Made_In_My_Image_-_Have_It_Your_Way_Jesus.docx

Sep 17, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Is Not a Spiritual Vending Machine

It’s easy to want a version of Jesus that fits neatly into our lives, one who affirms our choices and never asks us to change. But Jesus is not a product to be customized or a menu item to be ordered our way. When we pick and choose which parts of His teachings to accept, we end up following a Jesus of our own making—a comfortable, powerless imitation.
True discipleship means letting Jesus define what following Him looks like, even when it challenges our assumptions or disrupts our routines. He invites us to lay down our preferences and let Him be Lord in every area, trusting that His way is better than anything we could design for ourselves.

“‘But why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.’” (Luke 6:46-48, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you tried to shape Jesus to fit your preferences or lifestyle? What is one area where you sense Him inviting you to let go of control and let Him lead?

Day 2: Real Change Begins Where Comfort Ends

Transformation in Christ is not about staying comfortable; it’s about surrender. The story of the rich young ruler shows how easy it is to want the blessings of Jesus without the cost of following Him. Jesus calls us to let go of anything that stands in the way of wholehearted devotion—whether it’s a habit, a relationship, or a deeply held attitude.
This process is rarely easy. It often means stepping into discomfort, trusting that God’s work in us is worth the pain of letting go. But it’s in these moments of surrender that God does His deepest work, shaping us into people who reflect His love and character.

“And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: What is one comfort, habit, or attachment that you sense God asking you to surrender today? How might letting go open you up to deeper transformation?

Day 3: Jesus Remains Unchanging—We Are Called to Change

While the world around us constantly shifts, Jesus remains the same—His character, His truth, and His call to follow Him do not change. This means that following Jesus is not about adapting Him to fit our culture or desires, but about allowing ourselves to be changed by Him.
The call to take up our cross and follow Jesus is not negotiable. It’s an invitation to ongoing transformation, to let go of old ways and embrace the new life He offers. As we submit to His unchanging lordship, we discover a stability and purpose that nothing else can provide.

“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts.” (Malachi 3:6-7a, ESV)

Reflection: Where in your life have you tried to adapt Jesus’ teachings to fit your own desires or the culture around you? What would it look like to let His unchanging truth reshape you today?

Day 4: You Can’t Have the Blessing Without the Lordship

Many people want the blessings Jesus offers—His love, forgiveness, and provision—without submitting to His authority. But the fullness of life in Christ is found when we embrace both His grace and His lordship.
To truly know Jesus, we must allow Him to be both Savior and Lord, letting His holiness shape every part of our lives. This means inviting Him into our decisions, our relationships, and our daily routines, trusting that His authority brings freedom and life, not restriction.

“‘And why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?’” (Luke 6:46, ESV)
“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.” (Romans 6:22, ESV)

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you want Jesus’ blessing but have resisted His authority? What step can you take today to invite His lordship into that area?

Day 5: Surrendering What You Cling To Unlocks True Life

The rich young ruler missed out on the adventure and purpose of following Jesus because he clung to his comfort and possessions. When we surrender what we hold most tightly—whether it’s control, security, or something else—we open ourselves to the joy, freedom, and purpose that only Jesus can give.
Letting go is not about loss, but about making room for something greater. Jesus invites us to trust Him with our most precious things, believing that what He offers is far better than anything we could hold onto ourselves.

“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:39, ESV)
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32, ESV)

Reflection: What is one thing you are holding onto that you sense Jesus asking you to release? How might your life look different if you trusted Him enough to let it go?

Sermon Summary

In this sermon, we explored the temptation to treat Jesus like a fast food order—customizing Him to fit our preferences and lifestyles, rather than allowing ourselves to be transformed by Him. Using the story of the rich young ruler from Mark 10, we saw how easy it is to want the blessings of Jesus without the sacrifice or transformation He calls us to. The message challenged us to recognize that Jesus is not customizable; He is unchanging and calls us to surrender our comfort and preferences for true transformation. Instead of asking Jesus to fit into our lives, we are called to let Him reshape us into His image, even when it means letting go of things we hold dear. The invitation is to move from comfort to transformation, from “Have it your way” to “Have Your way, Jesus.”

