Trusting God: Surrendering Control and Finding Peace

 

Summary

The sermon begins with the pastor emphasizing the importance of surrendering control to God and trusting in His provision. The pastor shares personal experiences of finding a new church and the transformation they have experienced, attributing it to God's provision and power. The congregation is encouraged to trust in God's power for their present circumstances and to have hope for the future. The pastor also addresses the issue of worry, explaining that it stems from a lack of trust in God's power and a desire for control. The antidote to worry, according to the pastor, is surrendering control to God and acknowledging our vulnerability.

The pastor then focuses on Jesus' teachings about worry and peace. Jesus encourages his disciples to look at the birds and see how God provides for them without them having to toil or worry. He also tells them to look at the flowers and marvel at the intricate beauty that God has created. By looking at these examples, Jesus wants his followers to recognize that God cares for them and will provide for their needs. The pastor concludes by reminding the congregation to look around and see the evidence of God's care and provision in their own lives.

The sermon also explores the theme of humanity's role as rulers and managers of the Earth. The pastor references Genesis, where God creates mankind in His image and gives them the responsibility to rule over the creatures of the Earth. This dominion does not imply ruling with evil or maliciousness, but rather ruling with kindness, justice, and righteousness. The pastor also mentions Jesus' words in Revelation, where He promises those who are victorious the right to sit with Him on His throne.

The pastor addresses the issue of worry and its root cause, explaining that worry stems from a lack of trust in God's power and a desire for control. The pastor emphasizes that worry is disobedience to God's will and calls on Christians to recognize this and turn away from worry. The antidote to worry, according to the pastor, is surrendering control to God and acknowledging our vulnerability.

Finally, the pastor reflects on the blessings and goodness of God in various aspects of life. The pastor begins by acknowledging the importance of friends and expresses gratitude for their presence, emphasizing that God is the one who brings people into our lives. The pastor then discusses the topic of having children, sharing personal experiences and highlighting the joy and love that comes with parenthood. The pastor encourages those who desire to have children or are in a season of waiting to trust in God's timing and plan.

Key Takeaways:

- Surrendering control to God and trusting in His provision is a key theme of the sermon. The pastor emphasizes that worry stems from a lack of trust in God's power and a desire for control. By surrendering control to God and acknowledging our vulnerability, we can find peace and freedom from worry ([12:45]).

- Jesus' teachings about worry and peace are highlighted. Jesus encourages his disciples to look at the birds and see how God provides for them without them having to toil or worry. He also tells them to look at the flowers and marvel at the intricate beauty that God has created. These examples serve as reminders of God's care and provision ([22:30]).

- The pastor explores the theme of humanity's role as rulers and managers of the Earth. This dominion does not imply ruling with evil or maliciousness, but rather ruling with kindness, justice, and righteousness. This theme is reinforced in other parts of the Bible, such as the Psalms and the writings of Paul ([34:15]).

- The pastor addresses the issue of worry and its root cause, explaining that worry stems from a lack of trust in God's power and a desire for control. The antidote to worry, according to the pastor, is surrendering control to God and acknowledging our vulnerability ([45:20]).

- The pastor reflects on the blessings and goodness of God in various aspects of life. The pastor begins by acknowledging the importance of friends and expresses gratitude for their presence, emphasizing that God is the one who brings people into our lives. The pastor then discusses the topic of having children, sharing personal experiences and highlighting the joy and love that comes with parenthood ([56:30]).

Study Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:26-34
2. Genesis 1:26-28
3. John 16:33

Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 6:26-34, what examples does Jesus use to illustrate God's provision and care for His creation?
2. What responsibilities and roles are given to mankind according to Genesis 1:26-28?
3. In John 16:33, what does Jesus promise His followers in the midst of worldly troubles?

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:26-34 challenge our common attitudes towards worry and control?
2. In Genesis 1:26-28, what does it mean for mankind to be created in God's image and to rule over the earth? How does this relate to our understanding of power and control?
3. How does Jesus' statement in John 16:33 about overcoming the world provide comfort and peace in the face of worry and trouble?

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt worried or anxious. How might Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:26-34 change your perspective on that situation?
2. Considering Genesis 1:26-28, how can you exercise your God-given authority in a way that reflects kindness, justice, and righteousness in your daily interactions this week?
3. In light of John 16:33, what is one practical step you can take to surrender your worries to God and trust in His overcoming power in the coming week?
4. Can you identify a specific area in your life where you struggle to surrender control to God? What is one action you can take to trust God's provision in this area?
5. Reflect on the relationships in your life. How can you express gratitude for the people God has placed in your life this week?

