O caminho do discípulo - Pr. Luciano Cozendey - 02.11.2025

Devotional

Day 1: The Cost of Discipleship—Deny Yourself, Take Up Your Cross, and Follow Jesus

To follow Jesus is to make a daily, conscious choice to deny your own desires, ambitions, and comforts, embracing instead the path of self-sacrifice and surrender. This is not a one-time decision but a continual act of faithfulness, where each morning you choose to walk in the footsteps of Christ, even when it means facing rejection, hardship, or loss. The journey of discipleship is not about seeking earthly crowns or recognition, but about faithfully carrying your cross, knowing that Jesus has already borne the heaviest weight for you. True discipleship is marked by a willingness to let go of self-promotion and to embrace the life and mission of Christ, trusting that in losing your life for His sake, you will truly find it. [01:01:48]

Luke 9:23-24 (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. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense God is calling you to surrender your own will and take up your cross today? What practical step can you take to respond to that call?

Day 2: The Danger of Illusion—Prioritizing Eternal Values Over Temporary Gains

Many are tempted to chase after the things of this world—success, possessions, approval—believing these will bring fulfillment, yet Jesus warns that gaining the whole world is worthless if it costs your soul. The true value of life is not measured by what you accumulate or achieve, but by your relationship with God and your faithfulness to His kingdom. Every day, you are faced with choices that reveal where your treasure truly lies; only what is done for Christ endures. Let your priorities be shaped by eternal values, not by the fleeting illusions of this world, and remember that no earthly gain can compensate for spiritual loss. [01:30:18]

Matthew 16:26 (ESV)
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

Reflection: In what ways have you been tempted to prioritize temporary achievements or possessions over your relationship with God? How can you realign your priorities today to reflect what is truly eternal?

Day 3: Public Fidelity—Confessing Christ Boldly Before Others

Being a disciple of Jesus is not a private matter; it requires a public confession and visible loyalty to Christ, even when it is uncomfortable or costly. Jesus calls His followers to stand unashamed of Him and His words, promising that those who acknowledge Him before others will be honored in His kingdom. Your faith is meant to be seen, not hidden, and your courage to identify with Christ can inspire others and bring glory to God. Do not let fear, shame, or the desire for worldly approval keep you from living out your faith openly; instead, let your life be a testimony to the transforming power of Jesus. [01:11:12]

Matthew 10:32-33 (ESV)
So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

Reflection: Is there a situation or relationship where you have been hesitant to openly identify as a follower of Jesus? What would it look like to confess Christ boldly in that context this week?

Day 4: Discipleship Is a Daily Journey, Not a One-Time Event

The life of a disciple is not defined by emotional highs, special events, or occasional acts of devotion, but by a steady, daily walk with Jesus. Each morning brings a new opportunity to reaffirm your commitment, to choose obedience over convenience, and to grow in Christlikeness through both joys and struggles. Discipleship is a process—a journey of learning, failing, getting up, and pressing on, trusting that God is shaping your character for eternity. It is not about perfection, but about perseverance and faithfulness, knowing that the Lord walks with you every step of the way. [01:23:21]

Colossians 2:6 (ESV)
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.

Reflection: How can you intentionally cultivate your relationship with Jesus in the ordinary routines of your day? What daily habit can you begin or renew to walk more closely with Him?

Day 5: The True Disciple Lives Beyond Sunday—A Life of Visible Transformation

A true disciple is not just a Sunday Christian, but someone whose life is visibly transformed by the love and power of Jesus every day. This transformation is seen in your priorities, your relationships, your willingness to serve, and your courage to stand for Christ in every sphere of life. The world may offer distractions and illusions, but the disciple’s heart is anchored in the reality of God’s kingdom, seeking to love God above all and to reflect His character in all things. Let your faith be real, your love genuine, and your witness public, so that others may see Christ in you and be drawn to Him. [01:18:21]

John 13:35 (ESV)
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

Reflection: What is one way you can demonstrate Christlike love and visible transformation to those around you this week, especially outside the church walls?