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus Is Not a Product to Be Customized The desire to shape Jesus into a version that fits our lifestyle is a subtle but dangerous temptation. When we pick and choose which parts of Jesus’ teachings to accept, we end up following a version of Jesus that doesn’t exist. True discipleship means letting go of our preferences and allowing Jesus to define what following Him looks like, even when it challenges us deeply.
2. Transformation Requires Surrender, Not Comfort The rich young ruler’s story reminds us that Jesus calls us to transformation, not comfort. Real change often means letting go of things we value—habits, relationships, or attitudes—that keep us from fully following Christ. The process of being made new is uncomfortable, but it is in that discomfort that God does His deepest work in us.
3. The Unchanging Nature of Jesus Demands Our Change Hebrews 13:8 tells us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. While culture and personal desires shift, Jesus remains constant. This means the call to follow Him is not negotiable or adaptable to our whims; instead, we are the ones who must be willing to change, to take up our cross, and follow Him on His terms.
4. Blessing and Lordship Cannot Be Separated Many want the blessings of Jesus—His love, forgiveness, and provision—without embracing His lordship and holiness. But the fullness of life in Christ is found when we accept both: the grace that forgives and the authority that transforms. To truly know Jesus, we must allow Him to be both Savior and Lord, letting His holiness shape every part of our lives.
5. Letting Go Leads to True Life and Purpose The rich young ruler missed out on the adventure and purpose of following Jesus because he clung to his comfort. When we surrender what we hold most tightly, we open ourselves to the joy, freedom, and purpose that only Jesus can give. The invitation is to stop customizing Jesus and instead invite Him to transform us, trusting that what He offers is far greater than anything we could hold onto ourselves.

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Have It Your Way Jesus"**

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### Bible Reading

- **Mark 10:17-27** (The Rich Young Ruler)
- **Hebrews 13:8** (“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”)
- **Romans 12:2** (“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think…”)

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### Observation Questions

In the story of the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17-27), what did Jesus ask the man to do, and how did the man respond?
According to Hebrews 13:8, what does the Bible say about the nature of Jesus?
What does Romans 12:2 say about how we should relate to the world and to God’s transformation?
In the sermon, what are some examples given of people trying to “customize” Jesus to fit their own preferences?

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### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus didn’t chase after the rich young ruler or try to make a deal with him?
What does it mean that Jesus is “unchanging,” and how does that challenge the way people sometimes approach their faith?
The sermon talks about wanting the blessings of Jesus without His lordship. Why is it important to accept both, and what happens if we try to separate them?
According to the sermon, what are some things people might need to let go of in order to be truly transformed by Jesus?

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### Application Questions

Are there areas in your life where you have tried to “customize” Jesus to fit your preferences or comfort? What are they, and why do you think you do this?
The rich young ruler walked away sad because he didn’t want to let go of his wealth. Is there something in your life that you are holding onto that might be keeping you from fully following Jesus?
The sermon says that transformation is often uncomfortable. Can you think of a time when following Jesus meant stepping out of your comfort zone? What happened?
Hebrews 13:8 says Jesus never changes, but we are called to change. What is one specific area where you sense God is asking you to change or surrender right now?
The message challenges us to move from “Have it your way” to “Have Your way, Jesus.” What would it look like for you to pray this honestly and mean it this week?
The sermon mentions that true life, joy, and purpose are found when we let go and let Jesus transform us. What is one step you can take this week to open yourself up to God’s transformation?
Who in your life can help you stay accountable as you seek to let go of your preferences and follow Jesus more fully? How can you invite them into your journey?

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Sermon Quotes

So often in our faith, we treat Jesus like a fast food menu—we try to customize Jesus to fit our lifestyle, make a Jesus that fits our preferences. But we are to be transformed in His image, not Jesus transformed in ours.

We want a Forgiving Jesus, but not Lordship Jesus. We want Loving Jesus, but not Holy Jesus. We want Blessing Jesus, but not Sacrifice Jesus. But your life has to change—Jesus never will.

Jesus doesn’t adjust to our preferences; He calls us to adjust to Him. If we want to truly follow Christ, we must give up our own way, take up our cross, and follow Him.

The real Jesus is all about transformation, not comfort. When Jesus transforms you, God puts His finger on things in your life and says, “That has to go.” Being transformed means moving from the comfortable to the uncomfortable.

Culture teaches us, “Have it your way! Live life the way you want to!” But Jesus says, “Have it MY way! Live according to my word! Be transformed in My image!”

The rich young ruler wanted eternal life without being transformed. He chose comfort over the greatest invitation anyone could ever receive: “Come, follow me.” How often do we do the same?

When we surrender to Jesus’ will and stop trying to customize Him, that’s when we truly live. When we allow Jesus to transform us, we find real joy, freedom, and a sense of purpose.

Instead of trying to have it your way, begin to say, “Jesus, have your way. Transform me to be more like you. Reveal to me the things that must go to fully follow you.”

We hold onto things we don’t want Jesus to touch, wanting Him our way instead of surrendering to His way. But true freedom comes when we let go and let Him transform us.