Transformative Power: Surrendering Pride and Engaging Faith
Summary
This morning, we gathered with anticipation, ready to witness God's transformative power in our lives. As we prepare for Easter, we are called to actively engage in a two-pronged approach to reach out to those who are unsaved or unchurched. This involves writing down the names of five individuals we have direct contact with and praying over these names, believing that God will work miracles in their lives. We are reminded of the power of influence, especially among men, as reaching one man can lead to the transformation of an entire family.
Our focus today is on the story of King David from 1 Chronicles 21, where David's pride led to a grievous sin with severe consequences. This narrative serves as a powerful reminder of the destructive nature of pride and the importance of having "skin in the game" when it comes to our spiritual lives. Just as David built an altar and the plague was stopped, we are encouraged to bring our needs and the names of those we are praying for to the altar, trusting that God can stop the plague of sin in their lives.
We explored the tactics of Satan, who seeks to deceive, devour, and ultimately gain control over our lives. His goal is to manipulate our will, making us believe we are in control when, in reality, he is pulling the strings. However, through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, we have the strength to resist Satan's schemes and live a life of holiness and obedience to God.
As we continue in our series on spiritual warfare, we are reminded that the Christian life is a matter of the will. We must choose to surrender our will to God, allowing Him to work in and through us. This involves a deep commitment to living out our faith, not just intellectually or emotionally, but through a transformed life that reflects the character of Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- The power of influence is significant, especially among men, as reaching one man can lead to the transformation of an entire family. We are called to actively engage in reaching out to those who are unsaved or unchurched, believing that God will work miracles in their lives. [12:46]
- Pride is a destructive force that can lead to grievous sin and severe consequences. Like David, we must have "skin in the game" in our spiritual lives, actively participating in what God is doing and bringing our needs to the altar. [26:01]
- Satan's tactics involve deception, devouring, and gaining control over our lives. His goal is to manipulate our will, making us believe we are in control when, in reality, he is pulling the strings. [52:40]
- The indwelling power of the Holy Spirit is our defense against Satan's schemes. Through the Spirit, we have the strength to resist temptation and live a life of holiness and obedience to God. [01:08:54]
- The Christian life is fundamentally a matter of the will. We must choose to surrender our will to God, allowing Him to work in and through us. This involves a deep commitment to living out our faith, not just intellectually or emotionally, but through a transformed life that reflects the character of Christ. [01:32:46]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Anticipation for God's Move
[02:15] - Two-Pronged Approach for Easter
[05:45] - The Power of Influence
[08:30] - King David's Story
[12:46] - The Destructive Nature of Pride
[15:20] - Bringing Needs to the Altar
[18:00] - Satan's Tactics
[26:01] - The Importance of the Will
[30:45] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[35:10] - Living a Transformed Life
[40:00] - Surrendering Our Will
[45:30] - Encouragement to Engage
[50:00] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Chronicles 21:1-14
2. Proverbs 16:18
3. Romans 12:1-2
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Observation Questions:
1. In 1 Chronicles 21, what specific action did David take that led to severe consequences for Israel? How did this reflect his state of mind? [57:52]
2. According to the sermon, what role does pride play in the life of a believer, and how did it manifest in King David's actions? [01:08:54]
3. How does the sermon describe Satan's tactics in manipulating our will, and what is his ultimate goal? [52:40]
4. What was the significance of David's decision to buy the threshing floor and build an altar, and how did it impact the plague? [01:32:46]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of David in 1 Chronicles 21 illustrate the destructive nature of pride, and what lessons can be drawn about the importance of humility in our spiritual lives? [57:52]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that success can be more dangerous than failure for a believer, and how can this be related to the concept of pride? [01:08:54]
3. How does the sermon explain the role of the Holy Spirit in defending against Satan's schemes, and what does it mean to live a life of holiness and obedience to God? [01:08:54]
