Living with Open Hands: Trust, Surrender, and Generosity
Summary
### Summary
Today, I shared my reflections after returning from a sabbatical, emphasizing the importance of rest and gratitude, not just in physical breaks but in our relationship with Jesus Christ. True rest and sustenance come from Him, and our peace is found in following His will. I expressed my gratitude for the prayers and support during my time away and celebrated the incredible things God has done in our church, including baptisms, new members, and mission trips.
We continued our series on the seven commands of Christ, focusing today on the command to be generous. However, I approached it from the perspective of living with open hands to God. This posture of open hands symbolizes surrender, worship, receiving, working, and giving. I shared how the Jewish people’s physical act of raising hands in prayer represents surrender and faith, and how we, too, must adopt this posture in our hearts.
I used examples from Scripture, such as Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac and Jesus’ surrender in the Garden of Gethsemane, to illustrate the importance of trusting God’s plans over our own. Living with open hands means trusting God in every area of our lives, worshiping Him fully, receiving His blessings, working diligently for His glory, and giving generously to build His kingdom. This posture leads to greater freedom and joy than clinging tightly to our own plans and possessions.
I concluded by challenging the congregation to commit to living with open hands, reflecting Jesus’ surrender, worship, willingness to receive, dedication to work, and generosity. I prayed for those who want to trust Jesus for salvation, those who need to surrender areas of their lives to Him, and those who want to live with radical generosity.
### Key Takeaways
1. True Rest in Jesus: Rest is not merely about taking time off but finding sustenance in Jesus Christ. Our peace and strength come from following His will and living according to His ways. This rest surpasses any physical break and sustains us in all circumstances. [44:31]
2. Power of Prayer: God moves when His people pray. The principle from 2 Chronicles reminds us that when we cry out to Him, He hears us and works in wondrous ways. Our church has witnessed incredible things through prayer, including baptisms and new members. [46:09]
3. Living with Open Hands: This posture symbolizes surrender, worship, receiving, working, and giving. It means trusting God’s plans over our own, worshiping Him fully, receiving His blessings, working diligently for His glory, and giving generously. This leads to greater freedom and joy. [51:58]
4. Biblical Examples of Surrender: Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac and Jesus’ surrender in the Garden of Gethsemane illustrate the importance of trusting God’s plans. Living with open hands means yielding to God’s will, even when it’s difficult, and trusting that His plans are for our good and His glory. [57:23]
5. Generosity Reflects God’s Love: Living with extravagant generosity models the love of Jesus to the world. The early church shared everything they had, and their open hands became a powerful testimony of God’s love. We are called to give our first fruits and best, trusting that God will provide and bless us. [01:19:32]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[44:31] - Gratitude and Reflection on Sabbatical
[46:09] - Power of Prayer and Church Celebrations
[48:07] - Seven Commands of Christ Series
[49:59] - Importance of Believing the Gospel
[51:58] - Living with Open Hands
[53:45] - Jewish Posture of Prayer
[55:44] - Trusting God’s Plans
[57:23] - Biblical Examples of Surrender
[59:30] - Jesus’ Open Hands on the Cross
[01:01:26] - Five Ways to Live with Open Hands
[01:03:20] - Surrender and Trust in God
[01:06:47] - Worship with Open Hands
[01:10:30] - Foolishness in Worship
[01:12:19] - Costly Acts of Worship
[01:13:55] - Receiving God’s Blessings
[01:15:35] - Working with Open Hands
[01:17:26] - Generosity and Giving
[01:19:32] - Early Church’s Generosity
[01:21:21] - Faithfulness in Giving
[01:23:20] - Living with Open Hands
[01:24:47] - Prayer and Commitment
[01:26:26] - Trusting Jesus for Salvation
[01:28:18] - Surrendering Areas of Life
[01:35:56] - Invitation to Prayer Meeting
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
2. Luke 22:42: "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."
3. Genesis 22:1-14: The story of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac.
### Observation Questions
1. What does Proverbs 3:5-6 encourage believers to do, and what is the promised result?
2. In Luke 22:42, what does Jesus pray for in the Garden of Gethsemane, and what does this reveal about His attitude towards God's will?
