Daily Surrender: Embracing the Call of Discipleship

Devotional

Day 1: Deny Yourself and Take Up Your Cross Daily

To follow Jesus means to deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and surrender your own desires and ambitions for His sake. This is not a one-time decision but a daily act of sacrifice, choosing to lay down your life and follow Him even when it is difficult or costly. The cross, once a symbol of death and suffering, becomes for the believer a call to die to self and live for Christ, embracing the cost of discipleship and the beauty of a life fully surrendered to God. [27:17]

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 are still trying to “save” or control things your own way, rather than surrendering it to Jesus? What would it look like to lay that down today?

Day 2: Present Your Body as a Living Sacrifice

God calls His people to present themselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to Him, which is true spiritual worship. This means not conforming to the patterns of the world but being transformed by the renewing of your mind—through God’s Word, prayer, and daily surrender. As you offer yourself to God, He works in you, making your life a pleasing aroma to Him, and you begin to discern His good, pleasing, and perfect will. [34:22]

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Reflection: How can you intentionally set aside time today to renew your mind—whether through Scripture, prayer, or worship—so that your life becomes a living sacrifice to God?

Day 3: Set Your Mind on Things Above, Not Earthly Things

As those who have been raised with Christ, you are called to set your mind and affections on things above, not on earthly things. This means putting to death the old self and its desires, and instead clothing yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, patience, and above all, love. The world offers fleeting pleasures and empty promises, but Christ offers eternal treasures and true joy; fixing your eyes on Him transforms your desires and priorities. [51:24]

Colossians 3:1-4, 12-14 (ESV)
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Reflection: What is one “earthly thing” or old habit you need to put to death today, and what Christlike quality can you intentionally “put on” in its place?

Day 4: Walk by the Spirit, Not by the Flesh

There is a daily battle between the desires of the flesh and the Spirit, but the antidote is to walk by the Spirit, allowing Him to guide your steps and transform your heart. As you surrender to the Spirit, you will not gratify the desires of the flesh, but instead bear the fruit of a life that pleases God. This is the life of a disciple—one who is led by the Spirit, not by self, and who seeks to honor Christ in every area. [59:23]

Galatians 5:16-17, 24-25 (ESV)
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

Reflection: In what specific situation today can you pause and ask the Holy Spirit to help you respond differently than your flesh would want?

Day 5: Surrender Everything—Let Christ Live in You

The call of discipleship is a call to total surrender—letting go of every area you are holding back and allowing Christ to live fully in you. It is not enough to give God most things while clinging to one; He desires your whole heart, your plans, your future, and your now. As you surrender all, you experience the freedom and purpose of a life that is no longer your own, but Christ’s, living by faith in the One who loved you and gave Himself for you. [01:12:16]

Galatians 2:20 (ESV)
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Reflection: What is the “one thing” you are still holding onto and have not surrendered to God? Will you take a step of faith and give it to Him today, trusting Him with your whole life?

Sermon Summary

This morning, the focus is on the word “self” and what it means to follow Jesus in a world that constantly encourages us to put ourselves first. Jesus calls us to a radically different life—a life of daily self-denial, taking up our cross, and following Him. This is not a one-time decision, but a daily surrender, a continual offering of ourselves as living sacrifices. The cross, which to us is a symbol of beauty and redemption, was in the first century a symbol of death, suffering, and shame. Jesus invites us to embrace that kind of sacrificial living, not just in theory, but in the practical choices we make every day.

To be a disciple is to be a follower, and to be a follower is to be someone who is willing to lose their life for Christ’s sake. This means letting go of the world’s patterns, its empty promises, and its relentless pursuit of pleasure and self-gratification. Instead, we are called to be transformed by the renewing of our minds—through the Word of God, through prayer, and through daily communion with Him. The world offers fleeting pleasures, but Christ offers eternal treasures, unfading glory, and unspeakable joy.

The struggle between the flesh and the Spirit is real and ongoing. Our old self constantly tries to lure us back into old patterns, but as we fix our eyes on Jesus, the things of this world lose their appeal. Surrender is not partial; God wants every part of us—our desires, our plans, our future, and even the things we’re most reluctant to let go. True discipleship is about total surrender, trusting that God’s will is better than anything we could hold onto ourselves.

