves a deep, heartfelt adoration of God that goes beyond mere words or rituals. True worshipers are those who have made a decisive commitment to Jesus as their Lord and Master. [06:34]
3. Decision and Dedication: Making a decision for Jesus is the first step, but it must be followed by dedication. This means presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. Our daily choices, from how we treat our bodies to how we manage our finances, should reflect our commitment to Him. [12:34]
4. Dying Daily: The Apostle Paul emphasized the need to die daily to our fleshly desires. This involves a continuous process of denying ourselves and choosing God's will over our own. By doing so, we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us and empower us to live a life that pleases God. [35:12]
5. Living for Jesus: True repentance means not just confessing our sins but turning away from them and living a life that reflects our commitment to Jesus. This involves making Jesus the Lord of our lives in every aspect, ensuring that our actions align with His will. By doing so, we experience the fullness of God's blessings and live as true lights in the world. [39:08]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:23] - Opening Prayer
[02:07] - Reflecting on Submission
[03:52] - The Sanctification Process
[04:58] - Worship in Spirit and Truth
[06:34] - Genuine Worshipers
[07:32] - The Challenge of Commitment
[08:35] - Counting the Cost
[09:50] - Personal Repentance
[10:41] - Living Out Our Faith
[11:44] - The Reality of Worship
[12:34] - Decision and Dedication
[14:10] - Confessing Jesus as Lord
[15:25] - Counting the Cost of Commitment
[16:58] - The Danger of Lukewarm Christianity
[18:18] - Faith and Lordship
[19:46] - Denying Everything for Jesus
[20:57] - Compromising for Self
[22:07] - Living for Jesus
[23:02] - True Worship and Salvation
[24:13] - Making a True Decision
[25:15] - Declaring Jesus as Lord
[26:04] - The Enemy's Deception
[26:57] - Living as a Light
[27:40] - Losing to Gain Jesus
[28:27] - Dedication to Jesus
[29:16] - Presenting Our Bodies as Sacrifices
[30:38] - The Temple of the Holy Spirit
[31:57] - Who is Lord of Your Life?
[32:53] - True Repentance
[33:38] - Living for Jesus
[34:23] - Getting Jesus in Right Position
[35:12] - Dying Daily
[35:58] - Denying Desires
[37:02] - Dead to Sin
[38:14] - Living for God
[39:08] - Sin Has No Power
[40:12] - Making the Decision Upfront
[41:15] - Living for God Daily
[42:27] - God's Grace and Living Right
[43:25] - Choosing the Right Partner
[44:35] - Living for Jesus in Relationships
[46:05] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Romans 12:1 - "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."
2. John 4:23-24 - "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."
3. Romans 10:9 - "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 12:1, what does Paul urge believers to do as an act of worship?
2. In John 4:23-24, what kind of worshipers is the Father seeking? How are they described?
3. What are the two key actions mentioned in Romans 10:9 that are necessary for salvation?
4. In the sermon, what does the pastor say about the importance of making a decision for Jesus? ([11:44])
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to offer your body as a "living sacrifice" according to Romans 12:1? How might this look in daily life?
2. How does worshiping "in spirit and in truth" as described in John 4:23-24 differ from other forms of worship? ([06:34])
3. Why is it significant that Romans 10:9 emphasizes both confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection? How do these two actions work together in the process of salvation?
4. The pastor mentioned the challenge of making a full commitment to Jesus. What are some reasons people might struggle with this commitment? ([07:32])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: How submitted are you to God on a scale of 1 to 10? What areas of your life need more submission to His will? ([02:07])
2. Think about your daily worship practices. How can you ensure that you are worshiping God "in spirit and in truth" rather than just going through the motions? ([06:34])
3. The sermon emphasized the need to make a clear decision for Jesus. Have you made this decision? If not, what is holding you back? If yes, how can you deepen your commitment? ([11:44])
4. The pastor talked about "dying daily" to our fleshly desires. What specific desires or habits do you need to die to in order to live more fully for Jesus? ([35:12])
5. Examine your relationships, finances, health, and daily choices. Are there specific areas where you need to align more closely with God's will? What steps can you take this week to make those changes? ([10:41])
6. True repentance involves not just confessing sins but turning away from them. Is there a sin in your life that you need to truly repent of? How can you take steps to turn away from it? ([32:53])
7. The pastor mentioned the importance of counting the cost of following Jesus. What sacrifices might you need to make to follow Him more closely? Are you willing to make those sacrifices? ([09:50])
Devotional
Day 1: Total Submission to God
True submission to God requires complete surrender. Partial submission is not enough; we must be wholly dedicated to His will, allowing Him to sanctify us daily. This means setting ourselves apart from sin and the world, becoming more like Jesus every day. True submission involves a daily, progressive process of sanctification, where we continually strive to align our lives with God's will. This transformation starts with a decision—a kingdom decision to be born again and fully commit to God.
As we reflect on our level of submission, we must challenge ourselves to rate our commitment and consider whether partial submission can truly be called submission. By fully surrendering to God, we allow Him to work in us, transforming us into the image of Christ. This process requires us to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Jesus, trusting that His plans for us are far greater than our own. [02:46]
Romans 6:13 (ESV): "Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness."
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: Genuine Worship
Worshiping God in spirit and truth means living out our faith in the reality of our daily lives. It involves a deep, heartfelt adoration of God that goes beyond mere words or rituals. True worshipers are those who have made a decisive commitment to Jesus as their Lord and Master. This commitment means denying ourselves and fully submitting to His will, which is often challenging because it requires us to give up our own desires and compromises.
