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Radical Discipleship: Letting Go to Embrace Christ

by Valmont Church
on Sep 11, 2025

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Radical Discipleship: Letting Go to Embrace Christ

Devotional

Day 1: The Cost of Discipleship—Letting Go to Follow Jesus

Following Jesus requires a willingness to let go of anything that holds a higher place in your heart than Christ himself. This means evaluating your attachments—whether to family, possessions, or your own ambitions—and being ready to surrender them if they stand in the way of wholehearted discipleship. Jesus calls his followers to count the cost, to recognize that true commitment may bring challenges, sacrifices, and even the loss of approval from those closest to us. Yet, in letting go, you find the freedom and purpose that comes from prioritizing Christ above all else. [43:47]

Luke 14:25-35 (The Message)
One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, “Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self!—can’t be my disciple. Anyone who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple. Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’ Or can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without first deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to face the twenty thousand troops of the other? And if he decides he can’t, won’t he send an emissary and work out a truce? Simply put, if you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it goodbye, you can’t be my disciple. Salt is excellent. But if the salt goes flat, it’s useless, good for nothing. Are you listening to this? Really listening?”

Reflection: What is one attachment—whether a relationship, possession, or ambition—that you sense God is asking you to hold more loosely or surrender to Him today?

Day 2: Grace and New Identity in Christ

In Christ, every person is given a new identity that transcends old labels, past mistakes, and societal divisions. The story of Philemon and Onesimus shows how the gospel transforms relationships, calling us to see others not through the lens of status or history, but as beloved brothers and sisters. This grace invites you to let go of resentment, prejudice, and the need to be right, embracing instead the radical welcome and equality found in God’s family. [52:23]

Philemon 1:8-16 (ESV)
Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Reflection: Who in your life do you need to see with new eyes—as a beloved child of God rather than through the labels of the past?

Day 3: Letting Go of Ego and Embracing Humility

The journey of faith calls for a continual release of pride, self-justification, and the desire to be seen as superior. True discipleship means letting go of the need to be right or better than others, and instead embracing humility, repentance, and a servant’s heart. As you surrender your ego, you make space for God’s grace to shape you into someone who reflects Christ’s selfless love and service. [54:04]

Philippians 2:3-5 (ESV)
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: In what situation today can you choose humility over the need to be right or to have the last word?

Day 4: Trusting God Amid Uncertainty and Loss

Life brings seasons of grief, uncertainty, and overwhelming need, but God invites you to seek refuge in His presence. Even when hope feels dim and the world’s troubles seem too great, you are called to trust that God is near, offering shelter, renewal, and the promise of new life. In prayer and community, you find strength to persevere and the assurance that you are not alone. [26:36]

Psalm 46:1-3, 10-11 (ESV)
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Reflection: Where do you need to seek God’s refuge and stillness today, trusting Him with your grief or uncertainty?

Day 5: Becoming—A Lifelong Journey of Growth in Christ

Discipleship is not a one-time decision but a lifelong process of becoming—continually growing, letting go, and being transformed by God’s Spirit. Each day brings new opportunities to evaluate your priorities, surrender what hinders you, and rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength. As you persevere in this journey, you experience the deep joy and peace that come from being true to God and the way of Jesus. [49:40]

Romans 12:1-2 (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. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense God inviting you to grow or change, and what step can you take today to respond?

Sermon Summary

Today’s reflection centers on the radical call of Jesus to discipleship—a call that asks us to examine our priorities, attachments, and the very foundations of our lives. As Jesus walked with the crowds, he challenged them to consider the true cost of following him. He used strong language, urging his listeners to “hate” even their closest family if those relationships stood in the way of wholehearted commitment to him. This is not a literal call to animosity, but a call to love Christ above all else, to hold nothing—no relationship, possession, or ambition—more dearly than our devotion to God.

Jesus’ words are not meant to discourage, but to invite us into a deeper, more honest relationship with him. He asks us to count the cost, to recognize that discipleship is not a casual or comfortable path. It may require letting go of our need for approval, our desire for material success, and even our self-protective instincts. The journey of faith is marked by humility, courage, and a willingness to be different from the world around us. It is a lifelong process of letting go—of idols, of ego, of the labels we place on ourselves and others—so that we can cling to Christ alone.

The story of Philemon and Onesimus illustrates this call in action. Paul urges Philemon to welcome back his runaway slave, not as property, but as a beloved brother in Christ. This act of reconciliation goes against cultural norms and personal grievances, but it embodies the transformative power of the gospel. We, too, are called to let go of resentment, prejudice, and the need to be right, trusting that God’s grace is sufficient for us all.

Ultimately, the invitation is to choose life—to embrace the blessings and challenges of discipleship, knowing that God’s love, grace, and presence go with us. As we move forward, may we have the courage to let go of everything but Christ, trusting that in him, we find true freedom and peace.