Devotional

Day 1: Surrendering Control to Find Peace

When we surrender control to God and trust in His provision, we find peace and freedom from worry. Worry stems from a lack of trust in God's power and a desire for control. By acknowledging our vulnerability and surrendering control, we can experience the peace that surpasses all understanding ([12:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6hqdfUgcfo&t=750s)).

Psalm 55:22 - "Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to surrender control to God? How can you actively trust Him in this area this week?

Day 2: God's Care and Provision

Jesus teaches us to look at the birds and the flowers as reminders of God's care and provision. He provides for them without them having to toil or worry. This serves as a reminder that God cares for us and will provide for our needs ([22:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6hqdfUgcfo&t=1335s)).

Matthew 6:26 - "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"

Reflection: What is one way you have seen God's provision in your life recently? How can you remind yourself of His care when worry creeps in?

Day 3: Ruling with Kindness, Justice, and Righteousness

As humans, we are given the responsibility to rule over the Earth. This dominion does not imply ruling with evil or maliciousness, but rather ruling with kindness, justice, and righteousness ([34:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6hqdfUgcfo&t=2040s)).

Proverbs 29:4 - "By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down."

Reflection: How can you exercise your God-given authority in a way that promotes kindness, justice, and righteousness in your sphere of influence?

Day 4: Overcoming Worry through Surrender

Worry stems from a lack of trust in God's power and a desire for control. The antidote to worry is surrendering control to God and acknowledging our vulnerability ([45:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6hqdfUgcfo&t=2705s)).

1 Peter 5:7 - "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Reflection: What worries are you holding onto that you need to surrender to God? How can you remind yourself of God's power and care when you are tempted to worry?

Day 5: Recognizing God's Blessings

God blesses us in various aspects of life. He brings people into our lives and gives us the joy and love that comes with parenthood. Trusting in God's timing and plan is crucial ([56:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6hqdfUgcfo&t=3375s)).

James 1:17 - "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

Reflection: What are some blessings in your life that you can thank God for today? How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude even in seasons of waiting?

Quotes

1. "God just did it for you, you just showed up. God provided for you." [29:52] This quote reminds us that sometimes all we need to do is show up and trust that God will take care of the rest. It's a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and provision in our lives.

2. "Look at what he's forgiven in your life, look at what he's redeemed from your past. You couldn't do that, but God did that. You can trust him with his power." [30:22] This quote encourages us to reflect on the incredible work of redemption that God has done in our lives. It reminds us that we can trust God with our past, present, and future because of his power and faithfulness.

3. "Worry is the fruit of the belief that God can't be trusted with his power, but peace is the fruit of knowing that he can be trusted." [31:37] This quote challenges us to examine our trust in God and reminds us that worry stems from doubting God's ability to take care of us. It encourages us to choose peace by fully trusting in God's power and faithfulness.

4. "Jesus is making this connection that our level of worry and our level of peace has everything to do with where we look. It's almost as if what you see is what you get when it comes to worry and peace." [25:00] This quote emphasizes the importance of perspective in our spiritual journey. It encourages us to focus on God's provision and care, rather than our worries and fears.

5. "God cares for these little sparrows, it's wild. And don't just look up, look down, look at the flowers right in front of you too. An artist with a million of hours couldn't make something like that, but God did it just like that. And these things just get thrown into the fire tomorrow, and God has that much care and provision and love for that, like it's amazing." [26:45] This quote reminds us of God's care and provision in the natural world, encouraging us to trust in His care for us.

6. "You made mankind rulers over the works of your hands, you put everything under their feet." [20:02] This quote emphasizes our God-given responsibility and authority over creation, reminding us to exercise this dominion with kindness and justice.

7. "We are made in God's image, and that means that we are to rule as a righteous manager or governor... we are given dominion over absolutely everything except God himself." [21:14] This quote reinforces our role as stewards of God's creation, reminding us to rule with righteousness and humility.

8. "Worry is what happens when we want God's power for ourselves... it's just revealing the illusion that we live with, that we had any control in the first place." [17:39] This quote challenges us to surrender our illusion of control and trust in God's power and provision.

9. "If you want to live a life free of worry, you have to first get to that posture of surrender, that God, I am not in control. If that's you today, just pray this with me right now: 'God, I'm not gonna fight you anymore. I trust your power and your goodness towards me, and so I surrender.'" [24:27] This quote encourages us to surrender our worries and fears to God, trusting in His power and goodness.

10. "I didn't realize how much joy and love having kids would bring me. I'm so thankful that God knew better than me." [27:52] This quote reflects on the blessings and goodness of God in the aspect of parenthood, reminding us to trust in God's timing and plan.

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Transcript
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