Sermon Summary

The journey of following Jesus is not a fleeting emotional experience or a matter of mere attendance at church events; it is a daily, intentional choice to walk in the footsteps of Christ, embracing both the cross and the promise of glory. The call to discipleship is a universal invitation, but it is not without cost. Jesus makes it clear: “If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.” This is not a one-time decision, but a continual surrender of self, a daily renunciation of our own desires, ambitions, and illusions in favor of the priorities of the Kingdom.

True discipleship is marked by public fidelity to Christ. It is not enough to be part of the crowd, to enjoy the music, the fellowship, or the comfort of the church environment. The disciple is called to live out faith openly, to confess Christ before others, even when it is costly or uncomfortable. The world offers many distractions—“bread and circus”—but these cannot substitute for the deep, transformative relationship with Jesus. The pursuit of worldly gain at the expense of the soul is a tragic exchange; nothing in this world can compare to the eternal value of knowing Christ and being known by Him.

The path of the disciple is a paradox: in losing our lives for Christ, we find true life. The cross is not merely a symbol of suffering, but of victory—because Jesus has already borne the ultimate weight. Our daily crosses are not burdens we carry alone; Christ walks with us, empowering us to persevere. The Christian life is not a sprint, but a journey of daily choices, small acts of faithfulness, and a growing likeness to Jesus. Along the way, we are shaped, refined, and prepared for the glory that is to come—a glory that, even now, we taste in moments of God’s presence, in the fellowship of believers, and in the fruit of a surrendered life.

Let us not be deceived by illusions or settle for superficial religion. Instead, let us embrace the cost and the privilege of discipleship, living with courage, authenticity, and unwavering commitment to Christ. In doing so, we proclaim to the world that Jesus is Lord, and we participate in the unfolding of His Kingdom—now and forever.

Key Takeaways

1. Discipleship is a Daily, Intentional Choice Following Jesus is not a one-time event or a matter of emotional highs; it is a daily decision to deny oneself, take up the cross, and walk in obedience. This requires conscious effort, perseverance, and a willingness to surrender personal ambitions for the sake of Christ. The journey is marked by consistency, not perfection, and is sustained by the grace that Jesus provides each day. [81:54]
2. The Cross Precedes the Crown The path to glory in the Kingdom of God always passes through the cross. Jesus teaches that suffering, rejection, and sacrifice are not detours but essential elements of the disciple’s journey. True victory and honor come not from avoiding hardship, but from embracing it with faith, knowing that Christ has already borne the ultimate burden and that His resurrection guarantees our hope. [61:06]
3. Public Fidelity and Courage are Essential Faith in Christ is not meant to be hidden or lived out only in safe, comfortable spaces. Jesus calls His followers to confess Him openly, to live with integrity and boldness, even when it brings misunderstanding or opposition. Public fidelity to Jesus is both a witness to the world and a source of future honor in the Kingdom; to be ashamed of Christ now is to risk being denied by Him later. [71:12]
4. The Danger of Illusion and Misplaced Priorities The world offers many distractions and false promises—success, pleasure, approval—that can subtly draw our hearts away from Christ. Jesus warns that gaining the whole world is worthless if it costs us our soul. Discipleship requires honest self-examination, a reordering of priorities, and a willingness to let go of illusions in order to pursue what is truly eternal and life-giving. [90:18]
5. The Disciple’s Life is a Process of Transformation To be a disciple is to be a lifelong learner, an apprentice in the school of Christ. Through daily surrender, community, correction, and perseverance, the character of Jesus is formed in us. This process undoes the effects of the fall, aligns our hearts with God’s purposes, and prepares us for the fullness of life in His Kingdom—both now and in eternity. [77:12]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[24:55] - Community and Service Updates
[27:58] - Mission Opportunities and Support
[30:32] - Christmas Project and Church Events
[33:47] - Offering and Prayer for Needs
[40:33] - Blessing Families and Children
[51:16] - Children’s Ministry and Invitation to Serve
[52:52] - Introduction to Luke 9:23-27
[54:25] - The Confession of Peter and the Cross
[57:37] - The Danger of Distraction and Losing Purpose
[60:33] - The Cost of Following Jesus
[62:08] - The Call to Daily Sacrifice
[65:46] - The Universal Invitation and Its Conditions
[67:11] - The Paradox of Life and Loss
[71:12] - Public Fidelity and the Warning of Shame
[73:02] - The Kingdom’s Glory Revealed
[77:12] - Discipleship as Transformation
[81:54] - Daily Choices and Spiritual Discipline
[90:18] - Priorities and the Value of the Soul
[95:01] - The Danger of Illusion
[99:14] - Living Faith Publicly
[107:07] - The Power of Testimony and Courage
[112:42] - Living Beyond Sunday
[127:55] - Closing and Fellowship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 9:23-27 (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. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

