Get Off Your Throne

Scripture

“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.” Proverbs 3:5–6

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” Acts 3:19

Additional Scripture References

• Psalm 37:5
• Galatians 2:20
• Romans 12:1–2
• Isaiah 55:8–9

Main Idea

Pride puts us on the throne. Surrender takes us off.

This message wasn't about learning something new. It’s about responding. Because once God exposes pride… the only right response is surrender.

Surrender Starts When You Release Control

Scripture

Proverbs 3:5–6

Overview

Let’s be honest. Most of us don’t struggle with saying we trust God.

We struggle with actually letting go.

Control feels safe. It feels responsible. It feels like we’re doing something. But underneath it… it’s often pride. It’s the belief that we can figure it out better than God.

And here’s the tension. You can’t fully trust God while still trying to control everything.

It’s one or the other.

YOU CANNOT FOLLOW GOD
AND STAY IN CHARGE

Deeper Dive

In biblical culture, trust wasn’t just emotional—it was directional. When Proverbs says “lean not on your own understanding,” it’s painting a picture. Leaning means putting your weight on something. Depending on it.

So the question becomes… what are you leaning on?

Your logic? Your timeline? Your plan?

Or God?

This connects deeply to the idea of lordship. In Scripture, calling Jesus “Lord” wasn’t casual. It meant authority. Ownership. Surrender. So when we say Jesus is Lord but still hold control, there’s a disconnect.

It’s like sitting in the passenger seat… while still grabbing the steering wheel.

That tension is where many people live spiritually. Not far from God. Just unwilling to fully release.

And that’s where surrender begins. Not when everything makes sense.

But when you finally let go.

Question

What is one area of your life you’re still trying to control instead of trusting God with?

Surrender Requires You to Lay Down Self

Scripture

Luke 9:23

Overview

This is where things get uncomfortable.

Because surrender isn’t just about letting go of control… it’s about letting go of you.

Not the broken version. Not just your mistakes.

But the version of you that wants to stay in charge.

Your preferences. Your opinions. Your need to be right.

All of it.

YOU DON’T FOLLOW JESUS BY ADDING HIM.
YOU FOLLOW HIM BY DENYING YOU.

Deeper Dive

When Jesus said “take up your cross,” His audience didn’t hear that as a metaphor. They knew exactly what He meant.

The cross was an instrument of death.

So Jesus wasn’t inviting people to improve their lives. He was calling them to die to themselves.

That’s why surrender feels so intense. Because it’s not surface-level. It cuts deep. It challenges identity. It confronts pride at its core.

And here’s what’s wild. Most of us don’t notice how much “self” is still driving.

It shows up in small ways:

• needing the last word
• getting frustrated when things don’t go your way
• comparing your life to someone else
• wanting recognition

Little things… that reveal something bigger.

Self is still alive.

And Scripture is clear. Whatever you refuse to lay down… will keep controlling you.

WHAT YOU REFUSE TO LAY DOWN
WILL CONTINUE TO CONTROL YOU

Question

What is something in your life you know God is asking you to lay down, but you’ve been holding onto?

Surrender Restores the Flow of God

Scripture

Acts 3:19

Overview

Here’s the hope in all of this.

Surrender doesn’t leave you empty. It restores what pride has been blocking.

Because pride doesn’t just affect behavior. It affects sensitivity. It dulls your heart. It disrupts your connection with God.

But the moment surrender happens…

Something shifts.

WHAT PRIDE BLOCKED, SURRENDER RESTORES.

Deeper Dive

Acts 3:19 gives us a clear sequence: repent… then refreshing comes.

Not before.

After.

That word “refreshing” in the original language carries the idea of relief. Renewal. Like a cool breeze after intense heat.

That means what many people are searching for—peace, clarity, closeness with God—isn’t found in more effort.

It’s found in surrender.

Sometimes we think we need:

• another sermon
• more knowledge
• better discipline

But often… we just need alignment.

Think of it like a pipe. If something is blocking it, the solution isn’t more pressure. It’s removing the blockage.

Pride blocks.

Surrender clears.

And when that happens… the flow returns.

ONE MOMENT OF REAL SURRENDER
CAN RESTORE WHAT PRIDE RESTRICTED FOR YEARS.

Question

Have you felt distant from God lately? What might be blocking the flow?

Summary

This message comes down to one simple but heavy truth.

Pride puts you on the throne.

Surrender gets you off.

And every day, you’re choosing one or the other.

You can hold control… or you can follow God.

You can protect self… or you can deny it.

You can stay blocked… or step into restoration.

But you can’t have both.

Call to Action

Take a moment and be honest. What has God been putting His finger on all week?

That one thing.

That’s where surrender needs to happen.

So don’t just talk about it. Act on it.

In your group… or even personally right now:

• Pray it out
• Say it out loud
• Lay it down

Less of me. More of Him.

Prayer Prompts

• God, show me where pride is still present in my life
• Help me release control in the areas I’ve been holding onto
• Give me the strength to deny myself daily
• Soften my heart and restore my sensitivity to You
• Bring refreshing where pride has created distance
• Teach me what real surrender looks like in my everyday life