Awakening True Devotion: The Cost of Discipleship

Devotional

Day 1: Rejecting Lukewarm Faith: Be Useful for God's Kingdom

Jesus calls us to be more than lukewarm believers, urging us to live lives that are useful and purposeful for His kingdom rather than simply going through the motions of faith. He sees everything we do, and desires that our faith be vibrant, active, and fully surrendered, not half-hearted or convenient. Just as no one enjoys lukewarm coffee, Jesus does not delight in a faith that is neither hot nor cold. He wants us to be people who are passionate and committed, making a real difference for Him in the world. [10:02]

Revelation 3:15-16 (ESV)
“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”

Reflection: In what area of your life have you settled for “lukewarm” faith or half-hearted commitment, and what is one step you can take today to become more useful and passionate for God’s kingdom?

Day 2: Prove Your Repentance by the Way You Live

True repentance is demonstrated not just by words, but by a transformed life that turns away from sin and embraces God’s ways. The evidence of a changed heart is seen in the actions and choices we make daily. While salvation is by grace through faith, genuine faith will always produce fruit—works that reflect a life surrendered to Christ. God calls us to live in such a way that others can see we have truly turned from our old ways and are walking in newness of life. [13:34]

Matthew 3:8 (ESV)
“Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.”

Reflection: What is one specific habit or behavior you need to change to better reflect a life that has truly repented and turned to God?

Day 3: Surrendering All: Serving Jesus on His Terms

Following Jesus means surrendering every area of our lives to Him, not just the parts we are comfortable giving up. Like the rich young ruler, we may have things we hold back from God, but Jesus lovingly calls us to lay down every idol and follow Him fully. Serving Jesus on His terms requires us to let go of anything that competes for our devotion, whether it’s possessions, comfort, or personal ambitions. Only when we surrender everything can we truly experience the fullness of life He offers. [27:37]

Mark 10:21 (ESV)
“And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’”

Reflection: What is one “box” or area of your life you have kept from fully surrendering to Jesus, and what would it look like to give it to Him today?

Day 4: Seek First the Kingdom: Prioritizing God Above All Else

God calls us to make His kingdom our highest priority, not just one of many competing interests. When we put God first—above work, sports, comfort, or any other pursuit—He promises to provide for all our needs. This means building our schedules, finances, and decisions around the things of God, rather than fitting Him in when it’s convenient. Serious followers of Jesus are marked by a radical commitment to seek Him above all else, trusting that everything else will fall into place as we do. [36:21]

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can rearrange your priorities this week to put God and His kingdom first in your daily life?

Day 5: Daily Dying to Self: The Path to True Life

The call to follow Jesus is a call to die to ourselves daily, laying down our own desires and ambitions so that we can truly live in Him. This is not a one-time decision, but a daily choice to take up our cross and follow Him, making Him the center of everything. When we die to self, we discover the abundant life that Jesus promises—He becomes our breath, our bread, our living water. True discipleship means giving Him everything, every day, and finding our greatest joy and fulfillment in Him alone. [49:19]

Luke 9:23 (ESV)
“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’”

Reflection: What is one area where your own desires or comfort have taken priority over following Jesus, and how can you intentionally “take up your cross” in that area today?

Sermon Summary

There is a call to awaken a deeper seriousness and devotion to Jesus, to move beyond a casual or lukewarm faith and embrace a life fully surrendered to Christ. The challenge is to examine whether Jesus is truly the center of our lives, not just an accessory or a convenience. It’s not enough to simply profess faith or attend church when it fits our schedule; God is seeking people who will prioritize His kingdom above all else, who will serve Him on His terms, not their own.

The words of Jesus in Revelation 3 remind us that He knows everything about us—our actions, our motives, our hidden places. He desires that we be useful for His kingdom, not lukewarm or indifferent. Just as hot and cold water each have a purpose, so too are we called to live lives that are purposeful and impactful for God. Lukewarm Christianity—faith that is half-hearted, convenient, or compartmentalized—has no place in the life of a true disciple.

True repentance is not just feeling sorry, but turning away from sin and living a transformed life. Works do not save us, but a genuine encounter with Jesus always produces fruit—evidence of a changed heart. The call is to examine what, if anything, we are holding back from God. Are there areas of our lives—possessions, ambitions, comfort, or even family priorities—that we have not surrendered? Jesus asks for everything, not just what is easy to give.

The cost of discipleship is real. The way of Jesus is narrow, and not everyone is willing to pay the price. Many love the idea of God, but few are willing to forsake all to follow Him. Yet, in dying to ourselves, we truly begin to live. When we put Christ first, everything else falls into place. The church is called to rise up, to influence culture, to be a force for righteousness in our communities. This is not just for the young or the passionate, but for every generation. God is stirring a hunger for His presence and a return to wholehearted devotion. The question is: will you be part of it? Will you give Him everything?

