Surrendering to Jesus: Prioritizing Faith Over Possessions
Summary
The sermon explores the theme of surrendering to Jesus and the importance of prioritizing Him above all else. It begins with the story of a rich man from Mark chapter 10, who, despite his moral uprightness, was too attached to his possessions to fully surrender to Jesus. The speaker underscores that Jesus' love is unconditional and that He often asks us to do things that may be difficult, such as ending a relationship or addressing a family issue, to follow Him faithfully.
The speaker then discusses the pitfalls of loving money and material possessions, which can obstruct one's relationship with God. It is not wealth itself that is problematic but the priority it takes over Jesus. The speaker encourages the audience to obey Jesus, the wonderful counselor, and to actively work on their relationship with Him.
Jesus' role as the wonderful counselor is further emphasized, with the speaker reminding the congregation that Jesus came for those who are sick and in need, calling sinners to repentance. The audience is encouraged to reflect on their own 'sicknesses,' whether they be depression, fear, stress, or family problems, and to seek healing from Jesus.
The importance of seeking guidance from Jesus is highlighted, with the speaker suggesting that a lack of faith may stem from not following God's call. The speaker asserts that Jesus can do immeasurably more than we can imagine and encourages listeners to be honest with Him and follow His guidance.
The sermon also touches on the importance of being honest with God about our struggles, referencing Psalm 55:22, which encourages believers to cast their cares on God. The speaker emphasizes that Jesus speaks to us through various means, including the Bible, pastors, friends, songs, and daily devotions.
The speaker also discusses the upcoming Christmas celebration at Tuckapaw and the special offering for technology upgrades to enhance gospel sharing. The congregation is encouraged to give with a willing heart and to focus on worshiping God.
The sermon encourages listeners to be brutally honest with God, as exemplified by the story of the woman at the well who was honest with Jesus about her past relationships. This honesty is crucial for a genuine relationship with God.
The speaker discusses training ourselves to hear God's voice, comparing it to recognizing a loved one's voice in a crowded room. The importance of obedience to God's instructions is emphasized, even when they may not make sense to us.
Finally, the sermon explores different names of Jesus, focusing on the name "Wonderful Counselor" from Isaiah chapter 9, verse 6. Jesus is described as an incomprehensible guide who understands our difficulties and offers mercy and grace.
Key Takeaways:
- Surrendering to Jesus requires letting go of attachments that hinder our relationship with Him, even if it means making difficult decisions. This act of surrender leads to treasure in heaven and a deeper connection with God.
- The love of money and material possessions can obstruct our relationship with God. Prioritizing Jesus above all else is essential for true discipleship, and obedience to His guidance is the path to following Christ.
- Jesus, the wonderful counselor, came to call sinners to repentance and to heal those who are sick and in need. Reflecting on our own areas of 'sickness' and seeking Jesus' healing is a crucial step in our spiritual journey.
- Being honest with God about our struggles is the first step towards healing. Jesus speaks to us in various ways, and it is important to listen to His voice and follow His guidance.
- Recognizing and obeying God's voice is a skill that can be developed. Trusting in God's higher ways leads to better outcomes for us, even if we do not understand His instructions at the time.
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 9:6 - "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
2. Mark 10:20-22 - "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
3. Psalm 55:22 - "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the names given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6, and what do they signify about His character?
