Unwavering Faith: Surrendering to God's Will
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound importance of unwavering faith and total surrender to God. We began by emphasizing that our worship and praise should never be intimidated by others' opinions because our devotion is to God alone. We acknowledged that marriages and homes are under constant attack by the enemy, who seeks to destroy peace and unity. However, through prayer and the grace of God, we can stand firm and victorious.
We delved into Romans 10:17, which teaches that faith comes by hearing the Word of God. In a world filled with countless voices, it is crucial to discern and listen to God's voice above all. Many people seek preachers who tell them what they want to hear, but true faith requires hearing and obeying the gospel, even when it challenges us.
We discussed the necessity of surrendering to God's will, which begins with a robust prayer life. Surrendering to God transforms our actions, thoughts, and behaviors, aligning them with His will. We must maintain a constant need for God, recognizing that without Him, we can do nothing of eternal significance.
The sermon also highlighted the importance of the gifts of the Spirit, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 12. These gifts, such as wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, and prophecy, are given to benefit the entire body of Christ. They are not reserved for the most mature believers but are available to all who are filled with the Holy Spirit. We are encouraged to earnestly desire and pray for these gifts to operate in our lives, as they enable us to bless others and fulfill God's purposes.
Finally, we were reminded that the enemy seeks to distract and discourage us, especially when we are on the verge of a breakthrough. By recognizing and resisting these attacks, we can maintain our focus on God's promises and walk in the confidence that comes from knowing who we are in Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. Unwavering Worship and Praise: Our worship should never be influenced by others' opinions because it is directed to God alone. True worship acknowledges God's sovereignty and remains steadfast despite external pressures. This kind of worship brings us into alignment with God's will and opens the door for His blessings in our lives. [05:32]
2. Faith Comes by Hearing God's Word: In a world filled with many voices, it is crucial to discern and prioritize hearing God's Word. True faith is built on the foundation of God's Word, and it requires obedience to the gospel. Listening to God's voice above all others leads to a deeper, more authentic faith. [08:46]
3. Total Surrender to God's Will: Surrendering to God begins with a robust prayer life and transforms our actions, thoughts, and behaviors. It is essential to maintain a constant need for God, recognizing that without Him, we can do nothing of eternal significance. This surrender brings about a profound change in our lives, aligning us with God's purposes. [14:58]
4. The Gifts of the Spirit: The gifts of the Spirit, such as wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, and prophecy, are given to benefit the entire body of Christ. These gifts are not reserved for the most mature believers but are available to all who are filled with the Holy Spirit. We should earnestly desire and pray for these gifts to operate in our lives. [30:15]
5. Resisting the Enemy's Distractions: The enemy seeks to distract and discourage us, especially when we are on the verge of a breakthrough. By recognizing and resisting these attacks, we can maintain our focus on God's promises and walk in the confidence that comes from knowing who we are in Christ. This awareness helps us to stay grounded in faith and continue to pursue God's will. [51:06]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[05:32] - Unwavering Worship and Praise
[07:02] - The Power of Prayer
[08:46] - Faith Comes by Hearing God's Word
[10:18] - Discernment in a Noisy World
[11:56] - The Challenge of True Faith
[12:26] - The Narrow Path to Life
[14:06] - Surrendering to God's Will
[14:58] - The Priority of Surrender
[16:22] - The Importance of Prayer
[18:19] - Maintaining a Need for God
[20:34] - The Power of 9-1-1 Prayers
[23:41] - Operating in the Gifts of the Spirit
[30:15] - Understanding Spiritual Gifts
[51:06] - Resisting the Enemy's Distractions
[55:03] - The Gift of Faith
[01:02:43] - Coveting the Best Gifts
[01:04:25] - Binding Together in Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 10:17 (KJV) - "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
2. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (KJV) - "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 10:17, how does faith come to us? What is the significance of hearing the Word of God in building our faith? ([08:46])
2. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, what are some of the gifts of the Spirit mentioned? How are these gifts meant to benefit the body of Christ? ([30:15])
