Radical Discipleship: Embracing Self-Denial and Sacrifice

Devotional

Day 1: The Call to Deny Yourself, Take Up Your Cross, and Follow Jesus

Jesus calls every disciple to a life of self-denial, sacrifice, and wholehearted following, not a life of comfort or self-fulfillment. To truly follow Him means laying down your rights, dreams, and desires at His feet, surrendering every area of your life—your time, money, ambitions, and even your comfort. This is not a call to misery, but to a deeper, more meaningful life that reflects the example Jesus set for us. The invitation is not to a faith of convenience, but to radical obedience and surrender, trusting that what God has for you is far greater than anything you could hold onto for yourself. [49:31]

Mark 8:34-38 (ESV)
And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life—your time, money, or ambitions—that you have been holding back from Jesus? What would it look like to lay it at His feet today?

Day 2: Living for Eternity, Not for Comfort

Followers of Jesus are called to live with eternity in mind, not just for the temporary comforts and securities of this world. The pursuit of comfort, wealth, and safety is deeply ingrained in our culture, but Jesus warns that gaining the whole world is worthless if it costs your soul. Instead, living for Christ and His kingdom brings lasting reward, both now and forever. The challenge is to shift your focus from the here and now to the eternal, making choices that reflect your hope in Christ’s return and the reality of standing before Him one day. [01:00:35]

2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV)
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Reflection: In what ways are you tempted to prioritize comfort or security over obedience to Jesus? How can you intentionally choose to live with eternity in mind this week?

Day 3: The Danger of Cheap Grace and the Cost of Discipleship

Grace is a free gift, but true discipleship costs everything—Jesus warns against a faith that seeks the benefits of salvation without the sacrifice of following Him. Many are content with a version of Christianity that is comfortable and self-serving, but Jesus calls His followers to count the cost, to die to self, and to embrace a life of sacrificial love and service. Cheap grace asks nothing of us, but costly grace transforms us into people who reflect Christ’s self-giving love to the world. [58:17]

Luke 14:27-28 (ESV)
Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?

Reflection: What is one comfort, habit, or desire you sense God asking you to surrender for the sake of following Jesus more fully? Will you count the cost and take a step of obedience today?

Day 4: Following Jesus Means Loving and Serving Others

To follow Jesus is to walk in His example—loving people, serving one another, and laying down your rights not just for Christ, but for others. True discipleship is not about self-promotion or seeking position, but about humility, holiness, and putting others before yourself. The call is to abandon a self-centered life and to embrace a life marked by love, service, and a pursuit of holiness, just as Jesus did. [59:35]

John 13:14-15 (ESV)
If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

Reflection: Who is one person you can serve or show sacrificial love to this week, even if it costs you time, comfort, or convenience?

Day 5: Radical Surrender and Total Submission to Christ

Jesus invites you into a life of radical, total submission and surrender—holding nothing back and allowing Him to have every part of your life. You cannot follow Jesus while willfully holding onto sin or reserving certain areas as “off limits.” He wants every bit of what you have, and He calls you to trust that surrendering to Him leads to true life and joy. The challenge is to let go of your own plans and comforts, and to trust Jesus enough to say, “It’s all yours.” [01:07:19]

Romans 12:1 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Reflection: What is one thing you have refused to surrender to Jesus? Will you take a moment today to offer it to Him in prayer, trusting Him with every part of your life?

Sermon Summary

Today’s focus is on the radical call of Jesus to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. This is not a call to comfort, safety, or the pursuit of the American dream, but to a life of self-denial and sacrificial discipleship. The temptation in our culture is to make faith about what God can do for us—our comfort, our preferences, our security. Yet, Jesus’ invitation is to lay down our rights, our dreams, our plans, and our very lives at His feet, trusting that what He offers is far greater than anything we could hold onto ourselves.

The passage from Mark 8:34-38 challenges us to examine what it truly means to follow Jesus. It’s easy to be part of the crowd, to enjoy the benefits of faith, and to appreciate the idea of Jesus. But true discipleship is costly. It means dying to self, letting go of our selfish ambitions, and being willing to sacrifice for the sake of Christ and His kingdom. This is not about earning salvation—salvation is a gift of grace—but about responding to that gift with a life fully surrendered to Jesus.

We are reminded that our lives are not our own. Our time, our money, our talents, and our desires all belong to Him. The call to “take up your cross” is a call to embrace sacrifice, to be willing to endure hardship, and even to face suffering for the sake of Christ. In a culture that values self-fulfillment and self-promotion, Jesus calls us to a different path: one of humility, service, and love for others.

