Five-Day Devotional Based on the Sermon:
Monday: Who Do You Say He Is?
What Does the Bible Say?
Primary Reading: Mark 8:27–29 NLT
“Jesus and his disciples left Galilee and went up to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. As they were walking along, he asked them, ‘Who do people say I am?’
‘Well,’ they replied, ‘some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets.’
Then he asked them, ‘But who do you say I am?’
Peter replied, ‘You are the Messiah.’”
Similar Passage: Matthew 16:13–17 NLT
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’
‘Well,’ they replied, ‘some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.’
Then he asked them, ‘But who do you say I am?’
Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’
Jesus replied, ‘You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.’”
Additional Verse: John 20:31 NLT
“But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.”
Devotional
Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” That was the easier question. They could report what others thought: John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the prophets. But then Jesus made it personal: “Who do you say I am?”
Peter gave the right answer: “You are the Messiah.” He recognized Jesus as the promised Christ. But as the passage continues, we discover that Peter still did not fully understand what that confession required.
It is possible to say correct things about Jesus and still not surrender to Him as Lord. Many people respect Jesus as a teacher, admire His compassion, and even quote His words, but respecting Jesus is not the same as recognizing Him as Lord.
Illustration:
In the sermon, the pastor told a story about a quiet man in his church whom he thought he knew. Later, he discovered the man had received two Purple Hearts in the Korean War and would be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The pastor realized, “I thought I knew him, but I really didn’t.”
That can happen with Jesus too. We may think we know Him, but then Scripture reveals that He is far greater, holier, and more worthy of surrender than we realized.
How To Obey
What Do We Learn About Jesus?
Jesus is not merely a prophet, moral teacher, or miracle worker. He is the Christ, the promised Messiah, the Son of God. He deserves more than admiration; He deserves surrender.
What Should Be Your Takeaway?
The most important question you will ever answer is not, “What do others say about Jesus?” but, “Who do you say Jesus is?”
Primary Reading: Mark 8:27–29 NLT
“Jesus and his disciples left Galilee and went up to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. As they were walking along, he asked them, ‘Who do people say I am?’
‘Well,’ they replied, ‘some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets.’
Then he asked them, ‘But who do you say I am?’
Peter replied, ‘You are the Messiah.’”
Similar Passage: Matthew 16:13–17 NLT
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’
‘Well,’ they replied, ‘some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.’
Then he asked them, ‘But who do you say I am?’
Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’
Jesus replied, ‘You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.’”
Additional Verse: John 20:31 NLT
“But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.”
Devotional
Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” That was the easier question. They could report what others thought: John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the prophets. But then Jesus made it personal: “Who do you say I am?”
Peter gave the right answer: “You are the Messiah.” He recognized Jesus as the promised Christ. But as the passage continues, we discover that Peter still did not fully understand what that confession required.
It is possible to say correct things about Jesus and still not surrender to Him as Lord. Many people respect Jesus as a teacher, admire His compassion, and even quote His words, but respecting Jesus is not the same as recognizing Him as Lord.
Illustration:
In the sermon, the pastor told a story about a quiet man in his church whom he thought he knew. Later, he discovered the man had received two Purple Hearts in the Korean War and would be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The pastor realized, “I thought I knew him, but I really didn’t.”
That can happen with Jesus too. We may think we know Him, but then Scripture reveals that He is far greater, holier, and more worthy of surrender than we realized.
How To Obey
- Ask yourself honestly: “Does my life reflect what I say I believe about Jesus?”
- Write down one area where your actions do not match your confession of faith.
- Pray specifically over that area and ask God to bring your life under Christ’s lordship.
What Do We Learn About Jesus?
Jesus is not merely a prophet, moral teacher, or miracle worker. He is the Christ, the promised Messiah, the Son of God. He deserves more than admiration; He deserves surrender.
What Should Be Your Takeaway?
The most important question you will ever answer is not, “What do others say about Jesus?” but, “Who do you say Jesus is?”
Tuesday: When God’s Plan Looks Nothing Like Yours
What Does the Bible Say?
Primary Reading: Mark 8:31–33 NLT
“Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead.
As he talked about this openly with his disciples, Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things.
Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. ‘Get away from me, Satan!’ he said. ‘You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.’”
Similar Passage: Isaiah 53:3–5 NLT
“He was despised and rejected—
a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
He was despised, and we did not care.
Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
a punishment for his own sins!
But he was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.”
Additional Verse: Proverbs 19:21 NLT
“You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.”
Devotional
Jesus told the disciples plainly that He must suffer, be rejected, be killed, and rise again. The word “must” is important. Jesus’ suffering was not an accident. The cross was not Plan B. It was the intentional plan of God.
Peter did not like that plan. He wanted a Messiah who would conquer Rome, restore Israel’s power, and bring visible victory. He did not want a suffering Savior. So Peter actually rebuked Jesus.
