Walking the Calvary Road: Joy in Sacrifice and Service

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus' Presence on the Calvary Road

In our journey on the Calvary Road, we are assured of Jesus' constant presence. He promises to walk with us through every trial, offering His strength and support. This assurance allows us to face challenges with confidence, knowing that His presence is more valuable than any worldly comfort. As we navigate reproach, suffering, or persecution, we are reminded that we are never alone. Jesus' companionship is a source of profound comfort and encouragement, enabling us to persevere and remain steadfast in our faith. [03:18]

Hebrews 13:5-6 (ESV): "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'"

Reflection: In what specific situation do you need to rely on Jesus' presence today, and how can you remind yourself of His promise to never leave you?

Day 2: True Joy in Sacrifice

True joy is found not in material possessions but in living a life of sacrifice and service. By turning away from worldly comforts and focusing on meeting the needs of others, we experience the deep joy that comes from fulfilling our God-given purpose. This joy is not fleeting but enduring, rooted in the satisfaction of aligning our lives with God's will. As we serve others, we discover a profound sense of fulfillment and contentment that transcends the temporary pleasures of this world. [04:59]

Acts 20:35 (ESV): "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Reflection: Identify one way you can serve someone in need today. How can this act of service bring you closer to experiencing true joy?

Day 3: Praise and Love as Sacrifices

Our journey on the Calvary Road is marked by continual praise to God and love for people. These are not mere acts of duty but are the fruit of a heart rooted in faith, pleasing to God and reflecting His grace in our lives. Praise and love are sacrifices that go beyond words, manifesting in actions that demonstrate our commitment to God's purposes. As we offer these sacrifices, we reflect the character of Christ and become conduits of His love and grace to the world around us. [06:22]

Hebrews 13:15-16 (ESV): "Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."

Reflection: How can you intentionally offer a sacrifice of praise and love today, both in your words and actions?

Day 4: Call to Action for All Ages

Regardless of age or life stage, we are all called to consider how we can step outside our comfort zones to follow Jesus. Whether through missions, ministry, or personal sacrifice, we are invited to align our lives with God's eternal purposes. This call to action is not limited to a specific group but extends to young people, retirees, and everyone in between. By embracing this call, we participate in God's redemptive work and contribute to the advancement of His kingdom. [12:59]

1 Timothy 4:12 (ESV): "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."

Reflection: What is one specific way you can step out of your comfort zone to serve God today, regardless of your age or life stage?

Day 5: Seeking the Eternal City

Our ultimate goal is to seek the city that is to come, the New Jerusalem, where God reigns in glory. By moving toward need rather than comfort, we align ourselves with God's eternal purposes and find true fulfillment in His presence. This pursuit requires a shift in focus from temporary, earthly concerns to the eternal realities of God's kingdom. As we seek the eternal city, we are reminded of the hope and promise of a future where God's glory is fully revealed and His purposes are perfectly fulfilled. [18:27]

Hebrews 11:10 (ESV): "For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God."

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from temporary comforts to seeking God's eternal purposes today? What practical steps can you take to align your life with the hope of the New Jerusalem?

Sermon Summary

In our journey on the Calvary Road, we are reminded of the profound truth that Jesus, the Almighty God, walks with us every step of the way. He promises never to leave or forsake us, regardless of the challenges we face—be it reproach, suffering, or persecution. This path calls us to forsake worldly comforts and instead focus on meeting the needs of others, living for the joy of the city to come. The Calvary Road is characterized by two main elements: praise to God and love for people. Through Jesus, we are encouraged to continually offer a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that confess His name. This is not a call to an unhappy life but an invitation to true joy, as we experience the presence of Jesus with us.

The world often seeks joy in material possessions and fleeting pleasures, but true joy is found in living a life of love and service. We are called to not neglect doing good and sharing with others, as these are the sacrifices that please God. These acts of love and praise are not mere works of lips but are the fruit of a heart rooted in faith and grace. As we step outside the camp, we are invited to consider how we can meet the needs of others, whether through prayer, ministry, or personal sacrifice.

