The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren—A Synopsis (continued). Chapter 10—The Heart of Worship (pages 77-84) Summary The heart (core) of worship is an attitude of complete surrender to God, which is an unnatural concept in light of today’s competitive culture. But it is the natural response of the Christian in to God’s love and mercy. In fact, the Apostle Paul specifically connects the act of worship with the concept of surrendering to God. Although this concept may be phrased differently in and out of the Bible (“consecration,” “making Jesus Lord,” “take up your cross,” “dying to self”), what matters is that a Christian do it, not what he calls it. Fear, pride and confusion are three barriers to surrender. · Fear. Fear comes from misunderstanding God, which results in reservation of trust. The more one comes to know God and His love through His Word, the more trust and surrender will bloom and flourish. The epitome of God’s love for the individual is seen in the incarnation and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. · Pride. Pride comes from refusing to admit to human limitations. Everyone wishes to be self-sufficient. This was the attitude appealed to by Satan in the Garden of Eden. The desire to have “complete control,” blocks the attitude of surrender. The reality is that with this desire, individuals struggle only with God. Until they come to an “end of themselves,” they can only lose the battle. Pride leads to all sorts of emotional conflict and disarray. · Confusion. Confusion regarding surrender exists on many fronts within the Christian’s mind. It is not “passive resignation,” “fatalism,” or an “excuse for laziness.” It is the opposite, since God calls on only the surrendered to do battle for Him in the spiritual realm; therefore, to surrender is not for cowards or the timid. To surrender is not the repressing of one’s personality; rather, it is the release of one’s unique personality in spiritual warfare. Two key aspects of being surrendered are obedience and trust. These were discussed in the last chapter, but stand repeating here. The self-centered life must be abandoned for the God-centered life in order to be in a state of surrender. All aspects of one’s life must be surrendered to God, to include the concept of and use of money—one of the most difficult areas, if not the most difficult area, to surrender. The supreme example of surrender may be seen in the life and death of Jesus Christ. The blessings of surrender are peace, freedom and God’s power in life. Only surrendered individuals are fully used for their own benefit by God. God often uses individuals and things that are not surrendered to Him, but it is only the individual who is fully surrendered to Him that receives full benefit (blessing)—in this life and in the life to come—from his being used by God. The truth is that if a person is not surrendered to God, he will be surrendered to the “god of this world” (Satan)—with all its consequences. The natural state is to be surrendered to God, since He is the Creator who formed everyone to worship Him. To be surrendered to God is really the only way to achieve peace, freedom and power –real satisfaction—in this life and future rewards in the life to come. A person may experience a moment of surrender, but he will actually find it is a continuing process—a day-by-day realization of the individual’s measure before God and the understanding that only God can “get the job done” properly. Additionally, when a person is surrendered to God, he will be tested by God—for verification (not to God, but to the person), refinement and strengthening. One should understand that surrendering to God is a contract with Him—one embedded in His grace, love and wisdom. Quotes “The heart of worship is surrender.” (pg. 77) “It [surrender] is the natural response to God’s amazing love and mercy.” (pg. 77) “Offering yourself to God is what worship is all about.” (pg. 78) “What matters is that you do it [surrender], not what you call it. God wants your life—all of it.” (pg. 78) “There are three barriers that block our total surrender to God: fear, pride, and confusion.” (pg.78) “God is a Lover and a Liberator, and surrendering to Him brings freedom, not bondage. When we completely surrender ourselves to Jesus, we discover that He is not a tyrant, but a Savior; not a boss, but a Brother; not a dictator, but a Friend.” (pg. 79) “The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become—because He made us.” (pg. 80) “Surrendering is best demonstrated in obedience.” (pg. 80) “Another aspect of a fully surrendered life is trust.” (pg. 80) “You know you’re surrendered to God when you rely on God to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your agenda, and control the situation. You let go and let God work.” (pg. 81) “You also know you’re surrendered when you don’t react to criticism and rush to defend yourself. Surrendered hearts show up best in relationships. You don’t edge others out, you don’t demand your rights, and you aren’t self-serving when you’re surrendered.” (pg. 81) “Surrendered people are the ones God uses.” (pg. 82) “Everybody eventually surrenders to something or someone. If not to God, you will surrender to the opinions or expectations of others, to money, to resentment, to fear, or to your own pride, lusts, or ego.” (pg. 82) “Surrender is not the best way to live; it is the only way to live.” (pg. 83) “Sometimes it takes years, but eventually you discover that the greatest hindrance to God’s blessing in your life is not others, it is yourself—your self-will, stubborn pride, and personal ambition.” (pg. 83) “Put Jesus Christ in the driver’s seat of your life and take your hands off the steering wheel. Don’t be afraid; nothing under His control can ever be out of control.” (pg. 83) There is a moment of surrender, and there is the practice of surrender, which is moment-by-moment and lifelong. The problem with a living sacrifice is that it can crawl off the altar . . . .” (pg. 83) Scriptures Romans 6:13; 1 John 4:9, 10, 19; Romans 12:1; Psalm 145:9; 139:3; Matthew 10:30; 1 Timothy 6:17b; Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 86:5; 145:8; Romans 5:8; Genesis 3:5; Luke 5:5; Psalm 37:7a; Matthew 6:24, 21; Mark 14:36; Job 22:21; Romans 6:17; Joshua 5:13-15; Luke 1:38; James 4:7a; Romans 12:1; 2 Corinthians 5;9; Philippians 4:13; 1 Corinthians 15:31; Luke 9:23. Conclusion/Comments The heart of truly worshipping God is one’s surrendered life, as a living sacrifice, to Him; which comes at a point-in-time in a Christian’s life, and which is an on-going practice, a moment-by-moment occurrence. Without surrender a Christian will never fully know himself or his potential; but more than this, He will never be able to accomplish God’s purpose for his life, resulting in loss of peace, freedom and power in this life and the loss of eternal rewards to come. Surrender is absolute the key to victorious Christian living to the glory and praise of Jesus Christ. It is, although often not recognized as such, the natural state designed by God for man. God, the Creator, deserves nothing less from His created beings.