Embracing Transformation: Going All In for Christ

Sep 28, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: The Great Commission: Go and Make Disciples

Jesus calls every believer to go beyond comfort zones, sharing His message and making disciples of all nations, not just waiting for people to come to church. This is not a passive faith; it’s an active, outward movement, fueled by the authority and presence of Christ Himself. The mission is clear: go, baptize, teach, and trust that Jesus is with you always, even when you feel unqualified or uncertain. The world is changed not by those who stay put, but by those who step out in faith, carrying the good news to places and people who have yet to encounter the love and freedom found in Christ. [36:18]

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Reflection: Where is God prompting you to “go” this week—outside your comfort zone—to share your story or serve someone who doesn’t yet know Jesus?

Day 2: The Power and Presence of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit transforms ordinary, fearful people into bold witnesses for Jesus, empowering them to do what they could never do on their own. When the Spirit fills a person, it’s not just about internal change; it’s about being equipped for courageous action, even in the face of opposition or uncertainty. The same Spirit that emboldened the first disciples to step out of hiding and speak to crowds is available to every believer today, making possible a life of purpose, courage, and supernatural impact. [38:59]

Acts 2:1-4, 36-41 (ESV)
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. ... Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” ... So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to rely on the Holy Spirit’s power instead of your own strength or ability?

Day 3: God Uses Imperfect People for His Mission

No one is too far gone or too broken for God to use; past defeats and failures become leverage for future victories when surrendered to Jesus. The stories of Peter, Paul, and the early disciples show that God doesn’t call the qualified—He qualifies the called. When you combine your messy story with Jesus’ grace and say “yes” to His Spirit, He can use you to do impossible things for His kingdom, regardless of your past. [45:00]

Acts 4:7-13 (ESV)
And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

Reflection: What part of your story or past do you think disqualifies you from being used by God—and how might God want to use that very thing for His glory?

Day 4: Courageous Faith Overcomes Fear and Cost

When the Holy Spirit fills a believer, fear of what others think, fear of loss, and even fear of danger lose their grip, replaced by a boldness to obey God above all else. The early church faced threats, ridicule, and real danger, but their courage came from knowing that Jesus’ approval mattered most and that nothing in this world could ultimately harm them. True freedom is found in living for Christ with everything, holding nothing back, and letting go of the chains of fear and people-pleasing. [49:43]

Acts 5:27-29 (ESV)
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”

Reflection: What is one fear or area of approval-seeking that holds you back from living boldly for Jesus—and what step can you take today to surrender it to Him?

Day 5: Unity and Authentic Testimony Draws the World to Jesus

A unified, courageous, and authentic church is magnetic to lost and broken people, who are drawn not to perfection but to real stories of transformation and hope. When believers stand together, love one another, and speak the truth in love—even when it’s hard—the world sees something worth believing in. Jesus prayed for this unity, knowing that it would be the most compelling evidence of His reality and love to a watching world. [59:25]

John 17:20-23 (ESV)
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”

Reflection: Who in your life is watching your faith journey—and how can you intentionally show unity, love, and authenticity this week so that they might see Jesus in you?

Sermon Summary

This weekend is a celebration of new life and transformation—Baptism Weekend—a time to remember what God has done and to look forward to what He will do through us. The journey we’re on as a church is not just about today, but about building something that will last for generations, something our children and grandchildren can inherit: a legacy of faith, freedom, and courage in Christ. We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, who sacrificed and pressed forward so that we could know the love and freedom found in Jesus. Now, it’s our turn to ask: What are we willing to do, to give, to ensure that the story of Jesus doesn’t end with us, but continues to spread light in a dark world?

Looking back to the book of Acts, we see how the first church was born—not through perfect people, but through ordinary, broken men and women who encountered Jesus, were filled with His Spirit, and said yes to His call. Peter, who once denied Jesus in fear, became a bold leader after the Holy Spirit filled him. Paul, once a persecutor of Christians, became the greatest evangelist. Their past failures became the very leverage God used for future victories. The only qualification was their willingness to trust Jesus and let His Spirit work through them. This is still true today: God uses our messy stories, our weaknesses, and our willingness to follow Him to do impossible things.

