24 Oct 08 (Week 2 on the theme 'Surrender')

(A) Verses quoted:

Philippians 3:8
More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.

Galatians 2:20
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

1 Corinthians 2:2
For I determine to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

Matthew 16:24
If anyone wants to follow in my footsteps, he must give up all right to himself, take up his cross and follow me. For the man who wants to save his life will lose it, but the man who loses his life for my sake will find it.

John 5:30
I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgement is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of Him who sent me.

(B) Summary of our Sharing:

We began our sharing by pondering on an obvious question – What is ‘Surrender’? We had responses like ‘give up’, ‘let go’, and ‘give up so that we can receive something better’. All correct, and the last one was more of what I was looking for.

As I was giving thought to this myself in the last few days, I realised an act of surrender actually comprises of 3 parts (I like to take things apart!):

Giving up + Something + In Favour of Another

Or (Process) + (Price) + (Prize)

I realized 3 things from this simple “Surrender Formula”:

(1) “To Surrender is both Easy & Hard”

It is easy in that if we truly adhere to the logic of this simple formula – theoretically, instantaneously, we can actually exchange our earthly inclinations and focus on earthly treasures for the fullness and blessings of God. It is the same as displacement theory – the more fully you empty a cup, the more you can fill it up; the more fully you deny yourself, the more fully you inherit God. As simple as that. On the other hand, it is difficult in that the earthly things we hold dear to, we find very difficult to give up because like it or not, we tend to go by the world’s standards and expectations most of our conscious lives.

(2) “Only a Third of the Formula”

When we think of ‘Surrender’, we often think only of its “Process” aspect (the giving up). That’s only a third of the formula. We tend to focus on the difficulty of the process, of surrendering, because giving up something dear is difficult, because we often seek the world’s approval. The other thing we focus on is ‘Ourselves’ as actor or subject of this process. We are the ones doing the surrendering. [Our usual focus : I + Surrender]

(3) “Shifting the Paradigm”

Now, let me challenge us to look at this whole thing from a totally different angle. Supposing we consider the ‘other two-thirds’ of the Formula – the Price & the Prize – and as we behold and are attracted to the PRIZE (Christ), the PRICE (our earthly treasures) diminishes (Paul calls the latter ‘rubbish' or 'dung' in Greek - an emphatic declaration!). Christ (not “I”) becomes the doer in this process - He is doing the attracting of our whole nature to Himself. Compelling is His love.

Can you see how ‘surrender’ has thus been re-framed? The surpassing knowledge and beauty of Christ draws a natural response of attraction or surrender, however you like to call it. Trying to surrender (in our own might) is like hitting a wall – it is futile. Rather, focus on Christ, devour the Word, worship Him, and allow Holy Inspiration to draw you naturally (through an act of surrender) to Him. [The focus now : Prize]

Finally ...

I leave with you a quote & a last thought:

“The saint is quiet because he is not moved, not because he wills to be quiet. He is not moved, because he is still and know that I am God.”

The Christian life is a Life of Surrender and surrender is a Practical Response (see the verses quoted at the top). When you encounter the Word, you surrender what is old for what is new. Every worship, scriptural reading, prayer is a sacred act of surrender. David declares “Your Word is better than life”. So, the next time I open the bible or pray, I will remember that these acts are no less than sacred, acts of divine exchange - swapping the old for the new, the lesser for the greater. And I come thus with great expectancy to an appointment with Divinity.

Remember our little exercise (or prophetic act) of writing down what we hold dear to in this life, and then exchanging these (or re-ordering our priorities) for Christ? Where does God stand in our list of priorities? It is good to call this to mind as often as we can. "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." May God help us. Paul (Cheak) reminded us that Christ exchanged (surrendered) His life for us!

How beautiful is a life wholly given unto the Lord, how lovely is the countenance of the saint. We remember that beloved saint, Stephen ... the man with the face of an angel.

Wan Chung

[Feel free to post comments & further thoughts to this running script...]