4. What does Romans 12:1-2 suggest about the transformation of the believer's mind and will, and how does this relate to the sermon’s message on surrendering our will to God? [01:32:46]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the influence you have in your family or community. How can you actively engage in reaching out to those who are unsaved or unchurched, as encouraged in the sermon? [49:33]
2. Identify an area in your life where pride might be affecting your decisions. What steps can you take to bring this to the altar and seek God's help in overcoming it? [57:52]
3. Consider a time when you felt in control, but later realized you were being manipulated by external influences. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to discern and resist such influences in the future? [52:40]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of having "skin in the game" in our spiritual lives. What is one specific way you can invest more deeply in your spiritual growth this week? [01:32:46]
5. Think about a recent success you’ve experienced. How can you ensure that this success does not lead to pride, but rather to a deeper dependence on God? [01:08:54]
6. How can you practice surrendering your will to God daily, and what changes might you expect to see in your life as a result? [01:32:46]
7. Identify one person in your life who is struggling with a "plague" of sin. How can you support them in finding their way to the altar, both figuratively and literally? [01:32:46]
Devotional
Day 1: The Ripple Effect of Influence
The power of influence is profound, especially among men, as reaching one man can lead to the transformation of an entire family. This concept encourages believers to actively engage in reaching out to those who are unsaved or unchurched, trusting that God will work miracles in their lives. By writing down the names of five individuals and praying over them, believers can become conduits of God's transformative power. This approach is not just about individual salvation but about the potential for entire families and communities to be changed through the influence of one person. [12:46]
"For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's." (Romans 14:7-8, ESV)
Reflection: Who are the five individuals you feel called to influence for Christ? How can you begin to intentionally pray for and reach out to them this week?
Day 2: The Destructive Nature of Pride
Pride is a destructive force that can lead to grievous sin and severe consequences, as illustrated by the story of King David in 1 Chronicles 21. David's pride led to a sin that brought a plague upon his people, but his repentance and action in building an altar stopped the plague. This narrative serves as a reminder of the importance of having "skin in the game" in our spiritual lives, actively participating in what God is doing and bringing our needs to the altar. By acknowledging our pride and seeking God's intervention, we can prevent the destructive consequences of sin in our lives. [26:01]
"Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor." (Proverbs 18:12, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle with pride? How can you bring these areas to God in humility and seek His help in overcoming them?
Day 3: Recognizing and Resisting Satan's Tactics
Satan's tactics involve deception, devouring, and gaining control over our lives. His goal is to manipulate our will, making us believe we are in control when, in reality, he is pulling the strings. However, believers are not left defenseless. Through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, they have the strength to resist Satan's schemes and live a life of holiness and obedience to God. Recognizing these tactics is the first step in resisting them, and believers are encouraged to remain vigilant and rely on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance. [52:40]
"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world." (1 Peter 5:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: What are some specific ways you can be more vigilant against Satan's tactics in your life? How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to help you resist temptation?
Day 4: The Power of the Holy Spirit
The indwelling power of the Holy Spirit is the believer's defense against Satan's schemes. Through the Spirit, believers have the strength to resist temptation and live a life of holiness and obedience to God. This power is not something to be taken lightly, as it enables believers to live transformed lives that reflect the character of Christ. By surrendering to the Holy Spirit, believers can experience true freedom and victory over sin. [01:08:54]
"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do." (Galatians 5:16-17, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit in your daily life? What steps can you take to ensure you are walking by the Spirit and not by the flesh?
