Reset – All In – Fully Devoted to Christ – Sermon – Pastor Dave Page

Introduction

How many of you have already been bombarded by the call to set a New Year’s resolution? Whether it’s to lose weight, get organized, or read more books, the start of a new year brings a natural desire to reset and make changes for the better. Social feeds, advertising, and almost everything around us tell us, “It’s a time for new beginnings, new goals, and renewed motivation.”

But here’s a question: In the midst of resolutions for our physical health and personal lives, how often do we stop to consider a spiritual reset?

For those who follow Jesus, there is a deeper reset—one that addresses the condition of our hearts and walk with God. As this year begins, what if our reflection was not just on our resolutions but on our spiritual lives.

Are we truly living as fully devoted disciples of Jesus, or are we distracted by the busyness of life, the world’s demands, or our own routines?

This morning, we want to invite you to think about a different reset—one that renews your commitment to Jesus and deepens your discipleship. What goals are you setting for your walk with Jesus Christ this year?

In the midst of this digital noise, the call to authentic discipleship has never been more urgent. During these first two weeks of the new year we want to encourage everyone to consider a reset within the framework of this statement:

Our Mission Statement:
We are committed to becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ,
and inviting others to do the same.

Discipleship requires focus. It’s not something that can be easily compartmentalized or squeezed into the empty spaces between our digital interactions. Jesus calls us to follow Him with our entire lives, to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him, no matter how strong the pull of distractions may be.

The challenge we face in the coming year is that we are living in a time where distractions are everywhere. The noise of technology, the pull of entertainment, and the constant stream of information can leave us feeling overwhelmed and spiritually disconnected. Yet, Jesus is still calling us to follow Him—fully devoted, fully committed, and wholeheartedly engaged in the journey of discipleship. The question we must ask ourselves today is: How do we live as fully devoted followers of Jesus in a world that is so distracted?

That is the task for us this morning, to take this first part of our mission statement and use it as marker by which we might consider a spiritual reset at the beginning of 2025.

What do you think? This year, this month, this week – is it, perhaps, time to reset? Perhaps it’s time to reexamine how we spend our time, how we direct our attention, and how we nurture our relationship with Jesus. The self-help books and gurus will tell you that it’s about eliminating distractions and being more present. That’s not what we are encouraging. It’s not just about eliminating distractions; it’s about reordering our lives around the call of Jesus. It’s about our commitment to becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

I. The Need for Discipleship in the Modern World

Let’s talk about this term disciple/discipleship. In simple terms, discipleship is the process of becoming a follower of Jesus Christ, not just in belief, but in action and in every part of our lives. It is a lifelong journey of learning from Him, imitating Him, and becoming more like Him.

Discipleship is not just about knowing Jesus; it’s about following Him closely and aligning every area of our lives with His teachings.

Scripture speaks very clearly about the call to discipleship. Jesus Himself made this call clear in Matthew 28:19-20, a passage known as the Great Commission. He commands His followers to:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

Jesus not only commands us to spread the gospel but also to actively teach others to observe and obey everything Jesus has commanded. Discipleship is about not just making converts but making people who are committed to learning and living according to the ways of Jesus.

In Luke 9:23, Jesus gives a more personal description of what it means to follow Him:

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Discipleship, in Jesus’ terms, is not about convenience or comfort, it’s about self-denial, sacrifice, and living a life that reflects His. It’s a daily commitment. When we choose to follow Christ, we are called to surrender our own desires and take up the cross—a symbol of suffering and obedience. This call to discipleship requires us to live counter to the world’s values of self-promotion, instant gratification, and selfish ambition.

Why is discipleship so important today? In a world filled with distractions, superficial connections, and the constant pursuit of self-interest, discipleship offers us a clear and compelling path to a different outcome. Discipleship calls us to something greater than mere self-improvement or personal success. It calls us to live for the glory of God and the good of others, to follow the teachings and example of Jesus in everything we do.

Society offers countless distractions that pull us away from God’s purpose, but discipleship centers us on His will. It helps us cultivate spiritual resilience in the face of challenges, equips us to be salt and light in a dark world, and leads us to become more like Jesus in how we think, speak, and act.