The early church faced opposition, ridicule, and real danger, but they pressed on with courage and unity. They didn’t hide their faith; they spoke boldly about what they had seen and heard. Their courage wasn’t rooted in their own strength, but in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. They valued God’s approval above people’s opinions, and they considered everything else as loss compared to knowing Christ. This kind of fearless faith is what the world needs to see—a church united, courageous, and full of grace and truth.

When lost and broken people see ordinary people like us being changed, healed, and set free by Jesus, it’s magnetic. Our stories, our unity, and our courage are what draw others to Christ. The challenge is clear: it’s time to get off the fence, to go all in for Jesus, to let go of fear and half-heartedness, and to make a public, courageous stand for Christ. Whether you’re already a believer or considering faith for the first time, the invitation is the same—step forward, be baptized, and let the world know: I am with Jesus.

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Key Takeaways

1. God Leverages Our Past for His Future Victory No matter how broken or shameful our past may be, God can use it as leverage for future victories. Peter’s denial and Paul’s persecution became the backdrop for their most powerful testimonies. When we surrender our failures to Jesus, He transforms them into stories of redemption that can set others free. Our disqualifications become the very things God uses to qualify us for His mission. [42:34]
2. The Holy Spirit Turns Cowards into Courageous Leaders The difference between hiding in fear and standing boldly for Christ is not self-discipline or willpower, but the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit fills us, our perspective on what matters most radically shifts. The approval of people, financial security, or even personal safety lose their grip, and we find the courage to obey God no matter the cost. True courage is not the absence of fear, but the presence of the Spirit. [49:43]
3. Ordinary People, Extraordinary Impact The early church was not built by the most qualified, but by ordinary people who had been with Jesus and were willing to say yes. The world is not looking for perfection, but for authenticity—people who can say, “Yeah, me too,” and testify to the real change Jesus brings. When we share our honest stories of transformation, others are drawn to the hope and freedom we’ve found. [54:48]
4. Unity and Truth Make the Gospel Compelling Jesus prayed that His followers would be unified, not just in doctrine but in love and courage. The world is watching how we treat one another, especially when we disagree. When the church is united in truth and love, holding fast to what Jesus says is true and refusing to let secondary issues divide us, our witness becomes magnetic. Division and compromise dilute our message, but unity in Christ compels belief. [59:25]
5. It’s Time to Go All In—No More Half-Hearted Faith There are only two groups: followers of Jesus and not followers. Half-hearted, fence-sitting faith lacks power and is unattractive to a watching world. The call is to surrender everything—our pride, our plans, our fears—and go all in for Jesus. Baptism is not just a ritual, but a public declaration to ourselves, to others, and to the spiritual realm that we belong to Christ and are filled with His Spirit. [62:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Baptism Weekend Introduction
[02:30] - Clarifying Last Week’s Comments
[05:00] - Unity and Expectation in the Church
[08:10] - Looking to the Future: Building a Legacy
[11:00] - The Book of Acts: The Church’s Origin
[14:30] - The Great Commission: Jesus’ Final Words
[18:00] - Go and Make Disciples
[21:00] - The Power and Promise of the Holy Spirit
[24:00] - Pentecost: The Spirit Arrives
[28:00] - Peter’s Transformation and First Sermon
[33:00] - God Uses Our Messy Stories
[36:00] - From Cowardice to Courage
[40:00] - Facing Opposition with Boldness
[45:00] - The Cost of Following Jesus
[49:00] - The Magnetic Power of Authentic Faith
[54:00] - Unity, Truth, and the Church’s Witness
[59:00] - The Call to Go All In
[64:00] - Baptism Invitation and Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Baptism Weekend – “All In for Jesus”

Bible Reading

1. Matthew 28:18-20 (The Great Commission)
> And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

2. Acts 2:1-4, 36-41 (Pentecost and Peter’s Sermon)
> When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. ...
> “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” ... So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

