GIVE UP AND SURRENDER

By Evangelist Diana Gray Copyright (c) 1999,2000 All Rights Reserved

Introduction: The Dictionary definition of Surrender is To give up or abandon everything. To Give yourself up or away like a prisoner gives himself up to the authorities. I also means to give up yourself as a possession and yield everything that you have. It is a total act of surrender. Let's Read Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. LET US PRAY: For Godly wisdom, understanding and spiritual growth. I. GIVE UP AND SURRENDER LIKE ABRAHAM A. Abraham had to give up his home, his friends and his family in the city of Ur. Why? Gen. 12:1-3 1. He was commanded of God. Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee: 2. God said that He would make a great nation out of him and his decedents. 3. God said In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. (The Messiah would come out of Abraham) B. Abraham had to follow the Lord's leading Gen. 12:3-7 1. Abraham was shown by God that he would give him the land of Cannan. 2. The Lord told Abraham to build Him an alter. C. Abraham had to give up everyone he loved at home to follow the Lord. Out of that obedience was he blessed? Gen.24:35 And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses. II. GIVE UP AND SURRENDER LIKE MOSES DID! A. Moses had to give up his home, his friends and his

family in Egypt. He was an heir to the throne itself because he was adopted into the family. (When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior we too are adopted) Exodus 2:9-10 And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it. And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water. B. Moses had to join his own people because of the Lord's leading. Why? Hebrews 11:24-25 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 1. God had a higher purpose for Moses to lead his people out of bondage. 2. God wanted to establish His people Israel into a separate nation. (The nation of Israel, the Jews) C. What happened when he gave up and followed God? Exod. 13:18-19 1. God made him the leader of all the Israelites. 2. God gave to Moses the Ten Commandments. 3. God allowed Moses to see the promised land. 4. All the people of the earth were blessed the grandson of Abraham, Jesus the Son of God. III. GIVE UP AND SURRENDER LIKE THE APOSTLE MATTHEW DID! A. Matthew was a financially well off tax collector. 1. He had many friends a. Other tax collectors b. Harlots as friends c. The various sinners of the city 2. He was able to throw big parties with wine and food.

B. Matthew heard the call of the Lord and followed Him. Luke 5:27-28 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him. 1. He gave up money and power 2. He gave up home and family 3. He gave up friends 4. He gave up his job as a tax collector C. Matthew became a student or a disciple of Jesus. Luke 6:15 IV. GIVE UP AND SURRENDER LIKE THE APOSTLE PAUL DID! A. Paul gave up his wealth and position as a Pharisee to follow Jesus. Acts 22:3 B. Initially Paul gave up his eye sight to follow Jesus. (Gained it back a few days later) C. Paul gave up everything to follow Jesus. Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ. D. Paul gave up everything to become what the Lord desired him to become. 1. He became a disciple or student of Jesus. 2. He became a an apostle to the Gentiles II Timothy 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 3. He became a leader of many disciples. V. GIVE UP AND SURRENDER LIKE JESUS DID! A. Jesus surrendered His Heavenly home and spiritual family. B. Jesus gave up a life free of sin to be in the presence of sin. C. Jesus gave up an immortal body for an immortal body. D. Jesus gave the final total surrender when he gave up His life for our Salvation so we could have eternal life.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. CONCLUSION: GIVING UP AND SURRENDERING Question: What have you surrendered in your life for the Lord? What have you given up or are willing to give up for Jesus? When you think about your whole lifetime, has anything that you have done ever been as important as having to follow Jesus? Do you have Salvation by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?