Total Surrender: Embracing a Life in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Today's message focuses on the concept of surrendering our lives to Jesus Christ, which stands in stark contrast to the self-centered culture prevalent in contemporary society. The sermon is structured around three fundamental questions: How much of God do you want? How much of you does God want? And what is the Christian life all about?
The first question challenges us to reflect on our desire for God. Many of us, consciously or unconsciously, want just enough of God to feel comfortable but not enough to disrupt our lives. This is illustrated through Wilbur Reese's poem, "Three Dollars Worth of God," which sarcastically portrays a minimalistic approach to faith. In contrast, biblical figures like King David express an insatiable thirst for God, longing to dwell in His presence continually.
The second question addresses the extent of our surrender to God. Jesus' teachings make it clear that He demands everything from us. The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value emphasize that the Kingdom of God is worth giving up everything we have. C.S. Lewis echoes this sentiment in "Mere Christianity," stating that God wants our entire selves, not just parts of us.
The third question delves into the essence of the Christian life, which is about surrendering our will to God, much like Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane. This surrender is not about becoming more moral or religious but about a complete reorientation of our lives around Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul encapsulates this in 2 Corinthians 5:15, stating that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Christ.
In practical terms, surrendering to God involves offering our bodies and minds to Him. Romans 12:1-2 urges us to present our bodies as living sacrifices and to renew our minds, resisting the patterns of this world. This means using our bodies to worship God and allowing His Word to transform our thoughts and values.
### Key Takeaways
1. Desiring More of God: Reflect on how much of God you truly want in your life. Are you content with a minimalistic faith that keeps God at a safe distance, or do you, like King David, earnestly seek to dwell in His presence continually? The depth of your relationship with God is determined by your desire for Him. [03:34]
2. Total Surrender: Jesus demands everything from us, not just parts of our lives. This means surrendering our possessions, relationships, and even our desires to Him. True Christian conversion involves a complete reorientation of our lives around Jesus Christ, where He becomes the center of all we do. [10:29]
3. The Essence of Christian Life: The Christian life is about surrendering our will to God, much like Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane. This surrender is not about becoming more moral or religious but about living a life centered on Jesus Christ. [22:29]
4. Offering Our Bodies: Romans 12:1 urges us to present our bodies as living sacrifices. This means using our physical selves to worship God, rather than conforming to societal pressures to worship our bodies. Surrendering our bodies to God can bring immense freedom from cultural pressures. [28:28]
5. Renewing Our Minds: Romans 12:2 calls us to renew our minds and resist the patterns of this world. This involves filling our minds with God's Word and taking every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ. Transforming our minds is essential for living a life that aligns with God's will. [33:40]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:19] - Opening Prayer
[02:33] - Three Fundamental Questions
[03:34] - How Much of God Do You Want?
[05:39] - Treating God Like Valium
[06:41] - Biblical Examples of Seeking God
[09:16] - How Much of You Does God Want?
[10:29] - Jesus Demands Everything
[13:09] - C.S. Lewis on Total Surrender
[15:03] - The Misery of an Unsurrendered Life
[17:59] - Complete Surrender to Jesus
[19:59] - What is the Christian Life?
[22:29] - Jesus' Surrender in Gethsemane
[24:13] - The Essence of Christian Conversion
[28:28] - Surrendering Our Bodies
[33:40] - Renewing Our Minds
[35:06] - Memorizing God's Word
[37:21] - Taking Every Thought Captive
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 27:4 - "One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple."