3. Acts 4:7-13, 18-20 (Peter and John before the Council)
> And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, ... let it be known to all of you ... that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. ... And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. ... So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

Observation Questions

In Matthew 28:18-20, what are the specific instructions Jesus gives to his followers before he ascends to heaven?
According to Acts 2, what happened to the disciples when the Holy Spirit came upon them, and how did the crowd respond to Peter’s message?
In Acts 4, what was the reaction of the religious leaders to Peter and John’s boldness, and what did they notice about them?
The sermon mentioned that Peter, who once denied Jesus, became a bold leader after being filled with the Holy Spirit. What does this transformation tell us about the role of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life? [[42:34]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says, “Past defeats become leverage for future victories.” How does Peter’s denial of Jesus and Paul’s persecution of Christians become part of their testimony and ministry? [[42:34]]
The early church faced real danger and opposition, yet they pressed on with courage and unity. What does this suggest about the source of their courage and the importance of unity in the church? [[49:43]]
The message emphasized that God uses “ordinary, broken people” who are willing to say yes. Why do you think God chooses to work through people with messy stories instead of perfect ones? [[45:00]]
The sermon challenges believers to “go all in” and not live with half-hearted faith. What are some signs of half-hearted faith, and why is it unattractive or powerless to those watching? [[01:01:47]]

Application Questions

The sermon asked, “What are we willing to do, to give, to ensure that the story of Jesus doesn’t end with us, but continues to spread light in a dark world?” What is one specific sacrifice or step of faith you feel God might be asking you to take for the next generation? [[33:07]]
Peter and Paul’s past failures became the very things God used for future victories. Is there a part of your story or past that you’ve been ashamed of, but that God might want to use to help someone else? What would it look like to surrender that to Jesus? [[42:34]]
The sermon said, “True courage is not the absence of fear, but the presence of the Spirit.” Where do you feel fear or hesitation in your faith right now? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to give you courage in that area? [[49:43]]
The early church was known for its unity and love, even when they disagreed. Is there a relationship in your life (in church, family, or elsewhere) where you need to pursue unity or reconciliation? What’s one step you could take this week? [[59:25]]
The message challenged us to “get off the fence” and go all in for Jesus. Are there areas in your life where you’re holding back or living with “one foot in, one foot out”? What would it look like to go all in? [[01:01:47]]
Baptism was described as a public, courageous stand for Christ. If you’ve been baptized, what did that moment mean for you? If you haven’t, what’s holding you back from making that public declaration? [[01:02:53]]
The sermon said, “When lost and broken people see ordinary people like us being changed, healed, and set free by Jesus, it’s magnetic.” Who in your life is watching your faith journey, and how might your story encourage them to take a step toward Jesus? [[54:48]]

Close in prayer, asking God to fill each person with His Spirit, give courage, and use your group’s stories to draw others to Christ.

Sermon Clips

“As a matter of fact, the more that the darkness tries to extinguish the light, the brighter it shines and the faster it spreads. We've seen that very clearly in the past few weeks, right? Yeah, you cannot slow down the church. Listen, this is why I walked away from last week. The church of Jesus Christ is alive and well and awake and the gates of hell are shaking and amazing things are about to happen, amen?”

“What was the vision of those that came before us? Like because of their vision, that calling, that commitment, what were they willing to, and eager, they wanted to do it, sacrifice that makes it possible for us to sit in here today and we know, we know that God loves us and we know that through Jesus we can be set free and we can live free, and I'm not talking about free as Americans, I mean freedom in Christ from the chains of sin and condemnation that used to own you.”

“What will it take to not only take back territory that God says is his alone, but has been stolen by some enemy, and also, what will it take to bring the awesome life of Jesus to new places in the world, this broken world? What will it take, this is the phrase I've kinda landed on, what will it take to build the thing that builds the thing? Does that make sense? Like, I can't build everything, but I can build the thing that builds the thing, that builds the thing, so that the next generation's coming up after us, our children, our grandchildren, and if you're 14 in here, and you're going like, I don't have children or grandchildren, you will, in a, like that, right, old people, it just comes fast, right, it's just like, boom, I was in high school, and now I'm a grandpa, it's just, I mean, life is fast, all right?”