2. In Mark 10:20-22, what was the rich man’s response to Jesus’ instruction, and why did he respond that way?
3. According to Psalm 55:22, what are believers encouraged to do with their cares and burdens?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the title "Wonderful Counselor" imply about Jesus' ability to guide and support us in our struggles? [28:56]
2. How does the story of the rich man in Mark 10 illustrate the challenge of prioritizing Jesus over material possessions? [46:19]
3. Why is it important to be brutally honest with God about our struggles, as exemplified by the woman at the well? [34:09]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there any attachments or possessions that might be hindering your relationship with Jesus? How can you begin to let go of these attachments? [46:19]
2. The sermon mentioned various 'sicknesses' such as depression, fear, and stress. Identify one area in your life where you feel 'sick' and discuss how you can seek healing from Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor. [31:30]
3. Being honest with God is crucial for a genuine relationship. Is there a specific struggle or sin you need to be honest with God about? How can you take the first step in addressing it? [34:09]
4. Jesus speaks to us in various ways, including through the Bible, friends, and daily devotions. How can you train yourself to better recognize and listen to His voice in your daily life? [40:51]
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of obedience to God's instructions, even when they don't make sense. Can you recall a time when you felt God was leading you to do something that seemed illogical? How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [42:59]
6. The upcoming Christmas celebration at Tuckapaw includes a special offering for technology upgrades. How can you and your family participate in this initiative with a willing heart? [06:59]
7. Reflect on the story of the woman at the well. How can her example of honesty with Jesus inspire you to be more open and truthful in your relationship with God? [34:09]
Devotional
Day 1: Letting Go for True Treasure
True discipleship involves releasing our grip on earthly treasures to grasp eternal riches in Christ. The allure of wealth and possessions can often eclipse the call to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. Surrendering these attachments is not a loss but a strategic exchange for treasure in heaven and a more profound intimacy with God. [07:40]
Matthew 6:19-21 - "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
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: Prioritizing the Eternal Counselor
Obedience to Jesus, our Wonderful Counselor, is the pathway to authentic discipleship. Prioritizing Him above all else, including money and material possessions, aligns us with His will and purpose for our lives. This obedience is an act of trust and devotion, acknowledging His sovereignty and wisdom. [07:40]
Hebrews 13:5-6 - "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?'"
Reflection: How does the love of money or material possessions manifest in your life, and what steps can you take to ensure Jesus remains your top priority?
Day 3: Embracing Healing from the Healer
Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor, extends His healing to all areas of our 'sickness,' whether it be emotional, spiritual, or relational. Acknowledging our need for His touch and seeking His mercy is a vital step in our journey toward wholeness. He calls us to repentance and offers grace to overcome our afflictions. [07:40]
Luke 5:31-32 - "Jesus answered them, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.'"
Reflection: What 'sickness' in your life do you need to bring before Jesus for healing, and how can you actively seek His counsel in this area?
Day 4: Cultivating Honesty with God
A genuine relationship with God is rooted in transparency and honesty about our struggles. Casting our cares on Him and listening for His voice in various ways, we can find guidance and peace. This openness allows us to receive His wisdom and direction for our lives. [07:40]
Psalm 62:8 - "Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."
Reflection: What struggles have you been hesitant to bring before God, and how can you practice being more honest with Him in your daily devotions?
Day 5: Learning to Hear the Shepherd's Voice
Recognizing and obeying God's voice amidst life's noise is a skill that deepens our faith and trust in His plan. As we learn to discern His guidance, even when it doesn't align with our understanding, we grow in obedience and experience His immeasurable blessings. [07:40]
John 10:27 - "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt God was guiding you in a direction that didn't make sense. How did you respond, and what was the outcome?
Quotes
"But think about how my heart is filled when I know they did something wrong and they willingly come to me and they say, hey, I messed up. I did this. And I don't have to drag it out of them. I don't have to pull it out of them. I already knew that they did it. But when they come to me and they admit it and they bring it to me, it brings joy to my heart." [37:16] (Download)
"When you bring your sickness to God, he doesn't look at you and go, you're such a loser. He goes, I still love you. There's not a sickness that you bring to me that makes me stop loving you or make me love you less." [45:17] (Download)
"It's the love for money. It's the love for stuff. And that's what this guy was struggling with. His love for the stuff that he had was stopping him from really, truly surrendering to God." [47:07] (Download)
"We can bring our stuff to God, and he's not going to belittle us. He's not going to make fun of us. He simply loves us. And he wants us to move from where we are to where he wants us to be." [47:57] (Download)
"Be honest with your counselor. Listen to his voice. Train yourself to hear his voice and then do what he calls you to do. Step up and do it, whether it's comfortable, whether it seems right to you or not." [51:25] (Download)
"God, you are the wonderful counselor, too wonderful for words. And you want to guide us beyond where we think we can go or what we should do. You guide us into what is best." [52:21] (Download)
"He's just simply waiting for us to come to him with it. We've got to bring that to him and be honest with him. Because in Psalm 55 verse 22 it says, cast all your cares on him. Why? Because he cares for you." [37:59] (Download)
"You can train yourself to recognize the voice of God. It's like recognizing a familiar voice in a crowd; with practice, you learn to discern His voice amidst the noise of life." [41:24] (Download)
"Even when it doesn't seem to make sense, if it's God calling you to do something, you've got to listen and follow. Obedience to His direction is paramount, even beyond our understanding." [42:34] (Download)
"Help us to realize that it's not about the money, it's all about our heart. So God, help us to surrender our heart to you above everything else." [08:32] (Download)
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