Total Surrender: Jesus at the Center of Worship
Summary
Is Jesus truly at the center of everything in your life? This is the question that must shape our worship and our daily walk. God gave the Israelites the tabernacle as a vivid picture of what it means to worship Him: at the center of their camp, at the center of their lives, was the place where God’s presence dwelled. Every detail of the tabernacle points us to Jesus, who is the true gate—the only way to enter into God’s presence. Just as the Israelites could only approach God through sacrifice at the altar, so too must we come through the sacrifice of Christ, who is both our gate and our altar.
The altar was a place of death, a place where something had to be given up completely. For the Israelites, it was the smell of burning flesh—a potent, even offensive, aroma that signified holiness and atonement. For us, the cross is that altar, and Jesus is the living sacrifice. Unlike the dead sacrifices of old, Jesus’ sacrifice was alive—He rose from the grave, conquering death and offering us access to God’s presence. This is not just a theological truth to be admired from a distance; it is an invitation to imitate Christ, to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.
True worship is not about giving God a part of ourselves, but the whole. It is about daily surrender, about saying with Jesus, “Not my will, but yours be done.” This surrender is not a one-time event, but a continual offering—staying on the altar, even when it’s uncomfortable, even when we are tempted to hold something back. God sees every part of us, and He calls us to submit every area—our feet, our hands, our hearts, our minds—to Him. This is the path to transformation, to being refined by the great Refiner, to experiencing the freedom and joy that comes from total surrender.
Worship is also about priority—assigning ultimate worth to God above all else. Anything that competes for our affection becomes an idol, even good things. We must regularly sweep the temple of our hearts, removing anything that steals God’s rightful place. The call is to take the step onto the altar, to move from hovering around surrender to actually offering ourselves fully. In this, we find true freedom, intimacy with God, and the power of resurrection life. Communion is a celebration of this ongoing sacrifice and fellowship with Christ—a reminder that though there is a cost, the inheritance is infinitely greater.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus is the Only Gate and the True Altar
Access to God is not found through our own efforts or alternative paths, but solely through Jesus Christ. He is the gate through which we enter, and the altar upon which the ultimate sacrifice was made. Every act of worship must begin with coming to Jesus, acknowledging that He alone is the way, the truth, and the life. [43:28]
- Worship Requires Complete Sacrifice, Not Partial Offering
God does not desire a portion of our lives, but the whole. True worship is found in offering every part of ourselves—our desires, relationships, ambitions, and even our hidden struggles—on the altar. Partial surrender leads to lukewarm faith, but full surrender invites God’s transforming presence and power. [53:03]
- Living Sacrifice Means Ongoing, Daily Surrender
Becoming a living sacrifice is not a one-time decision, but a daily discipline. It is easy to step onto the altar in moments of inspiration, but the challenge is to remain there, resisting the urge to reclaim parts of our lives for ourselves. God refines us in this ongoing process, shaping us into the likeness of Christ as we continually submit to His will. [59:55]
- Submission and Priority: The Heart of Worship
Submission is modeled in every wound of Christ—His feet, hands, heart, and mind were all surrendered to the Father. We are called to submit every area of our lives in the same way, making God our highest priority. Assigning worth to God above all else is the essence of worship, and anything that competes for our affection must be removed from the altar of our hearts. [01:01:00]
- Freedom and Intimacy are Found in Surrender
The step of surrender may feel daunting, but it leads to unparalleled freedom, peace, and joy. God does not leave us alone in the refining fire; He walks with us, molding us for His purposes. Communion with God is not a ritual, but a daily fellowship in both suffering and resurrection power, and the cost of sacrifice is far outweighed by the inheritance of intimacy with Christ. [01:06:39]
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Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[41:50] - The Tabernacle: God’s Blueprint for Worship
[43:28] - Jesus: The Gate to True Worship
[45:09] - The Altar of Sacrifice: Smell of Holiness
[46:23] - Access to God Through Sacrifice
[47:13] - Gethsemane: Not My Will, But Yours
[48:16] - Dead Sacrifices vs. The Living Sacrifice
[48:49] - Christ’s Victory Over Death
[49:58] - Our Call: Living Sacrifices
[50:37] - The Power of a Sacrificial Spirit
[52:00] - He Must Increase, I Must Decrease
[53:03] - Full Surrender: Not the Part, But the Whole
[54:19] - Three Responses to the Gospel
[55:05] - Transformation by Renewing the Mind
[56:16] - Staying on the Altar: The Discipline of Surrender
[59:55] - Submission, Priority, and Temple Sweeping
[01:06:39] - The Freedom and Joy of Surrender
[01:09:00] - Communion: Fellowship in Sacrifice and Resurrection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: “Is Jesus at the Center?”
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### Bible Reading
John 10:9 (ESV)
> "I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture."
Romans 12:1-2 (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. 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."
Hebrews 10:14 (ESV)
> "For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified."
