The Way Down: Deny Yourself and Follow Christ

Sep 06, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: When “No” to Self Becomes “Yes” to Jesus

The call to deny oneself isn’t about minor sacrifices but severing ties with self-rule. Jesus used the same Greek word for Peter’s denial of Him to describe the total surrender required of disciples. This isn’t politely declining dessert—it’s disowning our old nature like stripping off filthy clothes. To follow Jesus downward, we must first abandon the throne of our own agendas, even when kneeling feels awkward or costly. True worship begins when our whispered “you are worthy” aligns with our unclenched hands. [53:28]

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

Reflection: Where have you recently said “no” to Jesus to preserve your comfort or reputation? What one act of surrender would realign your heart’s posture today?

Day 2: The Cross Isn’t a Burden—It’s a Funeral

Taking up our cross isn’t enduring life’s annoyances but embracing daily death to self-rule. Just as a first-century criminal carried his execution tool, Jesus asks us to haul the instrument of our own ego’s demise. This funeral procession leads to freedom: when we stop clinging to control, we find Christ’s resurrection power filling the hollowed spaces. The lower we go, the more His peace guards hearts once choked by anxiety. [58:09]

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

Reflection: What “funeral” have you been avoiding—a habit, mindset, or relationship that needs to die so Christ can reign?

Day 3: Joy in the Shadow of His Spotlight

John the Baptist’s declaration—“He must increase, I must decrease”—unlocked radical contentment. When his disciples grumbled about Jesus’ growing popularity, John rejoiced like a best man at a wedding. His humility wasn’t self-hatred but sober recognition that every good thing came from God’s hand. To go low is to trade envy for celebration, knowing our shrinking silhouette means Christ’s glory fills the horizon. [01:06:20]

“The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:29–30, ESV)

Reflection: Where does comparison or jealousy over others’ success reveal your grip on personal significance? How can you actively celebrate Christ’s work in someone else today?

Day 4: When God’s Correction Feels Like a Collision

Peter learned that resisting Jesus’ low way invites loving rebuke. After rejecting Christ’s washing of his feet, then later refusing the cross, Peter heard words sharper than any sword: “Get behind me, Satan.” God often corrects not to shame but to realign us with the downward path. His severest mercies dismantle our self-made thrones so we can kneel at His feet. [01:10:41]

“And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.’” (Mark 8:32–33, ESV)

Reflection: What recent frustration or failure might be God’s kind correction? How will you shift from self-defense to surrender?

Day 5: Worship That Costs More Than Lyrics

Singing “You’re worthy” while refusing to kneel exposes divided devotion. Jesus confronts lip-service worship that avoids embodied surrender—the kind John the Baptist modeled when he traded crowds for prison. True worship bends knees, releases grudges, and loosens white-knuckled control. It’s offering not just songs but the unglamorous obedience of releasing what we’ve clutched too tightly. [01:09:23]

“‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me…’” (Matthew 15:8–9, ESV)

Reflection: What gap exists between your worship words and daily choices? What tangible act—forgiveness, generosity, silence—could bridge that divide today?

Sermon Summary

Jesus’ way is the low way. Jesus keeps choosing sacrifice, humility, generosity, meekness, restraint, and finally the cross. Paul calls the Philippian church to that same upside down life in a culture built on self exaltation, because in Jesus’ economy, the way up is down.

The call to go low touches relationships first. Philippians 2 says selfish ambition and conceit have no place among people who count others more significant than themselves. Humility frees believers to serve, to release wrongs, and to pursue a love that grows not only in sincerity but also in knowledge and wisdom rooted in Christ.

Christ’s sufficiency also changes where identity, security, and contentment come from. Paul can be content on mountaintops and in low valleys because his life is Christ and death is gain. Paul calls his former achievements dung because knowing Christ outweighs every self-driven accomplishment. Surrender loosens the grip on anxiety, control, money, reputation, and outcomes because none of those things were ever meant to sit on the throne.

Sanctification involves real practice, but God works in his people to will and act for his good purpose. Paul points believers toward godly examples, then tells them to practice what they have learned, received, heard, and seen. Yet a handout full of practical steps can become one more checklist accomplished in human power. Jesus’ low path requires abandoning the self-directed path altogether.

Jesus names that abandonment in Mark 8: deny yourself and take up your cross. Denial is not merely saying no to a small desire. Jesus calls people to end their acquaintance with the old self, to take off the old clothes, and to put on the new nature created to be like God. Scripture places a stark choice before the disciple: refusing to deny self becomes a denial of Jesus.

The cross does not simply mean enduring a difficult season. The cross meant humiliating death, so taking it up means self-abasement, self-sacrifice, and actively living in Christ by dying to self. Luke makes the call daily. Discipleship is not imitation alone; it is resignation, giving up the throne so Jesus can have it.

John the Baptist shows what that looks like. John receives influence, fruit, attention, and a thriving ministry, then lays it down with joy when Jesus increases. “He must become greater; I must become less” names the posture of a life that knows every good gift came from heaven. Jesus stoops and stoops and stoops, and his people follow him down by laying down agendas, fear, self-sufficiency, people-pleasing, control, and the need to be somebody other than who he says they are.

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[41:13] - How Low Can You Go?
[42:41] - Jesus’ Downward Path
[43:58] - Slowing Down for Transformation
[46:36] - Going Low in Relationships
[48:06] - Identity and Contentment in Christ
[50:27] - Transformation Along the Low Path
[51:47] - Why a Checklist Cannot Save
[53:06] - A Missed Act of Surrender
[54:12] - Deny Yourself and Take Up Your Cross
[55:13] - Ending Acquaintance With the Old Self
[58:09] - The Cross Means Dying to Self
[60:47] - What Must Be Laid Down
[61:25] - John the Baptist Decreases
[67:28] - Jesus Corrects Human Concerns
[70:59] - Letting the Cross Do Its Full Work
[74:08] - Learning How to Lay Down
[75:23] - Prayer for Surrender

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Mark 8:34 — “And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’” [00:54:29]

Philippians 2:3-4 — “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” [00:46:38]

John 3:30 — “He must increase, but I must decrease.” [01:05:10]

Philippians 4:11-13 — “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” [00:48:06]

Luke 9:23 — “And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’” [01:00:11]

Observation questions

In Philippians 2:3-4, what attitudes and actions does Paul contrast with humility? What does looking to the interests of others actually add to counting them more significant? [00:46:38]
According to Philippians 4:11-13, what different circumstances has Paul learned to face with contentment? What does Paul say gives him strength in all of them? [00:48:17]
In Mark 8:34 and Luke 9:23, what three actions does Jesus connect with following him? What additional word does Luke include? [01:00:11]
What was happening in John the Baptist’s ministry when his followers became concerned, and how did John respond to Jesus receiving greater attention? [01:04:42]

Interpretation questions

Jesus calls disciples to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow him. How is this deeper than simply giving up an occasional comfort, habit, or preference? [00:55:13]
The cross was a picture of shameful death in Jesus’ day, not merely a difficult season. What does this show about the kind of surrender Jesus is calling for? [00:58:33]
Paul’s statement, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me,” is rooted in contentment during both need and abundance. How does that context correct a view of this verse that expects only success or positive outcomes? [00:48:17]
John the Baptist understood that his influence and ministry were gifts from heaven. How does that understanding allow a person to experience joy when another person receives attention, opportunity, or recognition? [01:05:12]

Application questions

Where is selfish ambition, conceit, or the need to be right most likely to show up in your relationships right now? What would it look like to take a lower place and genuinely consider that person’s interests this week? [00:47:27]
Is there a wrong, disappointment, or offense you are still holding tightly in a relationship? What might releasing it to Jesus look like without pretending that the hurt was unimportant? [00:47:27]
When circumstances feel uncertain, what do you most often try to use for security—control, money, accomplishments, approval, or something else? How could Christ’s sufficiency reshape one specific anxious thought this week? [00:49:23]
What area of life makes you feel most tempted to take back the throne: plans, family, finances, reputation, comfort, or outcomes? What would daily surrender in that area look like in a practical decision? [01:00:51]
Is there a pattern from the old self that still tries to direct your choices—people-pleasing, self-protection, bitterness, self-sufficiency, or a recurring sin? What would it mean to stop treating that pattern as familiar and instead put on the new life Christ gives? [00:56:20]
John the Baptist could say, “He must increase, but I must decrease,” even as his own influence became smaller. Where might Jesus be inviting you to celebrate his work rather than protect your own place, recognition, or agenda? [01:06:03]
Growth often comes as self decreases, while stagnation can reveal that self is increasing. What recent situation has exposed a hidden desire to control, be affirmed, or preserve yourself? How might you bring that honestly before Jesus and lay it down? [01:12:39]

Sermon Clips

55s

#LoseSelfFindChrist

“In other words, if we genuinely wanna follow Jesus on this downward path, we have to somehow lose sight of ourselves and our own interests. It's almost like looking in a mirror and seeing Jesus before I ever see Jamie. And then allowing the interests and desires of Jesus to guide my decisions rather than following Jamie's interests and desires. Thinking of denying ourselves as simply saying no to ourselves is a watered down interpretation that calls us to a diluted measure of surrender. Jesus is pleading with us to completely sever our ties with our broken human nature so we can then more fully embrace our redeemed identity that he literally secured with his blood, his sweat, and his tears.”

64s

#LayDownToRise

“And it's not merely imitation, it's resignation. Giving up the throne in our lives so Jesus can have it instead. You wanna be my disciple? Jesus asks. You've got to deny yourself and you've got to take up your cross. And only then can you follow me on this downward path. To truly go low with Jesus, we've gotta lay down. Lay down our agendas and our plans. Lay down our selfish ambition and our conceit. Lay down our crippling need for control. Lay down our fears and insecurities. Even lay down our desires for our kids. Laid down our stubborn self sufficiency, laid down our need to be liked, to be affirmed, to be accepted by other people. Lay down the sins that so easily entangle and yet still somehow so easily entice, and lay down our tendency to try to be someone other than who Jesus says we are.”

47s

#TakeUpYourCrossDaily

“Jesus gave everything for you and for me on the cross, and in return, he asked you to surrender your old ways, your old patterns, your old thoughts, your old you, so he can give you something so much greater in return. Restored life now and eternal life forever. But for those of us who've already claimed his free gift of salvation, this is the ongoing call on your life. In Luke's gospel, Jesus says that we have to take up our cross daily if we're going to follow him. Because going low with Jesus is not a short term strategy. It's wholehearted surrender again and again and again.”

54s

#DieToSelfLiveInChrist

“So taking up our cross is not about enduring hardships. It's about self abasement and self sacrifice. It's the ultimate surrenderer a surrender, a surrendering of our very very selves. It's actively choosing to live in Christ by dying to ourselves. So by saying whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross, Jesus is saying you cannot be my disciple if you don't first get out of the way. Now, if you haven't given your life to Christ, this should seem like a huge ask because it is. Because Jesus' way runs counter to what the secular and self actualized culture would have you believe and practice.”

43s

#DecreaseToGrow

“As I look back this week on the fourteen years that I've known Jesus, I I recognized a pattern. In those seasons when I was growing, when scripture was constantly speaking to me, when my life was marked by the fruit of the spirit, when Jesus felt close, I was decreasing. And my spiritual life felt like it was on an upward trajectory. But in those stagnant seasons, when scripture is mostly silent, when it feels like the fruit is dying on the vine and Jesus feels distant, those are seasons when I tend to be increasing. And my spiritual life feels like it's on a downward trajectory.”

46s

#NotAChecklist

“This handout could've had suggestions on ways to practice humility by intentionally placing the needs of others ahead of our own or strategies to recognize the glimpses of God's goodness in our valleys of need. Tips on dealing with your anxious thought thoughts or on reframing your view on your finances. An action plan maybe that could lead to lasting transformation. And all of that could have been useful for sure, but if you give me a handout like that, it instantly becomes a checklist of things that I need to accomplish in my own power. And that's not gonna get us anywhere because to follow Jesus on the low path, we have to abandon our own path.”

45s

#SpiritLedSurrender

“And so maybe the most hyperpractical thing we can do today after twelve weeks in Philippians is closed by asking the spirit spirit to identify the areas in our lives that we're most prone to increasing so that we can learn how to lay down. Not in our own strength. That's impossible. Jesus wouldn't have had to do what he did if we could fix this on our on our own. But in unison with the spirit as we choose submission to Jesus over all our selfish and self reliant tendencies So that the cross can do the full work of changing us and shaping us and remaking us more and more into Jesus' image. And”

54s

#ForgetYourself

“Jesus is saying, whoever wants to truly follow on this low path of mine, well, they must first abandon their own path. And specifically, he lists two actions that constitute this abandonment. They must deny themselves and they must take up their cross. So how do we deny ourselves? The Greek word that Jesus used here is and it doesn't imply some sort of soft denial of a request like telling your kid that that he or she can't have another bowl of ice cream after dinner. It's actually more of a relational term, and it means to affirm that you have absolutely no acquaintance or connection with someone or to forget oneself.”

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