Open Door, Test 5: "Letting go and giving God Control"
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An open door for 2024 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 1:14:46
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· 4 views"Letting Go and Handing God Control" explores the transformative power of surrendering to divine guidance. Drawing from biblical examples and personal anecdotes, the sermon emphasizes releasing anxieties, fears, and desires to God's providence. It encourages trust in God's wisdom and timing, fostering peace amidst uncertainty. Through relinquishing control, individuals can experience spiritual growth, deeper faith, and a profound sense of freedom. Ultimately, the message highlights the liberation found in surrendering control to God, inviting listeners to embrace a life filled with trust, peace, and divine purpose.
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An open door for 2024
An open door for 2024
humor
What do you get if you cross an elephant and a kangaroo? Big holes all over Australia!
What kind of bird can lift the most? A crane.
What travels around the world but stays in one corner? A stamp
What has one horn and gives milk? A milk truck
You know what a clean desk is a sign of? A cluttered desk drawer.
What do you get if you cross an insect with the Easter rabbit? Bugs Bunny.
If shorts are called shorts, why aren’t pants called longs?
Why do we drive on parkways and park on drive ways
What is the best thing to do if you find a gorilla in your bed? Sleep somewhere else
I recently started speed reading. So far, I can read “War and Peace” in ten seconds. It’s only three words, but it’s a start.
Why were the teacher’s eyes crossed? She could not control her pupils.
I just wrote a book on reverse psychology. Do not read it.
How do you prevent a summer cold? Catch it in the winter!
hope that at least made you smile.
because today we are going to tackle a difficult topic.
in continuing our series on 2024 being an open door for us to walk in the promises of God
realizing we must be ready to receive the fullfilment of the promises
44 “For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.
13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
God has a plan to release His kingdom on the earth
and He looking around the globe searching for people who will pick up this mantle.
people who are willing to pay the cost to see His Kingdom come and His will being done on the earth.
but for that to come about we must truly understand what it means to make Jesus Lord of your life.
many Christians make this claim.
“Jesus is Lord”
but then they go on living their lives only going to Him when they are in need of something
I beleive many in the modern church have lost sight of what it means to making Jesus lord of their lives.
I spent alot of time listening to other pastors
as my observation, I would say the majority focus of the benefits of being a beleiver
meaning what we get from being a follower of Jesus.
I would have to say I would fall into this category myself.
There’s nothing inherintly wrong with focusing on the blessings of God,
unless we never talk about How to position ourselves to receive those blessings
case in point
23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
What did Jesus mean when He said “deny yourself”
Well not to get too deep and philisophical.....I believe Jesus meant we have to deny ourselves
what..... not helpful?
simply stated, our focus in life should not be how do I get the most comforts and see the fulfillment of all my desires.
kinda like how we spend all our prayer time asking God to do things that make our life easier.
what? am I the only one?
When Jesus says deny yourself, He means to set aside all your own selfish ambitions, and desires and instead focus on His desires for you.
When Jesus said, "Pick up your cross," he was emphasizing the importance of self-denial, sacrifice, and commitment to following him.
The cross was a symbol of suffering, humiliation, and death in the context of Jesus's time.
By instructing us to pick up our cross, Jesus is urging us to be willing to endure hardship, persecution, and even death for the sake of the Gospel and commitment to Him.
It signifies a willingness to let go of personal desires, comforts, and ambitions in order to fully submit to God's will and mission.
In essence, it's a call to wholeheartedly embrace the cost of discipleship and follow Jesus, regardless of the challenges or sacrifices involved.
Imagine for a moment,
What would happen in our world if God’s people across the globe took up His challenge.
That’s what we must be willing to do!
Now this should not be something that we hesitate to do.
Like it means we don’t get anything we want.
rather it means we now avail ourselves to getting what we really want!
