A Surrendered Life

A SURRENDERED LIFE

Pastor Joel Bernardino – November 1, 2025

If someone were to hold you up and say, “Your money or your life?” — which one would you choose?

Of course, we would all say, “My life!” Because life is far more valuable than money.

Now, here’s a question:

If God were to ask you, “Will you surrender your life to Me?”

— would your answer still be the same?

Today, we will learn what it truly means to surrender our lives to God.

This is what the Lord desires from us — not our possessions, not our performance,

but our whole selves, fully offered to Him.

Let’s open our Bibles to Romans 12:1–2.

“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.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

(Romans 12:1–2, NIV)

1. Because of God’s Great Mercy

Paul begins with these words:

“In view of God’s mercy, I urge you…”

Notice — Paul doesn’t command, he pleads.

He doesn’t use the tone of a master demanding obedience,

but of a brother appealing from the heart.

Why?

Because the motivation for surrender is not guilt,

not pressure, and not fear —

it is God’s abundant mercy.

When we remember how merciful God has been to us —

how He saved us, forgave us, and continues to love us —

it becomes natural to give ourselves back to Him.

Reflection:

Think about your life.

How have you personally experienced the mercy of God?

Every answered prayer, every second chance, every moment of grace —

that is your motivation to surrender.

2. Offer Yourselves to God

Paul says,

“Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice…”

To “offer” means to willingly present, not to be forced.

God doesn’t want a half-hearted offering.

He wants a voluntary surrender.

To surrender doesn’t mean dying physically —

it means living daily for God’s purpose.

A surrendered life says:

“Lord, not my will, but Yours be done.”

Surrender is not losing your life — it is finding true life in God.

3. A Living, Holy, and Pleasing Sacrifice

Paul describes three characteristics of a surrendered life:

A Living Sacrifice

This is the hardest kind of offering —

because it’s not a one-time act, but a daily decision.

Every day, you choose to live for God and not for yourself.

A Holy Sacrifice

Holy means set apart.

It means your life is no longer common or ordinary —

it now belongs to God.

Your time, your talents, your decisions — all for His glory.

A Pleasing Sacrifice

This means a life that delights God.

When you obey Him, love others, and walk in His truth,

your life becomes a sweet fragrance before Him.

Here’s the truth:

When we haven’t surrendered our will to God,

we still live to please ourselves.

That’s why:

• We seek God only when we’re in trouble,

• We repent only when we’re disciplined,

• And we wonder why He seems silent.

But once we surrender,

we begin to live not for our will but for His will.

4. Do Not Conform to the Pattern of This World

Paul continues,

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world…”

The word conform means to be shaped or molded by something.

Paul is saying — don’t let the world shape your values, your priorities, or your identity.

The world says,

“Do what makes you happy.”

But Jesus says,

“Do what makes God holy in you.”

The world teaches,

“Me first.”

But Christ teaches,

“God first.”

Examples of the world’s pattern:

• Immorality, dishonesty, selfishness, greed, and pride.

• Neglecting prayer, neglecting God’s Word, and caring only for oneself.

A surrendered life refuses to blend in with the world —

it stands out for God.

5. Be Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind

Paul says,

“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

This means real change begins not from the outside,

but from the inside — in our thoughts and attitudes.

A renewed mind says:

• “It’s better to put God first than to put myself first.”

• “Obedience brings blessing; disobedience brings pain.”

• “God can change my situation when I trust in Him.”

Transformation happens when we fill our minds with God’s Word —

when we read it, hear it, study it, meditate on it, and memorize it.

The more God’s truth fills your mind,

the more your life will reflect His will.

CLOSING:

Let me ask you a personal question:

What area of your life do you still find hard to surrender to God?