Full Send: Embracing Radical Devotion in Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Devotion to God's Word Roots Us in Christ

A life rooted in God's Word is a life that stands strong, nourished, and unshaken by the shifting opinions and comforts of the world. Just as roots anchor and feed a tree, immersing yourself in Scripture anchors your identity in Christ and provides the spiritual nutrients needed for growth and resilience. Without this devotion, it's easy to drift toward cultural norms and personal preferences, but when you choose to let God's truth shape you, your faith grows deep and your life becomes a testimony to others. Make it a daily habit to engage with the Bible, whether through reading, listening, or studying with others, and watch as your roots in Christ grow stronger and your life bears fruit that points others to Jesus. [15:39]

Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT)
"And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to deepen your engagement with God's Word—such as starting a reading plan, joining a Bible study, or setting aside a specific time each day to read Scripture?

Day 2: The Power of Fellowship and the Right Community

We were created for belonging, not isolation, and the early church modeled a devotion to fellowship that met deep spiritual and emotional needs. In a world where loneliness is rampant and true friendships are rare, being part of a Christ-centered community is God's answer to our longing for connection. The people you surround yourself with shape your future, so it's vital to invest in relationships that encourage you to put God first, offer accountability, and share life’s burdens and joys. Evaluate your current circles and seek out or strengthen connections with those who will help you grow in faith and love, knowing that authentic fellowship is a powerful witness to the world. [21:24]

Acts 2:42, 44-46 (NLT)
"All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer... And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity."

Reflection: Who in your life encourages you to follow Jesus more closely, and how can you intentionally invest in that relationship or community this week?

Day 3: Generosity: Giving God Our First and Best

True generosity is not about the amount given, but about the heart behind it—putting God first and trusting Him with your resources. The early church’s radical sharing and sacrificial giving flowed from a deep understanding that everything they had belonged to God, and their devotion to generosity ensured that no one among them was in need. Giving the first and best, not the leftovers, is an act of faith that aligns your heart with God’s priorities and opens your life to His blessings. Examine your finances and your attitude toward giving, and consider what it would look like to honor God with your first fruits, knowing that generosity is a powerful act of worship and discipleship. [26:39]

Proverbs 3:9-10 (NLT)
"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine."

Reflection: What is one tangible way you can put God first in your finances this week—whether through tithing, giving to someone in need, or supporting a ministry?

Day 4: The Transforming Power of Prayer and Worship

Prayer and worship are not just rituals, but lifelines that fuel and focus your faith, drawing you into God’s presence and aligning your heart with His. When believers gather to pray, worship, and take communion, they are filled with awe and joy, bearing one another’s burdens and declaring God’s greatness over every circumstance. Even when you don’t feel like singing or praying, choosing to do so is an act of surrender and trust, reminding you and those around you of God’s goodness and faithfulness. Make space in your life for both personal and corporate prayer and worship, knowing that these practices are essential for spiritual vitality and for making Jesus visible to the world. [31:36]

Acts 2:46-47 (NLT)
"They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity, all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved."

Reflection: How can you intentionally participate in prayer and worship this week—either alone or with others—to refocus your heart on God’s greatness and invite His presence into your life?

Day 5: Full Send Devotion: Living Differently for Jesus

Living with full send devotion means going all in for Jesus—holding nothing back and allowing your life to be marked by sacrifice, surrender, and bold obedience. The early church and devoted believers throughout history have shown that when we live differently, with wholehearted commitment to Christ, God uses our lives to impact others and draw them to Himself. This kind of devotion may require giving up comfort, time, or resources, but it leads to a life of purpose, freedom, and joy that cannot be found elsewhere. Ask God to show you what your next step of full surrender looks like, and trust that as you live differently, people will see Jesus clearly through you. [34:39]

Romans 12:1 (NLT)
"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where God is calling you to go “all in” for Him, and what specific step can you take this week to surrender that area fully to Christ?

Sermon Summary

There’s something powerful about being “all in.” Just like the difference between toe-dippers and cannonballers at the pool, there’s a difference between those who approach faith cautiously and those who jump in with full devotion. The early church, as described in Acts 2, modeled a life of full send devotion—no half measures, no holding back. Their lives were marked by a radical commitment to Jesus and to one another, and as a result, people saw Jesus clearly and were drawn to Him.

This kind of devotion wasn’t just about personal spirituality; it was about a community living differently. The early believers devoted themselves to four things: the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, generosity, and prayer and worship. Their devotion to the teaching of God’s Word rooted them deeply in Christ, shaping their identity and giving them strength to stand firm in a shifting culture. They didn’t just listen on Sundays—they built their lives on Scripture, letting it transform their hearts and minds.

Fellowship was more than just socializing; it was about belonging to a family that cared for one another, fought loneliness, and encouraged each other to pursue God. The right community shapes our future, and the early church was intentional about building relationships that pointed each other toward Christ.

Generosity was another hallmark. The believers saw everything they owned as God’s, and they gave freely to meet needs. This wasn’t about obligation or religious duty—it was about the heart. Giving the first and best to God was an act of trust and worship, a way to declare that God comes before all else.