Living for Christ means living with eternity in view. The rewards of this world are fleeting, but the rewards of a life lived for Jesus are eternal. We are warned not to be ashamed of Christ, but to boldly live out our faith, knowing that He is coming again and that we will give an account for how we have lived. The invitation is clear: count the cost, deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him. There is no greater joy or fulfillment than living fully surrendered to Jesus.

Key Takeaways

1. Self-Denial Is the Foundation of Discipleship Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, laying down our rights, dreams, and desires at His feet. This is not a one-time act but a daily posture of surrender, where we recognize that our lives are no longer our own. True discipleship begins when we stop asking what God can do for us and start asking what we can lay down for Him. [52:54]
2. Taking Up the Cross Means Embracing Sacrifice The call to take up our cross is a call to embrace suffering, hardship, and even shame for the sake of Christ. In a world that seeks comfort and ease, following Jesus means being willing to endure loss and to die to self. Cheap grace offers comfort without cost, but true grace leads us to sacrificial living. [58:17]
3. Following Jesus Requires Total Surrender To follow Jesus is to walk in His example—loving others, serving sacrificially, and pursuing holiness. It is not enough to simply enjoy the benefits of faith or to be part of the crowd; Jesus wants true followers who are committed to living as He lived. This means abandoning sinful lifestyles and striving for a life that reflects His character. [59:35]
4. Live with Eternity in View, Not for Temporary Comfort Our natural tendency is to focus on the here and now—on comfort, security, and material gain. But Jesus reminds us that these things are fleeting and that the true reward is found in living for Him. We will all give an account for how we have lived, and the rewards of eternity far outweigh anything this world can offer. [60:35]
5. Count the Cost and Respond with Radical Obedience Jesus does not sugarcoat the cost of discipleship; He invites us to count the cost and to make a conscious decision to follow Him, even when it means sacrifice. The church loses its power when we settle for comfort and refuse to lay everything down for Christ. Radical obedience—denying self, taking up the cross, and following Jesus—leads to a life of true impact and eternal significance. [67:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[39:21] - Kids Around the World Partnership
[41:30] - Parking Lot Update
[42:23] - The Call to Discipleship: Mark 8:34-38
[43:56] - The Pursuit of Comfort vs. The Call of Christ
[44:57] - Challenging the American Dream in the Church
[49:31] - Three Marks of a True Disciple
[50:57] - Self-Denial in Everyday Life
[52:54] - Laying Down Our Rights and Desires
[58:17] - The Meaning of Taking Up Your Cross
[59:35] - Following Jesus: Love, Service, and Holiness
[60:35] - Living with Eternity in Mind
[63:02] - The Warning Against Being Ashamed of Christ
[66:35] - The Joy of Surrender
[67:19] - Counting the Cost of Discipleship
[69:34] - Reflection and Prayer
[72:03] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Mark 8:34-38 (ESV) — > And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Observation Questions

What three things does Jesus say are required of anyone who wants to follow Him? (Mark 8:34)
According to Jesus, what is the result of trying to save your own life versus losing it for His sake? (Mark 8:35)
In the sermon, what examples were given of how people often seek comfort or self-fulfillment in their faith? [43:56]
What warning does Jesus give about being ashamed of Him and His words? (Mark 8:38)

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus puts self-denial as the first step in following Him? What does this reveal about the nature of discipleship? [49:31]
The sermon mentioned that “cheap grace offers comfort without cost, but true grace leads us to sacrificial living.” What does this mean, and how does it challenge common ideas about faith? [58:17]
How does living with “eternity in view” change the way a person might approach daily decisions and priorities? [01:00:35]
The pastor asked, “What has following Jesus cost you?” Why is it important to reflect on this question, and what might it reveal about your walk with Christ? [58:17]

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to lay down our rights, dreams, and desires at Jesus’ feet. What is one specific area of your life (time, money, plans, relationships, etc.) that you find hardest to surrender to Jesus? What would it look like to lay it down this week? [52:54]
Jesus calls us to “take up our cross.” What is one way you could embrace sacrifice or endure hardship for the sake of Christ in your current season of life? [58:17]
The pastor said, “We are the most selfish people that probably have ever existed.” In what ways do you see self-centeredness showing up in your faith or church life? How can you intentionally practice self-denial this month? [52:00]
Are there areas where you have been seeking comfort, security, or the “American dream” more than the call of Christ? What practical step could you take to shift your focus toward Jesus’ priorities? [43:56]
The sermon warned against being ashamed of Christ. Is there a situation or relationship where you have been hesitant to identify as a follower of Jesus? What would it look like to be bold in your faith there? [01:03:02]
The pastor asked, “What have you ever sacrificed for the kingdom of God and for Jesus?” and “What is something that you have refused to sacrifice?” Take a moment to reflect and share honestly with the group. What next step is God inviting you to take? [01:09:34]
The message ended with a call to “count the cost and respond with radical obedience.” What is one area where you sense God calling you to greater obedience, even if it’s costly? How can the group support you in this? [01:07:19]