2. Romans 12:1-2 - "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. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
3. 2 Corinthians 5:15 - "And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 27:4, what is the psalmist's primary desire? How does this contrast with the minimalistic faith described in the sermon? [03:34]
2. In Romans 12:1-2, what are the two specific actions Paul urges believers to take? How do these actions relate to the concept of surrender discussed in the sermon? [28:28]
3. What does 2 Corinthians 5:15 say about the purpose of Christ's death? How does this align with the idea of living a life centered on Jesus Christ as mentioned in the sermon? [26:04]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the psalmist's longing to dwell in the house of the Lord (Psalm 27:4) reflect a deeper desire for God compared to the "three dollars worth of God" mentality? [03:34]
2. Romans 12:1-2 speaks about offering our bodies as living sacrifices and renewing our minds. What might this look like in practical terms for a believer today? [28:28]
3. In 2 Corinthians 5:15, Paul states that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Christ. How does this statement challenge the self-centered culture prevalent in contemporary society? [26:04]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: How much of God do you truly want? Are there areas where you might be keeping God at a safe distance to avoid disruption? [03:34]
2. Jesus demands everything from us, not just parts of our lives. What possessions, relationships, or desires might you need to surrender to Him? How can you start this process? [10:29]
3. The Christian life is about surrendering our will to God, much like Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane. Are there specific areas in your life where you struggle to say, "Not my will, but yours be done"? [22:29]
4. Romans 12:1 urges us to present our bodies as living sacrifices. How can you use your physical self to worship God this week? Are there societal pressures you need to resist to do this? [28:28]
5. Romans 12:2 calls us to renew our minds. What steps can you take to fill your mind with God's Word and resist the patterns of this world? Is there a specific thought or value you need to transform? [33:40]
6. Think about a time when you treated God like a "spiritual Valium," only turning to Him in difficult times. How can you cultivate a more consistent and deeper relationship with God? [05:39]
7. Consider the idea of total surrender as described by C.S. Lewis in "Mere Christianity." What does it mean for you to give your entire self to God, including both innocent and wicked desires? [13:40]
Devotional
Day 1: Desiring More of God
Reflect on how much of God you truly want in your life. Are you content with a minimalistic faith that keeps God at a safe distance, or do you, like King David, earnestly seek to dwell in His presence continually? The depth of your relationship with God is determined by your desire for Him. Many people, consciously or unconsciously, want just enough of God to feel comfortable but not enough to disrupt their lives. This is illustrated through Wilbur Reese's poem, "Three Dollars Worth of God," which sarcastically portrays a minimalistic approach to faith. In contrast, biblical figures like King David express an insatiable thirst for God, longing to dwell in His presence continually. [03:34]
Psalm 63:1 (ESV): "O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water."
Reflection: Are you content with a minimalistic faith, or do you earnestly seek to dwell in God's presence continually? What steps can you take today to deepen your desire for God?
Day 2: Total Surrender
Jesus demands everything from us, not just parts of our lives. This means surrendering our possessions, relationships, and even our desires to Him. True Christian conversion involves a complete reorientation of our lives around Jesus Christ, where He becomes the center of all we do. The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value emphasize that the Kingdom of God is worth giving up everything we have. C.S. Lewis echoes this sentiment in "Mere Christianity," stating that God wants our entire selves, not just parts of us. [10:29]
Matthew 13:44-46 (ESV): "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it."
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 3: The Essence of Christian Life
The Christian life is about surrendering our will to God, much like Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane. This surrender is not about becoming more moral or religious but about living a life centered on Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul encapsulates this in 2 Corinthians 5:15, stating that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Christ. This complete reorientation of our lives around Jesus Christ is the essence of true Christian conversion. [22:29]
2 Corinthians 5:15 (ESV): "And he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised."
Reflection: How can you reorient your daily life to be more centered on Jesus Christ? What specific changes can you make to ensure that your actions and decisions reflect His will?
Day 4: Offering Our Bodies
Romans 12:1 urges us to present our bodies as living sacrifices. This means using our physical selves to worship God, rather than conforming to societal pressures to worship our bodies. Surrendering our bodies to God can bring immense freedom from cultural pressures. By offering our bodies as living sacrifices, we acknowledge that our physical selves are instruments for God's glory. This act of surrender is a form of worship that goes beyond mere words and involves our entire being. [28:28]
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: In what ways can you use your physical body to worship God today? How can you resist societal pressures to conform and instead offer your body as a living sacrifice to Him?