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Key Takeaways

1. Lukewarm Faith Is Useless to God Jesus’ words to the church in Laodicea reveal that He desires believers who are purposeful and passionate, not indifferent or half-hearted. Lukewarm faith—where God is just one of many priorities—renders us ineffective for His kingdom. God is calling us to examine whether our lives are marked by true devotion or by spiritual complacency, and to choose to be “hot” or “cold” in usefulness, not tepid in our commitment. [07:02]
2. True Repentance Produces Visible Change Repentance is not merely feeling remorseful or uttering apologies; it is a decisive turning away from sin and a transformation of lifestyle. The evidence of genuine faith is seen in the fruit of our lives—how we live, what we value, and the choices we make. Grace saves us, but real grace always leads to a changed life, where works naturally follow as a testimony of our new identity in Christ. [13:34]
3. Serving Jesus Means Surrendering Everything—On His Terms It is easy to serve God as long as it doesn’t interfere with our comfort, ambitions, or possessions. Yet, Jesus calls us to surrender not just what is convenient, but everything—even the things we most want to keep. The rich young ruler’s story reminds us that the issue is not what we have, but what has us. Full surrender means allowing God access to every area of our lives, holding nothing back. [27:37]
4. The Cost of Discipleship Is Real, but Dying to Self Is the Path to True Life The way of Jesus is narrow, and not everyone is willing to pay the price. Many are attracted to the benefits of faith but resist the sacrifice it requires. Yet, in the paradox of the gospel, dying to self is the very means by which we come alive in Christ. Only when we lay down our own way, take up our cross daily, and follow Him do we discover the fullness of life He offers. [42:55]
5. The Church Must Prioritize God’s Kingdom Above All Else Personal comfort, work, sports, and even family can become idols if they take precedence over God’s call. The church is called to be a force that shapes culture, not one shaped by it. When God’s house and His purposes become our highest priority, we position ourselves for His blessing and for a move of His Spirit that can transform our communities and generations. [49:59]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:01] - Bible Declaration & Honoring Leaders
[03:34] - The “Vegetables” of God’s Word
[05:24] - The Challenge of Lukewarm Christianity
[07:02] - What Does It Mean to Be Useful to God?
[09:18] - Hot, Cold, and Lukewarm: The Coffee Analogy
[11:08] - Proving Repentance by How We Live
[13:34] - The Practice of Sin vs. Repentance
[16:43] - Americanized Christianity vs. Biblical Christianity
[17:34] - Are You Serious About Jesus?
[18:56] - Who Do You Say Jesus Is?
[22:48] - Will You Serve Jesus on His Terms?
[27:37] - The Cost of Entering God’s Kingdom
[34:18] - Prioritizing the Kingdom Over Idols
[42:55] - Dying to Self: The Path to True Life
[49:59] - Building God’s House First
[53:33] - Will You Give Him Everything?
[59:02] - Closing & Call to Deeper Devotion

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Revelation 3:15-16 (ESV) — > “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”

Matthew 16:24 (ESV) — > “Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’”

Matthew 6:33 (ESV) — > “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Observation Questions

In Revelation 3:15-16, what does Jesus say about the church’s spiritual temperature, and what is His response to lukewarmness?
According to the sermon, what does it mean to be “useful” to God, and how does the analogy of hot and cold water help us understand this? [[07:02]]
What does Jesus require of those who want to follow Him, according to Matthew 16:24?
In the sermon, what are some examples given of things that can become idols or take priority over God in our lives? [[36:21]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus find lukewarm faith so offensive, and what does it reveal about our relationship with Him? [[07:02]]
The sermon says that true repentance is more than just feeling sorry. How does the Bible describe real repentance, and what should be the visible result in a believer’s life? [[13:34]]
What does it look like to “deny yourself and take up your cross” in everyday life? Why do you think Jesus made this a requirement for following Him? [[42:55]]
The pastor mentioned that many people want the benefits of faith but not the cost. What are some reasons people might hesitate to fully surrender to Jesus? [[29:29]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to examine if Jesus is truly the center of our lives or just an accessory. Is there an area of your life—like work, family, comfort, or ambitions—where you tend to put something else before God? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him? [[36:21]]
Think about the idea of lukewarm faith. Are there ways you have been “lukewarm” in your walk with Jesus—maybe only serving Him when it’s convenient or compartmentalizing your faith? What is one step you can take this week to move toward wholehearted devotion? [[10:02]]
The pastor said, “Dying is living”—that when we die to ourselves, we truly begin to live in Christ. What is one thing you need to “die to” in order to experience more of the life Jesus offers? [[42:55]]
The story of the rich young ruler shows that Jesus asks for everything, not just what is easy to give. Is there something you feel God is asking you to let go of or trust Him with, but you’ve been holding back? What’s holding you back from surrendering it? [[27:37]]
The sermon talked about prioritizing God’s kingdom above all else, even above good things like sports, work, or family. What practical changes could you make in your schedule or priorities to put God’s house and His purposes first? [[49:59]]
The pastor mentioned that revival and a move of God are not just for the young or the passionate, but for every generation. How can you personally contribute to a culture of wholehearted devotion in your family, small group, or church? [[54:13]]
The message ended with the question: “Will you give Him everything?” What does “giving everything” to Jesus look like for you right now? What is one action you can take this week to respond to that call? [[53:33]]

