Pastor Cory Smithee

We Must Let Go of Control 

Andrew Murray- Just as water ever seeks and fills the lowest place, so the moment God finds you abased and empty, His glory and power flow in.      

King James Dictionary | ABA’SED: Reduced to a low state, humbled.  

Penned Truth: As Christians, we are to live a life in constant identification with the cross. 

Galatians 2:20 (ESV) 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 

1 Corinthians 15:31 (ESV) 31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! 

Oxford Languages Dictionary | Self-will: obstinately doing what one wants in spite of the wishes or orders of others.    

Penned Truth: We must seek God’s Will continually for our life and crucified self’s desire to be in control.  

A.W. Tozer- Remember, it is one thing to believe the Bible but something else altogether to allow the Bible, through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, to impact and change your life.” 

Psalm 19:7–9 (MSG) 7 The revelation of GOD is whole and pulls our lives together. The signposts of GOD are clear and point out the right road. 8 The life-maps of GOD are right, showing the way to joy. The directions of GOD are plain and easy on the eyes. 9 GOD’s reputation is twenty-four-carat gold, with a lifetime guarantee. The decisions of GOD are accurate down to the nth degree. 

Self-Surrender | International Standard Bible Encyclopedia:  The struggle between the natural human impulses of self-seeking, altruistic impulse toward self-denial.  

Penned Truth: The crucified life is a choice, me first or God first. Which choice will we make? 

What Full Surrender Looks Like:  

1. Following God’s Lead Without- knowing where he’s sending you 

2. Waiting for God’s Timing Without- knowing when it will come 

3. Expecting a Miracle Without- knowing how God will provide 

4. Trusting God’s Purposes Without- understanding the circumstances 

Matthew 16:24-25 (NLT) 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.  Hindrances To Hearing God: Fear-Dread  

Matthew 16:24–25 (ESV) 24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 

Penned Truth: Crucifying the flesh illustrates the putting to death of our selfish will to put God’s will first. 

Romans 12:1 (AMPC) 12 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Surender Is Worship 

Proverbs 3:5–6 (NLT) 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. 

Final Statement: Why should we surrender our lives to God? In Mark 14:36, Jesus said: “Father, everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.” The simple and pure truth is that He is the one who knows what’s best for us. He loves us more than anyone else. All the natural blessings of life are in His hand. He gave us our bodies, talents, and abilities and knows how to use them so that they are a blessing to us and those around us. We must surrender everything to Him and put a much higher value on His Will, not mine.