3. How did Abraham demonstrate his trust in God in Genesis 22:1-14, and what was the outcome of his obedience?
4. According to the sermon, what are the five ways we are called to live with open hands? ([01:01:26])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does trusting in the Lord with all your heart (Proverbs 3:5-6) challenge common human tendencies to rely on personal understanding and control?
2. What can we learn from Jesus' prayer in Luke 22:42 about facing difficult situations and surrendering to God's will? ([57:23])
3. How does the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22 illustrate the concept of living with open hands and trusting God's plans over our own? ([01:04:58])
4. In what ways does the posture of open hands, as described in the sermon, lead to greater freedom and joy compared to clinging tightly to our own plans and possessions? ([01:23:20])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you relied on your own understanding rather than trusting in the Lord. How did that situation turn out, and what could you have done differently? ([01:03:20])
2. Jesus surrendered to God's will even when it meant facing the cross. Is there an area in your life where you need to surrender to God's will, even if it's difficult? What steps can you take to do that this week? ([57:23])
3. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his most precious possession because he trusted God. What is something you hold dear that you need to trust God with more fully? ([01:04:58])
4. The sermon emphasized living with open hands in terms of surrender, worship, receiving, working, and giving. Which of these areas do you find most challenging, and why? ([01:01:26])
5. How can you practice radical generosity in your daily life? Identify one specific way you can give generously this week, whether it's your time, resources, or talents. ([01:17:26])
6. The sermon mentioned the importance of worshiping God with all that we are. How can you incorporate more heartfelt worship into your daily routine? ([01:08:33])
7. Think about a recent situation where you felt the need to control the outcome. How can you practice open-handedness and trust in God's plan in similar situations in the future? ([01:03:20])
Devotional
Day 1: Finding True Rest in Jesus
True rest is not merely about taking time off but finding sustenance in Jesus Christ. Our peace and strength come from following His will and living according to His ways. This rest surpasses any physical break and sustains us in all circumstances. When we align our lives with Jesus, we experience a deeper sense of peace and fulfillment that the world cannot offer. This rest is a gift from God, meant to refresh our souls and draw us closer to Him.
In our busy lives, it is easy to overlook the importance of spiritual rest. We often seek rest in vacations, hobbies, or even sleep, but true rest is found in Jesus. He invites us to come to Him with our burdens and find rest for our souls. This rest is not just a temporary relief but a lasting peace that comes from knowing and trusting Him. Reflect on how you can incorporate this true rest into your daily life and experience the peace that only Jesus can provide. [44:31]
Hebrews 4:9-10 (ESV): "So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his."
Reflection: What are some ways you can intentionally seek true rest in Jesus today, beyond just physical rest?
Day 2: The Power of Prayer
God moves when His people pray. The principle from 2 Chronicles reminds us that when we cry out to Him, He hears us and works in wondrous ways. Our church has witnessed incredible things through prayer, including baptisms and new members. Prayer is a powerful tool that connects us with God and allows us to experience His presence and power in our lives.
When we pray, we acknowledge our dependence on God and invite Him to work in our circumstances. Prayer is not just about asking for things but about building a relationship with God and aligning our hearts with His will. As we pray, we can trust that God hears us and will answer according to His perfect plan. Reflect on the power of prayer in your life and how you can make it a more integral part of your daily routine. [46:09]
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: How can you make prayer a more consistent and powerful part of your daily life, and what specific prayers can you lift up to God today?
Day 3: Living with Open Hands
Living with open hands symbolizes surrender, worship, receiving, working, and giving. It means trusting God’s plans over our own, worshiping Him fully, receiving His blessings, working diligently for His glory, and giving generously. This posture leads to greater freedom and joy than clinging tightly to our own plans and possessions.
