Celebrate Christmas At City First Church!
Find Out More!
Full Service Message Servicio en Español Discussion Questions

The Illusion of Control

From the series: At The Movies

Lisa Seaton

September 29, 2024

Are you feeling overwhelmed trying to control everything in your life—your schedule, relationships, or even what others think of you? In this message, Pastor Lisa Seaton breaks down the illusion of control using the movie Jurassic Park as a fun yet powerful metaphor. Just like trying to control dinosaurs is impossible, we often try to control things that are far beyond our reach.
There’s a difference between trying to control everything around us versus exercising self-control—a fruit of the Spirit. It’s not about giving up but about learning to trust God with what’s out of your hands and focusing on what you can control: your attitude, actions, and faith.

Notes 📓✏️:

At the Movies: Jurassic Park

Pastor Lisa Seaton

We all fall into the trap of trying to control things that are out of our control.

The Illusion of Control

What do you try to control the most?

What you attempt to control the most often reveals where you trust God the least.

Luke 22:41-42; “He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, ‘Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done’”

Proverbs 3:5-6; “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.”

Surrender = Trust in God

Control = Trust in Self

Proverbs 3:6 (AMP); “In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].”

God can do more with your surrender than your control.

Do what you can do, but trust God to do what you can’t do.

Psalms 61:1-2; “Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

Overwhelmed = ataph.

It can mean “to cover, like with a garment.”

“When my heart is covered; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I”

Surrender shifts our perspective.

Galatians 5:22-23; “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

The fruit of the spirit is not control…it’s self-control.

When you feel overwhelmed or tempted to control:

– Surrender (Trust)

– Self-Control

What are you trying to control that God wants you to surrender?

Discussion Questions 📝❓:

  1. How does the concept of the “illusion of control” relate to our everyday lives?
  2. What does it mean to surrender to God, and why is it important in times of crisis or stress
  3. How can we differentiate between planning for the future and trying to control it?
  4. What role does self-control play in our faith, according to Galatians 5:22-23?