The Habit of Surrender

SPIRITUAL HABITS — WEEK 1

HABITS SHAPE OUR LIVES

“We think our lives are primarily shaped by the big decisions we make. But much of the person you are becoming is being shaped by the little decisions you no longer even think about.”

• “The person I become spiritually isn’t determined only by the big moment when I gave my life to Jesus……….but by what I repeatedly give my life to every day?”
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• THE HABIT OF SURRENDER.

Mark 12:30: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.

When I understand who He is……….when I understand what He’s done……….His grace……….His mercy……….His forgiveness……….His goodness……….my response becomes:

“God, You can have all of me.”

BUT WE HAVE A PROBLEM

• We drift.
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1 Kings 18.  Israel had drifted.

1 Kings 18:21: “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”

The Hebrew idea behind the word translated “waver”:…….limping……….hobbling……….walking unevenly.

ONE OF THE GREATEST ENEMIES revival is not rebellion … PARTIAL SURRENDER.

1 Kings 18:30: “Then Elijah said to all the people, ‘Come here to me.’”

Matthew 11: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

I kings 18:30 “They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the LORD, which had been torn down.”

EVERYTHING GOD WANTS TO DO THROUGH US BEGINS WITH WHAT WE ARE WILLING TO SURRENDER TO HIM.

• God’s presence is experienced at surrender.
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30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me.” They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the Lord, which had been torn down.

• HONESTY ABOUT THE BROKEN STATE OF OUR ALTAR IS THE BEGINNING OF RENEWAL.
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• Power follows restoration.
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God is saying,

• The cross of Christ is the Altar
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Romans 12:1: “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

WE DON’T SURRENDER TO EARN GOD’S LOVE.

WE SURRENDER BECAUSE WE HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED IT.

EVERY MORNING WE GET BACK ON THE ALTAR.

Luke 9:23: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

SURRENDER IS A HABIT.

Elijah invites the people to come, he repairs the altar, adds water for inspiration…..then prays

36 At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. 37 Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”

38 Then the fire of the Lord fell

• God wills to pour the Fire of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Rom 12:2 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.

Eph 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

The Great Exchange

When we climb onto the altar of Gods grace…not for judgement, or payment, but heart of honor and service to the Lord.

God gives us what we never could have produced ourselves.

We surrender guilt………He gives forgiveness.

We surrender fear………He gives peace.

We surrender control……..He gives purpose.

We surrender our plans………He reveals His.

We surrender our weakness…….He fills us with His Spirit.

The altar is never where God diminishes us……It’s where He transforms us.

“Jesus, today I am Yours.”

My heart is Yours……….my mind is Yours……….my strength is Yours……….my schedule is Yours……….my resources are Yours……….my relationships are Yours……….my opportunities are Yours……….my interruptions are Yours……….my future is Yours.

Then ask:

God, what do You want me to do today?……….Who do You want me to serve today?……….What do You want me to give today?……….Where do You want me to trust You today?

EVENTUALLY SURRENDER BECOMES A LIFE

There is no waste at the altar