“Go to the whole world and make disciples, that's the mission. And what's the first word there? Go, that means leave where you are and go to places where people don't know me yet, all right? I cannot find a verse in the Bible that tells sinners to go to church. It's not in there, I've looked. Hey, if you're a sinner, you should go to church and get saved, no, it's not in there. I find verse after verse after verse that says, hey, Christians, leave your church and go. Go where? Go to where people don't know me yet and make disciples, make followers.”

“Christians, please listen, because I'm gonna clear some stuff up for you. Stop trying to teach stuff you don't know anything about. You're making it worse, right? I don't know if Jesus said it or not, but I think he should have, so I'm gonna preach it. Don't. Like, stop it. No, just teach what you know. Teach what you have learned from Jesus. Tell how his truth has set you free. Tell what you have seen and heard and experienced. Just tell your story. I once was blind, and now I'm not. That's all I got, right?”

“When the Holy Spirit fills a person, and Jesus, promises this will happen. Something happens in that person that not only changes who they are internally, and over time, but allows them to do things they could never do on their own. This is what Jesus promised would happen. In this case, this day, they were filled with a new level of courage, like boldness, and they were able to speak in other tongues, in other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to do it that day.”

“Past defeats become leverage for future victories. Don't you hope that's true, all right? Peter delivers the first public message about who Jesus is and what he has done in his own life and what he can do in another person's life. And he gives that message to the same crowd that a few weeks ago, same people were shouting, crucify him, crucify him, right? And remember what Peter was doing while everybody, while that was going on, the crucify him, crucify him? Remember what he was doing? Hiding. He was a coward. He denied Jesus three times that night. He was terrified when a little girl says, do you know Jesus? No, I never knew him. But something changed.”

“When a person puts their faith in Jesus Christ, and maybe you're gonna do that today, say, you're my Lord and Savior, you are forgiven, past, present, and future mistakes, but it doesn't stop there. The Holy Spirit comes into your life, no matter what you've done or what Ben's done to you in the past, God can use anyone if you're willing to combine your messy story with what Jesus has done in your life, and then combine that with Jesus' offer of love and grace and forgiveness, and if you'll do that, take your jacked up story, I once was blind, but now I see, and Jesus' grace and his power, and he's gonna use you to do impossible things. He's gonna use you.”

“The only thing that qualified them was they put their faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit came into their life and changed who they were on the inside, and they said, yes, I'm willing to follow wherever and whatever the Spirit tells me to do. There's an old saying I grew up with, hey, you might wanna take this picture, it's really good, God doesn't call the qualified, God qualifies the called. All right, that's what qualifies you.”

“For the record, the church has always, for 2,000 years, and will always be made up of not the most qualified people. Right? But ordinary people who were lost and broken, who met Jesus, put their faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, were filled with his Holy Spirit and said yes to the calling to go and do the things the Spirit leads them to go do. No one is too far gone. This may be why God brought you here today. No story is too dark. Nothing you've done is too shameful. Anyone who is willing to put their faith in Jesus and follow the Spirit can be used by God to do great things in his kingdom. Whatever Flatirons does in the future will be done by men and women just like that. There is no plan B. It's us. It's us.”

“Past cowards become future courageous leaders. Amen? See, here's what, when the Holy Spirit comes into a person's life, a person's entire perspective changes as to what is, and is not important or valuable anymore. To the point that the things that we used to be afraid of that might happen to us, or what it might cost us, no longer scares us. Because when something scares us, it owns us. That's chains, that's slavery, right? As a matter of fact, the things we used to be afraid of, we now welcome them and consider it as an honor. Bring it on.”

