Together for a Purpose
Luke 9:23, Romans 1:16-17
Part of Together for a Purpose
January 7, 2024

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SURRENDERED

We are “all in” on the Gospel. We make the daily decision to surrender our lives to God and submit to the power and authority of His Word. We aspire to live in a manner that emphasizes God’s message of grace and truth in Jesus as our source of life and hope. The good news of the Gospel is not only the diving board into our faith, it is the pool that we swim in every day. (Luke 9:23, Romans 1:16, John 1:13)

You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you. —St. Augustine, Confessions

3 reasons why we are “all in” on the Gospel at Monterey Church:

1. In surrendering our lives to Jesus, we gain life that truly satisfies and lasts.
Luke 9:23

The Christian way is different: harder, and easier. Christ says, “Give me All. I don’t want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want You. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it. No half-measures are any good. I don’t want to cut off a branch here and a branch there, I want to have the whole tree down. Hand over the whole natural self, all the desires which you think innocent as well as the ones you think wicked-the whole outfit. I will give you a new self instead. In fact, I will give you Myself: my own will all become yours… —CS Lewis, Mere Christianity

2. In surrendering our lives to Jesus, we invite the power of God into our lives.

Romans 1:16

3. In surrendering our lives to Jesus, God’s grace comes to define our whole journey of faith.

Romans 1:17


Discussion/Application Questions
What challenged you, encouraged you, or confused you in this week’s teaching?

  1. Read Luke 9:23. Why do you think surrendering our whole selves to Christ is so difficult?

  2. Can you share the story of a time when you surrendered something to God and you experienced his presence or provision in your life in a memorable way?

  3. Read Romans 1:16-17. What stands out to you the most in this passage about the nature of God’s grace? What difference can living in light of this truth make in your everyday life?

  4. Is there a commitment you feel led to make to live more fully surrendered to Jesus in your life in 2024? How will you take next steps with this? How can we pray for you about this?