🎙️ Sermon Title: “Lay Down the Flag, Take Up the Cross”

Preached by Pastor Terry for docbmedia.com | One Truth at a Time

Good mornin’, Let me tell you somethin’ from the depths of my soul…

Every one of us is born with a little kingdom inside — flyin’ our own flag. That flag says “I’ll run things from here.” Now, it might not look rebellious on the outside. You might still go to church, smile polite, sing a hymn or two… but deep down, if you’re still sittin’ on the throne of your own heart, you ain’t surrendered.

You’re still at war with the One true King.

Let me take you back to Appomattox Courthouse. Picture a Confederate soldier, ragged, bruised, his boots covered in the mud of a lost cause. And there he stands, holdin’ his flag… until he folds it up. And that moment right there, for those who did? That’s when peace begins.

Some of us in here are still wavin’ our personal banners — “My will be done,” “My plans,” “My time, my way.”But that ain’t peace, that’s pride.

🔥 The Spirit’s Been Knockin’

The Bible says in Acts 7:51, “You stiff-necked people… you always resist the Holy Ghost:

”Now I ain’t callin’ nobody stiff-necked this mornin’, but if the shoe fits, don’t just wear it — throw it off and run barefoot to the altar.

You know He’s been knockin’. That conviction you’ve been feelin’? That still small voice you keep shovin’ to the back of your mind? That’s not guilt — that’s grace beggin’ for your surrender.

👐 Let Go and Give God What’s Already His

Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.

”That means your kids? His.

Your marriage? His.

Your wallet, your time, your breath? All His.

We walk ‘round with clenched fists, fightin’ for control over what we never owned in the first place. But you can’t receive a thing from the Lord with your hands full of your own plans.

💔 You Gotta Repent of Self-Rule

Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

That’s not a suggestion, sugar — that’s a command. You can’t follow Jesus while marchin’ to the beat of your own drum.

The war inside your soul won’t end until the dictator of self is overthrown and the Savior is enthroned.

🎯 Let Go of Your “Rights” and Pick Up Your Cross

Now, I know America loves her rights — and rightly so. But in the Kingdom of God, surrender ain’t slavery — it’s sonship.

Philippians 2 tells us Jesus Himself laid down His rights. He didn’t cling to status or power — He emptied Himself, became a servant, humbled Himself to death… even death on a cross.

So don’t tell me it’s “too much” to forgive your neighbor,

to tithe,

to serve in the church.

If Christ could lay down heaven, we can lay down pride.

🪶 His Yoke is Easy, His Burden is Light

You tired? I mean bone-deep tired? Matthew 11:28-30 is your verse: “Come to Me… and I’ll give you rest. My yoke is easy, My burden is light.”

Jesus ain’t tryin’ to load you down — He’s tryin’ to lift what’s killin’ you. You trade in that backpack full of shame, control, and fear… and He’ll hand you a yoke that fits and a walkin’ pace that heals.

🪓 Crucify the Flesh, Don’t Coddle It

Now hear me close: Galatians 5:24 says, “Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

The cross ain’t jewelry. It ain’t wall art. It’s a killin’ place — and your flesh needs to die there daily.

Every single day, I gotta wake up and say, “Lord, not me, not my will, not my feelings — but You.”

It’s not a one-time act. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:31, “I die daily.”

Surrender is a decision made every sunrise. Yesterday’s “yes” won’t carry today’s load. God wants fresh obedience.

✈️ God’s Will Ain’t a Prison, It’s a Runway

Romans 12 says to “present your body a living sacrifice…”That ain’t bondage — that’s launch mode. That’s where you lift off into the plan God tailor-made for your life.

You don’t lose your identity in surrender — you finally find it.

🛑 Stop Fightin’ for Victory… Rest In It

Jesus said, “It is finished.” Not “it’s ongoing” or “you better earn it.”He meant the battle is over, the sin debt is paid, and peace is offered.

Hebrews 4 says there’s a rest for God’s people. So quit wearin’ yourself out tryin’ to earn what Christ already bought.

✝️ Invitation: Fold the Flag

So let me ask you one last time, plain and honest:

What flag are you still wavin’?

What kingdom are you still buildin’?

What battle are you still losin’ because you refuse to surrender?

The altar is open. You can kneel. You can cry. You can whisper. Just don’t walk out of here clingin’ to that old flag.

Because the truth is, friend…The moment you lay down your life is the moment you actually start livin’.

🙏 Closing Prayer

“Lord Jesus, we surrender. Not part of us — all of us. Our past, our plans, our pain, our pride. From this day forward, we wave no flag but Yours. We belong to You. Amen.”