Key Takeaways

1. Discipleship Demands Honest Self-Examination Jesus calls us to take a long, hard, and prayerful look at our lives, asking what we are truly willing to give up for the sake of following him. This is not a superficial decision, but one that requires humility, courage, and a willingness to let go of anything that competes with our love for God. The process of counting the cost is ongoing, inviting us to continually reassess our priorities in light of Christ’s call. [47:01]
2. Letting Go of Attachments for the Sake of Christ The call to “hate” family and even one’s own life is a call to love Christ above all else, not to despise others but to hold nothing more dearly than our relationship with God. This may mean releasing our grip on possessions, ambitions, or even cherished relationships if they hinder our obedience. True discipleship is marked by a willingness to travel lightly, trusting God to provide and sustain. [48:33]
3. Resisting Cultural Pressures and Idolatry Following Jesus often means standing apart from the values and expectations of our culture, which prizes self-reliance, material success, and conformity. We are called to resist the idols of our age—approval, status, and possessions—and to let Christ sift our priorities. This resistance is not easy, but it is essential for authentic faith and witness. [49:40]
4. The Transformative Power of Reconciliation The story of Philemon and Onesimus shows that the gospel calls us to radical acts of reconciliation, even when it goes against societal norms or personal grievances. Welcoming others as beloved siblings in Christ requires us to let go of resentment, prejudice, and the labels we use to define and divide. Such reconciliation is risky, but it is at the heart of Christian community and witness. [52:23]
5. Grace Frees Us from the Need for Superiority At the core of the Christian life is the recognition that we are justified by faith, not by our own works or by being better than others. The temptation to label, judge, or feel superior is strong, but Christ calls us to humility and selflessness. Grace invites us to let go of ego and ambition, embracing a life of service and trust in God’s love for all.

** [54:48]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[08:11] - Announcements and Koinonia Weekend
[13:33] - Gloria and Opening Worship
[19:16] - Prayers of the People
[21:39] - Sharing Joys and Concerns
[26:00] - Pastoral Prayer for the World
[30:29] - The Lord’s Prayer
[38:07] - Scripture Reading: Luke 14:25-35
[42:52] - Counting the Cost of Discipleship
[45:11] - The Reality of Following Jesus
[47:01] - Spiritual Dangers and Modern Discipleship
[48:33] - Letting Go of Attachments
[49:40] - Sifting Our Priorities
[51:27] - Philemon, Onesimus, and Radical Reconciliation
[54:48] - Grace, Humility, and the Call to Change
[55:54] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 14:25-35 (ESV) — 25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 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? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. 34 “Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? 35 It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Observation Questions

In Luke 14:26, Jesus uses the word “hate” in relation to family and even one’s own life. What does the sermon say this word means in context? ([43:47])
According to the sermon, what are some of the real costs Jesus warns about for those who choose to follow him? ([45:47])
What example from the early church does the sermon use to show what radical reconciliation looks like? ([51:27])
What does Jesus mean when he talks about “counting the cost” of discipleship? How does the sermon explain this? ([47:01])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus uses such strong language about family and self in this passage? What is he trying to communicate about priorities? ([43:47])
The sermon mentions that following Jesus may require letting go of our need for approval, material success, or self-protection. Why might these things be so hard to release? ([48:33])
In the story of Philemon and Onesimus, what risks did Philemon face if he welcomed Onesimus back as a brother? What does this teach us about the cost of reconciliation? ([52:23])
The sermon says that grace frees us from the need for superiority. How does this idea challenge the way we sometimes view ourselves or others in the church? ([54:48])

Application Questions

Jesus calls us to examine our priorities and attachments. Is there something in your life right now—maybe a relationship, possession, or ambition—that competes with your love for God? What would it look like to “hold it loosely” this week? ([47:01])
The sermon talks about letting go of our need for approval and material success. Can you think of a recent situation where you felt pressured to fit in or succeed by the world’s standards? How might you respond differently if you put Christ first? ([48:33])
The story of Philemon and Onesimus is about radical reconciliation. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive or welcome back, even if it’s risky or goes against what others expect? What’s one step you could take toward that this week? ([52:23])
The sermon challenges us to resist labeling others or feeling superior. Are there labels or judgments you tend to use for people in your church or community? How can you practice seeing them as beloved siblings in Christ instead? ([54:04])
Jesus invites us to “count the cost” of following him. When you think about your daily life, what is one area where you sense God asking you to make a change or sacrifice for the sake of discipleship? ([47:01])
The sermon says that discipleship is a lifelong process of letting go. What is one “idol” (something you rely on more than God) that you want to surrender? How can your group support you in this? ([49:40])
The message ends with the invitation to “choose life.” What does choosing life in Christ look like for you right now, especially in the face of challenges or uncertainty? ([55:54])

Sermon Clips

The word translated as hate can also mean to disregard or to love something less. As in, whoever comes to me and does not love father and mother less than they love me. The verbs Jesus used were not commands, but a reflection of the nature of his ministry and the need to let go of one's previous life in order to fully commit to his leadership. Loving Jesus must have our highest priority for us to follow his example. [00:44:24]

The word translated as hate can also mean to disregard or to love something less. As in, whoever comes to me and does not love father and mother less than they love me. The verbs Jesus used were not commands, but a reflection of something. A reflection of the nature of his ministry and the need to let go of one's previous life in order to fully commit to his leadership. Loving Jesus must have our highest priority for us to follow his example. [00:44:24]

