Re-Centering Our Lives: Surrendering to Christ

At some point in the past week, each of us has found ourselves living on autopilot, defaulting to old patterns or priorities that take the place of Jesus as our “one thing.” This is a universal human struggle, but it’s also an invitation to pause, reflect, and allow the Holy Spirit to search our hearts. We are called to re-center our lives on Christ, to let go of the things—whether success, failure, pain, or even good things like family or work—that try to become our ultimate focus. Instead, we are invited to surrender afresh, making Jesus our singular pursuit and the foundation of our identity.

Belonging to God’s family is not something we earn; it’s a gift of grace. Just as we are born into biological families without effort, so too are we welcomed into God’s family through faith in Christ. This belonging is meant to be lived out in community, where we are known, challenged, and encouraged to grow. The church is not just a gathering, but a spiritual family where transformation happens as we walk together, confess, and support one another.

Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7 presents us with a sobering choice: two gates, two trees, and two houses. The narrow gate leads to life, but it is costly and requires intentional pursuit. The broad road is easy and popular, but it leads to destruction. Our faith must cost us something—our pride, our desires, our comfort—if it is genuine. Likewise, our lives are to bear good fruit, evidence of real transformation. This is not about perfection, but about ongoing change, repentance, and growth in Christlikeness.

Obedience is the true test of faith. It’s not enough to know the right words or even to do impressive things “in Jesus’ name.” What matters is a life built on the solid rock of hearing and doing God’s will, revealed in Scripture and empowered by the Holy Spirit. God’s goodness is not dependent on our circumstances; He is always good, always kind, always clear in His love and invitation. The call is to count the cost, invite change, and walk in daily obedience, trusting that nothing can separate us from the love of our good Father.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Default Life vs. the Surrendered Life It is easy to slip into living by default, letting old habits or lesser priorities take the place of Jesus as our “one thing.” True spiritual vitality comes from regular self-examination and a willingness to let the Holy Spirit reveal where we have drifted. Surrender is not a one-time event but a daily posture, re-centering our hearts on Christ and inviting Him to be Lord over every area of our lives. [30:19]
• 2. Belonging Is a Gift, Not an Achievement Our place in God’s family is not earned by performance or longevity but received as a gift of grace. Just as we are born into biological families, so too are we welcomed into spiritual family through faith in Christ. This belonging is meant to be lived out in authentic community, where we are both challenged and supported to grow into the people God sees us to be. [39:59]
• 3. The Narrow Way Is Costly but Life-Giving Jesus calls us to enter through the narrow gate, a path that is often lonely, costly, and countercultural. The broad road requires no sacrifice, but the narrow way demands that we lay down our pride, desires, and comfort for the sake of Christ. The authenticity of our faith is measured by what it costs us and our willingness to choose the narrow way again and again, trusting in the goodness and clarity of God’s love. [63:49]
• 4. Fruitfulness Is the Evidence of Transformation Consistent, godly character—expressed in our actions and choices—is the true evidence of a life changed by Christ. We cannot judge others’ hearts, but we are called to examine our own lives for real fruit, inviting the Holy Spirit to reveal areas that need growth or repentance. True transformation is ongoing, and isolation from Christian community stunts our growth; we need each other to become more like Jesus. [69:50]
• 5. Obedience Is the Test of True Faith It is not enough to know the right words or even to do impressive things in God’s name; what matters is a life of obedience to God’s revealed will. Delayed obedience is disobedience, and intentions alone do not suffice. The Holy Spirit empowers us to know and do the Father’s will, and God’s goodness is the foundation that enables us to trust and obey, even when we do not see or feel it. [76:53]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [30:19] - Invitation to Self-Examination and Surrender
• [33:42] - Slowing Down and Receiving God’s Love
• [35:55] - Community Connection and Introductions
• [37:42] - The Heart of Evolve Church: Belonging and Family
• [39:59] - Upcoming Events and Spiritual Growth Opportunities
• [44:24] - Radical Generosity and Campus Ministry Impact
• [47:19] - The Power of Sacrifice and Partnership
• [49:41] - Giving as Surrender and Praying for Other Churches
• [51:26] - Trusting God’s Goodness in All Circumstances
• [53:28] - The Lie of Self-Sufficiency vs. Kingdom Identity
• [55:14] - Two Gates: The Narrow and the Broad
• [66:47] - Two Trees: Fruitfulness and True Change
• [73:57] - The Necessity of Community for Growth
• [75:27] - Two Houses: Obedience and the Solid Foundation
• [80:16] - Communion: Counting the Cost and Responding
• [89:04] - Worship and Declaration of Christ’s Worth
• [91:08] - Living Changed Lives and Final Prayer
• [92:29] - Invitation to Salvation and New Life in Christ

Bible Reading

Matthew 7:13-27 (NLT) — 13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.
15 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. 16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.
21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Jesus in Matthew 7, what is the difference between the narrow gate and the broad road? ([55:14])
2. How does Jesus say we can identify false prophets or people who are truly following Him? ([56:08])
3. What does Jesus say is the true test of someone who belongs to God’s Kingdom? ([57:04])
4. In the sermon, what are some examples given of things that can become our “one thing” instead of Jesus? ([30:19])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus describes the narrow way as “difficult” and “costly”? What does this mean for someone who wants to follow Him today? ([01:03:49])
2. The sermon says, “Belonging to God’s family is not something we earn; it’s a gift of grace.” How does this truth challenge the way people often think about church or faith? ([37:42])
3. The passage talks about fruit as evidence of transformation. What might “good fruit” look like in someone’s life? How can we tell if we are growing? ([01:09:50])
4. Jesus warns that not everyone who does impressive things “in His name” will enter the Kingdom, but only those who do the Father’s will. What is the difference between knowing about Jesus and actually obeying Him? ([57:04])

Application Questions

1. The sermon talks about living on autopilot and letting old patterns or priorities take the place of Jesus. What is one area of your life where you tend to slip into “default mode” instead of surrendering to Jesus? What would it look like to invite the Holy Spirit to search your heart in that area this week? ([30:19])
2. Surrender is described as a daily posture, not a one-time event. What is one practical way you can “re-center” your heart on Christ each day? ([30:19])
3. The narrow way is costly and requires us to lay down our pride, desires, or comfort. Is there something specific that following Jesus is costing you right now? How do you feel about that cost? ([01:03:49])
4. The sermon says that belonging to God’s family is a gift, not an achievement. Do you ever feel like you have to “earn” your place with God or in the church? How can you remind yourself of grace this week? ([37:42])
5. Fruitfulness is the evidence of transformation. Looking back over the past year, can you see any ways that Jesus has changed you? Is there an area where you want to see more growth? ([01:09:50])
6. Obedience is the test of true faith. Is there an area where you know what God wants you to do, but you’ve been delaying obedience? What’s holding you back, and what step could you take this week? ([01:16:53])
7. The sermon emphasizes the importance of community for growth. Are you currently connected to other believers in a way that helps you grow and be challenged? If not, what is one step you could take to build deeper relationships in the church? ([01:13:57])