This call extends to all, regardless of age or stage in life. Young people, retirees, and those in the middle of life's journey are all encouraged to consider how they might step outside their comfort zones to follow Jesus on the Calvary Road. This might mean engaging in missions, supporting the persecuted church, or simply reaching out to those in need around us. The ultimate goal is to seek the city that is to come, the New Jerusalem, where God reigns in undiminished glory. By moving toward need rather than comfort, we align ourselves with the eternal purposes of God and find true fulfillment.

Key Takeaways

1. given purpose. [04:59]
3. Praise and Love as Sacrifices: Our journey on the Calvary Road is marked by continual praise to God and love for people. These are not mere acts of duty but are the fruit of a heart rooted in faith, pleasing to God and reflecting His grace in our lives.

4. Call to Action for All Ages: Regardless of age or life stage, we are all called to consider how we can step outside our comfort zones to follow Jesus. Whether through missions, ministry, or personal sacrifice, we are invited to align our lives with God's eternal purposes.

5. Seeking the Eternal City: Our ultimate goal is to seek the city that is to come, the New Jerusalem, where God reigns in glory. By moving toward need rather than comfort, we align ourselves with God's eternal purposes and find true fulfillment in His presence.

** [04:59]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:14] - Jesus' Presence on the Calvary Road
[00:49] - Forsaking Comfort for Joy
[01:09] - The Road of Praise and Love
[01:28] - Sacrifice of Praise
[02:02] - Misunderstanding Christian Joy
[03:18] - Assurance of Jesus' Support
[04:13] - True Joy vs. Worldly Comfort
[05:17] - Emptiness of Worldly Pursuits
[06:22] - Love as a Sacrifice
[07:17] - Fruit vs. Works of Lips
[08:17] - Responding to the Call
[09:12] - Opportunities for Ministry
[11:04] - Personal Sacrifices
[12:32] - Call to Young and Retired
[13:37] - The Great Commission
[15:28] - Christ's Sacrifice for the Nations
[18:27] - Seeking the Eternal City

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading
- Hebrews 13:15-16
- Matthew 28:19-20
- Revelation 5:9-10

Observation Questions

According to Hebrews 13:15-16, what are the two main elements that characterize the Calvary Road? How are these elements described in the sermon? [01:09]
What assurance does Jesus give to those who follow Him on the Calvary Road, as mentioned in the sermon? [03:18]
How does the sermon describe the difference between worldly joy and the joy found on the Calvary Road? [04:59]
What examples of personal sacrifice and service are mentioned in the sermon as ways to follow Jesus outside the camp? [09:12]

Interpretation Questions

How does the promise of Jesus' presence on the Calvary Road provide strength and support during trials, according to the sermon? [03:18]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that true joy is found in sacrifice and service rather than in worldly comforts? [04:59]
How does the sermon interpret the concept of "praise and love as sacrifices" in the context of Hebrews 13:15-16? [06:22]
What does the sermon imply about the role of all believers, regardless of age, in stepping outside their comfort zones to follow Jesus? [12:59]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt Jesus' presence during a challenging situation. How did that experience strengthen your faith? [03:18]
Consider the worldly comforts you currently prioritize. How might you shift your focus to find joy in serving others instead? [04:59]
Identify a specific way you can offer a "sacrifice of praise" in your daily life. How can this practice deepen your relationship with God? [06:22]
Think about a need in your community or church that you feel called to address. What steps can you take this week to begin meeting that need? [09:12]
For those in different life stages, such as young adults or retirees, what unique opportunities do you have to serve and follow Jesus on the Calvary Road? [12:59]
How can you incorporate the Great Commission into your daily life, whether through missions, ministry, or personal interactions? [13:37]
Reflect on the idea of seeking the "city that is to come." How does this perspective influence your current priorities and decisions? [18:27]