Jesus responded strongly: “Get away from me, Satan!” Peter had the right title for Jesus, but the wrong expectation of Jesus. He was thinking from a human point of view instead of from God’s point of view.
Illustration:
Imagine going to the doctor expecting a quick prescription, but instead the doctor says you need surgery. You may resist that diagnosis because it is more painful than what you hoped for. But if the doctor is right, the painful path may be the healing path.
God’s plan often works that way. We ask for comfort, but He develops character. We ask for escape, but He teaches endurance. We ask for immediate victory, but He leads us through surrender.
How To Obey
What Do We Learn About God?
God’s plan is wiser than ours. He is not surprised by suffering, and He can use what looks like defeat to accomplish eternal victory.
What Should Be Your Takeaway?
God’s plan may not look like your plan, but His plan is always better.
Primary Reading: Mark 8:31–33 NLT
“Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead.
As he talked about this openly with his disciples, Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things.
Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. ‘Get away from me, Satan!’ he said. ‘You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.’”
Similar Passage: Isaiah 53:3–5 NLT
“He was despised and rejected—
a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
He was despised, and we did not care.
Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
a punishment for his own sins!
But he was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.”
Additional Verse: Proverbs 19:21 NLT
“You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.”
Devotional
Jesus told the disciples plainly that He must suffer, be rejected, be killed, and rise again. The word “must” is important. Jesus’ suffering was not an accident. The cross was not Plan B. It was the intentional plan of God.
Peter did not like that plan. He wanted a Messiah who would conquer Rome, restore Israel’s power, and bring visible victory. He did not want a suffering Savior. So Peter actually rebuked Jesus.
Jesus responded strongly: “Get away from me, Satan!” Peter had the right title for Jesus, but the wrong expectation of Jesus. He was thinking from a human point of view instead of from God’s point of view.
Illustration:
Imagine going to the doctor expecting a quick prescription, but instead the doctor says you need surgery. You may resist that diagnosis because it is more painful than what you hoped for. But if the doctor is right, the painful path may be the healing path.
God’s plan often works that way. We ask for comfort, but He develops character. We ask for escape, but He teaches endurance. We ask for immediate victory, but He leads us through surrender.
How To Obey
- Identify one place where God’s plan has disappointed or confused you.
- Pray: “Lord, Your way is better than mine, even when I do not understand it.”
- Stop rebuking God through resentment, bitterness, or refusal to trust Him.
What Do We Learn About God?
God’s plan is wiser than ours. He is not surprised by suffering, and He can use what looks like defeat to accomplish eternal victory.
What Should Be Your Takeaway?
God’s plan may not look like your plan, but His plan is always better.
Wednesday: The Cost of Following Jesus
What Does The Bible Say?
Primary Reading: Mark 8:34–35, NLT
Jesus calls the crowd and the disciples together and says anyone who wants to follow Him must give up their own way, take up their cross, and follow Him. Those who cling to their life will lose it, but those who give up their life for Jesus and the gospel will save it.
Similar Passage: Luke 14:27, NLT
Jesus says a person cannot be His disciple unless they carry their own cross and follow Him.
Additional Verse: Galatians 2:20, NLT
Paul says his old self has been crucified with Christ, and now Christ lives in him.
Devotional
Jesus did not hide the cost of discipleship. He did not say, “Follow Me when it is convenient.” He said, “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me.”
To deny yourself does not mean you can never enjoy life. It means your life no longer revolves around your desires, comfort, schedule, preferences, or personal kingdom. Jesus becomes first.
To take up your cross means total surrender. In Jesus’ day, a cross was not a decoration or religious symbol. It was an instrument of death. Jesus was calling His followers to die to self-rule.
Following Jesus means He leads. We do not ask Jesus to follow us and bless our plans. We follow Him.
Illustration:
Picture a little boy sitting in his father’s lap, gripping a toy steering wheel in the car. He turns it left and right, convinced he is driving. But Dad has the real wheel.
Many Christians live that way. We say Jesus is Lord, but we keep our hands tightly on the steering wheel. True discipleship begins when we admit, “Lord, You drive. I will follow.”
How To Obey
What Do We Learn About Jesus?
Jesus is not looking for casual fans. He calls people to full surrender. He is worthy of our whole life, not merely our spare time.
What Should Be Your Takeaway?
You cannot follow Jesus while still insisting on leading the way.
Primary Reading: Mark 8:34–35, NLT
Jesus calls the crowd and the disciples together and says anyone who wants to follow Him must give up their own way, take up their cross, and follow Him. Those who cling to their life will lose it, but those who give up their life for Jesus and the gospel will save it.
Similar Passage: Luke 14:27, NLT
Jesus says a person cannot be His disciple unless they carry their own cross and follow Him.
Additional Verse: Galatians 2:20, NLT
Paul says his old self has been crucified with Christ, and now Christ lives in him.
Devotional
Jesus did not hide the cost of discipleship. He did not say, “Follow Me when it is convenient.” He said, “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me.”
