Let Go And Let God Have His Wonderful Way!

Let Go and Let God Have His Wonderful Way!

Icebreaker Jokes

On new years be sure to raise your left leg so you'll start the New Year on the right foot!

My New Year's resolution is to help all my friends gain ten pounds so I look skinnier.

My resolution was to read more so I put the subtitles on my tv.

I would resolve to become a vegan but that would be a missed steak.

Resolution: Make Jesus Lord

As a new year is starting, some are making new year’s resolutions.

New Year’s resolutions may not be as popular as they once were but I think it’s still a good thing to do!

I want to encourage you to make a resolution this year to make Jesus the Lord of your life!

Maybe as we make these resolutions, we’ll remember these commitments to ourselves and to God.

Again, I want to encourage you to resolve to crucify the carnal self and let Jesus live in your life!

I’ve titled this message: Let go and let God have His wonderful way!

Now I’ve lost some of you because you know a song with that title and that song is now running through your mind. [That’s my evil plan, bwahahahaha - not really but sort of - bwahahaha!]

Jesus’ way is Better than Our way

But many times we want our way and we deny God His way in our lives!

Surely, many of us realize that if we let God have His way in our lives, our lives would be so much better!

Still we want our own way, even knowing that’s a worse off way to be!

What I want us to realize is that if we let go and let God have His wonderful way, our burdens will vanish, our night will turn to day… ;-) ;-) ;-)

Looking out for Number 1

So if Jesus isn’t the Lord of your life, who is?

Many people are looking out for number 1!

From a worldly perspective maybe that makes sense, but from a Godly perspective it’s horrible!

It’s selfish, it’s unloving, it’s based on self pleasure, it’s letting the carnal self take over.

Have you ever seen the number of inconsiderate people these days that think only about themselves?

I still see people being considerate and nice to others, but it seems when I was a kid it was more prevalent, and love was stronger between people than today.

Are you looking out for #1 and your wants, or are you looking out for Jesus and what He wants (He’s the real #1)?

How many of you would rather watch TV than to do responsibilities? I know I would!

Crucify Self - Become a Living Sacrifice

So how do we overcome our carnal selves and start to live spiritually and righteously?

When I say “crucifying self,” I don’t mean killing yourself! But instead be a living sacrifice!

Galatians 2:20

20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

This is a beautiful verse that exemplifies the Christian walk. If you are saved, put on Christ!

WWJD!!!

The Bible even says put others before self - which can be hard to do and few do it effectively!

We have to give up our wicked carnal nature and be born to a righteous spiritual nature.

So who is the Lord of your life? Who is on the throne of your life? Is it your carnal self, or is it Christ? For many of us, we have a hard time giving up the wheel!

Galatians 5:16-26

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; 20 idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another.