Surrender to Glory
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TITLE: Surrender to Glory
INTRODUCTION
I have 2 scripture readings tonight. First, please open your bibles to Genesis Chapter 12, verse 1: I’m reading from New King James version.
1 Now the LORD had said to Abram:
“Get out of you country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.
2 I will make you into a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Now, Ephesians chapter 5, beginning at verse 25:
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she (the Bride) should be holy and without blemish.
The title of my presentation tonight is: __________. I want to talk about Surrender, hidden sin, how to remove it, what God has for us and, what’s at stake….
SURRENDER
Question: Have you surrendered everything in your life to God? Or, are you still cycling in and out of spiritual highs and personal defeats, suffering from “temporary surrenders”
Temporary Surrender
So, what do I mean by a temporary surrender? You are sitting on the throne of your life, doing this Christian thing in your own power, in your flesh and you are suffering personal defeats, setbacks. Ultimately, you cry out to God to help you. God loves you. He intervenes and comes to your rescue. He supernaturally intervenes and lifts you up to supernatural victory. He makes sure that you understand that He was the one who did it. That only He could have done this for you. You say, “Thank you, Lord!”. You throw in a couple of “Hallelujahs” for good measure and say, “I think I’ll take back control of my life – I’ll get back on my throne”. You cycle back down to another inevitable personal defeat.
The book of JUDGES is an excellent example of how the Israelites cycled in and out of spiritual highs – God’s supernatural work – and personal defeats – doing on their own. Everyone carries their own “tag” line in this. The Israelites had theirs, too. Judges tells us that the Israelites would “everyone did what was ______ right in his own eyes” Judges 21:25. Corruption from within and oppression from without. God would raise up military champions to restore the nation to pure worship. But, the “sin cycle” would return and the spiritual temperature of the nation would grow cold again.
We are just like that. That’s what I mean by a “temporary surrender”.
Total Surrender
What we need is a an final, total, all-encompassing, only
looking forward, unconditional surrender. What does that
look like? It is surrending everything in your life. The list is lengthy.
Your personal relationship with God
Show reverence and devotion to your Maker – Psalm 100:4 “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”
Your body, soul, spirit.
Your spirit having dominion over your flesh. Surrender lower nature things over to God
Your soul – your mind, will and emotions.
Your thought life – “taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ”
Your hopes, dreams, aspirations, desires – the desires of your heart.
Your obedience to God and your struggle in those areas of disobedience.
Your emotions – having an even temperament, displaying self-control.
Your relationships with people – God’s special, precious creation
If you are single. Pastor Steve talked about being Alone but not lonely.
If you are married, your husband or wife
Your children if you are parents
Your relationship with your parents. Honoring your father and mother
Your siblings – sisters and brothers
Your extended family – your kinfolk
Your friends
Your fellow brethren, your brothers and sisters
Your headship. Those in authority over you.
Your spiritual covering – Your Pastors/Elders/Deacons
The government, laws we are under
One example – If I’m old enough to “storm that machine gun net, soldier”, then why am I not old enough to drink a beer”. It doesn’t make sense, but it’s the law and we need to honor God by obeying it.
Your headship authority at work
Your vocation or profession.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” Colossians 3:23
Your possessions.
Your home/apartment/abode. Car. Clothes.
Your pocketbook.
Everything you have is His. We are just his money managers. What would you do if God literally came walking in the door and asked said. It’s time for an audit. Pull out your