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### Observation Questions
1. According to John 10:9, what does Jesus call Himself, and what does He promise to those who enter through Him?
2. In Romans 12:1, what does Paul urge believers to do with their bodies, and how does he describe this act?
3. What is the difference between the sacrifices in the Old Testament and the sacrifice Jesus made, as described in the sermon? [[48:16]]
4. According to Hebrews 10:14, what has Jesus accomplished by His one sacrifice?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Jesus is described as both the “gate” and the “altar” in our worship? How does this shape our approach to God? [[43:28]]
2. The sermon says that true worship is not about giving God a part of ourselves, but the whole. What does it mean to offer “every part” of ourselves as a living sacrifice? [[53:03]]
3. The pastor mentioned that it’s easy to step onto the altar in moments of inspiration, but hard to stay there. What are some reasons people might “slip a hand or foot off the altar” in their daily lives? [[59:55]]
4. How does the idea of “temple sweeping” relate to keeping God at the center of our lives? What are some things that can become idols, even if they are good things? [[59:55]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenges us to ask, “Is Jesus truly at the center of everything in your life?” What is one area of your life where Jesus is not at the center? What would it look like to move Him to the center in that area this week? [[41:50]]
2. The altar was a place of complete sacrifice, not partial offering. Is there something you are holding back from God—maybe a relationship, ambition, or hidden struggle? What would it take to surrender that fully? [[53:03]]
3. The pastor described how easy it is to “hover around the altar” without actually stepping onto it. Can you think of a time when you hesitated to fully surrender to God? What held you back, and what helped you finally take the step? [[59:55]]
4. The sermon talked about “temple sweeping”—removing anything that competes for God’s place in our hearts. What is one “good thing” in your life that sometimes becomes an idol? How can you keep it in its proper place? [[59:55]]
5. Jesus’ submission was seen in every part of His body—His feet, hands, heart, and mind. Which area (your actions, your thoughts, your affections, your direction in life) is hardest for you to submit to God? Why? [[59:55]]
6. The pastor said that surrender leads to freedom, peace, and joy, even though it can feel scary. What fears do you have about fully surrendering to God? How can you remind yourself of the freedom and joy that comes with surrender? [[01:06:39]]
7. Communion is a celebration of ongoing sacrifice and fellowship with Christ. How can you make your daily walk with God more of a living, ongoing communion, rather than just a ritual or event? [[01:09:00]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for courage to step onto the altar, for God to reveal any areas not fully surrendered, and for the joy and freedom that comes from living as a living sacrifice.
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Is the Only Gate to True Worship
Entering into worship requires coming through Jesus, who is the only way to salvation and access to God. Just as the Israelites could only enter the tabernacle through the designated gate, we too must come to God through Christ alone. He is not just one of many options, but the exclusive path to relationship with the Father. In our worship, we are invited to approach God boldly, but only by recognizing Jesus as the gate, the one who opens the way for us to be saved and to experience the fullness of God’s presence. [43:28]
John 10:9 (ESV)
"I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture."
Reflection: What area of your life have you tried to approach God on your own terms, rather than coming through Jesus as the only way? How can you intentionally surrender that area to Him today?
Day 2: True Worship Requires a Living Sacrifice
Worship is not just about rituals or words, but about offering ourselves fully to God as living sacrifices. Unlike the dead sacrifices of the Old Testament, Jesus offered Himself as a living sacrifice, and now calls us to do the same—not just in part, but in whole. This means daily surrender, giving God every aspect of our lives, and allowing Him to transform us from the inside out. Our obedience and submission are not for our own salvation, but as a response to the mercy and grace we have received through Christ. [49:58]
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 specific area of your life that you have been holding back from God? What would it look like to place that on the altar as a living sacrifice today?
Day 3: Embracing Transformation Over Conformity
God calls us not to conform to the patterns of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This transformation is the result of fully embracing the gospel and allowing it to shape our thoughts, desires, and actions. When we surrender to God’s will, we are able to discern what is good, pleasing, and perfect in His sight. True worship is not about partial commitment or lukewarm faith, but about letting God’s truth renew us daily so that our lives reflect His will. [55:05]
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: In what ways have you found yourself conforming to the world’s patterns? What is one practical step you can take today to allow God to renew your mind?
Day 4: Submission and Priority in Worship
Worship is about more than songs or Sunday gatherings; it is about submitting every part of ourselves to God and making Him our highest priority. Just as Jesus submitted every part of His body and will to the Father, we are called to submit our feet, hands, heart, and mind to God’s authority. This act of submission is an expression of love and obedience, declaring that God is worth more than anything else in our lives. Assigning God the highest worth means removing anything that competes for our affection and devotion, and offering Him our whole selves. [59:55]
James 4:7-8 (ESV)
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Reflection: What is one thing—big or small—that has been competing for your affection or priority over God? How can you intentionally submit that to Him as an act of worship today?
Day 5: The Freedom and Joy of Surrender
There is unparalleled freedom, peace, and joy found in fully surrendering to God and stepping onto the altar as a living sacrifice. While it can be tempting to hover around the altar or hold back parts of ourselves, true intimacy with God comes when we take the step of surrender and allow Him to refine us. Even when the process is uncomfortable or challenging, God promises to be with us, molding us and leading us into deeper fellowship with Him. The cost of surrender is real, but the inheritance—knowing God and sharing in His resurrection life—is infinitely greater. [01:06:39]
Philippians 3:10-11 (ESV)
"That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead."
Reflection: What fear or hesitation has kept you from fully surrendering to God? What step can you take today to move from hovering around the altar to stepping onto it, trusting in the freedom and joy He promises?
Quotes
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