The act of surrender
Romans 12:1-2
Introduction-
As we continue to look at being like Jesus, I would like to talk about surrendering our lives to Him. The act of surrender.
The world’s definition of surrender would be an act of failure, an act of greater power defeating a weaker power. I want you to see what God says about surrender and what that looks like in a dedicated believer’s life.
Webster-
“To yield to the power, control, or possession of another upon compulsion or demand.”
(The stronger overtaking the weaker)
God’s definition as it applies to our lives –
When it is concerning the things of God and about submitting to a higher power, we would not have a chance. God could overtake us at any time, but God in His mercy and love has given us a choice with our lives. The world’s definition is of power and God’s is by love.
Romans 12:1
“ I urge you brothers and sister, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, this is your true and proper worship.”
The day that you did or the day that you would decide to give your life to Jesus, it was a commitment.
You made that by your choice that you wanted Him to be Lord of your life.
That day you went from running things to giving Him control.
We as humans settle in the fact that He has saved us but we forget the agreement that goes with it.
Salvation is free, you cannot earn it, but you have made a commitment to Christ for the rest of your life.
The nation of Israel was an example of people today-
They serve God and fall away.
They would get themselves in trouble and then turn back to God.
When things were good, they would forget God.
God was often having to correct them and lead them back into a relationship with Him.
We talked in a bible study this week how it is impossible to live our lives based upon the Ten Commandments. We cannot because all have sinned and fallen short and if you have ever broken any one of those commandments, without Jesus there would be no redemption. Because of our sin nature, without Jesus, we have no savior. It is not about being a good person.
God has an expectation of us and we should have an expectation of Him.
His expectation of us is that we are faithful to the commitment that we made to Him. He is a God that keeps His word and takes very serious our vow we made to Him. The aspect of God that we often forget is that the Old Testament is full of Scripture pointing to a jealous God. It is like a marriage covenant. He is totally committed to us and He in turn asks us to be totally committed to Him.
Our expectation of Him is He is a Holy God that will do what He says and keep all His promises that He has made to us.
He does not share His throne with anyone or anything. In fact, the first 3 commandments are relational with Him.
1. “You shall not have other gods before me.”
2. “You shall not make for yourselves an image in any form.”
3. “you shall not take the name of your Lord in vain.”
This morning, I have a two point message
I. Profile of a totally surrendered life- what does a God surrendered life look like.
II. Cost of surrendering our lives to God- They call it sacrifice for a reason.
I. What does a God surrendered life look like?
Our verse tells us that we must be living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.
A number of things jump out to me-
It is amazing how many say that they are committed to God and the things of God yet are not involved in anything that has to do with God.
You cannot be a living sacrifice to God and not be actually involved in the things of God.
Holy and pleasing to God-
We must see that as marching orders to be like Jesus, to be acting like Jesus, to want to see like Jesus.
At one point, we stop thinking it is all about us and it becomes all about Jesus.
Jesus practiced a surrendered life.
He modeled it everyday that he walked this earth.
The obvious response total surrender to God would be to allow God to so captive our hearts for today and forever that we are compelled to give up our lives to him- from love, not duty, for worship, not works.
The key question becomes “How do I cultivate a life of sacrificial services.”
Jesus said
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their lives will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.”
How do we cultivate a life of service?
Deny ourselves and pick up our cross.
We think that we will surrender this situation- that will be enough.
We think that we will surrender this part of our lives- that will be enough.
We have to commit all things-
We give up our right to do what we want because our desire is to please God.
I have to tell you that a lot of times God does give us the desires of our heart and they can become both what God wants and what we want.
As we desire to do God’s will, it becomes our will.
Corry Ten Boom-
“Don’t bother to give God instructions, just report for duty.”
“Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open.”
The gospel of Luke shows us some examples of what total surrender does not look like.
“As they (disciples and Jesus) were walking along the road, a man said to him, I will follow you wherever you go.”
This sounds like a declaration of faith and surrender.
This should of excited Jesus. This should be what he was looking for.
Jesus response
“Foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the Son of man has no place to lay his head.”
We see Jesus moving on. Why?
He expressed lip service, but no real commitment was made.
Here’s another,
Jesus says “Follow me”
“But he replied, Lord, first let me go and bury my father. Jesus said to him, let the dead bury their own dead, but you go proclaim the kingdom of God.”
This appears harsh-
You have to remember that Jesus was already with people that were sold out to spreading the gospel.
His invitation to that man was urgent and not just an RSVP to a party.
Tradition tells us here that his father had not died and was not needing arrangements made. His father was middle aged and he wanted to spend time with him until he died and then he would be committed to Christ.
Jesus read right through that excuse, it was I will…but not now.
Once again well intentional response is not the same as a committed response.
When Jesus invites us to follow Him- it is always for today, not tomorrow- today is the day of salvation.
What does a committed Christian look like?
Model Christ love to others
Walks with integrity and honesty everyday.
Despises things that displease God.
Holds true to God’s Word, no matter what.
Follows Jesus because of love, not out of fear or profit.
Denies himself and puts God and the things of God first.
Their faith is more than fire insurance from Hell, but a relationship with God, directed by God.
The last one this morning is the cost of surrendering
Closing,
Like I said a few minutes ago, it is denying yourself and picking up your cross.
Things that are not necessarily bad, but keep you from reaching your goal.
Eating a big dish of Diary Queen ice cream just before you walk into the gym.
Pounding down a diet Coke while eating 3 Big Macs.
If your goal was to lose weight, that could be a problem.
We want to get in shape, but we don’t want to make any personal sacrifices.
Being a fan is different than surrender.
One will try and one will do it with God’s help.
One will find excuses why they couldn’t and one will make sure it gets done.
You can’t “come after” Jesus without denying yourself. The phrase “deny himself” isn’t just the idea of saying no to yourself — or even resisting. The idea here is you don’t put yourself in the equation, it is all about Him.
The only way it works is to daily open our hands and surrender all to His way.
We offer every moment, every thought, every activity that happens in our life to Him.
We serve Him any way that He desires of us.
Illustration
Story of the chicken that shared with a pig his desire to prepare a special breakfast for their farmer. The chicken said to the pig, “I will provide the eggs, you provide the bacon. The pig thought about it a moment and then responded, you are only making a contribution, I am making a sacrifice.
Amen.
