The Heart of Worship Lesson 10

Purpose Driven Life

The Heart of Worship

Lesson 10

Introduction:

Romans 6:13 NLT

13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.

· The heart of worship is surrender.

· Like the book says surrender is a hard word for us.

· Someone surrenders to the police

· Army generals surrender

· I’m fiercely independent

· Then when you add our competitive nature

· There are no self-help books on surrender – lots on how to succeed in life

· Quitter never win and winner never quit

· Now this point in my life I’m not afraid of failing – it happens often – these are learning experiences

· But to surrender is different and much harder

· But surrendering to God is the heart of worship.

· It is the natural response to God’s amazing love and mercy.

Romans 12:1 NIV

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, 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.

· We are to offer ourselves fully to God

· Three barriers to total surrender

Can I trust God? (fear)

a. Trust is an essential ingredient to surrender.

i. The opposite of trust is fear

ii. We are afraid God can’t handle our problems

iii. How do you overcome that fear?

iv. You get to know God more

The proof of this love is Jesus

i. We deserve damnation

ii. But sacrificed his son for our salvation

c. God is a God of love

i. Love is the motivation for all that God does

Admitting our limitations (pride)

a. A second barrier to total surrender is our pride.

i. We can’t admit we are not in charge

ii. It is the oldest temptation

Genesis 3:5 NLT

5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”

iv. We like to tell God what we need

v. “Lord give us the man we want”

vi. You are not God

vii. God has created you the way you are. Each has his or her measure of faith

What it means to surrender. (confusion)

a. What surrender is not

i. It is not resignation

ii. Or fatalism – you can’t use the excuse of “it is what it is”

b. It means active servanthood

i. Sacrificing your life or suffering in order to change what needs to be changed.

ii. I am tempted to cancel bible study

iii. Work is stressful - I’m tired - Lots going on –

iv. I did it once and regretted it

v. Surrendering is not for cowards or doormats.

Surrendering is best demonstrated in obedience.

i. You say “yes, Lord” to whatever he asks of you.

Luke 5:5 NIV

5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

Surrendering is demonstrated in trust

i. Abraham is an example – God to the land I will show you.

ii. Ok I will

You know you’re surrendered to God when you…

i. You let go and let God work.

ii. You don’t have to be in charge

Psalm 37:7 GW

7 Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him. Do not be preoccupied with ⌊an evildoer⌋ who succeeds in his way when he carries out his schemes.

The supreme example of self-surrender is Jesus.

Mark 14:36 NLT

36 “Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

ii. Genuine surrender says, “Father, if this problem, pain, sickness, or circumstance is needed to fulfill your purpose and glory in my life or in another’s, please don’t take it away.”

iii. Surrender is hard work.

iv. In our case, it is intense warfare against our self-centered nature.

The blessing of surrender.

a. Peace

i. Things don’t go well when we argue with God

Job 22:21 NLT

21 “Submit to God, and you will have peace; then things will go well for you.

b. Freedom

Romans 6:17–18 NLT

17 Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. 18 Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.

c. Power

i. Stubborn temptations and overwhelming problems can be defeated by Christ when given to him.

ii. Surrendered people are the ones God uses.

Luke 1:38 NLT

38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

The best way to live.

a. Surrender is not the best way to live; it is the only way to live.

i. All other approaches lead to frustration, disappointment, and self-destruction.