3. The sermon mentioned that our worship should not be influenced by others' opinions. Why is it important to maintain unwavering worship and praise directed to God alone? ([05:32])
4. How does the enemy try to distract and discourage us, especially when we are on the verge of a breakthrough? ([51:06])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Romans 10:17 emphasizes the importance of hearing the Word of God. How can we ensure that we are listening to God's voice above all others in our daily lives? ([08:46])
2. The sermon discussed the necessity of total surrender to God's will. How does a robust prayer life contribute to this surrender, and what changes might we see in our actions and thoughts as a result? ([14:58])
3. The gifts of the Spirit are given to benefit the entire body of Christ. How can we earnestly desire and pray for these gifts to operate in our lives, and what impact might this have on our community? ([30:15])
4. The sermon highlighted the enemy's tactics to distract us. How can recognizing and resisting these attacks help us maintain our focus on God's promises? ([51:06])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current worship practices. Are there any external opinions or pressures that have influenced your worship? How can you refocus your worship to be directed to God alone? ([05:32])
2. In what ways can you prioritize hearing God's Word in your daily routine? Are there specific steps you can take to minimize distractions and focus on God's voice? ([08:46])
3. Consider your prayer life. How can you develop a more robust and consistent prayer routine that aligns your will with God's will? What specific changes can you make this week to surrender more fully to God? ([14:58])
4. Identify one or two gifts of the Spirit that you feel called to pray for. How can you actively seek these gifts and use them to benefit others in your church or community? ([30:15])
5. Think about a recent time when you felt distracted or discouraged. How did you respond, and what could you do differently next time to resist the enemy's attacks and stay focused on God's promises? ([51:06])
6. How can you create a constant need for God in your life, recognizing that without Him, you can do nothing of eternal significance? What practical steps can you take to maintain this awareness daily? ([18:19])
7. Reflect on a situation where you felt the enemy was attacking your home or marriage. How did you respond, and what strategies can you implement to protect your home and stand firm in God's grace? ([05:32])
Devotional
### 5-Day Devotional
Day 1: Unwavering Worship and Praise
Our worship should never be influenced by others' opinions because it is directed to God alone. True worship acknowledges God's sovereignty and remains steadfast despite external pressures. This kind of worship brings us into alignment with God's will and opens the door for His blessings in our lives. Worship is not just about singing songs or attending church services; it is a lifestyle that reflects our reverence and love for God. When we worship God with an undivided heart, we experience His presence and power in profound ways.
In a world where opinions and judgments are rampant, it is easy to feel intimidated or discouraged. However, our focus should remain on God, who is the ultimate audience of our worship. By keeping our eyes on Him, we can worship freely and authentically, knowing that our praise is pleasing to Him. This unwavering worship not only strengthens our relationship with God but also serves as a testimony to others of His greatness and faithfulness. [05:32]
Psalm 29:2 (ESV): "Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness."
Reflection: Think about a time when you felt pressured to conform to others' expectations in your worship. How can you refocus your heart and mind to worship God alone, regardless of external opinions?
Day 2: Faith Comes by Hearing God's Word
In a world filled with many voices, it is crucial to discern and prioritize hearing God's Word. True faith is built on the foundation of God's Word, and it requires obedience to the gospel. Listening to God's voice above all others leads to a deeper, more authentic faith. Many people seek preachers who tell them what they want to hear, but true faith requires hearing and obeying the gospel, even when it challenges us.
Romans 10:17 teaches that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. This means that our faith is strengthened and deepened as we immerse ourselves in Scripture. In a noisy world, it is essential to filter out the distractions and focus on God's voice. By doing so, we can develop a faith that is resilient and unwavering, capable of withstanding the trials and challenges of life. [08:46]
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV): "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to prioritize hearing God's Word in your daily routine? How can you create a habit of listening to God's voice above all others?
