THE SURRENDERED LIFE

I. Characteristics of the surrendered life to the will of God.

As Christians, we are undoubtedly the children of God, being adopted by Him and through Him. But we face many trials, many hard things in which to stand up against. What is it that causes victory in this life? Simply put, it is the surrendered life to the will of God that establishes joy unspeakable and full of glory now and in eternity.

Primary text: Matt 7:21;

A. Where does 'doing the will of God' start? It begins with the denial of sin.

1. Rom 6:2,11;

2. Gal 5:24;

3. Col 3:3;

B. The second step is death to self and identity with the death of Christ.

1. Gal 2:20;

2. Col 2:20;

3. II Tim 2:11;

C. After the denial of sin and self, then we can begin to submit ourselves to the "will" of God.

1. Jas 4:15; The rule to live by in the everyday life.

2. Eph 6:6; There is a 'wholehearted' necessity.

3. Ps 40:8; It is something that is written on our hearts.

D. As we 'live the life' we tend to become bogged down with our problems. God seems to get smaller and smaller while our problems get bigger and bigger. The solution to having a small God and immense problems is to develop that relationship with God that we once knew and cherished and also to simply resign ourselves to the sovereignty of the Almighty God.

1. I Sam 3:18;

2. Job 1:21;

3. Mk 14:36;

E. It cannot be communicated in any other way; we must submit ourselves to the point where we finally say, "I surrender all". God is not content with anything less. The Bible says that "without faith, it is impossible to please Him." Without that kind of faith, we cannot submit or surrender to God all that He decrees.

1. Matt 6:10;

2. Rom 6:13;

3. Jas 4:7;