Will You Surrender?

Hebrews 12:1 KJV
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

This idea seems so simple. When we carry heavy things we are thankful to lay them down. Our muscles are tired, and we want a break.

Physically this is easy to see, but spiritually it can be much harder. Things that weigh us down spiritually aren't necessarily heavy.

We may like the things that hinder us spiritually, and dread giving them up.

Consider Abraham, God asked him to surrender 7 times:
1. His native land (Gen. 12:1)
2. His family (Gen 12:1)
3. The plain of Jordan (Gen 13:9-11)
4. The riches of Sodom (Gen 14:21-23)
5. His self (Gen 17:4-8)
6. Ishmael (Gen. 21:19-21)
7. Isaac (Gen. 22:9-14)

Each surrender, God asked Abraham to give up something a little harder than the previous, culminating in Isaac.

As a parent, you love your children more than anything, but God requires first place in our lives.

We have to surrender even our most noble loves to Him, for God desires to penetrate every part of our lives with His love and His will.

What is God asking you to surrender?

When you're obedient, He'll take the time/money/effort/item/person you surrendered and give you so much more!

His provision is always right of time (Gen 22:13).

Corresponding Sermon: Nathan Smalley 9/13/2020