Sermon Clips

When you really come to Jesus, you can't help but have works follow. If you're really on the basketball team, you'll at least be on the bench during the games. I'm on the basketball team. Oh, really? That's awesome. I'll come to your games. I show up at the basketball game. You're not in uniform. You're sitting on the bleachers. Aren't you on the basketball? Yeah, I am. Well, why aren't you on the bench? Oh, I don't know. Come back to the next game. Same thing. You're just sitting on the bleachers. Why aren't you on the bench? Well, you know, are you on the basketball team? Yeah. How does that make sense in register? There are no works that follow with what you say that you are. There are works that should follow the life of a believer. [00:13:09] (46 seconds) #FaithWithoutWorksIsDead

As a child of God, it is impossible for me to live a lifestyle of sin. Why? Because the spirit of the living God is on the inside of me. And the Bible says in Hebrews chapter 12, that the Lord disciplines those that he loves. What does that mean? Does that mean that God, you know, takes out a belt and starts hitting me when I'm, when I'm not doing something right? No, it says that the God of all spirits, what God does, the Holy spirit will convict you when you have wrongdoing. And so it's impossible for me to be living for God, but yet also still living in sin. The two are at odds with each other. [00:15:27] (38 seconds) #SpiritLedLifeNoSin

We must all personally decide that we believe Jesus for who he is. It's great that you have a great church. It's great that we have a great church. It's great that we have a great pastor that has faith and believes Jesus as Lord. But my proposal to you this morning and my question for you this morning is who do you say that he is? Who do you say that he is? Not anyone else. Who do you say that he is? [00:22:56] (26 seconds) #WhoDoYouSayHeIs

What happened to Matthew 6 33? What happened to it? It says, seek the kingdom of God above all else and live righteously and he will give you everything that you need. Everyone loves that scripture until the rubber meets the road. I feel that, that many have mistook this scripture that Jesus instructed us where he said to seek me first to say, don't seek me last. As long as Jesus is not last place, then I'm good. As long as he is a priority, that is good. But see the types of Christians that God is raising up right now are Christians that don't say God is a priority in my life, but God is the priority in my life. He is my everything. He is my everything. [00:35:05] (59 seconds) #DieToLiveInChrist

To even come to Jesus, we must die. Discipleship and following Jesus, the seriousness of the call of God is what I want dies. I have to die to come to Jesus, but I want you to get this. And this is why Jesus said to Nicodemus in John chapter three, verse three, Jesus said, you must be born again. The reason why Jesus said you must be born again is because you must die to yourself because we're dead to God. But then when we die to self, we come alive in Christ. But let me get this into your spirit right here this morning. Dying is living. In Christianity, dying is living. Some people have not lived a single day in their entire life because they have not died to self. Dying is living. When I die to myself and I become alive in Christ, I actually begin to live. And when I live in Christ, I have everything that I need. [00:43:00] (58 seconds) #DailyDieToSelf

People are like, it's so miserable serving Jesus. No, it's not. It's the greatest thing that I've ever done with my entire life. People are like, oh, I have to die to myself. It's the greatest thing I've ever done. It's the greatest decision you can ever make. Why is serving Jesus the greatest thing? Let me tell you, because Jesus actually identifies himself as the things that we need to live. He says, I'm the breath of life. He says, I'm the bread of life. He says that he is living water. The things that we need to live. Jesus says, I am that. When I live in him, I have everything that I need. I began living the day that I died. [00:43:59] (41 seconds) #KingdomFirstMindset

``He wants everything he wants everything this morning he wants a church that is strong that is fully devoted to the things of God that isn't just half in half out that isn't lukewarm but is on fire with the word of God if the people of God would rise up and get serious about Jesus it's happening it's happening the question is will you be a part of it. [00:56:56] (31 seconds)

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