Total Surrender: Embracing God's Covenant Love
Summary
Today, the focus is on the profound reality that we gather not for ourselves, but for God alone—He is our audience of one. Everything we do, from singing to praying to listening, is meant to honor and glorify Him. We began by humbling ourselves in prayer, seeking God’s presence, and repenting of the ways we have neglected Him—whether by failing to share Christ, harboring anger, or simply not spending time with Him. God desires not just our attendance, but our hearts, our worship, and our surrender.
Children and adults alike were reminded that God wants to connect with us personally. We don’t need an intermediary; through Jesus and the Holy Spirit, we have direct access to God. He longs for us to bring our needs, our joys, and our struggles to Him, and to remember that He is always near, always listening, and always loving.
We explored Genesis 17, where God reaffirms His everlasting covenant with Abraham. This covenant is not based on Abraham’s performance, but on God’s unchanging strength, His faithful promises, and ultimately, His provision of a Savior. God’s promises are sure—He will not break them. He transforms nobodies into His own people, giving us a new identity and a future inheritance that is imperishable.
God’s covenant is threefold: it is assured by His strength (He is El Shaddai, God Almighty, who is strong where we are weak), ensured by His statements (His “I will” is certain and unbreakable), and insured by a Savior (Jesus Christ, whose work on the cross secures our eternal life). Unlike earthly insurance, God’s “policy” never lapses, never drops us, and covers all our failures. We are invited to walk honestly, humbly, wholly, and hungrily with God, remembering His faithfulness and responding with total surrender.
The call is clear: whether you are a believer who needs to surrender more fully, or someone who has never trusted Christ, today is the day to respond. God’s arms are open wide, ready to receive all who come to Him in faith and repentance. Our lives are not meant to be lived in our own strength or for our own purposes, but in joyful, surrendered relationship with the God who keeps every promise.
Key Takeaways
- Worship is about God alone, not about us or those around us. True worship requires humility, repentance, and a heart that seeks God above all else. When we focus on Him as our audience of one, our hearts are aligned with His purposes, and we experience His presence in a deeper way. [03:27]
- God’s covenant with us is rooted in His unchanging strength and faithfulness, not our performance. Like Abraham, we may grow impatient or try to force God’s hand, but His timing and promises are perfect. Waiting on the Lord develops our spiritual discernment and dependence on Him, reminding us that He is El Shaddai—sufficient in every weakness. [39:29]
- Remembering God’s past faithfulness is essential to our spiritual health. We are prone to forget the “good stuff” God has done, especially in seasons of waiting or hardship. Writing down His works, meditating on His Word, and sharing testimonies help us keep His promises alive in our hearts and guard us from spiritual amnesia. [46:09]
- Our relationship with God is secured by Jesus, not by our own righteousness. God’s “insurance policy” of salvation is based on Christ’s finished work, not our efforts. Once we are His, He will never drop us, and His grace covers all our failures—inviting us to come boldly, confess, and receive ongoing forgiveness and restoration. [57:06]
- Total surrender is the only fitting response to God’s covenant love. Partial commitment or occasional consultation with God falls short of the relationship He desires. Whether you need to recommit your life or come to Christ for the first time, God calls you to lay down your own control and trust Him fully, knowing that His arms are always open to receive and restore. [01:07:26]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[03:27] - Why Are We Here? Worship as an Audience of One
[04:26] - Humbling Ourselves in Prayer
[05:11] - Repentance and Preparing Our Hearts
[06:30] - Worship and Comfort for the Struggling
[07:18] - Surrendering Our Lives to God
[08:24] - Kids’ Time: Connecting with God
[21:49] - God Wants Personal Relationship
[23:22] - Praying for Others and Needs
[31:46] - Group Prayer and Unity
[36:38] - God’s Covenant: The Lock and the Key
[39:29] - God’s Strength in Our Weakness
[44:53] - Walking Honestly, Humbly, and Hungrily
[46:09] - Remembering God’s Faithfulness
[50:45] - The Promises to Abraham
[53:11] - God’s Covenant: Forever and for All
[57:06] - Salvation: God’s Eternal Insurance
[01:03:04] - Surrender and the Example of Hulk Hogan
[01:07:26] - The Call to Total Surrender
[01:10:59] - Responding to God’s Invitation
[01:18:00] - Announcements and Closing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
Genesis 17:1-8 (ESV)
When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.”