“If the only one you're looking to for approval is Jesus, and who cares what anybody else thinks? If everything that you possess, you don't really consider that you own it, but you're actually a steward of it and entrusted to leverage it for Jesus, so if someone tries to take something from you, it wasn't yours anyway, and if you already look at your life as, I've been crucified with Christ, I no longer live, but Christ lives in me, then what can the world do to us? Like, kill us? Bring it on, I'll be in heaven, all right? What would they threaten us with? And the answer is nothing.”

“I believe that we're moving into a time in history that closely mirrors what those first Christians face as they engage in the Great Commission, and the only way, church, that we're gonna, not just make it or survive, we're gonna prevail is through the fearless boldness that comes from the Holy Spirit to speak and stand for and fight for the things that Jesus tells us to speak, stand, and fight for. Again, not in our own might, not against flesh and blood, but by the Spirit, because it's a spiritual battle, but we have to rescue people physically, too.”

“The church has to speak both truth and grace, but it has to do both of those things with courage and boldness. The number one command in the Bible, right? 366 times in the Bible, we have some form of the same command, do not be afraid, for I am with you. I sense, I sense a boldness in this church like never before right the enemy thinks they're bold this way the church is on its way all right it is going to take the kind of courage and boldness that the world can only look at and respond those people are ordinary common people but it is obvious they have been with Jesus look at them right.”

“Lost and broken people are attracted to faith courage truth and freedom when it is delivered by a yeah me too person that has gone first and can testify it works it's true right we already saw that we've already read it right in acts chapter two when peter stands up to preach the chapter begins with people mocking them and insulting them and ends with and when they heard the message they were cut to the heart and asked what must we do repent and be baptized and 3 000 families got baptized.”

“But when they see a unified body of believers courageously following Christ, holding on to what Jesus says is true, and holding on to one another, even when we disagree with one another. Jesus said that picture, that testimony of faith, people will lean into it and they'll meet Jesus, the Jesus we claim to follow.”

“First one, past defeats become leverage for future victories. This may be why God brought you here. No matter who you are or what you've done or what's been done to you, if a person is willing to put their faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior and receive his Holy Spirit, Jesus can use you to do great things in the kingdom of God. There's no one too far gone. I'm talking about you.”

“Second thing, past cowards become future courageous leaders. When the Holy Spirit comes into a person's life, a person's entire perspective changes as to what's important and valuable to the point that the things that we once feared that might happen to us or might cost us no longer do. We can literally now say, I give everything to Jesus because Jesus is everything. What can you do to me?”

“The third thing is this. Lost and broken people are attracted to faith and courage and truth and freedom when it is delivered by ordinary people like us who have gone first and we can testify, Jesus works. It's true. The one truth that was common in the book of Acts that is still true today, when a lost and broken person sees a person just like them changing and being healed and set free, something, I won't say this to your face, but they're watching you, right? The guy at work, the guy at the garage, the lady at the grocery store, right? They're watching you.”

“It is time to get off the fence. It's time to begin to live your life as a disciple with courage instead of one foot in and one foot out. Half in, half out. That would explain why your walk with Jesus has no power. Makes no difference in your life or in your marriage or in your children and is not attractive to anyone around you because you're half in, half out.”

“Whenever a person puts their faith in Jesus Christ as a statement, listen, when you get baptized, it's not like Jesus going, like, prove it, get dunked. It's like, he knows, he knows our hearts, right? Being baptized is not some statement of Christ, he knows. But when we get baptized, it's a commandment, it's a public, courageous statement to yourself and to those around you, and please hear this, to the dark, spiritual realm that's watching everything that happens in this room.”

“I have a sense of urgency. I don't know if we get another breath. I don't know if we get tomorrow. I don't know when Jesus comes back. I don't want him to come back right now, because I have a friend, and you have a daughter, and you have a dad, and you know. I don't know if they believe yet. But last week, or even today, if you did that last weekend, or if you want to do that right now, I've read this. All you have to do is believe in your heart Jesus is Lord and that God raised him from the dead, and you will be saved. That's what it says. So then come and be baptized. Take that step. Make a statement to yourself, to the world, and to the demonic realm. Jesus is my savior, and I'm with him, and his spirit lives in me. You want to do that? Do you want to do that?”

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