Observation Questions

According to Jesus in Luke 9:23, what are the three things He says a person must do if they want to follow Him?
In verse 25, Jesus asks, “For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?” What is He warning about here?
The sermon mentioned that Jesus’ invitation to follow Him is universal, but also comes with conditions. What are those conditions, and how are they described in the sermon? [[01:05:46]]
What does Jesus say will happen to those who are ashamed of Him and His words? [[01:11:12]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that following Jesus is a daily, intentional choice, not just a one-time event or emotional experience. Why do you think Jesus emphasizes “daily” in taking up the cross? [[01:21:54]]
The pastor described the “cross” not just as suffering, but as a symbol of victory because Jesus already bore the ultimate weight. How does this change the way we view our own daily struggles? [[01:03:09]]
The sermon warns about the danger of “bread and circus”—distractions and illusions that can take our focus off Christ. What are some modern examples of these distractions, and why are they so dangerous for disciples? [[01:30:18]]
Public fidelity to Christ is highlighted as essential. Why is it important for faith to be lived out openly, and what are the risks or costs involved? [[01:11:12]]

Application Questions

The sermon says discipleship is a daily choice, not just a Sunday event. What is one specific way you can intentionally choose to follow Jesus tomorrow morning? [[01:21:54]]
Jesus calls us to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. Is there a particular desire, ambition, or habit in your life that you sense God is asking you to surrender? What would it look like to take a step in that direction this week? [[01:20:13]]
The pastor shared about the danger of living for “bread and circus”—temporary pleasures or distractions. What is one “illusion” or misplaced priority in your life that you want to let go of? How can you begin to reorder your priorities toward what is eternal? [[01:30:18]]
Publicly confessing Christ can be uncomfortable or even costly. Can you recall a recent situation where you had the opportunity to stand for your faith? How did you respond, and what might you do differently next time? [[01:39:14]]
The sermon described discipleship as a process of transformation, not perfection. In what area of your life do you see God shaping you to be more like Jesus? Where do you still feel resistance or struggle? [[01:17:12]]
The pastor mentioned that the Christian life is a journey, not a sprint. Are you tempted to look for quick results in your spiritual life? How can you practice patience and perseverance in your walk with Jesus this month? [[01:29:38]]
The message challenged us not to settle for superficial religion. What is one practical step you can take this week to move beyond “just attending church” and live out your faith more authentically? [[01:18:21]]

Sermon Clips

There are many people who go to church, but do not follow Jesus. There are many people who go to church for music, we saw this today in the morning, because they like music, because they find people interesting, because they like the space of worship, the chair is comfortable, the air is perfectly air-conditioned, there is a beautiful LED screen, it's even cool, but when it comes to the price of following Jesus, this part I don't want. And that's what Lucas is showing to us, brothers, the invitation has a condition, a requirement, he has to deny himself, renounce the self, the own will, take the cross daily, constant disposition to die for your own self and follow Christ, it is a continuous intimation and of his fidelity. [01:06:03] (58 seconds) #TrueFollowingRequiresSacrifice

Because whoever doesn't understand Jesus' mission causes confusion in the church. Whoever doesn't understand Jesus' mission doesn't understand the spiritual things. And Jesus' mission opens our spiritual eyes to the things of God. And the things of God are different from the things of Rome, of Caesar. It's what Luke is showing here. That's why it's a spiritual paradox, my brother. If you try to preserve your life, you will lose. If you give your life to Christ, you will gain. [01:07:37] (35 seconds) #SpiritualEyesOpen

