True Worship: Surrendering Control to God

Devotional

Day 1: Intimacy in Worship Transforms Us

True worship is an intimate encounter with God that goes beyond mere religious rituals. It is in this sacred space that one's heart is laid bare before the Almighty, allowing for a genuine connection that transcends the superficiality of performance. Worship is an opportunity to minister to the Lord, to express love and adoration for who He is, rather than what can be gained from Him. Yet, in this divine exchange, God, in His abundant generosity, pours out blessings upon the worshipper. This relationship is not founded on obligation or duty but is a lifegiving experience rooted in mutual love and trust. As worshippers, the call is to approach God with a contrite and humble heart, fully aware that the act of worship itself is a gift that nurtures the soul and strengthens the bond between Creator and creation. [49:33]

Psalm 51:16-17 (ESV)
"For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a more intimate and heart-centered approach to worship in your daily life?

Day 2: Trusting the All-Powerful, All-Knowing God

Understanding God's omnipotence and omniscience is crucial to developing a deep trust in Him. When one grasps the reality that God is all-powerful and all-knowing, it becomes easier to relinquish control and trust that He will navigate us through even the most challenging circumstances. This trust is not born out of naivety but out of a recognition of God's sovereign power and perfect knowledge. It is a trust that acknowledges God's ability to bring about good from any situation, as seen in the life of Job, who received double blessings after his trials. By surrendering to God's will, believers can find peace in the midst of chaos, knowing that the One who holds the universe in His hands is also intimately involved in the details of their lives. [49:33]

Isaiah 40:28 (ESV)
"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable."

Reflection: In what situation do you need to release control and trust in God's omnipotence and omniscience today?

Day 3: Surrender as an Act of Worship

True worship involves a deliberate act of surrender to God's will, much like David, who chose to trust in God amidst family turmoil and betrayal. This surrender is not a passive resignation but an active decision to trust in God's perfect plan for one's life. It is a recognition that God's ways are higher than human ways and that His wisdom surpasses all understanding. In the act of surrender, there is freedom from the need to manage every outcome, and a peace that comes from trusting in the One who is in control of all things. This trust is not blind but is based on the character of God, who is faithful and just, and whose love endures forever. [49:33]

2 Chronicles 20:12 (ESV)
"O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."

Reflection: What does surrendering to God's will look like in your current circumstances, and how can you practice this surrender daily?

Day 4: Obedience and Trust in Divine Promises

The story of Abraham and Isaac is a powerful example of worship as an act of obedience and trust in God's promises. Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son was a profound demonstration of his faith in God's character and His covenant. It is this kind of faith that God desires from His followers—a faith that is willing to obey, even when the path seems incomprehensible. Worship, therefore, is not just about songs and prayers but is also about living a life of obedience to God's commands and trusting in His promises, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill them. [49:33]

Genesis 22:14 (ESV)
"So Abraham called the name of that place, 'The LORD will provide'; as it is said to this day, 'On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.'"

Reflection: How can you demonstrate obedience to God's commands and trust in His promises in a practical way this week?

Day 5: Communion as the Ultimate Surrender

Communion is a time to reflect on the ultimate act of surrender—Jesus Christ giving up His life on the cross. This act of love and obedience to the Father's will is the heart of Christian worship. As believers partake in communion, they are invited to lay down their own lives, to surrender their wills, and to embrace Jesus as Lord and Savior. This surrender is not a one-time event but a continuous journey of yielding to Christ's lordship. It is in this act of surrender that believers find true life, as they die to self and rise with Christ in newness of life. [49:33]

Philippians 2:8 (ESV)
"And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

Reflection: As you prepare to take communion, what areas of your life do you need to surrender to Christ, and how can this act of surrender deepen your relationship with Him?