33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Our desires will be met but only after we lay them down and pursue God’s plans for our Lives
Jesus of all people demonstrated this for us
42 saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
set the stage
Jesus praying in the garden
with such intensity
a few verses later we are told
44 And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.
Get this..... Jesus even after overcoming satan’s tempation in the wilderness
where satan offered Jesus dominion of the earth if Jesus would simply worship him
Jesus rejected that
but now years later Jesus was facing something He did not want to go through.
but He prayed the famous words
“Not my will, but Yours be done”
We can only imagine what Jesus faced on our behalf,
But in it, not only did He provide the means for our redemption, but He also taught us many valuable lessons.
One of which is, His followers need to do like Him, and lay aside their own desires and longings in favor of what the Father is asking them to do.
So How do we give up control and allow Jesus to be Lord of our Life?
4 steps to letting go and giving God control
4 steps to letting go and giving God control
Know what God says
Believe What God says
Submit to What God says
Do What God says
As we break these down, please understand they will benefit you in every area of your life.
Whatever your struggles are:
Financial, relational, Physical, Mental, spiritual
Whatever your goals are!
Whatever your expectations are!
These are the steps that keep you on the right track of allowing Jesus to be Lord of Your Life
Let’s get into them.
Step 1. Know What God says
Step 1. Know What God says
Knowing what God is saying involves several key practices:
A. Scripture Study:
A. Scripture Study:
The Bible is the primary way that God communicates with us.
Regular study and meditation on the scriptures can provide insight into God's character, will, and guidance.
The “Logos” word
B. Prayer:
B. Prayer:
Through prayer, we can communicate with God and seek His guidance.
This involves not only speaking to God but also listening for His voice through the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
The “Rhema” word
C. Community:
C. Community:
Engaging with other believers in a community of faith can provide additional perspectives and insights into understanding God's word and will.
D.Personal Reflection:
D.Personal Reflection:
Taking time for personal reflection and discernment can help individuals to better understand how God is speaking to them through their experiences, emotions, and circumstances.
E. Spiritual Discernment:
E. Spiritual Discernment:
Developing spiritual discernment involves learning to recognize God's voice amidst the noise of other voices,
such as our own desires, societal influences, and even spiritual forces.
F. Seeking Wisdom:
F. Seeking Wisdom:
Seeking counsel from wise and mature believers, mentors, or spiritual leaders can offer valuable guidance and clarity in discerning God's will.
Ultimately, knowing what God is saying requires an ongoing, dynamic relationship with Him, characterized by openness, humility, and a willingness to listen and obey.
Step 2. Believe What God says
Step 2. Believe What God says
Sometimes what God says to us Is very hard for us to believe.
Often it contradicts what we’ve come to know
God often says things that oppose our own view of things.
That’s why God tells us to go through the process of renewing our minds
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Renewing your mind is a process we go through that allows adjusts us to think the way God thinks instead of the carnal way we have become accustomed to
When you come upon a contradiction, which you inevitabilty will. you make the decision to belief what God is saying over what you think you know
I trust you God more than I what I know.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
Our feelings and emotions often do not line up with what is best for our lives.
Did you ever really want something to happen, only to figure out later your glad it didn’t?
but one thing we can be certain of is
11 ‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
That leads us to our next point.
How do we do this?
How do we believe what God says?
A. Know God’s Character
A. Know God’s Character
This is a sermon series unto itself
allow me just to give you a quick overview
I encourage you to write these down and study them further
1.God Is Infinite – He is Self-Existing, Without Origin
1.God Is Infinite – He is Self-Existing, Without Origin
17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
2. God Is Immutable – He Never Changes
2. God Is Immutable – He Never Changes
6 “For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.
3. God Is Self-Sufficient – He Has No Needs
3. God Is Self-Sufficient – He Has No Needs
26 “For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself;
4. God is Omnipotent – He Is All Powerful
4. God is Omnipotent – He Is All Powerful
6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
And by the breath of His mouth all their host.
18 so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.
5. God Is Omniscient – He Is All-Knowing
5. God Is Omniscient – He Is All-Knowing
9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
6. God Is Omnipresent – He Is Always Everywhere
6. God Is Omnipresent – He Is Always Everywhere
7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
9 If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
10 Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will lay hold of me.