Finally, prayer and worship were central. Gathering together, lifting their voices, sharing communion, and bearing one another’s burdens in prayer fueled and focused their faith. Worship wasn’t just a ritual; it was a declaration of God’s goodness, even in hard times, and a reminder that Jesus went all in for us.

The challenge is clear: what does it look like for us to go “full send” in our devotion today? Whether it’s diving deeper into God’s Word, building Christ-centered community, practicing radical generosity, or engaging in heartfelt worship and prayer, the invitation is to live differently—so that people see Jesus clearly through us.

Key Takeaways

1. Rooted in God’s Word: True spiritual strength comes from being deeply rooted in Scripture, not just hearing it but letting it shape our identity and decisions. Without this foundation, we drift toward the opinions and comforts of the world. Building a life on God’s Word is a daily, intentional choice that nourishes and sustains us, much like roots drawing life from a stream. [15:15]
2. The Power of Christ-Centered Community: We are designed for belonging, not just being. The epidemic of loneliness in our culture is answered by the church when we intentionally build relationships that encourage, challenge, and care for one another. The community we choose will shape our future, so we must seek out and invest in friendships that point us toward Christ and away from selfishness. [20:23]
3. Generosity as Worship and Trust: Giving isn’t about money—it’s about the heart. When we give God our first and best, we declare our trust in Him and acknowledge that everything we have is His. Generosity is a spiritual discipline that breaks the grip of materialism and aligns our hearts with God’s priorities, inviting His blessing and presence into our lives. [24:57]
4. Prayer and Worship Fuel and Focus Us: Prayer is the fuel that empowers us to resist the pull of the flesh, while worship focuses our hearts on God’s greatness above our circumstances. Gathering together to pray, sing, and share communion is not just tradition—it’s a powerful means of being filled with God’s presence and bearing one another’s burdens. These practices keep our hearts soft, surrendered, and full of awe for God. [30:31]
5. Devotion Requires Sacrifice and Action: Full send devotion isn’t comfortable or convenient—it requires sacrifice, whether of time, comfort, finances, or even relationships. The early church and examples like the Moravians show that when we go all in for Jesus, God uses our devotion to impact others and draw them to Himself. The call is to examine our lives and take the next step of surrender, trusting that God will use our wholehearted devotion for His glory. [34:39]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[06:55] - The Pool Analogy: Toe Dippers vs. Cannonballers
[09:06] - The Early Church: Full Send Devotion
[10:21] - Pentecost and the Birth of the Church
[11:35] - Acts 2:42-47: A Different Way to Live
[13:07] - Devotion to Teaching: Rooted in God’s Word
[16:02] - Practical Ways to Dive into Scripture
[17:56] - Devotion to Fellowship: The Need for Community
[18:23] - Loneliness and the Power of Belonging
[20:23] - Choosing the Right Community
[23:11] - Devotion to Generosity: Sharing Everything
[24:57] - The Heart of Giving and Tithing
[29:34] - Devotion to Prayer and Worship
[32:11] - Communion: Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice
[33:30] - The Moravians: Radical Devotion
[34:39] - What’s Your Next Step? Full Send Devotion

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 2:42-47 (ESV) — > And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Observation Questions

According to Acts 2:42-47, what four main things did the early believers devote themselves to?
What was the result of the believers’ devotion, as described in verse 47?
In the sermon, what is the difference between “toe dippers” and “cannonballers” when it comes to faith? ([07:55])
How did the early church handle their possessions and resources according to the passage?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the early church’s devotion to the apostles’ teaching (God’s Word) was so foundational for their community? ([13:25])
The sermon mentions that the right community shapes our future. How might the people we surround ourselves with influence our walk with Jesus? ([20:23])
The believers’ generosity was described as giving their “first and best” to God. What does this reveal about their trust in God and their priorities? ([24:57])
The sermon says that prayer and worship “fuel and focus” us. How might regular prayer and worship together help a group of believers stay strong in their faith? ([30:31])

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to go “all in” with our faith, not just dip our toes in. In what area of your spiritual life do you feel like you’re still just “toe dipping”? What would it look like to take a “cannonball” step of faith this week? ([09:06])
When it comes to being rooted in God’s Word, what is one practical step you can take this week to let Scripture shape your identity and decisions? (For example: starting a reading plan, journaling, or joining a Bible study group.) ([16:02])
Think about your closest friends and community. Are they helping you move closer to Jesus, or pulling you away? Is there a relationship you need to invest in more—or maybe one you need to set some boundaries with? ([20:23])
The early church was marked by radical generosity. What is one way you can practice generosity this week—whether with your finances, time, or resources? Is there something you feel God is asking you to give or share? ([24:57])
Prayer and worship were central to the early church. What is one way you can make prayer or worship a bigger part of your daily or weekly routine? Is there a specific burden you need to share with someone in prayer? ([30:31])
The sermon says that devotion requires sacrifice and action. What is one comfort, habit, or resource you sense God might be asking you to surrender or use differently for His purposes? ([34:39])
The Moravians went to extreme lengths to share Jesus with others. What is one bold step you could take to help someone see Jesus more clearly through your life this month? ([33:30])

