Abiding in the Prince of Peace Session 2 | “I Surrender” | Learning to Rest in Complete Surrender in Christ Big Ideas: · Surrender to God · Welcoming Prayer · Living in Brokenness before God “Surrender don’t come natural to me. I’d rather fight you for something I don’t really want than take what you give that I need. And I’ve beat my head against so many walls, now I’m falling down on my knees.” -Rich Mullins Here are some of the main takeaways from John 15:1–17: · The passage emphasizes the intimacy between Christ and the Father and the intimacy that Christ wants with us, just like He has with the Father. · Christ speaks about the importance of bearing fruit and the consequences for those who do not bear fruit. Did you see how the Father is glorified when we bear kingdom fruit? · We must depend on Christ, and our prayer life changes when we abide in Him and have His heart. · Notice the importance of love in this passage and how walking in His love is connected to obeying His commands and loving others. What Does It Look Like When You Are Abiding with Christ? · You develop a hunger for God's Word and spend time digging into the Bible, reflecting on what is being said, and applying it to your life. · You assume a posture that allows you to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying throughout your day. · You don't look at what people will do for you, but instead, you seek ways to show God's love to others. · Throughout the day, you find your heart seeking to draw closer to Jesus, no matter what is happening around you. · You see godly fruit happening all around you, not because of your efforts, but because you are in tune with what the Holy Spirit is doing in and through you. "With respect for my King and His purpose for my life, I accept my position, state of life, and circumstances as an opportunity to fulfill His sovereign plans, and in doing so, I am provided an opportunity to worship Him." Influencer Prayer - Rocky Fleming “I’ve experienced His presence in the deepest darkest hell that men can create…I have tested the promises of the bible, and believe me, you can count on them.” Corrie Ten Boom Waving the White Flag of Surrender to God Surrender-to yield (something) to the possession or power of another, the act or instance of surrendering. Welcoming Prayer "God speaks to us through a knot in the stomach, muscle tension, trembling and shaking, the release of adrenaline into our bloodstream, headaches, and a suddenly elevated heart rate. God may be screaming at us through our physical body while we look for (and prefer) a more 'spiritual' signal. The reality is that often our bodies know our feelings before our minds.” Pete Scazzero, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality 1. Feel what you are experiencing at this moment in your body. 2. Welcome what you are experiencing at this moment in your body. 3. Let go by saying, “I let go of my desire for security, affection, control, and embrace this moment as it is.” Live in Brokenness and Repentance and Call Others to do the Same “You can be self-abandoned because you will never be God abandoned.” Francois Fenelon Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 ptochos (toe-KAS)-one who is reduced to begging dependence and bankrupt. The essence of “poor in spirit” means that the kingdom of Christ is for the repentant, spiritually bankrupt, dependent, and needy person. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, Acts 3:19 1 Samuel 1:9-18 So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of the Lord. 10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. 11 Then she made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.” 12 And it happened, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli watched her mouth. 13 Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. 14 So Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!” 15 But Hannah answered and said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.” 17 Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” 18 And she said, “Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. Luke 7:36-50 36 Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. 37 And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, 38 and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” 41 “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” 44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” 48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” “All to Jesus, I surrender all to Thee I freely give. I will ever love and trust You in Your presence daily live. I surrender all, I surrender all. All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all. All to Jesus, I surrender. Lord, I give myself to Thee. Fill me with Your love and power. Let Your blessing fall on me. I surrender all, I surrender all. All to Thee, my blessed Savior. I surrender all. All to Jesus I surrender. Now I feel the sacred flame. O the joy of full salvation. Glory, glory, to Your name. I surrender all, I surrender all. All to Thee, my blessed Savior. I surrender all (I surrender all)." Judson W. Van DeVenter Take Away: 1. What are some thoughts you had while reading this chapter that you can write down to help you understand the concept of surrendering to God? 2. What are some things in your life that you know you need to surrender to God? 3. Action-Prayerfully take some time to talk to God about what you wrote down that you can surrender to Him. Journal: Pick out a verse or two from this chapter and use the STAR Journal method to write down your thoughts. Read the lyrics to the hymn, All to Jesus I surrender. What does that provoke in you that you can share with God?