Total Surrender

The world today is absorbed into what we want, everyone is asking what there is for them. It is time that we surrendered all to God, and ask ourselves what God wants. Surrender is all about giving it all away that we may gain it back.

2 Timothy 3:1-2

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy...

Today we are talking about what is the interest of God, that we may surrender totally to Him. Instead of seeking after God solely, people are after seeking that which will benefit them, give them recognition, make them seen, etc., but we must separate ourselves and rise above the ordinary and seek God’s interests, as opposed to ours. Time to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Whatever we get into : job, relationship, pay check, friendship etc., we should ask ourselves what is the interest of God and allow ourselves to be on total dependency on God. Then, God Himself will be our standard, as we ourselves will be interested in what He is interested.

It is time we asked ourselves what is the interest of God in our talents, homes, education, and when we understand this we will know that it is not about us, but about Him.

What is total surrender?

 Ephesians 5:8, 10

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light...

10 and find out what pleases the Lord.

After God got us out of darkness and makes us children of light, it's now our business to find out what pleases God. It is the business of every Christian, not the pastor, to find out what pleases God. When we were in darkness we were allowed to do what the people of darkness do; they will face the consequences. But now, if we are children of the light, then we must be careful to live as children of the light. 

For me to have total surrender, I have to find out who I am. If I am a child of the light, then I must find out what God wants. One of the things that the Maker wants of us is total surrender. We have had Christians who give themselves partly to God; we are not giving ourselves totally to the pastor or the church, but to our Maker, for a purpose. Time has come that we surrender all to Him. 

1 Kings 20:1-4

Now Ben-Hadad the king of Syria gathered all his forces together; thirty-two kings were with him, with horses and chariots. And he went up and besieged Samaria, and made war against it. 2 Then he sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel, and said to him, “Thus says Ben-Hadad: 3 ‘Your silver and your gold are mine; your loveliest wives and children are mine.’”

4 And the king of Israel answered and said, “My lord, O king, just as you say, I and all that I have are yours.”

The Bible says that if we do not lose it all, we will not gain anything. What will you exchange for your soul? How much would you sell your faith for? Are you totally surrendered to God? How much have we surrendered to our Maker? Is it enough that we cannot exchange our faith for anything? Are we totally given to our Maker? 

Going back to our text, Ben-Hadad had gathered all his forces together, plus 32 other kings with their horses and chariots. This made Ahab totally surrender in fear to Ben-Hadad. Though, he was rescued by God through prophets who had totally surrendered to God. A time has come that we give ourselves away, everything we have and own, to God can use us. Ahab surrendered in the wrong way, but we can surrender in the right way. 

Total surrender is being given up for ownership and service by the Lord. Has the Father owned you? Creation of the world is so surrendered to the world: the sun in rising up and setting; the moon in rising up and setting, the rivers in flowing, the birds, trees etc. Creation is so surrendered to God. The earth and all its fullness belongs to God (Psalm 24:1). Humanity, on the other hand, wants to argue with God and thus miss out on total surrender to God. Since the tree has surrendered, it flourishes; the river flows in liberty, the fish flowing with the river etc.; I wish we surrendered like the creation. 

God gave us our mind, but does not want us to live in control of the mind; He wants us to live in surrender to control of the Holy Spirit and His guidance. When the Spirit of God is the driving force, all other things will just fall according to His plans, because the Driver cannot make a mistake. When the Holy Spirit is the driver of our lives, He leads and we follow, we cannot make a mistake. People will think we are out of our minds by following the Spirit, but we will never mess up or make a mistake. He is looking for a totally surrendered being who will totally surrender to Him. 

Total surrender starts with me. Jesus totally surrendered to God, allowing death to fall on Him. It is total surrender that caused Jesus to be highly exalted, for all to bow to Him. By the fact that He died and gave everything, there is no power that is above His. Total surrender is accepting God's terms, and giving your life absolutely for Him to do what He wants. 

George Muller was asked what caused him to always be happy and blessed. He told them that what puts him in that position is absolute conscience of God. That it is by living according to the word of God, he prays and lives according to the word of God. One more time there is going to be a distinction between those who serve God and those who don't (Malachi 3:18). For those who will be totally surrendered to God, wait for the mark of distinction; walking in favor, always surrounded by His favor and provision, protection etc. David said that he was old and since he was young did not see a righteous one forsaken, nor his children begging for bread (Psalm 37:25). We are born again to totally surrender to God, and represent God on earth. Total surrender is living with child-like attitude, to God. If the wicked fathers of the earth can supply bread to their children, how much more will our Father supply for us who are totally surrendered to Him, with a child-like attitude? 

One lady said that she was in so much surrender to God that she allowed Him to use her without consulting her. 

Romans 7:18-19

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.

Like Paul, what we want to do, we don't find ourselves doing it, and what we do not want to do, we find ourselves doing. May the Lord help us. From today, I pray that we totally surrender. 

How can one surrender?

It is not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of God that we surrender (Zechariah 4:6). Our business is to show a will to surrender. The first step is to tell God you are willing to surrender, and then tell Him to help you remain surrendered by His grace; He will rush to your help, when you meet it with your heart. The Lord holds your commitment. Your business is basically to surrender. The Lord will rescue you fast before you fall. 

Philippians 2:13

...for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

It's not your pastor or anyone who works in you, but God. It's not so much about what you do, but what God does. You will not do deliberate things that mess us up just because God is the one who works in you, but rather you will not struggle to surrender knowing that it is He who works in you. 

Ephesians 3:20

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us...

After surrendering, He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly and above all we ask or think, as He has put power inside us.

Mark 9:24

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

The father of the child was in total surrender to Jesus, despite having unbelief, for the Lord to help him. 

How to surrender

1. Surrender your body

Romans 12:1-2

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

That body came from the Lord, give it back to Him. The way to surrender is to give up our bodies to be used by Him. Give your body. 

1 Corinthians 10:31

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Do whatever you do for God's glory, without shame. If it is not for His own glory, wait. 

1 Peter 1:15-16

but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

Holiness is a must for us to say we have totally surrendered. Is there any difference between what you used to do and what you do now? Give your body totally to God. 

2. Surrender your time

Totally surrender your time to God, for His service. How much time do you surrender to God? Total surrender means even your time. 

3. Surrender your talents

Surrender the talent that you have, that it may be totally given to God, and do not regret or do it grudgingly. 

4. Surrender your money and resources to the Lord

Tithing and giving is for us, not for God. It is not for man either, it is for our benefit. 

Malachi 3:8-10

“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’
In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.

5. Surrender yourself

Psalm 16:8-11

I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. 10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Next week we'll pick up with what hinders total surrender and the benefits of total surrender. 

Amen. 

-- Pastor Mary Mugo

(08/09/13 Sunday Service Sermon, Africa Transformation Mission. Pramukh Plaza, 6th Floor) 

Pastor Mary Mugo is the Administrative Pastor at Africa Transformation Mission, a ministry under Christ Harvesters Ministries.