Full Surrender
Mark Greening calls believers to fully surrender by drawing near to God and resisting the devil, emphasizing that revival comes through intimate relationship with God rather than mere confession of sin.
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Sermon Outline
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I. The Condition of the Church Today
- Many Christians are lukewarm and without hope
- Jesus is often absent from church life despite programs and strategies
- The church has forsaken the spring of living water
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II. The Warning from Scripture
- Jeremiah 2:12-13 condemns forsaking God for broken cisterns
- Revelation 3:15-20 describes lukewarmness and Jesus knocking at the door
- The Ephesian church left their first love despite good works
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III. The Way Back to Revival
- James 4:7-8 calls for submission to God and resisting the devil
- Drawing near to God will bring Him near to us
- Confession of sin alone is not enough for revival
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IV. The Call to Full Surrender
- Believers must humble themselves and purify their hearts
- Revival requires transformation, not just reformation
- Saying 'yes' to God's will without reservation
Key Quotes
“If we forsake the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in our churches, then we forsake God and we leave him.” — Mark Greening
“Confessing our sins and feeling guilty about our sins is not enough to bring revival to our hearts and our churches.” — Mark Greening
“Jesus is nowhere to be found in many churches today, yet we try to attract Him through programs and strategies.” — Mark Greening
Application Points
- Commit to drawing near to God daily through prayer and submission.
- Resist the devil actively to experience spiritual victory and revival.
- Evaluate your heart for lukewarmness and seek genuine transformation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be 'lukewarm' in the church?
Being lukewarm means being neither fully committed nor completely opposed to God, resulting in spiritual complacency that displeases Him.
Why is confession of sin not enough for revival?
Confession without true repentance and drawing near to God does not produce the transformation needed for revival.
What is the 'spring of living water'?
The spring of living water refers to the Holy Spirit who indwells believers, giving eternal life and spiritual vitality.
How can believers draw near to God?
Believers draw near to God through submission, resisting the devil, humility, and sincere repentance as taught in James 4:7-8.
What is the significance of Jesus knocking at the door in Revelation 3:20?
It symbolizes Jesus seeking intimate fellowship with believers who have become distant or lukewarm in their faith.