Forsaking All

  • Pastor Josh Smith
Are you holding onto things that keep you from truly knowing Christ? In this message, we explore the Apostle Paul’s radical call to count all things as loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus. Discover how letting go of earthly attachments can lead to a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with Christ.

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Forsaking All

Message Summary
Are you holding onto things that keep you from truly knowing Christ? In this message, we explore the Apostle Paul’s radical call to count all things as loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus. Discover how letting go of earthly attachments can lead to a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with Christ.
Key Scripture
“I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake, I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead.”
Philippians 3:7-11 NLT
Additional Scriptures

5 Day Devotional

Day 1

Day 1: The Infinite Value of Knowing Christ

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-11 NLT
I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake, I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead.

Devotional:
In Philippians 3, Paul shares his radical transformation from valuing religious achievements to considering them worthless compared to knowing Christ. This passage challenges us to evaluate what we hold dear and to consider the infinite value of a relationship with Jesus. Paul’s desire to know Christ and experience His resurrection power is a call to prioritize our spiritual journey over worldly gains.

Response Questions:

  1. What are some things in your life that you have considered valuable but may need to be reevaluated in light of knowing Christ?
  2. How does the concept of gaining Christ challenge your current priorities?
  3. In what ways can you deepen your relationship with Jesus this week?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for the wisdom to discern what truly holds value in your life.
  2. Ask God to help you prioritize your relationship with Christ above all else.

Day 2

Day 2: Letting Go of Earthly Attachments

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-26 NLT
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?”

Devotional:
Jesus calls us to a life of surrender, where following Him means letting go of our own ways and desires. This passage emphasizes the futility of clinging to worldly possessions and ambitions at the cost of our souls. True discipleship involves a willingness to sacrifice and prioritize eternal values over temporary gains.

Response Questions:

  1. What does “taking up your cross” mean in your daily life?
  2. How can you practice letting go of control and trusting God more fully?
  3. What are some areas where you need to surrender your own desires to follow Jesus?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for the courage to let go of earthly attachments that hinder your walk with Christ.
  2. Ask for strength to embrace the sacrifices required in following Jesus.

Day 3

Day 3: The Power of Resurrection

Scripture: Romans 8:10-11 NLT
And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

Devotional:
The resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that lives within us as believers. This truth offers hope and assurance that we are not alone in our struggles. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live victoriously, transforming our lives and enabling us to overcome sin and death.

Response Questions:

  1. How does the reality of the Holy Spirit living in you impact your daily life?
  2. In what areas do you need to experience the resurrection power of Christ?
  3. How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for a deeper awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence and power in your life.
  2. Ask God to help you live in the victory and freedom that comes from the resurrection.

Day 4

Day 4: Suffering with Christ

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NLT
That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Devotional:
Suffering is an inevitable part of the Christian journey, but it is not without purpose. Paul reminds us that our present troubles are temporary and are producing an eternal glory. By fixing our eyes on the unseen and eternal, we can endure hardships with hope and perseverance, knowing that they are shaping us for eternity.

Response Questions:

  1. How do you typically respond to suffering or trials in your life?
  2. What does it mean to fix your gaze on things that cannot be seen?
  3. How can you find purpose and hope in your current struggles?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for the strength to endure suffering with a perspective focused on eternity.
  2. Ask God to reveal His purpose in your trials and to help you trust Him through them.

Day 5

Day 5: Becoming One with Christ

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4 NLT
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

Devotional:
Our new life in Christ calls us to shift our focus from earthly concerns to heavenly realities. As we become one with Christ, our identity and purpose are found in Him. This passage encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, knowing that our true life is hidden with Christ and will be fully revealed in His glory.

Response Questions:

  1. How can you set your sights on the realities of heaven in your daily life?
  2. What does it mean for your real life to be hidden with Christ in God?
  3. How does your identity in Christ influence your actions and decisions?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for a renewed focus on heavenly realities and eternal purposes.
  2. Ask God to help you live out your identity in Christ with confidence and joy. group through a discussion on the sermon, focusing on the themes of letting go of earthly attachments, knowing Christ, and living with an eternal perspective.

Opening Prayer: Begin with a prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide the discussion and open hearts to the message of the sermon.

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Opening Prayer: Begin with a prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide the discussion and open hearts to the message of the sermon.

Discussion Questions and Context:

  1. What are some things in your life that you have considered valuable but may need to be reevaluated in light of knowing Christ?Context: In the sermon, the pastor emphasized Paul’s transformation from valuing religious achievements to considering them worthless compared to knowing Christ. This question encourages group members to reflect on their own lives and identify areas where they might be holding onto things that hinder their relationship with Jesus.
  2. How does the concept of gaining Christ challenge your current priorities?Context: The sermon highlighted Paul’s radical call to count all things as loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus. This question invites participants to examine how their priorities align with the pursuit of knowing Christ and what changes might be necessary to align more closely with this goal.
  3. In what ways can you deepen your relationship with Jesus this week?Context: The pastor encouraged the congregation to continuously seek a deeper relationship with Christ by letting go of attachments and focusing on spiritual growth. This question is designed to help group members think practically about steps they can take to grow closer to Jesus in their daily lives.
  4. What does “taking up your cross” mean in your daily life?Context: The sermon referenced Jesus’ call to His disciples to deny themselves and take up their cross. This question helps the group explore what self-denial and following Jesus look like in their personal contexts, encouraging them to consider the sacrifices involved in true discipleship.
  5. How can you practice letting go of control and trusting God more fully?Context: The pastor spoke about the importance of surrendering control and trusting God, as exemplified by Paul’s willingness to suffer for Christ. This question aims to foster discussion on the challenges of relinquishing control and the faith required to trust in God’s plan.
  6. What are some areas where you need to surrender your own desires to follow Jesus?Context: The sermon emphasized the need to let go of personal desires and ambitions to gain Christ. This question encourages group members to identify specific areas in their lives where they need to surrender to God’s will.
  7. How does the reality of the Holy Spirit living in you impact your daily life?Context: The pastor discussed the power of the Holy Spirit, who raised Jesus from the dead, living within believers. This question invites participants to reflect on how this truth influences their actions, decisions, and overall perspective on life.
  8. In what areas do you need to experience the resurrection power of Christ?Context: The sermon highlighted the transformative power of the resurrection in believers’ lives. This question encourages group members to identify areas where they need God’s power to bring about change and renewal.
  9. How can you find purpose and hope in your current struggles?Context: The pastor spoke about suffering with Christ and the eternal glory it produces. This question helps the group explore how they can find meaning and hope in their trials by focusing on the eternal perspective.
  10. How can you set your sights on the realities of heaven in your daily life?Context: The sermon concluded with a call to live with an eternal perspective, setting our sights on heavenly realities. This question encourages participants to think about practical ways to keep their focus on eternal values amidst daily distractions.
  11. What does it mean for your real life to be hidden with Christ in God?Context: The pastor emphasized the believer’s identity in Christ and the eternal security it provides. This question invites group members to reflect on their identity in Christ and how it shapes their understanding of life and purpose.
  12. How does your identity in Christ influence your actions and decisions?Context: The sermon challenged listeners to live out their identity in Christ with confidence and joy. This question encourages participants to consider how their identity as followers of Jesus impacts their daily choices and interactions with others.

Closing Prayer: Conclude the session with a prayer, asking God to help the group apply what they’ve learned and to continue growing in their relationship with Christ. Encourage group members to support one another in their spiritual journeys.

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