All to Jesus I Surrender
A Sermon based on
the hymn by Judson W. Van DeVenter
Introduction
“All to Jesus I
Surrender” is a hymn that expresses the heart of true discipleship—total
surrender to the will of Christ. Written in 1896 by Judson W. Van
DeVenter, a music teacher and artist who struggled between his career
ambitions and God's call to evangelism, this song was born out of
personal spiritual struggle. After finally surrendering completely to
God, Van DeVenter penned the words that continue to stir believers to
this day.
The hymn is rooted in
Jesus’ call in Luke 14:33—“Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all
that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.” Surrender is not partial; it is
complete. It is the laying down of our will, our desires, and our
control so that Jesus can reign in our hearts. As we walk through each
stanza, we will see that surrender is not just a one-time act—it is a
way of life, a daily dying to self and living for Christ (Galatians
2:20). This hymn serves as a beautiful prayer and a sobering challenge.
Let us explore what it means to truly say, “All to Jesus I surrender.”
Stanza 1
“All to Jesus I
surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.”
This stanza declares
an open-handed offering of all to Jesus. There is no forced obedience
here—it is “freely” given, as Romans 12:1 commands: “present your bodies
a living sacrifice.” True surrender begins with trust, and trust begins
with love. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My
commandments.” To live daily in His presence requires a continual heart
of submission.
Stanza 2
“All to Jesus I
surrender,
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken—
Take me, Jesus, take me now.”
Surrender always
involves humility and repentance. The image here is one of bowing—an act
of submission to the authority of Christ. Forsaking worldly pleasures is
not just about what we give up; it’s about what we embrace in their
place. Titus 2:12 teaches us to “deny ungodliness and worldly lusts” and
to “live soberly, righteously, and godly.” This stanza echoes the
prodigal son returning to the Father in Luke 15:18–20.
Stanza 3
“All to Jesus I
surrender,
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.”
Surrender also
involves transformation. The heart longs to belong wholly to Jesus, not
partially. Romans 6:13 urges us to “present yourselves to God as being
alive from the dead.” This verse also expresses a desire for closeness
with God through the Spirit—just as Paul said in Romans 8:16, “The
Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of
God.”
Stanza 4
“All to Jesus I
surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me.”
This is a request
for divine filling and empowerment. We do not surrender in our own
strength but seek God to fill us. Ephesians 5:18 says, “Be filled with
the Spirit.” Surrender allows space for God to work in us. Only when we
empty ourselves can God pour in His love and power.
Stanza 5
“All to Jesus I
surrender,
Now I feel the sacred flame;
Oh, the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory to His name!”
The final stanza
celebrates the joy that follows total surrender. Salvation brings a joy
that is indescribable and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8–9). “The sacred
flame” represents the presence of the Spirit and the deep assurance of
salvation. This is not mere emotion—it is the result of a life fully
yielded to Christ. Psalm 51:12 pleads, “Restore unto me the joy of Thy
salvation.”
Chorus
“I surrender all,
I surrender all—
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.”
The chorus becomes a
repeated declaration of devotion. It’s not a partial offering, but a
total one. Jesus said in Mark 12:30 that the greatest commandment is to
love the Lord with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength. That’s what
surrender looks like—giving our all.
All to Jesus I Surrender
Sermon Outline:
Introduction
-
Author: Judson
W. Van DeVenter
-
Theme:
Discipleship through total surrender
-
Key Scripture:
Luke 14:33 – Forsake all to be Christ’s disciple
Stanza 1 –
Freely Giving Our All
-
Romans 12:1 –
Present your bodies a living sacrifice
-
John 14:15 –
Love and obedience go together
-
Psalm 16:11 –
Joy in His presence daily
Stanza 2 –
Humble Repentance
-
Luke 15:18–20 –
The prodigal returns
-
Titus 2:12 –
Deny ungodliness and worldly lusts
-
James 4:10 –
Humble yourselves before the Lord
Stanza 3 –
Belonging Fully to Jesus
-
Romans 6:13 –
Yield yourselves to God
-
Romans 8:16 –
Assurance through the Spirit
-
2 Corinthians
5:17 – A new creation in Christ
Stanza 4 –
Filled with Power and Love
-
Ephesians 5:18 –
Be filled with the Spirit
-
Galatians
5:22–23 – Fruit of the Spirit
-
2 Timothy 1:7 –
God has not given a spirit of fear, but of power
Stanza 5 – Joy
in Full Salvation
-
1 Peter 1:8–9 –
Joy unspeakable
-
Psalm 51:12 –
Restore the joy of salvation
-
Romans 15:13 –
Joy and peace through believing
Chorus – The
Repeated Commitment
-
Mark 12:30 –
Love the Lord with all
-
Matthew 16:24 –
Take up your cross
-
Galatians 2:20 –
Christ lives in me
Call to Action
Have you truly
surrendered all to Jesus? Not just in word, but in daily life? Surrender
is not weakness—it is the strongest act of trust. Begin with faith in
Christ (John 8:24), turn from sin (Acts 3:19), confess His name (Romans
10:9–10), and be baptized into Him (Romans 6:3–4). Then walk in newness
of life, filled with His Spirit and surrendered to His will each day.
Say with confidence, “I surrender all.”
Scripture Reference List
Luke 14:33 – Forsake
all to follow Jesus
Romans 12:1 – Present your body a living sacrifice
John 14:15 – Obedience from love
Psalm 16:11 – Joy in His presence
Luke 15:18–20 – The prodigal’s return
Titus 2:12 – Deny worldly lusts
James 4:10 – Humble yourselves
Romans 6:13 – Yield to God
Romans 8:16 – Spirit bears witness
2 Corinthians 5:17 – New creation
Ephesians 5:18 – Be filled with the Spirit
Galatians 5:22–23 – Fruit of the Spirit
2 Timothy 1:7 – Power, love, and a sound mind
1 Peter 1:8–9 – Joy in salvation
Psalm 51:12 – Restore joy
Romans 15:13 – Joy and peace
Mark 12:30 – Love the Lord with all
Matthew 16:24 – Take up your cross
Galatians 2:20 – Crucified with Christ
John 8:24 – Believe
Acts 3:19 – Repent and be converted
Romans 10:9–10 – Confess
Romans 6:3–4 – Baptized into Christ
Song History
Judson W. Van
DeVenter, a former art teacher, wrote “All to Jesus I Surrender” after a
spiritual struggle about whether to pursue preaching full-time. After
yielding to God’s will, he penned this hymn in 1896, which quickly
became a favorite in evangelistic meetings. The melody was written by
Winfield S. Weeden. Churches of Christ have long valued this hymn as a
powerful invitation song and heartfelt declaration of discipleship.
Prepared by David Hersey of the church of Christ at
Granby, MO
 |
The
church of Christ