7. God Is Wise – He Is Full of Perfect, Unchanging Wisdom
7. God Is Wise – He Is Full of Perfect, Unchanging Wisdom
33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!
8. God Is Faithful – He Is Infinitely, Unchangingly True
8. God Is Faithful – He Is Infinitely, Unchangingly True
13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
9. God Is Good – He Is Infinitely, Unchangingly Kind and Full of Good Will
9. God Is Good – He Is Infinitely, Unchangingly Kind and Full of Good Will
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
10. God Is Just – He Is Infinitely, Unchangeably Right and Perfect in All He Does
10. God Is Just – He Is Infinitely, Unchangeably Right and Perfect in All He Does
4 “The Rock! His work is perfect,
For all His ways are just;
A God of faithfulness and without injustice,
Righteous and upright is He.
11. God Is Merciful – He is Infinitely, Unchangeably Compassionate and Kind
11. God Is Merciful – He is Infinitely, Unchangeably Compassionate and Kind
15 For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.
12. God Is Gracious – God Is Infinitely Inclined to Spare the Guilty
12. God Is Gracious – God Is Infinitely Inclined to Spare the Guilty
8 The Lord is gracious and merciful;
Slow to anger and great in lovingkindness.
13. God Is Loving – God Infinitely, Unchangingly Loves Us
13. God Is Loving – God Infinitely, Unchangingly Loves Us
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
14. God Is Holy – He is Infinitely, Unchangingly Perfect
14. God Is Holy – He is Infinitely, Unchangingly Perfect
8 And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.”
15. God Is Glorious – He is Infinitely Beautiful and Great
15. God Is Glorious – He is Infinitely Beautiful and Great
4 His radiance is like the sunlight;
He has rays flashing from His hand,
And there is the hiding of His power.
B. Trust God Character
B. Trust God Character
Make the decision your are going to believe what the Bible says about God’s character
He is who He says He is!
Know what God says
Believe What God says
Step 3. Submit to What God says
Step 3. Submit to What God says
Submitting to what God says involves acknowledging His authority and surrendering our will to His.
Here are some steps to help in submitting to God's guidance:
A. Obedience:
A. Obedience:
Commit to obeying God's commands and following His guidance, even when it goes against our desires or understanding.
Trust that His instructions are for our ultimate good and align with His perfect will.
B. Surrender:
B. Surrender:
Let go of control and surrender our plans, ambitions, and desires to God's will.
This involves yielding our preferences and agendas to His divine purpose,
trusting that He knows what is best for us.
C. Trust:
C. Trust:
Develop a deep trust in God's faithfulness and goodness, even in times of uncertainty or difficulty.
Trust that He is working all things together for our good and His glory, and submit to His timing and providence.
D. Repentance:
D. Repentance:
Acknowledge and repent of any disobedience, rebellion, or resistance to God's will in our lives.
Confess our sins and ask for His forgiveness, allowing His grace to transform and renew us.
E. Daily Surrender:
E. Daily Surrender:
Make a daily commitment to surrendering our lives to God afresh, submitting our thoughts, desires, and actions to His will each day.
Allow His Spirit to lead and empower us to live in joyful obedience and submission to Him.
Step 4 Do What God says
Step 4 Do What God says
Don’t just think about....Do it!
20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
A. Step out in Faith
A. Step out in Faith
You may not have all your questions answered, but don’t let that stop you from doing what God’s tells you to do!
It may be challenging
most likely be outside your comfort zone,
but isn’t that what change is all about.
Jesus is fine tuning you
slowly but surely transforming you in the person God desires you to be
26 “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
B. Persist in Faith
B. Persist in Faith
6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Keep going, and don’t give up
When the going gets tough the tough keep going.
The enemy will try anything to prevent you from walking in the steps God laid out for you.
raise doubts and speculations.
God will allow the enemy to test you to prove your obedience
but don’t give in
if you can remain strong in what you heard God tell you, God will equip with the grace to persevere.
After all its His greatest desire that His creation rises to what He created it to be.
Let’s Pray