Personal stories and testimonies remind us that surrender is often a process, sometimes marked by struggle, frustration, and even resistance. Yet, God is patient and gentle, drawing us back to Himself, inviting us to lay down whatever we’re clinging to. The call is clear: deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus. This is the life of a disciple—a life marked by sacrifice, transformation, and the joy of belonging wholly to Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. The call to deny self and take up the cross is a daily, ongoing act of surrender. It is not about a single moment of decision, but a lifestyle of continually laying down our desires, ambitions, and comforts for the sake of Christ. This is the true cost and calling of discipleship. [28:55]
2. The world’s system is designed to gratify the self, offering pleasures and pursuits that ultimately leave us empty. To resist conformity to the world, we must be transformed by the renewing of our minds—anchoring ourselves in Scripture, prayer, and worship. Only then can we discern and walk in God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will. [43:35]
3. Being a living sacrifice means dying to the old self and allowing Christ to live through us. This is not something we can accomplish in our own strength; it is a work of God as we yield to Him. As we do, our lives become a pleasing aroma to God, reflecting His character and love to the world. [36:15]
4. The battle between flesh and Spirit is ongoing, but the antidote is to walk by the Spirit daily. Fixing our eyes on Jesus, rather than looking back at what we’ve left behind, enables us to resist the pull of our old nature. Surrender is not about perfection, but about direction—continually turning toward Christ and away from self. [59:59]
5. Surrender is comprehensive; God desires every part of our lives, not just the areas we’re comfortable giving up. Often, the thing we most resist surrendering is the very thing God wants to transform. True freedom and purpose are found not in clinging to control, but in letting go and trusting God with everything. [63:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[23:20] - Kids Dismissal & Worship Reflection
[24:08] - Introduction: Exploring “Self”
[26:34] - Jesus’ Call to Deny Self (Luke 9)
[28:55] - The Meaning of the Cross
[31:08] - Disciple vs. Christian: The True Calling
[33:28] - Living Sacrifice: Romans 12
[37:50] - The Seed Must Die: John 12
[41:28] - Hating the Old Life
[43:35] - Renewing the Mind & Resisting the World
[47:31] - The World’s Pattern vs. God’s Will
[50:53] - Putting on the New Self: Colossians 3
[54:58] - Spurgeon’s Devotional: Set Your Affections Above
[57:08] - Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
[59:23] - Walking by the Spirit: Galatians 5
[62:46] - The Surrendered Life
[63:38] - Personal Testimony: Wrestling with Surrender
[68:46] - Jonathan Roumie’s Story: Surrendering Everything
[72:02] - Galatians 2:20: Crucified with Christ
[73:08] - Prayer of Surrender
[82:35] - Announcements & Closing Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

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.”

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV) — > I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Galatians 2:20 (ESV) — > I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Observation Questions

In Luke 9:23-24, what does Jesus say is required of anyone who wants to follow Him? What does “taking up your cross daily” mean in the context of the first century? ([28:55])
According to Romans 12:1-2, what does it mean to be a “living sacrifice”? How is this different from the Old Testament sacrifices? ([34:22])
In Galatians 2:20, what does Paul mean when he says, “I have been crucified with Christ”? How does this relate to the idea of surrender? ([01:12:16])
The sermon described the world’s system as being designed to gratify the self. What are some examples given of what the world offers? ([49:29])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus uses such strong language about denying self and taking up the cross daily? What is He trying to communicate about the cost and nature of discipleship? ([28:55])
The sermon said that being a living sacrifice is not something we can do in our own strength, but is a work of God as we yield to Him. What does it look like practically to “yield” to God in daily life? ([36:15])
The battle between flesh and Spirit was described as ongoing. How does “fixing our eyes on Jesus” help us resist the pull of our old nature? ([57:08])
The sermon shared personal stories of struggling to surrender certain areas to God. Why do you think surrender is often a process, and not a one-time event? ([01:03:38])

