Surrender

The Christian and Surrender

Saul had to come to a place of surrender

4. The Christian and Surrender

Acts 9:6 NKJV

6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

SURRENDER

Surrender involves these three things:

Surrender involves these three things:

Denial—. Denial really means “forgetting self.” Forgetting selfish desires, plans, and ambitions.

A. Denial—. Denial really means “forgetting self.” Forgetting selfish desires, plans, and ambitions. This requires putting Christ first in all we do—.

Luke 9:23 NKJV

23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

This “denial” requires putting Christ first in all we do (seek first the kingdom of God—.)

B. Dedication—. Dedication means “to give.” The person without dedication seeks to get—not give! No one knows real joy and peace until he learns to give: (1) his time, (2) his body, and (3) his money.

Dedication—. (Present yourselves to God as Living Sacrifice)

Dedication means “to give.” The person without dedication seeks to get—not give! No one knows real joy and peace until he learns to give: (1) his time, (2) his body, and (3) his money.

C. Determination—. Nothing could discourage Paul. Real surrender will bring determination. What keeps people from real surrender, which brings this determination? (1) Persecution, (2) people, and (3) problems.

Determination—. Nothing could discourage Paul. Real surrender will bring determination.

What keeps people from real surrender, which brings this determination?

(1) Problems, (2) People, and (3) .Persecution

There must be daily surrender! Once a year, month, week is not enough! God wants daily surrender.

There must be daily surrender! Once a year, month, or once in a while is not enough! God wants daily surrender.

STABLE

Stable in your walk—. Some people talk about Christ but their walk denies it!

Galatians 5:16 NKJV

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Galatians 5:6 NKJV

6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

B. Stable in your worship—. Nothing hinders the work of God, and the Christian, more than indifference. Faithfulness is not only requested—it’s required.

Stable in your worship—. Nothing hinders the work of God, and the Christian, more than indifference.

Faithfulness is not only requested—it’s required.

Revelation 2:10 NKJV

10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Consider Daniel when he was thrown into the lion’s den. - He did not become faithful then - he was already faithful.

Stable in your work—. Put your heart into all you do.

C. Stable in your work—. Put your heart into all you do. A lazy person at his job will be lazy toward God. God cannot use lazy people. All the people He called to do His work were busy people.

A lazy person at his job will be lazy toward God. God cannot use lazy people.

All the people He called to do His work were busy people. (James, John & Peter, Matthew, Paul, etc.)

D. Stable in your witness—. A person witnesses in two ways:

Stable in your witness—. A person witnesses in two ways:

By conduct—. (they were called Christians in Antioch) The leaders saw Jesus in Peter and John.

Your conduct will be a witness for Christ, or against you - conduct matters.

By conversation—. They went house to house.

Acts 20:20 NKJV

20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house,

All Christians are supposed to be witnesses by the way

Why are so many Christians under cover?

Consider people like Nick Vujicic and David Ring

What’s your excuse? (or problem)

III. SINCERE

SINCERE

The world is filled with “phonies” (hypocrites). People may overlook your failures and mistakes. But they will not overlook your insincerity.

Sincere actions—. If a real Christian, will be sincere in serving and following Christ.

Luke 6:46 NKJV

46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?

Luke 6:43–46 NKJV

43 “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. 46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?

Sincere attitudes—. You are what you think.

Proverbs 23:7 NKJV

7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you.

pro

Always have a positive attitude—.

People can sense your attitudes.

Sincere affections—. What we love most will control us. Love for God will cause us to do the right thing.

John 14:15 NKJV

15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.

SELFLESS

True Surrender results in selflessness

Selfless is the opposite of selfish (Christianity not Selfianity)

When self is surrendered, we can truly help others (acts 16:31)

Acts 16:28–33 NKJV

28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” 29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.

Acts 16:30–33 NKJV

30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.

Selfless in our actions

Selfless in our giving

Selfless in our conversations

Dwight Moody: “The world has yet to see what God could do with a man who was fully surrendered (yielded) to His Will

You can decide to be that man (or woman) today.