Day 5: Renewing Our Minds
Romans 12:2 calls us to renew our minds and resist the patterns of this world. This involves filling our minds with God's Word and taking every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ. Transforming our minds is essential for living a life that aligns with God's will. By renewing our minds, we can discern what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. This transformation is a continuous process that requires intentional effort and reliance on the Holy Spirit. [33:40]
Romans 12:2 (ESV): "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 steps can you take today to renew your mind and resist the patterns of this world? How can you fill your mind with God's Word and take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ?
Quotes
1. "What I've discovered over many years of pastoring and being a Christian is that there's no one more miserable than the unsurrendered Christian who hasn't fully given himself to Christ. See, you can't be happy in the world doing what everybody else is doing because you know the demands of God. You know God's expectations. Amen. Amen. But you also aren't happy in God's kingdom because you have all these unfulfilled desires and all these wants and goals for your life." [15:03] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The Christian life is all about you surrendering your life to Jesus. That's what it's about. The whole business of surrender is imitating the Lord Jesus when he surrendered himself to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane. Do you remember the story? Here is Jesus. He's in the Garden. He's the one who is the ultimate expression of God's will for mankind. And he's in the Garden. And we find Jesus wrestling with God in prayer." [20:53] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When Jesus says, take up your cross and follow me, you know that the cross is an instrument of death, don't you? When you climb up on your cross to follow Jesus, he's saying, die to yourself. Die to your natural self, your desires, your man, what you want out of life, and take on his life. Give him everything." [15:03] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The Christian life is not about you being more moral. The Pharisees were probably the most moral people around. That's not the focus of the Christian life. The Christian life is not about getting you to be more religious. The Pharisees were more religious than anybody. The Christian life is not about getting you to be more charitable or to practice spiritual disciplines, you know, to give and to pray and to fast. The Pharisees were more charitable than anybody and they prayed and fasted more than you ever will." [24:13] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Saying yes to God surrendering your life to Christ that is the key to the Christian life. It's about moment by moment surrendering to God and his will for your life. Well what does God specifically want you to surrender? Everything! Alright we can go home now. We're running out of time but let me fly through this as quick as I can." [27:39] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "You know, we treat God almost like spiritual Valium. You know, when life gets difficult, we probably don't have God. We give up a few God pills, and that calms us down. Yeah? We treat, you know, because life is difficult. It's bumpy, it's hard, and so God becomes kind of like this cosmic shock absorber. You know, to absorb the bumps of life. And once the crisis is over, and life returns to, you know, normal, then we go about doing what we want." [05:39] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "You can have as much of God as you want. And I started thinking, wow, that's true. If you look at your life and if I look at my life, I have as much of God as I want right now. That's sobering. That's convicting for me. I had to wrestle with that. See, if you say in your heart that I want as much of God as I can get, that leads us to the second question. And that is, how much of you does God want? How much of you? Listen to Jesus' answer to this question. You know what the answer is? Anybody? Everything. Everything." [09:16] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "When you surrendered your life to Christ, is this your understanding of what it was to become a follower of Jesus? Have you ever done this? Have you ever come to a place of complete surrender to Jesus? Where you say, Lord, I'm tired of trying to be a good person and also trying to meet my desires. I'm tired of trying to live this divided life, you know, with one foot in the kingdom and one foot in the world. Does that describe any of you?" [17:59] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "The Apostle Paul, when he came to Christ, he, you know, he was a Christian. He came from a background of Phariseeism to faith in Jesus Christ. Think about this. He was already moral. He was already religious. He practiced the disciplines. He gave alms. He prayed. He fasted. He resisted temptation. But what was different for him and it was the first time in his life, for the first time in his life, he surrendered his will to God, to Jesus Christ." [24:53] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "How much freedom would you experience if you literally just surrendered every part of your body to the Lord? Just throw away the pressure of the culture. Now listen I'm not saying you can't try and make yourself look good and exercise and things like that but what's going on in here? What's going on in here in your heart of hearts? Is your motivation because you just have to look the part? You have to keep up with the Joneses and things like that and look a certain way and weigh a certain weight or whatever it is." [32:10] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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