The Great Commission doesn’t just end with our own transformation—it extends to those around us. In a world that desperately needs hope and truth, discipleship empowers us to be witnesses to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. We’re going to talk much more about that next week.

As we reset our spiritual lives in this new year, we need to prioritize discipleship. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, it’s just plain worth it to recommit ourselves to walking closely with Jesus, allowing His Word to shape us, His Spirit to empower us, and His love to transform us. It’s not just about making resolutions—it’s about making a lifelong commitment to follow Jesus, day by day, step by step. It is through that commitment, where we not only find our lives reset but we then become agents of change in a world that so desperately needs to experience the love and truth of Christ.

II. A Call to Reset Our Spiritual Goals

Now, there are some things that you are hearing out there about resolutions and goal setting that can actually be helpful. This year let’s approach our spiritual lives the same way we approach any other area of growth—we need to be intentional. We talked about this during our “Practicing The Way” series. Discipleship doesn’t happen by accident. It takes discipline, commitment, and a willingness to surrender our own desires in favour of God’s greater plan for our lives. In Matthew 16:24-25, Jesus tells us that following Him involves self-denial, taking up our cross, and surrendering our will to His.

Matthew 16:24-25 says, “Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘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 will find it.’”

Jesus’ call to His disciples is radical. It’s just as radical to us today. It is not a call to comfort, convenience, or casual faith—it is a call to full surrender.

1. Complete Surrender:

Jesus begins with a condition: “If anyone would come after me…” This shows us that discipleship is a choice—a decision to prioritize Jesus above all else. The first step is self-denial, which involves letting go of our desires, ambitions, and even our identities in order to embrace His purposes.

Luke 9:57-62 expands on this idea, highlighting the cost of following Jesus. Some offered to follow but hesitated because they were not willing to give up their comforts or relationships. Jesus made it clear: there is no room for divided loyalty in the life of a disciple.

2. Daily Commitment:

Taking up the cross is not a one-time event. It is a daily decision to die to ourselves and live for Christ. The cross was a symbol of suffering and submission in the Roman world. For us, it represents the challenges and sacrifices we endure for the sake of Christ, as well as our willingness to identify with Him in every area of life.

3. Abiding in Christ:

Devotion is not sustained by sheer willpower; it is fueled by our connection to Christ. In John 15:4-5, Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine and branches:

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”

Being fully devoted means recognizing our total dependence on Jesus for strength, guidance, and spiritual fruitfulness. Without Him, we can do nothing of eternal value.

Let me give you a very familiar example here:

One of the most inspiring stories of faith and devotion comes from a very familiar name in this region – Jean de Brébeuf, a French Jesuit missionary who came to what is now Canada in the 17th century. Do you know of his story? His life and ministry are powerful examples of what it means to be a fully devoted follower of Christ.

Jean de Brébeuf left behind the comforts of his homeland in France to bring the gospel to the Indigenous peoples of North America, specifically the Huron-Wendat Nation. Arriving in 1625, he faced immediate challenges. The harsh Canadian winters tested his physical endurance, and learning the Huron language required immense patience and effort. Yet Brébeuf did not give up. He immersed himself in the culture of the Huron-Wendat, learned their language fluently, and showed genuine love and respect for their people.

Despite his dedication, Brébeuf endured significant hardship. Life in the wilderness was grueling, marked by sickness, isolation, and the threat of violence. He witnessed war, famine, and disease, which devastated the Huron communities he served. Still, Brébeuf pressed on, not for his own sake, but because of his commitment to Christ and the people he was called to serve.

Brébeuf’s devotion culminated in the ultimate act of sacrifice. In 1649, during a conflict between the Iroquois and Huron-Wendat, Brébeuf was captured by the Iroquois. He endured brutal torture with unwavering faith. Even in his final hours, he prayed for his captors and proclaimed the gospel. His martyrdom became a testimony to his steadfast devotion to Jesus, and his legacy inspires countless believers to this day.

Jean de Brébeuf’s did not seek comfort or personal glory—he pursued the mission of Jesus with a wholehearted commitment, even at great personal cost. His story asks us: What are we willing to sacrifice to follow Jesus fully? Are we prepared to reset our priorities, give up our comforts, and live a life of bold faith, just as Brébeuf did in his service to Christ?