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### Observation Questions
1. In Genesis 17, what new name does God give to Abram, and what does it signify about his future?
2. According to the sermon, how many years had passed since God first spoke to Abram in Genesis 12, and how did Abram respond during that waiting period? [[39:29]]
3. What are the three ways the sermon described God’s covenant as being secured (assured by His strength, ensured by His statements, insured by a Savior)? [[38:42]]
4. What does God promise Abraham about his descendants and their future inheritance? [[54:28]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says God’s covenant with Abraham is unconditional and based on God’s strength, not Abraham’s performance. Why is this distinction important for how we view our own relationship with God? [[39:29]]
2. The pastor mentioned that God’s “I will” statements are certain and unbreakable. How does this contrast with human promises, and what does it reveal about God’s character? [[48:49]]
3. The sermon compared God’s salvation to an insurance policy that never lapses or drops us. How does this analogy help us understand the security of our salvation in Christ? [[57:06]]
4. The call to “walk honestly, humbly, wholly, and hungrily with God” was emphasized. What do each of these words mean in the context of a relationship with God? [[44:53]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon began by reminding us that worship is for God alone, not for ourselves or those around us. When you come to church or spend time with God, what distractions or motivations sometimes get in the way of true worship? How can you refocus your heart to see God as your “audience of one”? [[03:27]]
2. The pastor shared examples of ways we might neglect God—by not sharing Christ, harboring anger, or not spending time with Him. Which of these (or others) do you struggle with most, and what is one step you can take this week to turn back to God in that area? [[05:11]]
3. God’s covenant is rooted in His faithfulness, not our performance. When have you felt tempted to “hurry up” God’s plan or take matters into your own hands? What would it look like to trust His timing in your current situation? [[39:29]]
4. The sermon encouraged us to remember God’s past faithfulness by writing down His works, meditating on His Word, and sharing testimonies. What is one way you can intentionally remember and celebrate what God has done in your life this week? [[46:09]]
5. The analogy of God’s “insurance policy” was used to describe salvation. Do you ever struggle with feeling like God might “drop” you because of your failures? How does the truth of God’s unbreakable promise in Christ change the way you approach Him after you sin? [[57:06]]
6. The call to total surrender was clear—God wants more than partial commitment. Is there an area of your life where you are holding back from God? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him today? [[01:07:26]]
7. The pastor said God’s arms are always open, ready to receive us in faith and repentance. If you need to recommit your life or come to Christ for the first time, what is holding you back? How can this group support you in taking a next step of faith? [[01:10:59]]
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Devotional
Day 1: God’s Everlasting Covenant Is Assured by His Strength
God’s promises are not dependent on our abilities or efforts, but on His own unchanging strength and faithfulness. Even when we grow weary or impatient, God remains El Shaddai—God Almighty—who supplies all that we need and fulfills His word in His perfect timing. Like Abraham, we are called to walk before God honestly, humbly, wholly, and with a hunger for His presence, trusting that He is strongest where we are weakest. When we surrender our impatience and self-reliance, we discover that God’s strength is more than enough for every season of waiting and every challenge we face. [44:53]
Genesis 17:1-7 (ESV)
When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.”
Reflection: Where in your life are you tempted to “hurry up” God’s plan or rely on your own strength? How can you surrender that area to God today and trust Him as your El Shaddai?
Day 2: God’s Promises Are Certain and Unchanging
Unlike human promises that are often broken or forgotten, God’s word is steadfast and sure. He repeatedly assures us, “I will,” and every promise He makes is guaranteed by His own character. God’s covenant with Abraham was not just for him, but for all who come to Him by faith—making us heirs of His promises. Even when circumstances seem impossible, God’s faithfulness never wavers, and His word will always come to pass. We are called to remember and hold fast to what God has spoken, writing His truth on our hearts and trusting that He will never fail us. [50:03]
Numbers 23:19 (ESV)
God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
Reflection: What is one promise from God’s Word that you need to cling to today? Write it down and pray it back to God, asking Him to help you trust His faithfulness.
Day 3: Our Eternal Security Is Found in Christ Alone
Salvation is not based on our works or worthiness, but on the finished work of Jesus Christ. When we receive Him by faith, we are given an imperishable inheritance and become children of God—fully covered by His grace. God will never “drop our coverage” or abandon us, no matter our failures or fears. Through Christ, we have forgiveness, freedom, and the right to call God our Father. He invites us to come to Him with every need, knowing that His mercy and love are unending. [57:06]
Romans 8:15 (ESV)
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Reflection: Is there a past mistake or fear that makes you doubt your place in God’s family? Bring it to your heavenly Father in prayer today, and thank Him for adopting you as His beloved child.
Day 4: God Desires Personal Connection and Ongoing Surrender
God longs for a real, daily relationship with each of us—not just religious activity or occasional prayers. He wants us to come to Him honestly, to spend time with Him, and to surrender every part of our lives. True worship is not about performance or appearances, but about seeking God with a joyful heart and letting Him be the audience of one. When we lay down our pride, distractions, and self-sufficiency, we find the joy and freedom of walking closely with our loving Father. [21:49]
Psalm 51:17 (ESV)
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Reflection: When was the last time you spent intentional, undistracted time alone with God? Set aside a few minutes today to be still before Him, sharing your heart and listening for His voice.
Day 5: Surrender Leads to Transformation and Witness
God calls us not just to believe in Him, but to fully surrender our lives—letting Him lead, change, and use us for His purposes. Partial commitment leads to frustration and spiritual stagnation, but total surrender brings new life, direction, and impact. When we yield every area to Christ, He transforms us and makes us a light to others. Our lives become a testimony of His grace, and we are empowered to pray for and reach those who need Jesus. [01:07:26]
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 area of your life you have been holding back from God? What would it look like to surrender it fully to Him today, and how might that change your witness to others?
Quotes
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