Jesus wanted to make it clear that this wasn't a lark, but a serious, life-changing and complete commitment. As he looked ahead to his own persecution and death, as well as the persecution of the disciples after his resurrection, he knew the extremely high costs involved in discipleship. Jesus spoke with characteristic honesty and told them about the risks. [00:45:47]

He warned them that walking with him might lead to their families and friends disowning them, might even lead to their own crucifixions. Of course, the big crowds fell away once he was arrested and even shouted for Barabbas to be released in his place on the day he was tried. Crowds are notoriously fickle. [00:46:20]

As we read this account in today's context, we can feel relieved and thankful that Jesus is not talking about us literally giving up our attachments to our families and friends, not warning us of soldiers who could arrest and kill us for following him. But he is warning us of spiritual dangers that are more subtle but still real and of the consequences we may face for choosing to do the right thing, standing up for the gospel and standing out as different from our culture. [00:47:19]

Obedience to God takes humility, prayer, careful thought, and courage. [00:48:24]

Obedience to God takes humility, prayer, careful thought, and courage. Jesus warned that we'll have to let go of loving anything more than we love God. We'll have to prevent our possessions from possessing us to travel lightly. We'll have to let go of self-protection, own up to our own sins and repent of them, or be mocked as hypocrites. [00:48:24]

We'll face resistance and punishments from others for not playing by the world's values and rules. We'll have to disown the model of life with which our culture constantly bombards us in commercials and other media, one of independent thinking and self-reliance mixed with following the crowd for the latest trends and fashions. We may even have to make hard choices between loyalty to family, country, the church, and God, and we must trust God to take care of us. [00:48:56]

When we're called to be disciples, Jesus becomes the sifter for our priorities. We'll also need to let go of some emotions, including our desire to acquire, our need for material success and approval, our jealousy, prejudices, hatreds, fears, unforgiveness, and anything else that makes us think of ourselves as better or more deserving of God's blessings than other people are. [00:49:40]

When we're called to be disciples, Jesus becomes the sifter for our priorities. [00:49:40]

To hold on to anything we treat as an idol is to fail to hold on to Jesus. The choice to follow Christ is just the beginning of a lifelong series of choices that require evaluation and prayer, relying on the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and protect us. [00:50:16]

To hold on to anything we treat as an idol is to fail to hold on to Jesus. [00:50:16]

The process of maturation in the Christian faith is long, but it pays off in the joy and peace that comes from knowing you that you are being true to God and the principles Jesus taught so clearly. [00:50:38]

Philemon was a wealthy man who owned slaves and had a house large enough to accommodate a church. Paul sent the letter to the whole church to keep Philemon accountable, but the letter asked Philemon to make a decision that went against the culture they were living in. Slavery was considered normal and even necessary. [00:51:19]

Paul encouraged Philemon to accept and welcome Onesimus back as one who had been transformed through baptism into more than an animal, more than personal property, a new brother in Christ. There were no guarantees that this would work. Not only would Philemon have to let go of his resentment towards Onesimus for running away, but he'd have to risk the censure of his friends, neighbors, and household for accepting Onesimus back without giving him some kind of punishment. [00:52:23]

Paul asked Philemon to see Onesimus as a child of God who should be treated as a fellow Christian and a member of God's family and to let go of the other labels he had in his mind for this man. [00:53:02]

It's so easy to label each other, to gossip, even in the church, in the middle of a conversation, an unfortunate adjective can be attached to a fellow member and perhaps change the perception of the listener. She's lazy. He talks too much. She's too liberal. He's too conservative. These labels come out of our egos need to feel superior and more deserving of blessings and of the love of God, even though the righteous part of ourselves knows that God gives that love to us all equally. [00:53:20]

Jesus asks us to let go of that need to be right, to be better, to be justified in the eyes of those we know. He wants us to change. He wants us to change. He wants us to change. Trust that God, who loved the world enough to give us his only son for us, loves us despite our failings, and because we are his own. [00:54:04]

Christ is the only one to whom we should cling. Grace through Christ means we are justified by faith, not by works or superiority. It's human nature to be self-centered. It's Christ's nature and our example to be selfless, to sacrifice one's own ego and ambitions for a life of service. [00:54:30]

Christ is the only one to whom we should cling. Grace through Christ means we are justified by faith, not by works or superiority. [00:54:30]

Grace through Christ means we are justified by faith, not by works or superiority. [00:54:36]

It's human nature to be self-centered. It's Christ's nature and our example to be selfless, to sacrifice one's own ego and ambitions for a life of service. He showed us how to let go of everything that our culture deems important while clinging to the God who loves us. [00:54:45]

He showed us how to let go of everything that our culture deems important while clinging to the God who loves us. [00:55:00]

God has set before us life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live. [00:58:44]

God has set before us life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live. May the grace, hope, peace, and love of God the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer be with us all. Amen. And may the peace of Christ be with us all. [00:58:44]