A Living Surrender

A Living Surrender

Author: Highland Park United Methodist Church - Dallas, Texas May 31, 2026 Duration: 36:58

Rev. Dr. Abe Smith | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide.

What does it mean to live with open hands and open hearts before God? Open hands are a posture of surrender—releasing our grip on the things we try to control and trusting God with what we carry. An open heart is a posture of receptivity—making space for God’s presence, guidance, and transforming love. Together, they describe a way of living that is neither clenched by fear nor closed off by self-reliance, but marked by trust, attentiveness, and availability to God.

As we grow in awareness of Christ’s love, our perspective begins to change. The moments we once rushed through or overlooked can become places of encounter with God. A conversation with a friend, a quiet morning cup of coffee, a difficult decision, an act of service, a walk through the neighborhood, or a prayer whispered in the middle of a busy day can become sacred moments. Not because the circumstances themselves are extraordinary, but because God is present in them. 

Living with open hands and an open heart is an invitation to discover that faith is not merely something practiced in church or reserved for special occasions. It is a way of being in the world—learning to recognize God's presence in the ordinary, trusting His care in every circumstance, and responding to His love with our whole lives. When we do, we often find that the sacred is woven into the fabric of our everyday experiences, and that God is closer than we imagined.


Each week, the sanctuary of Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas, becomes a source of spiritual reflection and grounded wisdom. This audio collection presents the traditional worship services and sermons from that sacred space. You’ll hear the thoughtful, scripturally-rooted preaching of Senior Minister Rev. Paul Rasmussen and Rev. Matt Tuggle, whose messages connect ancient faith to contemporary life with clarity and compassion. This podcast offers a consistent point of connection and contemplation, delivering the full experience of a Sunday service directly to you. It’s more than just a weekly talk; it’s an invitation into a community of faith that values tradition, deep thinking, and meaningful worship. Whether you’re a longtime member, a seeker exploring Christian thought, or someone who finds solace in structured liturgy and substantive sermons, these recordings provide a reliable rhythm of inspiration. Tune in for a moment of peace, a challenge to grow, and the enduring resonance of traditional Methodist worship, captured and shared for your journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

HPUMC - Sanctuary Sermons (Traditional Worship)
Podcast Episodes
Imperceptible to Undeniable [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:33
Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Jesus’ parable of the mustard seed in Matthew 13:31–33 reveals that the kingdom of God often begins in ways that seem small, hidden, and insignifican…
Transformation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:13
Rev. Chip Robertson
For Forty Days [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:02
Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Resolutions often fail because they demand an undefined, lifelong commitment; “forever” feels overwhelming. Lent, however, offers a grace-filled, 40-…
God Is the Point [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:22
Rev. Dr. Abe Smith
Thy Kingdom Come [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:45
Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Jesus offers abundant life. If you’ve been a Christian for a while, this should be a familiar concept. The only way to have an abundant life is throu…
In the Boat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:34
Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Luke 5 opens with Peter, a skilled fisherman, exhausted after a night of empty nets. It is in the midst of this frustration that Jesus steps into Pet…
The Final Four: A New Beginning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:46
Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Life is full of beginnings and endings. Most of the time, we get more excited about the former. With relationships, opportunities, careers, etc., there is a level of ex…
The Final Four: Inside Out [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:34
Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Have you met many shepherds lately? Seems like a dying profession. They’re out there, but they don't get much press. Which is a shame, because Jesus thought the work of…