III. Living as a Community of Fully Devoted Followers

Discipleship is not a solo journey. While each of us has a personal relationship with Jesus, we are also called to live out that relationship in community with other believers. The early Church provides a powerful example of what it means to live as fully devoted followers of Jesus together.

In Acts 2:42-47, we are given a beautiful snapshot of a community committed to God, to one another, and to the mission of spreading the gospel. This passage paints a picture of believers who are growing together, serving each other, and living out Jesus’ teachings in a way that transforms their lives and their surroundings.

Acts 2:42-47 says,
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer… Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts… praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people.”

The early Church was marked by deep devotion to God’s word, fellowship, and prayer. Devotion to the apostles’ teaching meant they were committed to understanding and living out God’s word daily. Fellowship wasn’t just casual socializing—it was about building deep, intentional relationships where believers supported, encouraged, and challenged each other. This kind of fellowship was vital to their spiritual growth and kept them grounded in Christ and the community of believers.

They were also devoted to breaking bread and prayer. Sharing meals together wasn’t just about nourishment, it was an act of hospitality and a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice. Prayer was central to their life together, seeking God’s guidance and strength as a community.

This devotion resulted in awe and wonder. The believers were filled with awe at the signs and wonders performed by the apostles, but even more, they were amazed by the love, unity, and generosity that characterized their community. They shared everything they had, selling possessions to meet the needs of others. This radical generosity was a reflection of their love for one another and for God’s mission.

Meeting daily—whether in the temple courts or in homes—kept them connected. Their unity wasn’t simply based on shared beliefs, but on spending time together, encouraging each other, and building each other up. As a result, God’s presence was powerfully evident and the Church grew as more people were drawn to the love and transformation they witnessed.

The early Church sets a high standard for what it means to be a community of fully devoted followers. As we look forward to 2025, we are challenged to ask some important questions:

How can we, as a church, commit to living out this kind of devotion in 2025?

In a world where individualism often prevails and relationships can feel more transactional than transformational, we are called to live counter to that. What if, as a church, we prioritized deep, intentional relationships—both in our worship and in our daily lives? What would it look like for us to be known not just for what we believe but for how we love one another and share life together?

How can we grow in fellowship, generosity, and prayer?

Fellowship isn’t just about gathering; it’s about creating spaces where people can grow in faith, serve each other, and share in the joys and struggles of life.

How can we create environments in our church and small groups where people are deeply connected?

How can we be more generous with our time, talents, and resources to support each other?

How can we pray together, seeking God’s will as a community?

A Call to Devotion and Communion

As you reflect on the call to reset your spiritual life, it will at some point become clear that true discipleship isn’t something you can do alone—it’s something we do together as the body of Christ.

That’s the beautiful thing about this journey. We don’t walk it alone. We walk it together, as a community, united in Jesus Christ. Today, as we take a moment to reflect on our devotion to Him and to one another, we are invited to participate in one of the most sacred practices of our faith: The Communion Table.

In Acts 2:42, we see that the early Church was devoted to “the breaking of bread,” a practice that reminded them of Jesus’ sacrifice for them and the unity they shared in Him. Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, is more than just a ritual—it’s a powerful reminder of the cost of our salvation, the depth of God’s love for us, and the unity we have as a community of believers. As we partake of the bread and the cup, we are reminded that we are not only individually saved by the grace of God, but we are also part of a larger body—the Church—united through Christ’s body and blood.

In this moment, as we prepare to share in Communion, I invite you to consider two things: First, reflect on your own devotion to Jesus. Is there an area of your life where God is calling you to reset, to refocus, or to deepen your commitment to Him?

And second, reflect on the community of believers that we are called to be. How can you contribute to building up the body of Christ in this new year? How can you deepen your relationships with fellow believers and live out the mission of making disciples?

Let’s take this time to prepare our hearts as we come to the table, remembering the great sacrifice Jesus made for us and renewing our commitment to live as His devoted followers, both individually and as a community.

Let’s pray together:

Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus, whose body was broken and whose blood was shed for our salvation. As we come to the table today, we remember His sacrifice and the unity we have in Him. Help us to live lives of devotion to You and to one another, empowered by the Holy Spirit to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. In His name, we pray. Amen.

Church Family, welcome to the table of the Lord – come with grateful hearts, remembering His love and the community we share in Him.