When we live with open hands, we acknowledge that everything we have comes from God and belongs to Him. This mindset frees us from the burden of trying to control our lives and allows us to experience the joy of trusting in God's provision and guidance. Reflect on how you can adopt this posture of open hands in your daily life and experience the freedom and joy that comes from surrendering to God. [51:58]
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (ESV): "As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life."
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 4: Biblical Examples of Surrender
Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac and Jesus’ surrender in the Garden of Gethsemane illustrate the importance of trusting God’s plans. Living with open hands means yielding to God’s will, even when it’s difficult, and trusting that His plans are for our good and His glory. These examples show us that true surrender requires faith and obedience, even when we don't understand God's plans.
When we look at the lives of Abraham and Jesus, we see that surrendering to God often involves sacrifice and trust. Abraham was willing to give up his son, and Jesus was willing to give up His life. Both trusted that God's plans were greater than their own. Reflect on how you can follow their example and surrender to God's will in your own life, trusting that His plans are for your good and His glory. [57:23]
Genesis 22:12 (ESV): "He said, 'Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.'"
Reflection: Think of a situation where you are struggling to trust God's plan. How can you take a step of faith today to surrender this situation to Him?
Day 5: Generosity Reflects God’s Love
Living with extravagant generosity models the love of Jesus to the world. The early church shared everything they had, and their open hands became a powerful testimony of God’s love. We are called to give our first fruits and best, trusting that God will provide and bless us. Generosity is not just about giving money but about sharing our time, talents, and resources to build God's kingdom.
When we give generously, we reflect the heart of God, who gave His only Son for us. Our generosity can be a powerful witness to the world, showing them the love of Jesus in action. Reflect on how you can live with extravagant generosity and be a testimony of God's love to those around you. [01:19:32]
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV): "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Reflection: What is one way you can practice extravagant generosity today, whether through your time, talents, or resources, to reflect the love of Jesus to those around you?
Quotes
1. "It's a reminder that our rest isn't found in moments off or away, but in the person of Jesus Christ. Because you can be away and not be sustained. But when we're in Jesus, he sustains us. He provides for us peace that surpasses understanding as we follow his will and walk according. And we live according to his ways." [44:31] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Living with hands open to God has absolutely nothing to do with your circumstances, but it has much to do with having a growing faith. And it has much to do with being able to live in the freedom and joy that Jesus has called you to, whether you believe it or not." [57:23] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Let us be reminded that God has not called us to do anything which he hasn't done himself first. We can't speak of living with open hands without beginning with the open hands of Jesus Christ, our Savior." [59:30] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus faced the cross, surrendered to the Father's will with open hands, do we understand the significance of what Christ has done for us? He didn't cling to his rights to avoid suffering. No, he stretched out his hands upon the cross for the forgiveness of my sin and your sin." [59:30] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "See, surrender isn't about giving up and defeat. It's about yielding to the one who knows and loves us best. It's about saying, God, not my will, but yours be done." [01:06:47] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Worship isn't just about singing songs on Sunday. It's about living a life that honors God every day. And are we holding back parts of our life from him, or are we worshiping with open hands that are giving him all that we have, all that we are, because he is worthy?" [01:12:19] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "The reality is, is too often we come to God with clenched fists, holding on to our own ways, our own solution, our own desires, our own control. And yet God invites us to open our hands to receive his grace, to receive his blessing, to receive his peace in a way that we can't experience when we're trying to hang on to it all ourselves." [01:13:55] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "When we live this way, we think we're going to have less, but it's false because God flips it on his head. When we live this way, this unique thing happens and we experience greater freedom and greater joy than we could possibly have living, holding on to everything so tightly for ourselves." [01:23:20] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Are you living with open hands? Meaning, are you trusting God in every area of your life? Surrendering to his will, worshiping him with all that you have, receiving his blessings, working diligently for his glory, and giving generously to build his kingdom. It's a posture that says, God, everything I have is yours." [01:23:20] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "I challenge you that your life might reflect his surrender, his worship, his willingness to receive, his dedication to work, and his generosity in giving." [01:23:20] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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