Dedicate Everything To God

Good morning, Church! Before we delve into today's sermon, let me share a funny little anecdote with you.

There was a pastor who loved to play golf. One day, he decided to skip Sunday service to enjoy a round of golf on a nearby course. In heaven, the angels were shocked and asked God, "Aren't you going to do anything?" God replied, "Just watch." On his first swing, the pastor hit a hole-in-one. The angels were astonished. "Why did you reward him?" they asked. God replied, "Yes, but who's he going to tell?"

It's amusing, isn't it? But it points to a sobering truth. Sometimes, our priorities get mixed up, and we fail to dedicate everything to God. 

Our theme verse today is from Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV), "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

It’s not easy to dedicate everything to God. It requires trust. Trusting Him with our plans, dreams, and even our everyday activities. And this trust grows as we continually submit to Him and see Him faithfully guiding us.

Let's look at the story of Abraham. God asked Abraham to dedicate his son Isaac to Him. It seemed like an unthinkable request. But Abraham trusted God. He was willing to give up what he loved the most because his love for God was even greater. In the end, God provided a ram for the sacrifice, and Isaac was spared (Genesis 22:1-14).

The apostle Paul also sets an example for us. He considered everything as loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:7-8). He dedicated his life, his ambitions, his very identity to God. And God used him mightily for the growth of the early church.

In the New Testament, Jesus tells us in Luke 14:33 (NIV), "In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples." Dedicating everything to God is not a suggestion; it’s a requirement for discipleship. It involves surrendering our entire lives to God, trusting Him to guide us, and acknowledging Him in every area of our lives.

So, what's your 'golf game'? What's keeping you from dedicating everything to God? Remember, God doesn't just desire a part of us; He wants all of us. May we learn to trust Him with all our hearts, lean not on our own understanding, and submit to Him in all our ways. And then, we will witness how He makes our paths straight. Amen.