Introduction

Good morning, dear church family. As we gather here today, let's pause for a moment, feeling the warmth of the fellowship that surrounds us, the shared love we have for our Savior, and the unity we find in our faith.

Today, we stand on the precipice of a profound truth, a truth that has the power to transform our lives from the inside out. It's a truth that has been echoed by believers throughout the ages, a truth that is as relevant today as it was when it was first penned by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians.

In the book of Galatians, chapter 5, verses 16 through 26, Paul writes: "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."

As we reflect on these powerful words, we find ourselves standing at the intersection of surrender, sanctification, and self-denial. How do we surrender to the Spirit? How do we step into sanctification? How do we shun selfish desires?

In the words of the respected Christian author, J.I. Packer, "Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life's problems fall into place of their own accord." Isn't that the truth? When we surrender to the Spirit, when we step into sanctification, when we shun selfish desires, we come to know God in a deeper, more profound way.

And so, as we prepare to delve into these truths today, let's bow our heads in prayer. Heavenly Father, we thank you for your word, for the truth it holds, and for the transformation it brings. As we reflect on the words of Paul today, we ask that you open our hearts and minds to understand your truth. Help us to surrender to your Spirit, to step into sanctification, and to shun our selfish desires. Guide us, Lord, as we seek to live lives that are pleasing to you. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Transition. Now, let's turn our hearts and minds to the first main point of our sermon today: Surrendering to the Spirit.

Surrendering to the Spirit

When we think about our walk with God, it's easy to get caught up in the idea that it's all about us. We focus on our actions, our thoughts, our feelings. But the truth is, it's not about us at all. It's about God. It's about His love, His grace, His mercy. And it's about His Spirit living in us, guiding us, transforming us.

The Apostle Paul tells us in Galatians that we should walk by the Spirit. But what does that mean? How do we do that? It starts with surrender. It starts with letting go of our own desires, our own plans, our own ways, and allowing the Spirit to lead us. It's about saying, "Not my will, but yours be done."

Our flesh fights against this! Our flesh wants to be in control. Our flesh wants to gratify its own desires. But Paul tells us that the desires of the flesh are contrary to the Spirit. They are in conflict with each other. So, we have a choice to make. Will we choose to gratify the desires of the flesh, or will we choose to walk by the Spirit?

When we choose to walk by the Spirit, we are choosing to live a life that is pleasing to God. We are choosing to live a life that is marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are the fruits of the Spirit. They are the evidence of a life that is surrendered to the Spirit.

But how do we surrender to the Spirit? It starts with prayer. It starts with coming before God and admitting our need for Him. We should be confessing our sins and asking for His forgiveness. We are asking Him to fill us with His Spirit, to guide us, to lead us, to transform us.

As we pray, as we surrender, as we allow the Spirit to lead us, we begin to see changes in our lives. We begin to see the fruits of the Spirit growing in us and see our desires aligning with God's desires.

But surrendering to the Spirit is a daily, moment-by-moment choice. It's a choice to say, "Not my will, but yours be done" in every situation, in every decision, in every thought, in every action. It's a choice to let the Spirit lead, to let the Spirit guide, to let the Spirit transform. And as we make this choice, as we surrender to the Spirit, we find freedom. We find freedom from the law, freedom from the power of sin, freedom from the guilt and shame that so often weigh us down.

Transition. So, as we reflect on Paul's words in Galatians, let's make the choice to surrender to the Spirit. Let's make the choice to walk by the Spirit. Let's make the choice to live a life that is pleasing to God. And as we do, let's watch as the fruits of the Spirit grow in us, as our lives are transformed, and as we experience the freedom that comes from living a life surrendered to the Spirit.

Stepping into Sanctification

As we continue to reflect on the words of Paul in Galatians, we find ourselves confronted with the call to step into sanctification ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO