Embracing the Cross: The Call to Discipleship

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Is the Christ—Our Confession Matters

The identity of Jesus is not a matter of inherited tradition or popular opinion, but a personal confession that each person must make. When Peter declared, "You are the Christ of God," it was not just a statement of belief but a turning point that revealed the Messiah is known through revelation and relationship, not by association or ancestry. Each of us is invited to answer Jesus’ question, “Who do you say I am?”—a question that shapes our faith and our future. [32:01]

Luke 9:18-20 (ESV)
Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

Reflection: Who do you say Jesus is, and how does your answer shape the way you live today?

Day 2: The Messiah’s Mission—Suffering Before Glory

Jesus made it clear that the path of the Messiah was not one of immediate triumph, but of suffering, rejection, death, and resurrection. This was not a detour but the very destination of his earthly mission, fulfilling the promises of Scripture and showing that God’s plan often leads through hardship before victory. The cross was not an accident, but the means by which salvation would come, reminding us that God’s purposes are often accomplished through what the world sees as weakness. [36:25]

Luke 9:21-22 (ESV)
And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust God’s plan, even when it leads through difficulty or suffering?

Day 3: The Call to Discipleship—Deny Yourself, Take Up Your Cross, Follow

To follow Jesus is to embrace a life of self-denial, daily surrender, and loyal obedience. Discipleship is not reserved for a spiritual elite but is the call for every believer: to say no to self, to endure hardship for Christ’s sake, and to let him lead every step. This is not a path of mere religious observance, but a daily commitment to become like Jesus, trusting him with every aspect of our lives. [40:46]

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 specific way you can deny yourself and follow Jesus more closely today?

Day 4: True Fulfillment and Satisfaction Are Found in Christ

The world promises fulfillment, satisfaction, and recognition through achievement and accumulation, but Jesus teaches that true life is found in losing ourselves for his sake. Gaining the whole world is worthless if it costs our soul; only by surrendering our ambitions and desires to Christ do we find lasting satisfaction and eternal value. The call is to let go of lesser pursuits and trust that God’s way leads to the deepest joy. [44:42]

Luke 9:24-25 (ESV)
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?

Reflection: What is one ambition or desire you need to surrender to Jesus in order to find true fulfillment in him?

Day 5: Commitment Flows from Confession—Live Unashamed

Our confession of Christ is meant to lead to a life of bold, unashamed commitment. Jesus warns that seeking the world’s approval or hiding our faith leads to spiritual loss, but living openly for him brings true honor and eternal reward. The choice is not between an easy Christianity and a hard discipleship; discipleship is the only path. Let your confession of Jesus shape your commitment, and live in such a way that you are not ashamed of his name. [49:36]

Romans 1:16 (ESV)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Reflection: Where in your life are you tempted to hide your faith, and how can you take a step to live unashamed for Jesus this week?

Sermon Summary

This morning, we gathered as a family to center our hearts on Christ, entering His presence with thanksgiving and worship. We reflected on the privilege we have, through Jesus, to approach God directly—a privilege the Old Testament saints could only dream of. Our time together was marked by gratitude for the victory Christ has won for us, removing our sins and clothing us in His righteousness, and we celebrated this truth in prayer and song.

We also took a moment to honor those who have served our community, recognizing that the work of the church is built on the faithfulness of many. As we recited the Nicene Creed, we remembered its 1,700-year legacy of clarifying the church’s understanding of Jesus’ true identity: fully God, begotten not made, of one substance with the Father. This foundational truth is not just theological trivia—it shapes our faith and our lives.

Turning to Luke 9, we considered the question Jesus asked His disciples: “Who do you say that I am?” The world has always offered many opinions about Jesus—prophet, teacher, moral example—but the heart of the matter is personal. Faith is not inherited; it is confessed. Each of us must answer Jesus’ question for ourselves. Peter’s confession, “You are the Christ of God,” reminds us that the Messiah is revealed through Scripture and personal encounter, not through tradition or hearsay.

Yet, Jesus immediately reframed the disciples’ expectations. The Messiah’s path was not one of immediate glory, but of suffering, rejection, death, and resurrection. The cross was not a detour, but the destination. Jesus called His followers not just to believe, but to deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow Him. Discipleship is not an optional extra for the super-spiritual; it is the path for every believer.

We explored the cost and the reward of this call. True fulfillment, satisfaction, and recognition are not found in the world’s pursuits, but in losing our lives for Christ’s sake. The value of our soul far outweighs any earthly gain. In a week significant for our Jewish friends, we were encouraged to engage in gentle, prayerful conversations about the Messiah, seizing the opportunities God places before us.

As we shared communion, we remembered that Christ’s commitment to us is the model for our commitment to Him. Our confession of who Jesus is must shape our daily lives, leading us to renewed devotion and obedience.

Key Takeaways

1. Access to God is a privilege won by Christ, not by our own merit or religious tradition. Through Jesus, we are invited into the very throne room of God, a reality that should fill us with awe and gratitude. This access is not to be taken lightly, but to be cherished and exercised in prayerful communion with our Father. [10:51]
2. The identity of Jesus is not a matter of inherited tradition or popular opinion, but of personal confession and revelation through Scripture. Each person must answer Jesus’ question, “Who do you say I am?” for themselves. Faith is not passed down like an heirloom; it is born in the heart through encounter with the living Christ. [32:01]
3. The path of the Messiah is the path of the cross—suffering before glory. Jesus’ mission was not to fulfill human expectations of power and triumph, but to suffer, be rejected, die, and rise again. The cross was not a tragic accident, but the very purpose for which He came, and it shapes the journey of every disciple. [36:25]
4. Discipleship means daily self-denial, embracing the cross, and following Jesus wherever He leads. This is not a call for a spiritual elite, but for all who would confess Christ as Lord. True discipleship is costly, but it is the only path to genuine fulfillment, satisfaction, and eternal recognition. [41:33]
5. Our confession of Christ determines our commitment to Him. To confess Jesus as Lord is to commit to becoming like Him, not just in belief but in practice. The call to follow is not an optional add-on to faith, but its very essence—one that demands our whole life, yet promises the gain of our soul and the joy of His presence. [49:36]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[08:57] - Opening Prayer and Worship
[09:26] - Approaching God with Wonder
[10:51] - Victory in Jesus: Our Great High Priest
[11:35] - Congregational Prayer and Song
[18:08] - Honoring Community and Ministry
[19:22] - Reciting the Nicene Creed
[20:55] - The Creed’s Legacy and Theology
[22:33] - Introducing the Summer Spiritual Summit
[23:34] - Early Church Debates on Jesus’ Identity
[26:30] - The Meaning of “Begotten, Not Made”
[27:33] - Why Jesus’ Identity Matters
[28:18] - Jesus’ Model of Prayer and Communion
[30:03] - Public Opinions vs. Personal Confession
[32:01] - Faith: Inherited or Confessed?
[33:56] - Why Jesus Restrained the Disciples’ Confession
[36:25] - The Messiah’s Mission: Suffering Before Glory
[40:09] - The Cost of Discipleship
[41:33] - The Call to All: Deny Yourself, Take Up Your Cross
[42:55] - Fulfillment, Satisfaction, and Recognition in Christ
[48:47] - Engaging Jewish Friends During Shavuot
[49:36] - Discipleship: The Only Path
[53:50] - Communion: Renewing Our Commitment
[56:14] - The New Covenant and Closing Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 9:18-27 — (Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ, and Jesus teaches about His suffering, death, resurrection, and the call to discipleship.)

Observation Questions

In Luke 9:18-20, what different opinions do people have about Jesus, and how does Peter respond when Jesus asks, “Who do you say I am?”
According to Jesus in Luke 9:22, what four things must happen to the Son of Man?
What three steps does Jesus say are required for anyone who wants to follow Him, according to Luke 9:23?
In the sermon, what is the difference between faith that is inherited and faith that is confessed?

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus tell the disciples not to share Peter’s confession that He is the Christ right away? What misunderstanding did the disciples have about the Messiah?
The sermon says, “The cross wasn’t a detour; it was Christ’s destination.” What does this mean about Jesus’ mission and how does it shape our understanding of following Him?
Jesus says, “Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” What does it mean to “lose your life” for Jesus, and why is this the only way to true fulfillment?
How does our personal confession of who Jesus is affect our daily commitment and actions as His followers?

Application Questions

The sermon emphasized that access to God is a privilege won by Christ, not by our own efforts or tradition. How does this truth affect the way you approach God in prayer or worship? Do you ever take this access for granted?
Jesus’ question, “Who do you say I am?” is personal. If someone asked you that question today, how would you answer? Has your answer changed over time?
The call to deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Jesus is for everyone—not just the “super-spiritual.” What does self-denial look like in your life right now? Is there an area where you sense God asking you to surrender or change?
The sermon talked about the cost and reward of discipleship. Are there things you are tempted to pursue for fulfillment, satisfaction, or recognition apart from Christ? How do you wrestle with these temptations?
The pastor encouraged gentle, prayerful conversations with Jewish friends about the Messiah, especially during significant times like Shavuot. Is there someone in your life—Jewish or not—whom you could engage in a spiritual conversation this week? What might that look like?
During communion, we remember Christ’s commitment to us as a model for our commitment to Him. What is one practical way you can renew your commitment to Jesus this week—in your family, work, or personal habits?
The sermon said, “Our confession of Christ determines our commitment to Him.” Is there a gap between what you confess about Jesus and how you live? What is one step you can take to close that gap?

Sermon Clips

But the whole point is, when you go to a summit, it's usually a group of leaders talking about things that are important to them. And this summer, we are going to be talking about Christ and how he is the Messiah, not only for us, but for the whole world, including our Jewish friends. [00:22:49]

When you go to a summit, it's usually a group of leaders talking about things that are important to them. And this summer, we are going to be talking about Christ and how he is the Messiah, not only for us, but for the whole world, including our Jewish friends. And each and every week, we're going to be giving you just a morsel of how to begin a conversation with some of your Jewish friends about who Jesus was and who he is today. [00:22:50]

Today we want to hear from Jesus why understanding his true identity has the most significant consequences both now and for all eternity. [00:27:38]

Prayer is an opportunity for you and me to develop a long -standing, deep, vital, intimate relationship with God Almighty. It's creating space in our lives to hear him speak to us. Not audibly, but allow his word to come to our minds for a significant something that we're facing. Something that we're looking for wisdom about. [00:28:58]

Peter boldly declares that he's the Christ. This goes to show you that faith can never be inherited. In other words, just because your great -grandfather was a great -Baptist preacher or a priest in some Epistopalian church or was a deacon on some founding church that still stands today. Faith cannot be inherited. Faith is confessed. [00:31:29]

The Messiah isn't found in mystery. The Messiah is revealed through Scripture. And, Scripture reveals who he is. [00:32:01]

So, when you're having dinner or lunch with your Jewish friends, ask them, who's the Messiah? Who do you think the Messiah is? What does your rabbi say? What is your that? Now, mind you, their eyes may bulge out of their head initially. But, please handle that with kit gloves. Handle it with grace. You're not trying to, you know, all of a sudden strong -arm them. You just want to know where they stand. [00:32:15]

The Messiah must suffer first. Echoing the promises of Isaiah 52 and 53. He must be rejected. Psalm 118 .22 talks about a king who has been rejected by his people and God has made him the cornerstone, i .e., the Messiah. He must be thirdly, killed. The Messiah had to die to fulfill all the Old Testament prophecies and to satisfy the Old Testament sacrifices. And fourthly, he'll be raised. Meaning that God would raise him from the dead, indicating that what Christ did, the Messiah, was satisfactory in God the Father. [00:35:49]

Here's an insight: the cross wasn't a detour, it was Christ's destination. Did you hear that? The cross wasn't a detour. It wasn't like oh crud we're not going to be able to do what I thought we could so I guess yeah we'll go through this and we'll come up with it no it was the destination from day one. [00:37:12]

If anyone wants to come after me he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me. There's three specific steps to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. Mind you this is different than becoming a Christian. Being a disciple is the is the natural step of what happens to a believer after they accept Christ. [00:38:15]

Coming to know Christ as your Savior and your Lord is by faith. Becoming a disciple are steps that we do as followers in obedience to our Master Jesus Christ. [00:38:46]

Deny yourself. Take up your cross daily. And then follow me. Follow me is basically just trusting him. Allowing him to take the lead. Allowing him to be the captain of our ship. [00:40:48]

To summarize, what Jesus is teaching the disciples and us today is that when one confesses who Jesus is, the Lord, we are also committing to become like him. Let me say that again. When we confess him as Lord, we're committing to become like him. That's a disciple. That is a true follower of Christ. [00:41:03]

You say, well, that's a steep call. Yeah, it is. But that's what Christ has called us to. Is to take a step by faith, to deny ourselves, to take up our cross, and to follow him. [00:42:00]

People try to live their life seeking fulfillment. They look for the right job. They look for the right position. They look for the right house. They look for the right...right spouse, they look to the right kids, they want fulfillment. But notice what Jesus says. Whoever wants to save his life will lose it. But whoever loses his life for my sake, this is the one who will save it. [00:42:35]

God wants to be the biggest part of our lives. And only in that, when that happens, do we find true fulfillment. [00:43:53]

What good does it do if a person gains the whole world, but loses or forfeits himself? In other words, Jesus is comparing all the wealth in the world to the value of your soul. And he says, there's no comparison. [00:44:07]

If you want true honor, if you want true recognition, if you want true, if you want the real trophy, then don't be ashamed of me. Live for me in such a way that you say no to the things of the world and if they give you grief over it all the more your reward will be even greater. [00:46:40]

Following Christ it may cost you and me everything but we will gain our soul. What more would we want? [00:47:14]

Ask your Jewish friends, with prayer, with great gentleness, who do you say Jesus is? And for anyone here today still uncertain, Jesus asks you, who do you say I am? [00:49:11]

The choice of being a disciple of Jesus is not an option for Christians. It is to scope. We will either lay down our lives and follow Jesus or we will seek to add Jesus to our own religiosity and potentially lose our very souls. [00:49:29]

Discipleship is not a more difficult path in Christianity. It is the path. We either follow the path with the Lord Jesus or I'll guarantee you we're going to lose our way. So which path are you on? Who do you say Jesus is? [00:49:49]

Knowing one thing, that our confession, our confession of Christ, of who he is, will determine our commitment. [00:50:13]

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