Going All In: Embracing God's Commitment and Love

Devotional

Day 1: God Has Gone All In to Rescue Humanity

God holds nothing back in His mission to rescue humanity, stepping into our reality through Jesus with power, compassion, and unwavering commitment. Even when humanity could not fix its own brokenness, God made a way for us to experience life to the fullest—life that is not limited by our time on earth but extends for all eternity. This act of going all in is not just a historical event; it is a present invitation to consider the depth of God’s love and the lengths He has gone for each of us. If you have ever wondered whether God is worth your trust or your commitment, remember that He has already given everything for you. [10:37]

John 3:16 (ESV)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been hesitant to trust God fully—how might remembering that He has already gone all in for you help you take a step of faith today?

Day 2: Jesus Identifies With Us in Our Weakness

Jesus, though sinless, chose to be baptized alongside those confessing their need, standing in solidarity with humanity’s brokenness and need for forgiveness. In this act, He not only participates in what God is doing but also demonstrates His deep identification with us—He does not stand apart from our struggles, but enters into them fully. This means that no matter how far we feel from God or how aware we are of our shortcomings, Jesus stands with us, offering rescue and hope. His willingness to identify with us makes Him worthy of our trust and devotion. [12:47]

Mark 1:9-11 (ESV)
“In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to remember that Jesus stands with you, even in your weakness or need?

Day 3: Our Identity as God’s Beloved Children

Before Jesus had accomplished anything in His public ministry, the Father declared Him beloved and well-pleasing—this same posture is extended to us. The labels and identities we carry from our past, our achievements, or our failures can shape how we see ourselves, but God invites us to embrace our true identity as His beloved sons and daughters. This secure identity is not earned by our performance and cannot be lost by our failures; it is a gift to be received and lived from. As we go all in with God, we are invited to let this truth shape our thoughts, actions, and sense of worth. [17:47]

Romans 8:15-17 (ESV)
“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”

Reflection: What is one negative label or identity you have carried that you need to lay down in order to embrace your identity as God’s beloved child?

Day 4: God’s Presence and Victory in the Wilderness

After His baptism, Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tested, facing the fiercest opposition and adversity, yet He remained committed and victorious. The wilderness was not a punishment but a place where Jesus’ identity and mission were affirmed, and where He gained confidence to face all that lay ahead. In our own seasons of hardship or testing, we are not abandoned; God’s presence and provision are with us, and we can face every challenge knowing that Jesus has already overcome. With God on our side, we can press through adversity and opposition, secure in His love and victory. [22:56]

Romans 8:31-39 (ESV)
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Reflection: Think of a current challenge or adversity you are facing—how might you approach it differently if you truly believed God is for you and with you?

Day 5: Going All In Unlocks Transformation

There are things in life—and especially in our relationship with God—that are only unlocked when we go all in. Just as immersion in a new environment can lead to transformation, so too can fully engaging with God and His community open up new growth, blessing, and purpose in our lives. The invitation is not to settle for half-hearted engagement, but to take a concrete step—whether it’s committing to community, reading Scripture, serving, or simply showing up with openness. As you go all in, watch for the difference it makes not only in your own life but in the lives of those around you. [26:44]

Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV)
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”

Reflection: What is one specific step you can take this week to go all in with God—whether in community, Scripture, service, or another area—and how will you make space for it?

Sermon Summary

Today’s gathering is an invitation to step into a new season with God, to consider what it means to go “all in” with Him. Drawing inspiration from the familiar story arc of the Rocky movies, we’re reminded that while life doesn’t always guarantee a triumphant ending, there is something deeply resonant and transformative about giving ourselves fully to something that matters. This is especially true in our relationship with God. As we launch into the fall, we’re focusing on the Gospel of Mark, where we encounter a Jesus who goes all in for us—stepping into our world with power, compassion, and unwavering commitment to rescue and restore.

The opening scenes of Mark’s Gospel show Jesus at the Jordan River, not yet known, not yet followed, and not yet having performed miracles. He comes to be baptized by John, who is calling people to repentance and announcing that God’s deliverance is near. In this moment, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit converge, declaring God’s all-in commitment to humanity’s rescue. Jesus’ baptism is not for His own need of repentance, but as an act of deep identification with us—standing in solidarity with our weakness, our need, and our longing for forgiveness. Before Jesus does anything in His public ministry, the Father’s voice affirms Him: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” This secure identity, rooted in belovedness and favor, becomes the foundation for everything Jesus will do.

