Sold Out to Jesus: Following His Example of Complete Surrender

The Priority of Growth Over Deliverance

Sometimes, what you require is growth and not “chain-breaking”. If you grow, your life will change.

You must live with the consciousness that there is certainly a day of accountability. Every day of your life is an opportunity to accrue testimonies about your life from God.

The priority of the Lord is not our wealth but that we know His will and walk therein.

The best way to get marriage right is to sit and learn the Word of God. When you get the Word of God right, you will learn all you need to have a good marital life.

Labor especially in these youthful days of yours to know the Lord better and better. A day of accountability is coming.

Jesus' Example of Being Sold Out

How sold out was Jesus? One of the reasons to take Jesus seriously is that Jesus takes us seriously. Also, Jesus took the Father seriously.

"Saying, 'Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.'" (Luke 22:42 NKJV)

Jesus had a will just like we also have a will. However, He submitted His will for the Father's will to take precedence.

You must be willing to sacrifice your appetite for God every time.

Rejecting the Quest for Greatness

Forget your quest for greatness. You were not born for greatness but for your obedience to Christ.

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." (Philippians 2:5-8 NKJV)

What men recognize as greatness may come to you as a sequel. You must not drive your life on the quest for greatness as this will make you lose focus on the will of God for you.

"Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11 NKJV)

Jesus would heal and say do not tell anybody at times, on the contrary, we want everyone to know that we are servants of God and can heal. Let your desire not be to advance or advertise self.

Strong appetite for greatness is perversion.

The Reality of Departure

Whether we like it or not, a time will come when our time of departure will be at hand.

"But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand." (2 Timothy 4:5-6 NKJV)

The order of God upon our life has a phase and we must not miss out on it. The prolongation of the time of your departure is to do good things that will account to blessings and rewards in heaven.

Finishing the Race

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7-8 NKJV)

There is a race set before every one of us. All of us have been called into a journey and we cannot afford not to finish strong.

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1 NKJV)

Focusing on What Does Not Fade

There is a phase where voices will fade and beauty will fade. It is important not to be carried away with these things while they are still blossoming. We must rather labor for that which does not fade.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you." (1 Peter 1:3-4 NKJV)

"Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." (1 Peter 3:3-4 NKJV)

The Power of Conduct

Behavior can cause conversion. Do not desist from being and doing good.

"Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives." (1 Peter 3:1 NKJV)

Living for God's Will, Not Self

Jesus did not live for Himself, consequently as his follower, you are not meant to live for yourself.

"Jesus said to them, 'My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.'" (John 4:34 NKJV)

"I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me." (John 5:30 NKJV)

"For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me." (John 6:38 NKJV)

"I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work." (John 9:4 NKJV)

The Goal: Finishing Well

Jesus finished. Paul finished. Lord, help me to finish.

"I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do." (John 17:4 NKJV)

God is not moved with our challenges because He knows that the solution is in our continuance of obedience to His will.

Conclusion

Being sold out to Jesus means following His perfect example of submitting our will to the Father's will, rejecting the quest for personal greatness, and focusing on finishing the work He has given us to do. Like Jesus, we must live not for ourselves but for God's will, knowing that the day of Judgement will come, where we will give an account of how we ran our race. Let us labor for what does not fade and pursue the incorruptible inheritance reserved for us in heaven.