True worship is not confined to a church service or a specific time of day; it is a lifestyle. It is about adoring God in spirit and in truth, recognizing His sovereignty in every aspect of our lives. Genuine worshipers live out their faith daily, allowing their actions, decisions, and attitudes to reflect their commitment to Jesus. This kind of worship is pleasing to God and draws us closer to Him. [06:34]
John 4:23-24 (ESV): "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
Reflection: How can you incorporate genuine worship into your daily routine, ensuring that your actions and decisions reflect your commitment to Jesus?
Day 3: Decision and Dedication
Making a decision for Jesus is the first step, but it must be followed by dedication. This means presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. Our daily choices, from how we treat our bodies to how we manage our finances, should reflect our commitment to Him. True dedication involves a radical shift in how we live, prioritizing God's will over our own.
We must count the cost of following Jesus, understanding that it may require significant sacrifices, but the rewards are eternal and far outweigh any temporary losses. By dedicating ourselves to Jesus, we allow His Lordship to guide every decision we make, ensuring that our lives align with His will. This dedication is a daily commitment, requiring us to continually choose Jesus over our own desires. [12:34]
Romans 12:1 (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."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to dedicate a specific area of your life to Jesus, ensuring that it aligns with His will?
Day 4: Dying Daily
The Apostle Paul emphasized the need to die daily to our fleshly desires. This involves a continuous process of denying ourselves and choosing God's will over our own. By doing so, we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us and empower us to live a life that pleases God. Dying daily means continually putting to death our sinful nature and allowing Christ to live in us.
This process is not easy, as it requires us to give up our own desires and submit to God's will. However, by dying daily, we experience the fullness of God's blessings and live as true lights in the world. This daily dying is a testament to our commitment to Jesus and our desire to live a life that honors Him. [35:12]
Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Reflection: What is one fleshly desire you struggle with daily? How can you actively choose to deny this desire and submit to God's will today?
Day 5: Living for Jesus
True repentance means not just confessing our sins but turning away from them and living a life that reflects our commitment to Jesus. This involves making Jesus the Lord of our lives in every aspect, ensuring that our actions align with His will. By doing so, we experience the fullness of God's blessings and live as true lights in the world.
Living for Jesus means examining every aspect of our lives—our relationships, finances, health, and daily choices—to ensure they align with God's will. True repentance involves not just confessing our sins but hating them and turning away from them. By making Jesus the Lord of our lives, we allow His Lordship to guide every decision we make, ensuring that our lives reflect our commitment to Him. [39:08]
1 John 1:9 (ESV): "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Reflection: What is one area of your life that needs to be realigned with God's will? How can you take steps today to ensure that this area reflects your commitment to Jesus?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "You were created on purpose and for a purpose. You were created on purpose and for a purpose." [01:23] (7 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I believe that your decision your decision your kingdom decision to be born again when it's truly done. It really can begin the transformation of who you are for the rest of your life." [04:58] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you can't make a commitment to God, if I can't make a commitment to God, then it's it. You're not going to make a commitment to anybody else or anything else. It's just not going to happen, right? Because if you can't commit to God who is perfect, how are you going to commit to an imperfect person?" [03:52] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The greatest part about making Jesus Lord of your life is not about it's not about what you stop doing. You don't even have to focus on what to stop doing. Just focus on him being Lord and that'll direct what you should be doing. It'll automatically tell you what you should be doing and what you shouldn't be doing." [23:02] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "He simply says you can have it all. If you're willing to deny everything else. You can have it all through me if you're willing to deny it all. You can have it all if you deny it all you can have what the kingdom has for you. You can have eternal life. You can have God as your provider. You can have God as your healer. You can have God as your protector. You can have it all if you're willing to deny it all." [19:46] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Is submission submission if it's not totally submitted? Is is true submission submission if we're not totally submitted? Now, I totally understand this. And many of you understand this. We are being sanctified. I get it. We absolutely are. We are being sanctified. What for what that means for some people is is that God is in is in a process of continuously setting us apart more and more for himself. In other words, setting us apart from what from sin from the world from flesh." [02:46] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The reason that we don't like making commitments and decisions is because we want to leave a little wiggle room for our own compromise. That's why we don't make decisions. That's that's why we don't make decisions about our health. That's why we don't make decisions about our money. That's why we don't make decisions about God because we always want to keep a little wiggle room. Just for me to be able to do me." [07:32] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When Jesus Lord of your life. Nobody has to prompt you to worship him. That's what's happening. That's why we have that's why we're sweating to get some people to worship God in a corporate environment. That probably or maybe are not saved because you you've never made that decision yet. You you we like we like what comes with it, but we haven't made the decision yet." [24:13] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You must die daily. The Apostle Paul said this. He said I die daily. He had made a commitment to Jesus. Jesus was his Lord. He said every day. I have to die to something. Every day. I have to die to the urges that I have every day. I have to do that are contrary to what God wants for me every day. I have to die to the desires that I have that are contrary to what God wants for my life every day. I have to die to this." [35:12] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Don't let sin keep ruling your lives. He had to remind them you made a commitment to Jesus. Don't let sin keep ruling your life. If you let sin rule your life. You'll get sins consequences. Don't let sin keep ruling your life. You are ruled by God's kindness and not by the law. What is this all what excuse me? What does all this mean? Does it mean we are free to sin because we are ruled by God's wonderful kindness and not by the law? Certainly not." [42:27] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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