Day 3: Total Surrender to God's Will
Surrendering to God begins with a robust prayer life and transforms our actions, thoughts, and behaviors. It is essential to maintain a constant need for God, recognizing that without Him, we can do nothing of eternal significance. This surrender brings about a profound change in our lives, aligning us with God's purposes. When we surrender to God, we acknowledge His sovereignty and trust in His perfect plan for our lives.
A life of surrender is marked by humility and dependence on God. It involves letting go of our own desires and ambitions and allowing God to lead us. This can be challenging, especially when His will differs from our own plans. However, true surrender brings peace and fulfillment, as we align ourselves with God's greater purpose. Through prayer and a deep relationship with God, we can cultivate a heart of surrender and experience the transformative power of His presence. [14:58]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 4: The Gifts of the Spirit
The gifts of the Spirit, such as wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, and prophecy, are given to benefit the entire body of Christ. These gifts are not reserved for the most mature believers but are available to all who are filled with the Holy Spirit. We should earnestly desire and pray for these gifts to operate in our lives. The gifts of the Spirit enable us to bless others and fulfill God's purposes, contributing to the growth and edification of the church.
Understanding and operating in the gifts of the Spirit requires a willingness to be used by God and a desire to serve others. These gifts are not for personal gain but for the common good, helping to build up the body of Christ. By seeking and utilizing these gifts, we can make a significant impact in our communities and bring glory to God. It is important to remember that the Holy Spirit distributes these gifts according to His will, and we should be open and receptive to His leading. [30:15]
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (ESV): "To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills."
Reflection: Which spiritual gift do you feel God is calling you to seek and develop? How can you use this gift to serve and edify the body of Christ?
Day 5: Resisting the Enemy's Distractions
The enemy seeks to distract and discourage us, especially when we are on the verge of a breakthrough. By recognizing and resisting these attacks, we can maintain our focus on God's promises and walk in the confidence that comes from knowing who we are in Christ. This awareness helps us to stay grounded in faith and continue to pursue God's will. The enemy's tactics are often subtle, aiming to divert our attention and weaken our resolve.
To resist the enemy's distractions, we must be vigilant and rooted in God's Word. Prayer and spiritual discernment are essential tools in recognizing and combating these attacks. By staying connected to God and relying on His strength, we can overcome the enemy's schemes and remain steadfast in our faith. It is important to remember that we are not alone in this battle; God is with us, and He has equipped us with the armor of God to stand firm against the enemy. [51:06]
Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV): "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil."
Reflection: Identify a recent distraction or discouragement that has hindered your spiritual growth. How can you actively resist this distraction and refocus on God's promises today?
Quotes
1. "Something's been moving in this atmosphere from the moment somebody started praying this morning. Something started shifting in the atmosphere. You walked into the house of God, you thought you just walked into another Sunday morning service. You actually walked into a Holy Ghost prayer meeting. Somebody's been praying for you since the moment they woke up this morning. Somebody's been praying over your marriage. Somebody's been praying over your children. Somebody's been praying over your home. The only reason you can stand and worship God in his presence is because somebody else has been paying a price and you're here by the grace of God." [07:02] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "There's a lot of people in the world today that are walking around and they're listening to the wrong voices. There are 10,000 voices in the world. There's TikTok. A lot of voices on TikTok. And they're all right. You know everybody on TikTok's got to be telling the truth. Right? I mean, they got a lot of followers. You know they're influencers. Influencers. of funny when you bring like pop culture into the church. People are like, oh, that word doesn't really fit well in the kingdom of God, does it? I want to be an influencer. I want to be a preacher. That's what they are on TikTok, preaching." [10:18] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Surrendering to the will of God is paramount. It's primary. It is the priority. You know, it's interesting that priorities is actually a modern word. Priorities was never plural. How could you have priorities when priority means the most important thing? You can't have the most important things. No. Amen. Seek ye first the kingdom of God. And his righteousness." [14:58] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When