Immediately after, Jesus is led into the wilderness to be tested. This is not punishment, but preparation—a place where Jesus faces the fiercest opposition and emerges victorious, battle-tested, and ready for the mission ahead. The wilderness is a reminder that adversity is inevitable, but with God, we can withstand and overcome. Jesus’ victory is not just for Himself, but for us, so that we too can face life’s challenges with confidence, knowing we are loved, called, and accompanied by the One who has already overcome.

The invitation today is to respond to the God who has gone all in for us. Whether it’s committing to community, engaging with Scripture, serving others, or simply wrestling with what it means to trust God fully, there are things in life—and especially in life with God—that are only unlocked when we go all in. As we take communion together, we remember and celebrate the God who held nothing back, and we are invited to take our next step of wholehearted commitment.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s All-In Commitment Precedes Our Response Before we are ever called to go all in, God has already gone all in for us. In Jesus’ baptism, the convergence of Father, Son, and Spirit is a declaration that God holds nothing back in His mission to rescue humanity. This foundational truth means our journey with God is always a response to His initiating, sacrificial love. [10:37]
2. Jesus Identifies Fully With Our Humanity Jesus’ choice to be baptized, though sinless, is a profound act of solidarity. He stands with us in our need, our brokenness, and our longing for forgiveness. This identification is not just symbolic; it is the very means by which He is able to rescue us, making Him worthy of our trust and devotion. [12:47]
3. Our Identity Is Rooted in God’s Unconditional Love The words spoken over Jesus at His baptism—beloved, pleasing, Son—are not just for Him, but reflect God’s posture toward us. Our truest identity is not shaped by our achievements or failures, but by the unearned, unlosable love and favor of God. Embracing this identity empowers us to live boldly and securely. [17:47]
4. Adversity Is Preparation, Not Punishment Jesus’ time in the wilderness is a model for us: testing and hardship are not signs of God’s absence, but opportunities for growth and confidence. God provides even in the desert, and the challenges we face can become the training ground for deeper trust and resilience, knowing that Jesus has already overcome. [21:17]
5. Going All In Unlocks Transformation There are aspects of life with God that can only be experienced when we commit fully—when we immerse ourselves in community, Scripture, service, and worship. Partial engagement leaves much undiscovered, but wholehearted participation opens us to transformation, blessing, and a deeper sense of purpose, both for ourselves and those around us. [26:44]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Fall Kickoff and Community Invitation
[02:42] - The “All In” Theme and Rocky Analogy
[06:24] - The Call to Go All In With God
[07:54] - Setting the Stage: Jesus’ Baptism
[10:37] - God’s All-In Rescue Mission
[11:42] - Wrestling With Commitment
[12:47] - Jesus’ Baptism: Identification With Humanity
[14:46] - The Trinity and Our Secure Identity
[17:47] - Embracing God’s Words Over Us
[19:24] - The Wilderness: Preparation for Mission
[21:17] - Adversity as Blessing and Preparation
[22:56] - Jesus’ Victory and Our Confidence
[24:33] - Living From Secure Identity
[26:12] - The Power of Immersion: Going All In
[27:25] - Practical Steps to Go All In
[28:15] - Engaging With Community and Scripture
[29:25] - Communion and Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Mark 1:9-13 (ESV) — > In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.

Observation Questions

What are the key things that happen at Jesus’ baptism in Mark 1:9-11? Who is present and what is said?
According to the sermon, why is it significant that Jesus is baptized even though he is sinless? [[12:47]]
What happens immediately after Jesus’ baptism, and what does this tell us about the start of his ministry?
In the sermon, what does the voice from heaven say about Jesus before he has done any public ministry? Why is this important? [[15:51]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that Jesus’ baptism is an act of deep identification with us. What does it mean for Jesus to stand in solidarity with our weakness and need? [[12:47]]
The Father’s words over Jesus—“You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased”—are described as the foundation for Jesus’ ministry. How might this sense of secure identity affect the way someone lives or serves? [[17:47]]
The wilderness is described as preparation, not punishment. How does this change the way we might view our own times of adversity or testing? [[21:17]]
The sermon says that God’s all-in commitment comes before our response. Why is it important to understand that God goes first in loving and rescuing us? [[10:37]]