17 Oct 08 (Week 1 on the theme 'Surrender')

Dear all,

In the last couple of weeks at our Friday fellowship, those of us present discussed and agreed that for the bible study segment, we will go with a 'thematic' approach rather than going through various books of the bible from beginning to end.

Firstly, this will enable those of us who are not able to join regularly to be able to integrate quickly when they attend (it would be more difficult if we are halfway thru' exegeting a book). Also, themes can better help us focus our thoughts, meditations and sharing on key practical issues of living out our faith. I have spoken with Lip Yong and he's supportive of this.

The first theme that we will consider is "Surrender" (or Abandonment). We decided that we could dwell on a theme for some weeks and each of us can take turns to share each week.

We started on this last Friday and had a great time of sharing. We felt it would be useful to share our thoughts each week through some brief pointers for the benefit of all and by way of helping everyone stay connected to this fellowship. You may wish to reflect on the scriptural verses and thoughts shared on Friday (below), and perhaps zoom in on 1 or 2 things that attracted you and ponder further on these.

Finally, we also thought that it would be helpful to have a simple roster to schedule members to lead (a) the sharing of the Word and (b) Worship. (Most of us should be able to lead, and Sharon is ok to play the guitar.)Attached is a simple template we could use. Please slot in your names for a particular week. For this coming week, I will arrange with a couple of individuals to lead.

Have a meaningful & victorious week ahead!

Wan Chung
_________________________

Theme: Surrender (Abandonment)
(17 Oct - Wk 1)

(A) Verses quoted & discussed:

· Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."

· Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

· Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

· Colossians 2:9 "For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power."

(B) Summary of our Sharing:

(1) Life is empty without God. Surrender to His Purposes.

· Solomon had everything he could have, and yet he found himself ultimately discontented. He finally concluded that without God, everything is meaningless.

· Life is transient, yet we tend to build up treasures on earth. Surrender your earthly perspective for kingdom perspective. Life is like a stone thrown into the ocean, and it creates some ripples and in a moment they are no more. Therefore, build up treasures in heaven, which essentially speaks of the principle of giving and not accumulating.

(2) Surrender is a Natural Response to a Great & Glorious God.

· It is saying He is everything and I am nothing, and the response of surrender follows naturally from such a realization. The following excerpt from a poem by Thomas Merton "The Man of the Way" is a profound statement of absolute surrender: "The man of the Way remains unknown, perfect virtue, produces nothing, 'No-Self' is 'True-Self'. And the greatest man is Nobody." (Galatians 2:20)

· God is the Centre of our Existence. The Centrality of Christ demands my soul, my all. All we are and have belongs to Him. Without life, there is no you, so quit being too caught up with yourself and cast your eyes on Him and seek that great and glorious destiny He has for you. [Food for Thought: Scientifically, because of the way the universe expands, it effectively has no centre; the only true centre is God! He truly is the Beginning and the End, and in Him we live and have our being.]

(3) Surrender is a Practical Response.

· Intentionally shift your attention to God as often as you can through the day, proclaiming His Word and Promises with great expectancy. Establish a spiritually-charged atmosphere in your homes and workplaces by constantly proclaiming God's presence, faithfully and His promises to prosper you. Know that God stands way above our circumstances, and don't give in to the enemy's ploy of having you focus on your problems instead of God.

· Surrender leads to spiritual progression. Becoming more like Him is a process, but there seems to be some definitive points in life where a person comes to a point of greater / complete surrender and his spiritual progress accelerates and he goes on to the next level of faith. Invite the Holy Spirit to help you journey on in your life of faith. God intends for us to surrender as soon as we can so that He can move us onto greater things, but we are always distracted and waylaid through the subtle schemes of the enemy.

· Surrender is not just about giving up physical possessions. God demands the whole self – body, soul and spirit. (Romans 12:1)

Wan Chung

[Feel free to add comments & further thoughts to this running script...]