Message

When the disciples first arrived at the upper room, they were probably arguing. It was something that they did often. Their minds were focused on the kingdom they thought Jesus was going to make and the positions of power they thought they were going to receive. Usually a servant, the lowest of the low, would wash the guests’ feet before the meal. All of the disciples were probably too proud to volunteer to stoop to a servant’s task of washing each other’s feet. Jesus didn’t mind, though. He humbled Himself and washed their dirty feet.

[Read John 13: 6-11.]

Peter was embarrassed to see Jesus doing the very thing he was too proud to do. He didn’t understand that what Jesus was doing was more than just the task itself. Jesus wanted to show them an example of love and service to each other. The disciples’ feet were dirty, but Jesus wanted to wash more than just their feet. He wanted to wash their hearts—still full of selfishness, pride, and the desires of being at the right hand of a powerful king. Peter almost refused this gift. We have to realize that unless we let Jesus fully cleanse our hearts, we have no part with Him. We don’t truly belong to Him until we let go of ourselves and surrender to Him.

[Read John 13:12-17.]

If we want to be like Jesus, we must be willing to serve. Jesus showed us the perfect example of selfless love. He is so much more than we are, yet He stooped to the role of a servant. What does that say about us? He invites us to follow His example and do the same. This heart change happens only when we fully surrender to Him.

What does surrender really mean? How will it affect us? [Read Luke 9:23-25.]

In this passage, Jesus makes it very clear that we must deny ourselves, which has a completely different meaning for each person. Denying yourself means that you say to the desires of this world, “I don’t know you.” You say to your selfish inclinations, “I don’t want you.” You must be willing to give everything for Jesus and find yourself in Him.

He also mentions that we must take up our crosses just as He did. If suffering, persecution, or hardship follow us as we give ourselves to God, we should rejoice that we are suffering as Christ did. If you are trying to “save your life” by gaining riches, popularity, power, or fame, this will only result in losing the most important life we can have: eternal life in Christ Jesus. Gaining the things this world has to offer is only temporary, but life in Jesus lasts forever. Losing your life means wholly surrendering to Christ, forgetting your own plans, and following wherever He leads you. The world may call you crazy, or may see you as ignorant, but Jesus calls you His child.

James 4:7-10 helps us to better understand why we need to surrender and what it means for us.

[Read James 4:7.]

Have you ever had a habit that you tried and tried to break, but couldn’t seem to stop? This verse is encouraging because it shows us that Jesus is stronger than Satan. When we surrender all of our strength to Him, He gives us the power to resist Satan and his temptations. He helps us to turn our backs on sin and fully belong to Him.

[Read James 4:8-10.]

On countless occasions, we have all sinned and done things that we know are wrong. We are in desperate need for God to cleanse our hearts and change our minds. To do so, we must admit our shortcomings, surrendering our sin and everything we are to Him. When Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, He humbled himself by serving others. He calls us to do the same. As we humble ourselves before Him daily, He will lift us up. The closer we get to God, the more we come to resemble Him.

God has many more promises of hope to encourage our hearts. One is found in Ezekiel 36:25-27. [Read Ezekiel 36:25-27.]

All these verses refer to the importance of surrendering your life to God. This passage shares God’s promises to us when we do surrender. The Holy Spirit will cleanse our hearts and form us into His likeness. We must allow Him to break the stony places in our hearts and fill the empty spaces with Himself. God promises to fill us with His Spirit and give us the desire to follow His will.

Surrendering your life to Jesus Christ leads to a friendship and a fellowship with Him beyond your imagination. A surrendered heart is a heart that is full of peace and joy. It’s a heart that leads you to a life of service beyond your wildest dreams.

In Steps to Christ, p. 46-47, Ellen White shares: “The world’s Redeemer accepts men as they are, with all their wants, imperfections, and weaknesses… You cannot change your heart, you cannot of yourself give to God its affections; but you can choose to serve Him. You can give Him your will; He will then work in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure. Thus your whole nature will be brought under the control of the Spirit of Christ; your affections will be centered upon Him, your thoughts will be in harmony with Him.”

What does this mean? When we give Jesus everything, imperfect as we are, He will do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. He will change us and make us like Him.

I want to give you the opportunity during the next two minutes to ask God these questions: What are the stony places in my heart? What is in my life that I need to surrender to You?

[Wait for two minutes.]

If you want to surrender those places to Jesus, I invite you to take a *piece of paper and pencil that are being distributed. On the paper, write the issue God has placed on your heart, and then bring the paper up to the front to be thrown away. As you do so, pray in your heart and tell God, “Lord, I love you more than this. I give __________ up to You and ask You to take control over my whole life.”

[*Instead of paper and a pencil, you can also use other objects such as rocks, leaves, etc.]

[When all are back in their seats, continue.]

A story is often told of a particular method islander’s use for capturing monkeys. They find a coconut, make a hole in it, and place some rice inside. This coconut is then put where monkeys are often seen. Disappearing behind trees or bushes, the hunters lie in wait. Sure enough, a monkey comes along. Seeing the rice, he chatters in excitement and plunges his hand into the coconut in hopes of having the rice for himself. He closes his fist around the treat and attempts to remove the rice so he can enjoy it. Unfortunately, the coconut’s opening is not big enough for the monkey’s hand and the rice. Squeezing and tugging, the monkey tries repeatedly to pull his fist out of the coconut, but is unsuccessful. Chattering angrily, he does not notice the hunters sneaking up behind him, throwing a bag over him, and taking him away.

Friends, we may laugh at this story. Why didn’t the monkey have more sense? Why didn’t he just let go of the rice? I wonder how many times we do the same thing. We hold onto things as insignificant to God as a handful of rice seems to us. These may be habits, attitudes, grudges, or material things of this world. They seem so important, yet in the end they distract us and lead us away from God.

Tonight we have been talking about surrendering. To me, surrendering means _________________. [Please insert a story or share what surrender has meant to you.]

Too often, the world has given us the misconception that surrender is a sign of weakness. We think of people who just give up without a fight. Not so with God. When we surrender to Him, this act is a sign of strength! God is greater and stronger than you have ever imagined. There is no better Person to submit your life to. [Jeremiah 29:11.]

What about you? Are you willing to hand over your life to God? Are you ready to surrender everything to His plan and purposes? If your answer is yes, I invite you to do so right now as we stand and pray.

Date: 2015-02-16; view: 578