Sometimes we don't know how to deal with suffering, we don't know how to deal with struggles, with problems, same Christ who said it is necessary that I die, be rejected, crucified, is the same Christ who is on the throne of our life and of our heart, hallelujah, that's why disciples, the word amathetes from the Greek is apprentice, student, follower, you can come to a church and not be a disciple, why? because if you are not an apprentice, if you are not a student, if you don't follow Jesus, you are part of the crowd, Lucas is showing this here. [01:15:53] (48 seconds) #ApprenticeNotCrowd

Walking with Jesus it's not an event, it's a daily choice, it's a conscious choice, it's done with the heart and it has to be reaffirmed every day, brothers, it's not easy, it's not easy, it's getting up and instead of looking at the chaos of the world look at the cross of Jesus, it's getting up believing that our Redeemer lives and that at the right time he will get up, it's getting up being sure that the world is already in the evil but who governs our lives it's the Lord. [01:23:15] (43 seconds) #DailyChoiceWithJesus

Jesus is telling the disciples that walking with him has a price. And to walk with Jesus, you need to learn the values of Jesus. The priorities of the kingdom. That's why you have to deny yourself. He is teaching about the cost, my brother. Once again he is asking a rhetorical question. And profoundly challenging. Jesus was already a master at that. He didn't give anything for free. He made the people think. What's the point of winning the whole world and losing everything? Everything the world offers as a symbol of fulfillment, if it takes us away from God, if it makes us lose what is eternal, if it makes us die spiritually, it doesn't pay off. It's not a priority. [01:30:45] (53 seconds) #CostOfDiscipleship

What you do with what you have only shows who is really the owner of your heart. That's why Spurgeon said that a thousand earthly crowns are not worth a single hour of communion with Jesus. And they are not worth it. [01:34:33] (25 seconds) #HeartOwnerRevealed

The illusion is a tool of Satan. Because the illusion makes us come to think that God is not seeing. That we can deceive God. But when we are actually being fooled by our own desires, by the enemy, by the heart, or by the illusion of thinking that everyone is good, that everyone is a believer. This is an illusion. Don't open your heart to anyone. First, see who this person is. And how do you know? By the fruits. By life. There are people who are real. And it has to be real, people. With problems, with disagreements, with encounters, but fighting to win. It has to be real. Jesus knows that we are imperfect. But we are fooled if we want to. [01:35:04] (82 seconds) #DiscernRealFromIllusion

Not everyone accepts, my brother, the cost of the disciple. And Jesus had just said, what do you have to say to yourself? In the spiritual life. Take the cross. And follow it every day. But now it shows the seriousness of the choice you have and that you do when you decide to follow it. Because what is at stake is not only what is terrain. It is what is eternal. And it's a war, because there's someone who wants to take you to a place of crying and brushing your teeth, but Jesus came to get you to live with him in heaven. [01:40:13] (50 seconds) #CostOfFollowingJesus

The true disciple requires public confession, it requires fidelity, it requires courage. That's why Matthew chapter 10 says, All those who confess to me before men, I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven, but he who denies before men, I will also deny before men. It was Jesus who said that. When you get to heaven, Jesus will take you by the hand and will say, Father, it's here, it was faithful to death, give you the crown of life, enter into the joy of your Lord. Brothers, what a glorious day this will be for the church of the Lord. [01:43:29] (43 seconds) #FaithfulToDeathCrownOfLife

We want to shout out to the world that we are of Jesus. And what Jesus did for us. Because he frees us from the illusion of sin. From the blemishes of this time. And he shows us life as it truly is. Of struggles, of mistakes, of hits. He shows us that we have a lawyer next to the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. That purifies us of all sin. That cleanses us of all impurity. That listens to us. That loves us. That helps us to walk. That lifts us up when we fall. That doesn't leave anyone out of his redeemer plan. That has love for all of us in such a profound and graceful way. [01:46:45] (48 seconds) #JesusOurRedeemer

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