Sermon Summary

In our journey through the series on true worship, we have come to understand that worship is not merely a religious exercise, but an intimate act of drawing near to God with a contrite heart. Worship is about ministering to the Lord, not for Him to minister to us, although He is a generous God who gives abundantly. We have seen that even in the midst of trials, such as those faced by Job, God's intention is to bring about a greater good, to give back double for our troubles.

We have explored the story of David, who in the face of immense family turmoil and betrayal, chose to trust God rather than take matters into his own hands. David's act of worship was to abandon control, to surrender to God's will, and to trust in His character. This act of surrender is not passive; it is an active trust in the God who knows all and is all-powerful.

We have also delved into the character of God, focusing on His omnipotence and omniscience. Understanding these attributes of God allows us to trust Him more deeply. For instance, Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac was rooted in his understanding of God's power to raise the dead. Abraham trusted God's character and His promises, even when God's request seemed incomprehensible.

In our own lives, we are called to trust God's character, to surrender control, and to worship Him in spirit and truth. We are to lift our hands, sing praises, and prostrate ourselves before Him, not as a religious ritual, but as a genuine expression of our trust in His omnipotence and omniscience.

As we prepare to take communion, we are reminded of the ultimate act of surrender—Jesus on the cross, who trusted the Father's will above His own. We are called to follow His example, to give up control, and to trust in God's perfect knowledge and power over our lives.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Psalm 40:3 suggest about the relationship between worship and trust in God?
According to James 4:8, what are the steps we must take to draw near to God?
In Genesis 22, how did Abraham demonstrate his trust in God's character?

Interpretation Questions

How does understanding God's omnipotence and omniscience help us to trust Him more deeply? ([06:56])
What does it mean to "minister to the Lord" as opposed to expecting Him to minister to us? ([02:00])
How does the story of David's response to Absalom's rebellion illustrate the concept of surrendering control to God? ([23:43])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you faced a difficult situation. How did your understanding of God's character influence your response? ([06:56])
In what areas of your life do you find it hardest to surrender control to God? What steps can you take to trust Him more in these areas? ([05:10])
How can you incorporate the act of "ministering to the Lord" into your daily worship practices? ([02:00])
Think about a recent trial or challenge you faced. How can you see God's hand in bringing about a greater good through that situation? ([02:40])
How can you actively draw near to God this week, as encouraged in James 4:8? What practical steps will you take? ([01:25])
During communion, we remember Jesus' ultimate act of surrender. How can you emulate this surrender in your own life? ([36:55])
Identify one specific way you can trust God's plan over your own in a current situation you are facing. How will you act on this trust? ([23:43])

Sermon Clips

"To really trust God more, we have to know his character more because the more we know of his character, the more we can trust him." [34:12] (Download | )

"True worship is abandoning control of your life to God. It's releasing to God, it's surrendering to him, it's offering up." [19:28] (Download | )

"Abraham considered it reasonable to believe that God was able to raise Isaac even from the dead... Abraham did receive him back from the dead figuratively speaking." [09:44] (Download | )

"David writes he's put a new song in my mouth and I'm going to give up control in this situation... when you truly worship, there is a mystery that happens, and God steps in." [35:37] (Download | )

"God has all power... when it dawns on us that he has all power, there's this part of us that we can really begin to trust him more." [07:38] (Download | )

"God is the omniscient one... we have to trust God's omniscience in these things and when we yield control, we can trust someone who knows everything about us." [21:21] (Download | )

"Sometimes God might be asking you to give up control in that area... I'm going to trust you with my life and future, you God can do whatever you seem fit to me." [27:54] (Download | )

"God is not worried about what's going to happen... He's the Alpha, the Omega, the beginning and the end, He is all power." [08:21] (Download | Download cropped video)

"God is always right and that's the one that has all knowledge, that is God Almighty... He's the one we need to put our trust in." [20:45] (Download | )

"Abraham... was willing to... give [Isaac] up... God wanted to see if Abraham loved Him more than his beloved own son Isaac." [15:11] (Download | )

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