Explores surrendering to God, embracing spiritual renewal, and finding satisfaction in Him.
Welcome, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, to this blessed gathering where we come together, not as individuals, but as a spiritual family, united in our love for the Lord. We are here to seek His wisdom, to find comfort in His promises, and to learn how to live a life that is pleasing to Him. It is a beautiful day to gather in His name, to share in His word, and to find our hearts stirred by the Holy Spirit.
Today, we will be turning our hearts and minds to the book of Isaiah, specifically Isaiah 43:18-19. A passage that speaks of surrender, of renewal, and of finding satisfaction in our Savior. Let's read together:
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
These words, spoken by God through His prophet Isaiah, provide us with a profound and powerful message. They tell us to let go of our past, to surrender our self-centered desires, and to embrace the new spiritual life that God is offering us. They assure us that even in the wilderness of our lives, God is making a way, providing us with streams of living water to quench our spiritual thirst.
In the words of J.I. Packer: "There's a difference between knowing God and knowing about God. When you truly know God, you have energy to serve Him, boldness to share Him, and contentment in Him." This is the essence of surrendering to God. It's not about losing ourselves, but about finding our true selves in Him. It's about gaining a deeper, more intimate knowledge of God, which in turn gives us the energy, boldness, and contentment that Packer speaks of.
So, let us open our hearts and minds as we delve into this powerful message of surrender, renewal, and satisfaction in our Savior. Let us be willing to let go of our past, to embrace the new life God is offering us, and to find our satisfaction in Him.
Let us pray.
Father God, we thank you for your word, your wisdom, and your love. We ask that you open our hearts and minds to your message today. Help us to understand what it means to surrender to you, to start anew with you, and to find our satisfaction in you. Guide us, Lord, as we seek to live a life that is pleasing to you. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Let’s get started!
The act of surrendering oneself is often seen as a sign of weakness, of giving up, or of admitting defeat. But in the context of our spiritual life, it takes on a whole new meaning. It is not about losing, but about gaining. It's about letting go of our self-centered desires, our worldly ambitions, and our human limitations, and allowing God to take control. It's about submitting to His will, trusting in His wisdom, and finding satisfaction in His love.
Surrender ourselves to God: When we do this, we are essentially saying, "Not my will, but Yours be done." We are acknowledging that God's plans for us are far better than any plans we could make for ourselves. We are admitting that we are not in control, and that's okay because God is. We are letting go of our need to be in charge, to have everything figured out, and to have everything go our way. Instead, we are choosing to trust in God, to rely on His strength, and to find our satisfaction in Him.
Not a one-time event, but a daily choice: It's a choice we make every morning when we wake up, every night before we go to sleep, and every moment in between. It's a choice we make in the big decisions of life, as well as in the small, seemingly insignificant ones. It's a choice we make not out of obligation, but out of love for our Savior who first loved us.
Letting go of self-centered desires: These are the desires that stem from our sinful nature, the desires that prioritize our wants and needs above everything else. They are the desires that lead us to seek satisfaction in worldly pleasures, material possessions, and human approval. But as we surrender these desires to God, we begin to see that true satisfaction can only be found in Him.
Our worldly ambitions: These are the goals and dreams we have that are centered on worldly success, fame, and wealth. They are the ambitions that drive us to work harder, to achieve more, and to be better than others. But as we surrender these ambitions to God, we begin to realize that our worth is not defined by our worldly achievements, but by our identity in Christ.
Our human limitations: These are the limitations that make us feel inadequate, incapable, and unworthy. They are the limitations that hold us back from pursuing God's calling for our lives. But as we surrender these limitations to God, we start to understand that with Him, all things are possible.
Our need to be in control: This is the need that causes us to worry, to stress, and to fear the unknown. It's the need that makes us feel like we have to have everything figured out, and that everything has to go our way. But as we surrender this need to God, we find peace in knowing that He is in control, and that His plans for us are good.
The book of Isaiah, chapter 43, verses 18 and 19, paints a vivid picture of the transformative power of God's love ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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