Application Questions

The sermon invites us to consider what it means to go “all in” with God. Is there an area of your life where you feel you’ve been holding back from God? What would it look like to take a next step of wholehearted commitment? [[06:24]]
Jesus’ identity as beloved Son was affirmed before he did anything “impressive.” Do you ever struggle to believe that God’s love and favor are not based on your achievements or failures? How might embracing this truth change your daily life? [[17:47]]
The wilderness was a place of testing and preparation for Jesus. Can you think of a time when a difficult season in your life ended up preparing you for something important? How did you see God at work in that time? [[21:17]]
The sermon suggests that some things in life with God are only unlocked when we go all in—like community, Scripture, serving, or worship. Which of these areas do you sense God inviting you to step into more fully this season? What practical step could you take this week? [[26:44]]
The story about the child learning English through immersion was used as an analogy for going all in. Is there a spiritual practice or relationship you need to “immerse” yourself in to grow? What would that look like for you? [[26:12]]
The sermon mentions that adversity is inevitable, but with God, we can withstand and overcome. What is one challenge you are currently facing, and how can the group pray for you to experience God’s presence and strength in it? [[22:56]]
Communion is described as a way to remember and celebrate the God who held nothing back. How does regularly remembering Jesus’ all-in sacrifice shape your willingness to go all in for Him? [[29:25]]

Sermon Clips

In participating in the baptism, I think one of the things that Jesus is doing is He's identifying even more deeply with humanity. See, what's going on in the baptism is droves and droves of people are acknowledging their weakness. They're acknowledging their need. They're acknowledging the ways that they've fallen short of the mark. They're acknowledging their desperate need for God. And Jesus stands with the people in their need. He identifies with us in our humanity, in our weakness, in our sins, though He has no sins to confess. In this moment where droves of people are acknowledging that they've missed the mark, are acknowledging that they've hurt people, are acknowledging that they've turned their back on God and need to be forgiven, Jesus stands with humanity. Rather than stand apart, He identifies with so that He can rescue us. He goes all in. And this is worth not just giving our consideration. This makes Him worth trusting with our whole lives. [00:13:11] (66 seconds) #JesusIdentifiesWithUs

We can trust that going all in with God is worth it because God, through Jesus, has already gone all in with us. He has identified with us and then rescued us. At the baptism, we see not only the Trinity converging in this moment of launching into the mission to save humanity. We see Jesus identifying with us in our brokenness. And in our need. He dives in for us. Before he asks anything from us. The God that calls you to follow him. The God that calls me to follow him. The God that invites us and calls us to go all in for him. Goes first. He first goes all in for us. [00:14:17] (53 seconds) #GodWentFirst

As Jesus gets baptized. A voice is heard from the heavens. That says you are my son. Whom I love. With you I am well pleased. Now remember. This is before Jesus has performed any miracles. This is before he's preached any sermons. This is before he's gathered any followers. Before he has set out on any mission. Before all of that. He is already a beloved son. He already has the father's favor. His heavenly father is for him. And isn't that a strong foundation to launch into mission from. Isn't that a strong foundation to launch into his purpose from. As he goes forth into this mission. As he goes forth to preaching the gospel. As he goes forth performing miracles. As he goes forth making his way to the cross. He goes forth with a secure identity. He goes forth with a love that he did not have to earn and cannot lose. And he goes forth with the favor of the father. [00:15:10] (71 seconds) #BelovedAndFavored

Let me remind us that at his baptism, Jesus is identifying with humanity. The words spoken over Jesus, I think, are not just about Jesus. They also reflect God's posture towards all of humanity. They reflect his posture towards you and they reflect his posture towards me. So I want to invite you to try these on for size... that you and I are daughters and sons of God, that you and I are beloved, and that God is for us, that God is for you, that God is for me. This reflects a God who is all in, a God who is fully committed, and we get to fully embrace these. We get to fully, let them fully shape who we are, how we think, how we engage, what we think of ourselves, what we think about our place in this world, the further we go in with God. As we go all in with God, we get to embrace these things fully for ourselves, and it can make all the difference. [00:17:35] (79 seconds) #YouAreGodsChild

Folks, the invitation to go all in with God comes from one through whom you and I have secure identity, comes from one whose love we do not need to earn and cannot lose, and comes from one whose favor is for us before we've done anything to earn it. We have intrinsic value. We have intrinsic worth. That's the one who calls us to go all in with him. [00:18:54] (33 seconds) #CalledToGoAllIn

Jesus has faced the toughest obstacles and the fiercest opposition and Jesus has emerged and remains victorious. The one who goes all in for us didn't back down when things got tough. He pressed through. He pressed through out of his love for God, out of his love for us, and out of his commitment to rescue you and to rescue me that we might have life to the fullest for all time. He was and is victorious. [00:22:56] (29 seconds) #VictoriousLove

You get to face all of it with a God who calls you his daughter, a God who calls you his son. You get to face all of that with a God who calls you his beloved, whose love is for you. You get to face all that with a God who is for you. And if God is for you, what can stand against you? [00:24:11] (22 seconds) #GodIsForYou

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