Surrendering to God
Surrendering to God16
An Invitation - Part 1 - Beware of Making Excuses
By Phil Beach Jr.3636:08LUK 14:15Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the importance of responding to God's invitation without making excuses, using the parable of the great supper from Luke 14. He highlights how people often prioritize worldly concerns—like property, career, and family—over their spiritual calling, which angers the master of the house. Beach warns that making excuses can lead to missing out on the blessings of communion with God. He encourages listeners to surrender their rights and possessions to God, reminding them that true discipleship requires prioritizing God's will above all else. The sermon serves as a call to examine what excuses may be hindering one's relationship with God.
Sammy and His Mother
By D.L. Moody0MAT 11:28LUK 15:18JHN 1:12ACT 16:31ROM 10:9D.L. Moody shares a touching story about a little boy named Sammy who struggles to ask his mother for forgiveness, illustrating the difficulty of surrendering one's will. Despite his father's coaxing, Sammy insists he 'can't' ask for forgiveness, reflecting the internal struggle many face when it comes to submitting to God. Ultimately, after much tension, Sammy finally asks for forgiveness, demonstrating that while it may seem hard to come to God, it is actually the most reasonable and liberating choice one can make. Moody emphasizes that the hardest part of becoming a Christian is the unwillingness to let go of one's own will, urging listeners to come to God without delay. The sermon concludes with a call to believe in Jesus for salvation.
Dross Removal
By A.W. Tozer0PSA 51:10ISA 48:10MAT 6:19LUK 14:33ROM 12:12CO 4:16PHP 3:8HEB 12:1JAS 1:21PE 1:7A.W. Tozer emphasizes that God’s process of transforming us into extraordinary Christians often involves painful and challenging experiences, akin to a sculptor using harsh tools to shape marble. He explains that God may remove our most cherished possessions and trusts, leaving us with emptiness, but this is not about promoting poverty; rather, it is about spiritual refinement. God allows us to have these things but restricts our ability to find joy in them, ensuring they do not harm our spiritual growth. The ultimate goal is to create beauty and holiness within us through this dross removal process.
Full Potential of Grace
By Paris Reidhead6.9K54:59EPH 1:15Paris Reidhead emphasizes the transformative power of grace in the life of a believer, urging the congregation to present their entire selves to Christ so that He may live through them. He explains that this act of surrender allows believers to fulfill their purpose of bringing others from death to life, highlighting the importance of seeing others as God sees them. Reidhead encourages the faithful to understand their position in Christ, seated in the heavenly realms, and to recognize the power available to them through the resurrection of Jesus. He calls for a shift in perspective, from viewing the lost as unworthy to seeing them as potential heirs of God's grace. Ultimately, he challenges the church to engage in the spiritual battle for souls, relying on God's power to effect change.
Who Does the Ordering in Your Life?
By David Wilkerson0PSA 37:23JHN 5:30JHN 16:13ACT 1:8ROM 8:141CO 2:12GAL 5:25EPH 4:30PHP 2:132TI 1:7David Wilkerson emphasizes the necessity of allowing the Holy Spirit to have full control over our lives, as instructed by the Apostle Paul in Galatians 5:25. He points out that while many Christians acknowledge the Spirit's role in leading them to Jesus and providing comfort, they often struggle with what it truly means to walk in the Spirit. Wilkerson asserts that surrendering our will to the Holy Spirit and trusting His guidance can free us from confusion and strife. He reminds us that just as Jesus sought the Father's will, we too must seek the Spirit's direction in our lives. Ultimately, it is the Holy Spirit who orders our steps, leading us in accordance with God's will.
Give Me All Your Tomorrows
By David Wilkerson0GEN 12:1GEN 15:6PSA 37:5PRO 3:5ISA 58:11JER 29:11MAT 6:34ROM 4:16GAL 3:29HEB 11:8David Wilkerson emphasizes the profound faith of Abraham, who responded to God's call to leave everything behind and embark on an unknown journey. God instructed Abraham to surrender his future, promising guidance and blessings in return for his obedience. This call to 'give me all your tomorrows' reflects God's desire for us to trust Him with our lives, just as Abraham did, despite his age and the uncertainties he faced. Wilkerson highlights that Abraham serves as a model for all believers, illustrating the importance of faith and commitment to God's promises. Ultimately, those who believe in Christ are considered children of Abraham, sharing in the righteousness that comes from trusting in God.
Kirjath-Sepher, or the Mind of Christ
By A.B. Simpson0JOS 15:16A.B. Simpson explores the significance of Kirjath-Sepher, representing the conquest of the mind and the importance of surrendering our thoughts to Christ. He emphasizes that true victory over the carnal mind requires the power of God, as exemplified by Othniel, who represents the strength of the Holy Spirit. Simpson highlights the need for believers to receive the mind of Christ, which transforms our thoughts and speech, leading to a life filled with grace and divine blessings. The sermon illustrates how Achsah's request for springs symbolizes the abundant grace available to those who overcome their natural inclinations. Ultimately, Simpson calls for a complete surrender to God, allowing His Spirit to guide our thoughts and actions.
Counting the Cost
By Phil Beach Jr.191:00:48PHP 3:1Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the importance of discerning the voice of God through the Holy Spirit, urging believers to count the cost of discipleship. He highlights that true following of Christ requires a willingness to forsake all earthly gains and attachments, including family and personal desires, in order to fully embrace God's will. Beach warns against the dangers of covetousness and the excuses that hinder our relationship with God, calling for a radical commitment to surrender everything to Him. He encourages the church to heed the Spirit's call and to prepare for the challenges that come with a genuine pursuit of Christ. Ultimately, he reminds us that true freedom and fulfillment come from relinquishing our lives to God’s purpose.