you start surrendering to God, it's going to start showing up in the way you pray. It's going to start showing up in the way that you act. It's going to start showing up in the way that you behave. It's going to start showing up in the way that you think of yourself. Your actions is going to start changing. Why? Because when you change the inside of a man, all of a sudden things start manifesting on the outside of it." [15:47] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You can't do anything without me. He said, without me, you can't do nothing. Well, no, I can do whatever I want without God. Well, okay. You start talking about the natural. Sure, you can live your life the way you want to live it. But if you want to accomplish anything, anything in this life that's of a spiritual nature if you want to make a kingdom impact you can't do it without Jesus it is essential to learn how to maintain a need for God you can't be the best husband without God you can't be the best son or daughter without God you can't be the best wife or spouse without what what what are you going to do of eternal consequence without God that's why he said without me you can't do anything and when God says you can do nothing that means nothing we need a good revelation of without me you can do nothing nothing." [18:19] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "I'm challenging somebody today to throw your professional Christianism out the window and say dear God give me a revelation of how much I need you we need him I'm a little concerned that people don't think they need him you especially leaders that think they don't need him people that are leading others that don't need to pray because they can do it god are all figured out let me tell you amen i need him you need him and there's something that happens the more we realize we need him the greater our confidence." [20:34] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "God loves answering your prayers god's interested in you operating in faith now hey this is going to go somewhere and i don't know what's going to happen but it's going to be awesome because somebody's getting ready to get a new level of faith you've never walked in before i just want to ask you how much does god believe that he can do anything you ever thought about i wonder if god ever wonders if he can do something of course you don't think that way would be silly god said let there be light he didn't wonder if light was going to appear god said let the earth bring forth birds and fish and and the waters bring forth fish and the and birds and and let the land bring forth animals god didn't wonder if it was going to happen amen i'm going to tell you that's the kind of faith god wants inside of you." [22:16] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "The gift of faith is like a rising tide. It lifts all boats from the junk moat, junk boat to the queen Mary, Chinese boat, by the way, China boat gift of faith is like a rising tide. You know what it does? When faith comes in the room, everything activates. Things start happening. It's here right now. It's been here since we started worshiping God. Amen. Oh, hallelujah. Hear my heart today. I'm not trying to preach you a pretty sermon today. I'm not even trying to impress you with my preaching. I'm not trying to bore you to tears, but I'm trying to get your attention today on something that matters. And that is something that you need desperately. And that is the faith of God. And you cannot operate in the faith of God. If you're constantly controlling your life, you got to surrender." [46:17] (70 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "The moment you quit lusting after your neighbor, coveting your neighbor, envying your neighbor. Hello, this is all flesh. And you start saying, God, I want to see my neighbor blessed. I want to see my neighbor prosper. I want to see my brother and my sister reach their full potential. I want to see the people of God win. I want to see the people in this world say the moment I transfer my attention from, I don't, it must be nice to, for what they have. The moment I quit envying those around me and I start blessing those around me, the gifts start activating. Why? Because when my attention is to bless somebody else, God says, I can help you with that." [39:59] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "If your home has been attacked by the enemy this week, I want you to step out with your spouse and walk to the front. I know it was attacked because I said last Sunday, enemy's coming. Beware. Come on to the front. I know it's, man, we preached good today. We preached a long time. Actually, they sang a long time. They took my time. They sang and sang and sang. And I'm like, I need to preach and preach and preach. And they kept singing and singing. I thought, well, I'll just preach and preach. No. If your home was attacked today, come on. Oh, my goodness. Are y'all ready to get the victory? Are y'all ready to get the victory? I'm going to give you one good word of advice. Just keep your mouth shut. It makes a lot better. Now, come on up. Step up. Step up. I'm teasing. Come on." [01:04:02] (65 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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