Sermon Clips

If you read about the early church, the early church wasn't toe dipping into their faith. They were cannonballers. They went full sin into life with God. And if you read the book of Acts, it starts to show us how this happened. Acts 2 shows us this of what it looked like for people for the early church to really dive in. And the power and the outcome that came from it. They weren't halfway, they were devoted. This full send devotion ultimately led to people finding hope in Christ, because that is the goal, right? If you are here and you follow Jesus, you want people to also follow Jesus and surrender their life over to him, to find that hope and that freedom and that joy that you have. You want others to have that, that's in the Bible. Go and make disciples like it's all for that. More people finding Jesus and their full sin devotion led to that happening. It's a full sin devotion they had then that we can have today. [00:09:16] (57 seconds) #FullSendFaith

Without the truth of God's Word shaping us, we drift toward opinion, culture, and comfort instead of Christ. His Word is the thing that roots us in Christ. It's why we talk about it every single week. It's like a broken record sometimes in this place for you to get into the Word of God, not just when you're here on Sunday, but beyond that as well. And it's why it's so important. [00:13:38] (23 seconds) #RootedInGodsWord

You can root yourself, your identity in other things and other people, but it's not gonna last if it's not in Christ. And when we as the Church, when we devote ourselves to God's Word and let his word shape our lives. We see Jesus clearly and others will as well. [00:15:45] (15 seconds) #IdentityInChrist

The community you are in right now will determine the future you're gonna have. So those people that speak into your life, the people that you are closest to right now, you have to look at, okay, how do they treat relationships? How do they see marriage? How do they treat their spouse? How do they view parenting? How do they view their money? How do they view God, how do they view God's house? However they view those things, the closer you get to them, the more you're just gonna start modeling that in your own life. Five to 10 years, you're gonna be doing the same thing they're doing right now. And is that okay with you? [00:20:27] (36 seconds) #CommunityShapesFuture

The early church had a devotion to fellowship, the right kind of community, where they were around people who were striving to put God first and that's the goal. And do you have that in your own life? Because the world and culture is always going to bait you into selfishness, which will always lead to loneliness. But the right community lifts you to a place of serving and love and care. [00:21:14] (23 seconds) #RightCommunityLifts

When we live differently, people see Jesus clearly in tithing, giving to God, giving to his church. It's kind of weird to someone who does not follow Jesus, right? And if you're here and you're kind of new to the faith and you're like, wait, what? I gotta give, like, 10%, but I got bills to pay. It's like, yeah, I know. That's the whole point of this. It's like, God, I'm gonna honor you here before I do anything else. Like, on paper, it's weird. It doesn't make sense. But when you realize it's such a big heart thing, it's part of discipleship, it's part of devotion, your world will start to change when we live differently. People see Jesus clearly. [00:28:57] (39 seconds) #PrayerFuelsWorship

When we pray together, we bear one another's burdens. Which means I'm not just gonna go, oh, I'll pray for you. I hope you do well. No, I'm gonna come alongside and bear this burden with you. That's why we have a prayer team at the end of every service. And we tell people, if you want prayer, come forward while everyone else is leaving. We want to bear this burden with you. We want to come alongside and pray with you. It adds to this process of being filled with the presence of God. [00:30:56] (23 seconds) #HandsLiftedInSurrender

In the early 1700s, there was a small group of Christians called the Moravians. In this group of Christians, they. They caught fire for Jesus. And they were so devoted to the mission of God that when they heard about enslaved Africans in the Caribbean who had never heard the gospel, they did something unthinkable, unimaginable. This group of Christians actually went and sold themselves into slavery so that they could go reach those people that had never heard about Jesus. That's crazy. Can you imagine? They had families, they had friends, they had homes. And they went extreme and said, all right, I'm going to get rid of all that and I'm just going to put myself in this position of sacrifice so that I can tell people about Jesus. They went full send, not halfway, no turning back. And because of their devotion, whole communities came to Christ. And that ripple spread around the world. [00:33:19] (64 seconds) #GoFullSendToday

So what's your next step today? To go full send in devotion? Because for us, it might mean giving up some comfort, because devotion requires sacrifice in some way, right? We're sacrificing something in our life. Our own comfort, our own finances, our own time. We're sacrificing that time and we're giving it to God and His Word. Like, what is it in your life to go full send in? That was Acts 2. They were devoted. And because they lived this devotion, because they lived differently, God added people daily. [00:34:23] (40 seconds) #FollowJesusFirstStep

Are you in His Word? Are you in the right community? Are you honoring him with your first fruits? Are you fully surrendered to Christ, trusting Jesus with your life, following Him? If you haven't made that choice because that is the ultimate next step, is that first step in following him. And Scripture tells us that if we make Jesus Lord and believe that God raised him from the dead, our souls are saved, healed, and free. And that is where all this begins. [00:35:04] (30 seconds)

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