From Strength to Strength
By A.B. Simpson0PSA 84:7ISA 40:29A.B. Simpson emphasizes the journey of believers from weakness to divine strength, illustrating how trust in God transforms the valley of weeping into a source of living water. He explains that true strength comes not from human effort but from surrendering to God's power, allowing Him to carry us through life's challenges. Simpson highlights the importance of exchanging our limited strength for God's infinite strength, which enables us to rise above trials and fulfill our spiritual calling. He encourages believers to embrace their weaknesses, as it is in those moments that God's strength is made perfect. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a deeper reliance on God to experience true spiritual elevation and victory in daily life.
(The Supreme Priorities) 4. One Thing Thou Lackest
By Zac Poonen0MRK 10:17Zac Poonen emphasizes the critical importance of prioritizing spiritual over material wealth, as illustrated by the story of the rich young ruler who, despite his moral integrity, lacked the willingness to surrender his possessions to follow Jesus. Poonen highlights that true discipleship requires a willingness to take up one's cross, which involves a separation from worldly attachments and a commitment to God's will. He warns that many young people today, like the rich young man, miss out on fulfilling their divine purpose due to their attachment to material things. The sermon calls for a deeper understanding of the cross, which signifies death to self and the world, leading to true victory and fruitfulness in Christ. Ultimately, Poonen encourages believers to embrace the cross as the only path to spiritual freedom and fulfillment.
One Path to the Throne
By David Wilkerson0ROM 12:1PHP 4:11HEB 9:26HEB 10:6David Wilkerson emphasizes that the only path to a heavenly life is through becoming a living sacrifice to God, as illustrated by Paul's experiences of suffering and contentment. He explains that this sacrifice is not about atoning for sin, which Christ has already accomplished, but about surrendering our will and ambitions to God. Wilkerson highlights that true sacrifice requires the heart and involves drawing near to God, trusting Him completely. By resigning our will to God, we can experience true contentment and rest in Christ. This lifelong commitment to God is the key to appropriating our heavenly position.
The Gifts, or the Giver?
By Watchman Nee0Watchman Nee emphasizes the profound relationship between God as the Giver and the gifts He provides, using Abraham's journey as a case study. Abraham learned that true fruitfulness and fulfillment come from God alone, not from his own efforts or the gifts he received, such as Isaac. The sermon highlights the necessity of surrendering our attachments to God's gifts in order to maintain a close relationship with Him as our Father. Ultimately, it is through trials and tests that we come to understand God's sovereignty and the importance of prioritizing our relationship with Him over His blessings. This understanding positions us to be vessels for God's divine purpose.
He Put Garrisons in Edom; and All the Edomites
By F.B. Meyer01CH 18:172CH 21:10PSA 137:7ISA 63:1JHN 16:33ROM 7:15EPH 6:10PHP 4:13COL 2:151JN 5:4F.B. Meyer explores the relationship between Edom and Israel, symbolizing the ongoing struggle between the flesh and the spirit. He emphasizes that, like Edom's repeated attempts to regain independence, we often battle our own sinful nature. Meyer draws parallels to Jesus as the mighty Conqueror who triumphs over our spiritual foes, urging us to surrender our conflicts to Him completely. He encourages believers to stop relying on their own efforts and instead allow Jesus to handle their struggles with sin and temptation. The sermon calls for a total resignation of the fight to Christ, who has already secured victory on our behalf.
What Will You Do With Your Little Lunch
By Heidi Baker2848:21JHN 6:1Heidi Baker shares a powerful message about the significance of our seemingly insignificant lives, likening them to little lunches that can be multiplied by God for great impact. She emphasizes that, despite our feelings of inadequacy, God can use anyone who is willing to surrender their life for love and service to others. Through the story of a boy with five loaves and two fish, she illustrates how God can take our small offerings and turn them into blessings for many. Baker encourages her audience to recognize their identity as beloved children of God and to step out in faith, trusting that He will provide for the needs of the world through them. Ultimately, she calls for a response to the question, 'What will you do with your little lunch?'
Not Imitation but Incarnation
By Theodore Epp0ROM 12:1Theodore Epp emphasizes that Christ desires to live His life through us, urging believers to allow Him to use every part of their being—eyes, ears, lips, heart, mind, hands, and feet—to fulfill His mission in the world. He highlights the importance of surrendering not just our physical bodies but also our intellect, emotions, and will to Christ, enabling Him to express compassion and love through us. Epp encourages believers to bring their thoughts under Christ's control and to make decisions that honor Him, reflecting the transformative power of being baptized into Christ.
The Habit of Holy Thought
By A.W. Tozer0PSA 19:14PRO 23:7ISA 26:3MAT 6:21ROM 12:22CO 10:5PHP 4:8COL 3:2JAS 1:81PE 1:13A.W. Tozer emphasizes the significance of our thoughts in shaping our spiritual condition, urging believers to examine their voluntary thoughts to understand their true selves. He illustrates the importance of surrendering our minds to God, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts towards holiness. Tozer encourages the practice of mental prayer as a means to cultivate a habit of holy thought, suggesting that consistent communication with God can transform our thinking. He highlights the struggle many face with their thought life and calls for divine intervention to help develop a mindset aligned with God's will.