Sermon Clips

There's a lot of people today who like the idea of Jesus. They do. They like the idea of this Jesus. They like the idea of escaping judgment, having eternal life. They like the idea of a Jesus who heals, a Jesus who loves them and has compassion on them. And all of those things are good. I like those things about Jesus. But if we're thinking that following Jesus is the road to comfort and ease, you are not following the same Jesus. [00:48:35] (34 seconds) #NotTheEasyJesus

Salvation is free. We've said that. That, I mean, I'll say it every week, because I want you to know that, and I want people who come in to know that and understand that. There's nothing you can do to earn your discipleship, or your salvation. There's nothing. You are saved by grace and faith alone. But when we are saved, we are called into discipleship, to walk the way that Jesus walked. And that costs you everything. Everything. [00:50:00] (30 seconds) #GraceCallsToSacrifice

Roman crucifixion was one of the most shameful and torturous ways for a person to die and here this is before Jesus went to the cross by the way he is telling them just like the criminals who have to carry their own cross to their place of execution I am inviting you to die to yourself and for me that was the invitation you have to picture the disciples face in the crowd as he's saying this because all along they have believed that it was going to be a kingdom conquered by Jesus an earthly kingdom Jesus is now saying here's what I'm inviting you into this is what my kingdom looks like it's self-denial it's leaving your rights and your desires at the feet of the cross and it's being willing to sacrifice for me [00:56:12] (55 seconds) #CarryYourCross

If you are looking for self-promotion, if you're seeking a way to elevate yourself, even in church, people look for position, power, and titles. If that's your goal and that's your purpose, you're missing the whole point. Jesus is calling us to die to self, to lay down our rights, our freedoms, and to cling to him and to walk in the manner that he walked. [00:58:21] (32 seconds) #RejectSelfPromotion

No matter how much wealth you build up in this life, no matter how much safety and security that you give somebody, you're not taking it with you to the next life. But we're taught that living the life for Christ here and now, thinking of eternity, brings great value and brings great reward throughout eternity. [01:01:17] (23 seconds) #HeavenlyRewards

This is a stern warning here this is a warning to the people for those that do not believe in me for those that are ashamed of me in the end when i return there will be judgment he's talking about his second coming here and we know oftentimes that doesn't get talked about enough we know that jesus is coming again he warns us to live our life as though he's coming again the entire new testament warns us to live our lives as though jesus could come in the very next second yet there's so many of us who are asleep at the wheel we're busy traveling the world or making money or serving self and jesus can come at any moment and then we'll answer for what we've done we need to live in light of eternity jesus is coming again he's coming again [01:04:33] (67 seconds) #NoRegretsInSurrender

``Jesus is inviting you into something much greater than that. He's inviting you into a life of self-denial for Him. And here's the thing. For anyone who's made the choice to deny self, to lay down our rights, our desires, our freedoms, our dreams, and put them in the hands of Jesus, I'm yet to meet somebody who's regretted that decision. Because oftentimes what we hold on to is junk compared to what God has for us. [01:06:08] (36 seconds) #NoSinInFollowing

You cannot follow Jesus and willfully hold on to your sin. You can't. You can't hold on to both. You can't follow Jesus and say, I'll do these things, but all these things are off limits. No, He wants every bit of what you have. This is what He's calling you into. A life of self-denial and surrender. This is why Jesus tells us to count the cost. [01:07:08] (35 seconds) #LayItAllDown

The church is losing ground in this nation. And it's not because of anything other than there are so many of us, and I'll include myself because I come up short, who just aren't willing to lay it all down for Him. We want to have our world in Jesus. We want to have our materialism in Jesus. And He's saying, die to self. Deny yourself. Take up your cross and follow me. [01:08:31] (32 seconds) #CrossAndFollow

You want to truly, truly, truly follow Jesus? Deny yourself. Leave it at His feet today. Take up your cross. And follow Him. [01:09:50] (17 seconds)

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