May 24, 2015
Total Surrender
2 Chronicles 7:14-16 (NKJV)
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. 16 For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.
Romans 12:1-2 NKJV
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer 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.”
Dedication and Commitment go hand in hand:
Dedication: to consecrate or set aside for a particular purpose
Commitment: an obligation derived from an agreement, a promise or contract
Pure: (1) That which is not mixed with something else
(2) Free of impurities (3) Honorable
The lack of these essential elements has profoundly affected:
The Family the Government the Church
The remedy for this is for us to be a living example to others in that we SURRENDER and GIVE OURSELVES fully to God.
What can we DEDICATE to God in the form of WORSHIP and SURRENDER?
1) We ought to Dedicate our BODY to God (v1)
- Urge – to ask for something with pleas or much humbleness
Psalms 100:3 Psalms 139:13-15 (NLT)
How Can We Dedicate Completely Our Bodies To God?
o In our SERVICE- favor in benefit of another (Gal 6:9-10)
With our PRAISE (Psalms 150:6)
o By being a LIVING SACRIFICE- taking care of our temple (1 Cor 9:24-27)
2) We ought to Dedicate our MIND to God (v 2a)
Rom 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (NKJV)
- Conform– to be similar or identical; to be in agreement or harmony
- Transform: (a) to change in shape or appearance (b) to change in character or condition: convert
HOW CAN WE RENEW OUR MIND?
o By TUNING OUT the NEGATIVE stuff
o By developing a life of daily devotion
o Draw near to God and Avoid Evil (Psalms 1:1-3)
3) God wants us to Dedicate our WILL to Him (v2b)
“That you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
- Will-Desire (want or aspire to something with vehemence and longing)
WHAT DOES GOD DESIRE FOR HIS PEOPLE?
Jeremiah 29:11-13 “For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”