Day 5: Surrendering Our Will to God
The Christian life is fundamentally a matter of the will. Believers must choose to surrender their will to God, allowing Him to work in and through them. This involves a deep commitment to living out their faith, not just intellectually or emotionally, but through a transformed life that reflects the character of Christ. By surrendering their will, believers open themselves up to the transformative power of God, allowing Him to shape and mold them into His image. [01:32:46]
"And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to God? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Quotes
Good morning Man, it is so good to see each and every one of you here today I hope you came expecting good things from the Lord today Did anybody in the house come ready to see a move of God today? I don't know about you, but I haven't had too much coffee this morning But I feel like I have I am wired up and ready for God I've been up early this morning Been here since long before daylight I've been praying over you guys And praying over what God is going to do today And I am super excited about what I believe God wants to do in your life Would you help me real quick? Look at your neighbor and tell them, get ready [00:16:05] (39 seconds)
So, here's his goal, to take away. Now, watch the contrast here. And he does that with the kill, steal, and destroy, slaughter, steal, and destroy. But Jesus speaking here said, but I've come to give you life. Notice that. Notice the contrast. This is an impartation into you. Where Satan wants to take away, Jesus is in the business of giving you. Notice that. Satan wants to steal, but Jesus is the one that wants to pour into your life with abundance. And to give unto you life, everything in abundance, more than you expect, life in the fullest, until you overflow. [00:50:03] (45 seconds)
Satan rose up against Israel and incited David. Notice that word, incited. This means, this is what he wanted to do. He wanted to stir up a behavior, a negative behavior in David. That was the goal. That's why that word, incited, is important for us right there. Satan came on the scene to stir something up in David. Let me just remind you, Satan is always an imitator. [00:53:31] (28 seconds)
Remember what I said, belief and behavior always go hand in hand. And this is what Satan wants to do to stir up a behavior. And what he was doing, he incited David to take a census of Israel, to count the people of Israel. Verse 2, so David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan. Then report back to me so that I may know how many there are. [00:54:10] (28 seconds)
So Satan wants ultimately to sway you, to get control over you, so that he manipulates your choices, gives you a set of desires. The Bible says God will give us the desires of our heart. But I want to warn you, you want to make sure the desires that you have are the desires that God is putting in your heart. Not your own. Come on. Not your own. That are swayed or influenced by Satan. So your choices. Your desires as well. [00:57:19] (33 seconds)
But if you shut it down, listen to me. I'm going to help y 'all out real good today. And when somebody says, never mind, I was going to say something, but I'm not going to do it. Y 'all know what we usually do? Oh, go ahead. Go ahead. Y 'all with me? Come on. Best thing you can do for them and for you is when they say, I was going to say something, but you need to jump right in right there and say, thank you for not saying that. I didn't want anything negative in my spirit. [00:58:38] (34 seconds)
That means you're holding every thought captive, bringing it under submission to what the Word of God has told us to do. So it's extremely important that our will is taken into not the submission of Satan, but it is surrendered unto God. So Satan began by deceiving Eve's mind, attacking the body of Job, but ultimately he wants to get to your will so he can control you. Strangely enough, in this case right here, Satan bypassed the mind and the body in an all -out fashion, attacked David's will, and he won. [00:59:19] (36 seconds)
with an intellectual religion one can discuss the Bible quote the Bible but fails when it comes to living it out you want to know listen to me you want to know why we're in the epidemic we're in in America and and and and and Christianity is on the decline instead of the rise is because we've had so many that preach it with their mouth but don't live it with their mouth but don't live it with their life and we've given a bad example who Christ is because let me tell you something he can change your life completely today you don't have to be who you were amen you can be born again and change radically drug addicts delivered immediately amen prideful hearts can be destroyed in the name of Jesus to where humility now begins to flow out of us [01:04:38] (50 seconds)
Pride's a strong weapon and Satan is a strong adversary. But hear me well today. There is one who is stronger, who can bring the victory, and His name is Jesus Christ. Only God, through His Spirit, watch this, and you yielding to Him. You say, I've got a responsibility in it? Absolutely. You get to choose. Isn't that good? You get to choose. [01:27:24] (28 seconds)
So let me conclude all this. Go ahead and stand with me this morning. Romans 12, 1 and 2. It said, beloved friends, what should our prayer response to God's marvelous mercies be? To surrender. Somebody say surrender. Oh, we're talking about the will now. To surrender our will. To surrender yourselves to God. To be his sacred, watch this, living sacrifice. [01:32:50] (32 seconds)
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