Application Questions

The call to deny self and take up the cross is described as a daily, ongoing act of surrender. What is one area of your life where you find it hardest to surrender control to God? What would it look like to take a small step of surrender this week? ([01:03:16])
The world offers pleasures and pursuits that ultimately leave us empty. Are there specific “bowls” of the world (habits, desires, ambitions) that you find yourself reaching for, even though you know they don’t satisfy? What practical step can you take to resist conformity to the world this week? ([47:31])
The sermon encouraged anchoring ourselves in Scripture and prayer as ways to renew our minds. What is one change you could make to your daily routine to spend more intentional time with God? ([44:17])
The idea of being a living sacrifice means dying to the old self and allowing Christ to live through us. Is there a specific relationship or situation where you sense God asking you to “die to self” and respond differently? ([36:15])
The battle between flesh and Spirit is real. What are some warning signs in your life that you are living more by the flesh than by the Spirit? How can you invite others to help you walk by the Spirit? ([59:59])
The sermon shared stories of people who struggled to surrender their plans or careers to God. Is there a “one thing” you are holding onto that you sense God wants you to let go of? What fears or beliefs make it hard to surrender that area? ([01:11:06])
The sermon said, “Surrender is not about perfection, but about direction—continually turning toward Christ and away from self.” What is one way you can remind yourself to turn your eyes upon Jesus when you feel pulled back to old patterns? ([57:08])

Sermon Clips

So in this case, the cross represented death and suffering, not beauty. And so this is what Jesus is pointing to. He's pointing to death and suffering. He says, he says the follower of Christ, the disciple, is going to take up their cross daily and follow him. So taking up this cross is difficult, it's painful, it's heavy, right? It represents sacrifice, loss, death. And that's exactly what he means to say right there. [00:30:22] (44 seconds) #dailycrosssacrifice

So the picture there is of a seed, a kernel of wheat. And if I were just to put it down here and put it right there, then all it does is remain a kernel of wheat. That's it. But if I plant it in the ground, it dies. It bursts open and life comes from it. That's the picture here with Christ. He's saying, I have to die. I have to be buried, and I will rise from the dead so that. So that the church can be born, so that many can come to know me. And generation after generation after generation, to the point that we are sitting here right now, we are connected to that back there. [00:38:24] (41 seconds) #denyselftransformmind

He's saying, don't be conformed or don't follow the pattern of the world. He's saying, you need to be. You need to deny yourself. You need to take up your cross daily. You need to lose your life. Don't Live for this world and the things that gratify your old self or your flesh. That's what he's talking about there. He's saying, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. [00:43:27] (30 seconds) #transformednotconformed

For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Isn't that beautiful? For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. [00:51:46] (22 seconds) #walkbythespirit

But the antidote here is to walk by the Spirit. Every single day I pray that I pray. God help me today. I have start the day. I have things that I pray for. That's the very last thing that I say. Say, God, help me today to walk in your spirit. It is the antidote to the flesh. And it's the life of a disciple. That's how you deny yourself. Self wants to feed you. It's about you. You, me, me. I, I, I. We needed to be about Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. [01:00:16] (55 seconds) #purchasedforgod

I think really the word. If I could come up with one word to this, the word is surrender. It's a surrender of the will. It's a surrender. It's a surrender of your desires, of your goals, of your future, of your now. It's a surrender of that idol, that idol that you're holding onto that you can't let go. That thing maybe you keep returning to and you hate yourself for it. It's surrendering that it's not. The disciple's life is not, you know, 99 out of 100 things, God, I've surrendered. But this one thing, he wants everything. That's the disciple's life. That's your calling. [01:02:39] (55 seconds)

He later realized that the Lord helps those who rely on him. For years, my prayer was, if there's something else I should be doing, please show me what it is, because this is really hard. I literally said the words, I surrender. I surrender. I realized in that moment that in many other areas in my life, I had allowed God in. But when it came to my career, I thought, I know better. I got this. God, I'm the actor here. Don't worry, it's Hollywood. I know Hollywood, God. [01:09:48] (39 seconds)

Paul's life was not his own. It belonged to God. God had purchased him. God has purchased you. You are his and he wants you to honor him with your life. That's the life of a Christian follower, disciple. [01:12:44] (21 seconds)

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