Surrender Understanding

August 23, 2026
Jeff continues our series by exploring three different passages that all ask the question: “How is this possible?” The Christian life often requires us to surrender our understanding: of how life works, of how the Spirit moves, and of how we can experience God. What’s holding you back from a deeper level of surrender — listen in as we embrace the truth of Christ together.

SERMON NOTES

LUKE 18:18-27 (NLT)
(18) Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” (19)  “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good. (20) But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’” (21) The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” (22) When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (23) But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich. (24) When Jesus saw this, he said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! 25In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” (26) Those who heard this said, “Then who in the world can be saved?” (27) He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.”

SURRENDER UNDERSTANDING

JOHN 3:3-10 (NLT)
(3) Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” (4) “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” (5) Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. (6) Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. (7) So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ (8) The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.” (9) “How are these things possible?” Nicodemus asked. (10) Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things? 

  • We’re after a life that surpasses this age, we’re after a life that is better than what we’re experiencing in our day-to-day, and we’re after a life that is empowered by God not our own efforts.

JOHN 6:35-40 (NLT)
(35) Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. (36) But you haven’t believed in me even though you have seen me. (37) However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. (38) For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. (39) And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. (40) For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”

  • Only Jesus can fill you and quench your spiritual thirst.
  • Communion is an act of surrender.

 

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:

  1. How are you partnering with the Holy Spirit to give birth to spiritual things in your life today?
  2. What’s your history when it comes to communion and what’s your current experience of it today?
  3. Are there any areas in your life where you need to surrender your own understanding? How do you need God to move in those areas today?

 

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