Living the Story of the Bible to Become Like Jesus

2015 SUMMER INSTITUTE

Living the Story of the Bible to Become Like Jesus

Single-Mindedness & Total Surrender

I.  Single-Mindedness

a.  Key Idea – I focus on God and His priorities for my life

b.  Key Verse – Matthew 6:33; Proverbs 3:5-6

c.  Definition of Single-Minded

i.  Having or showing a single aim or purpose

ii. A focus on one thing at the expense of anything else

iii.  Having only one purpose, goal, or interest

1.  Focused on one thing (your mind is locked and loaded)

a.  Psalm 27:4

b.  Philippians 3:13-14

iv.  Dedicated, resolute, steadfast, unwavering

1.  I Corinthians 15:58

d.  Principles of Single-Mindedness

i.  Exodus 20:2-6 (God’s idea and His requirement)

ii. Deuteronomy 6:4-15

iii.  Matthew 6:19-33

iv.  James 1:6-8 (a double-minded man is unstable)

e.  Profiles of Single-Mindedness

i.  King Jehoshaphat – 2 Chronicles 20:1-30

ii. Apostle Paul

1.  Before his conversion – Acts 8:1; 9:1-2

2.  After his conversion – Philippians 3:1-14

iii.  Peter

1.  Walking on water – Matthew 14:22-32

2.  The Denial – Matthew 26:58, 69-75

iv.  Jesus – Exemplary Model of God’s idea of Single-Mindedness

1.  John 8:12-30

2.  Matthew 26:38-44

f.  Product of Single-Mindedness

i.  Deuteronomy 29:16-30:20 – Long & Fruit Life

ii. Isaiah 26:3 – Perfect Peace

iii.  Romans 12:1-2 – Knowing God’s Will

iv.  Colossians 3:1-4 – Sharing in Christ’s Glory

v. Philippians 4:6-8 – Peace

II.  Total Surrender

a.  Key Idea – I dedicate my life to God’s purposes

b.  Key Verse – Romans 12:1

c.  Definition of Total

i.  Complete; absolute

ii. The whole amount of something; the entirety

d.  Definition of Surrender

i.  Cease resistance to an enemy or opponent & submit to their authority

ii. To yield to the power, control, or possession of another

iii.  To give up completely or agree to forgo especially in favor of another

e.  The Expectation – Exodus 20:1-7

f.  Profiles of Total Surrender

i.  Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego – Daniel 3:1-28

ii. Esther and Mordecai – Esther 3:1-4:16

iii.  Stephen – Acts 6:8-7:60

iv.  Jesus – Matthew 26:38-44

g.  The Inspiration of a Martyr

i.  The Apostle Paul – Philippians 1:12-21

1.  “for God I live and for God I’ll die”

III.  Discussion Questions

a.  What does God promise us if we put Him first and keep our covenant relationship with Him?

b.  Why is it so difficult to put God first when we have many possessions?

c.  What are some things that tend to distract you from putting God first (and keeping Him first) in your life?

d.  What does it mean to “take up your cross daily”?

e.  What does it mean to offer ourselves as “living sacrifices”?

f.  Reflecting on Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego, Esther&Mordecai, Stephen, and Apostle Paul, how might you have reacted in their shoes?

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