Today, we’re going to talk about one more discipleship essential: surrender.
Jesus said, "If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me. If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me, you will save it. What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourself or waste your life? If you are ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of you when he comes in his glory and in the glory of his Father and the holy angels." (Luke 9.23-26)
>> Follow Jesus: Learn to live a life of surrender!
Jesus modeled a life of surrender. Check out Ephesians 5.21-33 and Philippians 2.5-8. I love what Paul wrote, "I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2.20).
>> Deny Yourself: Be a good steward!
I think part of denying ourselves involves putting our priorities in order. It involves being a good steward. Paul wrote, "You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully" (2 Corinthians 9.7). See also Malachi 3.
>> Take up your cross: Live a life of sacrifice!
When I think of sacrifice, I think of Abraham being called by God to sacrifice his son, Isaac, in Genesis 22.
Jesus invites us to be teachable, passionate, compassionate, and surrendered disciples!
O God, you the Way; help us to be fully devoted followers of you! Help us to be teachable, being shaped to be the people you’re calling us to be. Help us to be passionate and compassionate – people who love God and love people with all that is within us. May we always be fully surrendered and yielded to the work of your Spirit in our lives, in our church, and in our community! Amen.