Sermon Clips

Jesus almighty God is on the road road with you I'll never leave you I'll never forsake you no matter how many reproaches come no matter how many people laugh no matter how much suffering no matter what disease no matter how much persecution I'll never leave you and I will help you and I will strengthen you and I will uphold you with my Victorious right hand. [00:03:00]

Through him that is through Jesus then let us continually that means through the reproaches and all the suffering and loss let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God that is the fruit of lips that give thanks or literally that confess his name. [00:01:33]

I'm inviting you to Joy this morning there's a bridge in San Diego that crosses the sound onto the island carado and there's a bridge in Brooklyn that leads out of a poor depressed slum more people kill themselves off the bridge in San Diego than the Brooklyn Bridge the houses on Coronado Island start at $750,000 I'm inviting you to Joy there's no joy in the world. [00:04:04]

Do not neglect doing good and sharing do not neglect doing good and sharing isn't that simple isn't that beautiful for with such sacrifices God is pleased without faith it's impossible to please God 11: 6 so these are works of Faith they're coming right out of the heart just like the sacrifice of praise was called the the what of lips what was the word I I didn't say anything about the what of lips say it fruit the fruit of lips. [00:06:22]

Maybe it'll mean fasting and praying through the 1040 window you came into this room last thing on your mind was praying every day for unreached peoples in October and maybe God is saying at least that maybe 10 seconds a day or a minute 10 minutes or it might mean walk into the ministry hall right over there and becoming a partner in Ukrainian orphans lives with Carl and Mary Barr's creative Ministry. [00:08:29]

My call is consider seriously this morning earnestly passionately whether verse 13 let us go outside the camp bearing abuse and reproach with him on the Calvary Road moving toward golgatha trying to meet needs rather than maximize Comforts let's go might be the Great Commission spoken this morning. [00:13:32]

I'm going to plead for dozens of seminarians to walk out out of the Securities of the pastorate comfortable wellaid retirement Laden Strokes from the people kids in good schools 911 available law abiding by and large even in Philip's neighborhood leave it that's what I'm going to call them to do in order to go to places there are hundreds of people groups that have no church no agencies no witness nothing to bring them to Christ. [00:14:23]

Thou was slain and by thy blood did Ransom men for God from every tribe and tongue and people and nation and H has made them a kingdom priest to our God and they shall reign on Earth Christ died for the Nations therefore when verse 13 says let us go to him out there surely some of you are going to hear him say for the Nations let's leave the camp Camp of Bethlehem let's leave the camp of my job let's leave the camp of America and go. [00:15:29]

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to G gain what he cannot lose why for here we have no lasting City but we seek a city that is to come not a lake home not a perfect marriage not a big retirement plan we seek the city the New Jerusalem the Zion where God in undiminished glory Reigns and with that we are freed to move toward need not Comfort. [00:18:24]

This is the hymn that was the favorite hym of Jim Elliott Nate Saint Ed McCully Peter Fleming Roger udarian the five missionaries who Moved toward need away from Comfort onto Palm Beach in the jungles of Ecuador and were speared to death by those whose needs they were trying to meet and two days before they left according to Elizabeth Elliot in her story through Gates of Splendor they sang this hymn maybe even that very morning. [00:17:02]

We rest on thee our shield and our Defender thine is the battle thine shall be the praise when passing through the gates of pearly Splendor Victors we rest with thee through through endless days and they went and they died moving toward need not Comfort moving toward the paradise to come and leaving the paradise of America behind and when they died Jim Elliot's Credo came true. [00:17:36]

This is light and Truth god-centered preaching to help you see Christ clearly and treasure him truly I'm your host Dan kru thank you for listening on our next episode John Piper begins begins a nine-part series titled The Divided man I hope you'll join us for more resources visit desiringgod.org. [00:19:13]

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Walking the Calvary Road: Joy in Sacrifice and Service

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus' Presence on the Calvary Road

Day 2: True Joy in Sacrifice

Day 3: Praise and Love as Sacrifices

Day 4: Call to Action for All Ages

Day 5: Seeking the Eternal City

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Walking the Calvary Road: Joy in Sacrifice and Service

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