beautiful surrender

It’s one of the most familiar passages in the Bible. People of every faith and even people of no faith recognize phrases from Psalm 23.

Many of us who’ve grown up in church have probably memorized it at one time or another. But there’s a good chance that our familiarity with its words, causes us to miss much of what the psalmist was trying to convey.

Listen closely. This song of the shepherd boy turned king is a picture of the blessing that can be ours, when we live a life fully surrendered to God.

The Blessing of Surrender

[Part 1]

Pastor Chris Voigt

August 6, 2023

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be taking a deep look at one of the most well-known and much-loved passages in the Bible. This song of the shepherd/king David is familiar to people all around the world, whether or not they are followers of Jesus. But our familiarity with the words and phrases can cause us to miss some of the deeper meaning waiting for us within the text.

It’s counterintuitive, for sure. Our country and culture were built by strong-willed, independent, ‘I do it myself’ kind of people. We don’t give up or give in very easily. We look out for number one, climb the corporate ladder, break the glass ceiling, have it our way. We are determined and driven, self-reliant and self-sufficient. To give up or give in feels like failure. We’re not quitters. To concede means we lose. To succumb means we’re weak. To acquiesce means we submit. And surrender? Absolutely not.

Surrender doesn’t come easily. But there are blessings promised to those who choose to live a life that is fully surrendered to God.

Enough Oil

[Part 2]

Pastor Chris Voigt

August 13, 2023

We are at the front end of a new series we’ve called ‘Beautiful Surrender: The Blessing of a Psalm 23 Life.” We’re on verse 1 this week. I bet you know it by heart... “The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want.” That’s the old-school version. In more modern translations it says, “I have all that I need.” Notice that David, the author of this psalm doesn’t say I will have all that I need. This isn’t a promise of some future provision. This is now, today, for real. I have enough.

Perhaps the secret to contentment isn’t about having enough, or being enough, but in being deeply connected to the One who is enough... more than enough.

Going in Circles [Part 3]

Pastor Chris Voigt

August 20, 2023

We are midway through a sermon series we’ve called Beautiful Surrender: The Blessing of a Psalm 23 Life. As we gather together this Sunday, we’ll be looking at verses 2 and 3 of Psalm 23; verses that describe the daily circle of life for a sheep under the care of a shepherd. It’s a circle in which there is great comfort, but it’s also a cycle, in which there is growth.

You could say that our weekly, Sunday at 11:00 AM rhythm is a circle of sorts. Same day, same time, familiar faces, consistent pattern. But we are not the same people from Sunday to Sunday. Each of us is on a journey, learning and growing; a little bit changed as we lean into the leading of our Good Shepherd each day.

Between a Rock and a High Place [Part 4]

Pastor Chris Voigt

August 27, 2023

We are midway through a sermon series we’ve called Beautiful Surrender: The Blessing of a Psalm 23 Life. As we gather together this Sunday, we’ll be looking at verses 2 and 3 of Psalm 23; verses that describe the daily circle of life for a sheep under the care of a shepherd. It’s a circle in which there is great comfort, but it’s also a cycle, in which there is growth.

You could say that our weekly, Sunday at 11:00 AM rhythm is a circle of sorts. Same day, same time, familiar faces, consistent pattern. But we are not the same people from Sunday to Sunday. Each of us is on a journey, learning and growing; a little bit changed as we lean into the leading of our Good Shepherd each day.

Chased By God [Part 5]

Pastor Chris Voigt

September 3, 2023

We are coming to the end of our sermon series we’ve called Beautiful Surrender: The Blessing of a Psalm 23 Life. As we’ve journeyed through this psalm together, we’ve discovered many benefits of choosing to live a life fully surrendered to Jesus. As we come to the final phrases of this well-known psalm, we’ll find there is still more abundance, more blessing in living wholly yielded to our Good Shepherd.