To deny yourself does not mean you can never enjoy life. It means your life no longer revolves around your desires, comfort, schedule, preferences, or personal kingdom. Jesus becomes first.
To take up your cross means total surrender. In Jesus’ day, a cross was not a decoration or religious symbol. It was an instrument of death. Jesus was calling His followers to die to self-rule.
Following Jesus means He leads. We do not ask Jesus to follow us and bless our plans. We follow Him.
Illustration:
Picture a little boy sitting in his father’s lap, gripping a toy steering wheel in the car. He turns it left and right, convinced he is driving. But Dad has the real wheel.
Many Christians live that way. We say Jesus is Lord, but we keep our hands tightly on the steering wheel. True discipleship begins when we admit, “Lord, You drive. I will follow.”
How To Obey
- Ask: “Where am I still insisting on my own way?”
- Make one deliberate sacrifice this week for someone else.
- Let that sacrifice cost you something: time, money, comfort, convenience, or pride.
What Do We Learn About Jesus?
Jesus is not looking for casual fans. He calls people to full surrender. He is worthy of our whole life, not merely our spare time.
What Should Be Your Takeaway?
You cannot follow Jesus while still insisting on leading the way.
Thursday: The Profit and Loss of a Misplaced Life
What Does The Bible Say?
Primary Reading: Mark 8:36–37, NLT
Jesus asks what good it is for someone to gain the whole world but lose their soul. He also asks what anyone could give in exchange for their soul.
Similar Passage: Luke 12:16–21, NLT
Jesus tells the parable of the rich fool, a man who stored up earthly wealth but was not rich toward God.
Additional Verse: Matthew 6:19–21, NLT
Jesus teaches His followers not to store up treasures on earth but to store up treasures in heaven, because where your treasure is, your heart will be also.
Devotional
Jesus asks a question that cuts through every illusion of success: What good is it to gain the whole world and lose your soul?
The world measures life by accumulation: money, houses, titles, achievements, reputation, comfort, and influence. But Jesus measures life by ownership. Does your life belong to Him?
Wealth is not evil. Success is not automatically sinful. Comfort is not wrong in itself. The danger comes when those things become the point of life.
A person can have a full bank account and an empty soul. A person can be admired by others and unknown by God. A person can win at everything temporary and lose what is eternal.
Illustration:
You have probably heard the phrase, “You never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul.” It is simple, but it is true. No one takes their trophies, furniture, investments, or awards into eternity.
The question is not, “How much did you leave behind?” The question is, “Did your life belong to Christ?”
How To Obey
What Do We Learn About God?
God values the soul more than worldly success. He is not impressed by temporary gain when eternal life is neglected.
What Should Be Your Takeaway?
A successful life is not measured by what you accumulate but by whether you belong to Christ.
Primary Reading: Mark 8:36–37, NLT
Jesus asks what good it is for someone to gain the whole world but lose their soul. He also asks what anyone could give in exchange for their soul.
Similar Passage: Luke 12:16–21, NLT
Jesus tells the parable of the rich fool, a man who stored up earthly wealth but was not rich toward God.
Additional Verse: Matthew 6:19–21, NLT
Jesus teaches His followers not to store up treasures on earth but to store up treasures in heaven, because where your treasure is, your heart will be also.
Devotional
Jesus asks a question that cuts through every illusion of success: What good is it to gain the whole world and lose your soul?
The world measures life by accumulation: money, houses, titles, achievements, reputation, comfort, and influence. But Jesus measures life by ownership. Does your life belong to Him?
Wealth is not evil. Success is not automatically sinful. Comfort is not wrong in itself. The danger comes when those things become the point of life.
A person can have a full bank account and an empty soul. A person can be admired by others and unknown by God. A person can win at everything temporary and lose what is eternal.
Illustration:
You have probably heard the phrase, “You never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul.” It is simple, but it is true. No one takes their trophies, furniture, investments, or awards into eternity.
The question is not, “How much did you leave behind?” The question is, “Did your life belong to Christ?”
How To Obey
- Review your last week: your time, spending, conversations, and priorities.
- Ask: “Am I building my kingdom or God’s kingdom?”
- Choose one way to invest in eternity this week: give, serve, forgive, encourage, pray, or share Christ.
What Do We Learn About God?
God values the soul more than worldly success. He is not impressed by temporary gain when eternal life is neglected.
What Should Be Your Takeaway?
A successful life is not measured by what you accumulate but by whether you belong to Christ.
Friday: Living Unashamed in a Resistant World
What Does The Bible Say?
Primary Reading: Mark 8:38, NLT
Jesus warns that if someone is ashamed of Him and His message in this sinful world, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of that person when He returns in His Father’s glory with the holy angels.
Similar Passage: Romans 1:16, NLT
Paul says he is not ashamed of the Good News because it is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes.
Additional Verse: 2 Timothy 1:7–8, NLT
Paul reminds Timothy that God has not given believers a spirit of fear but of power, love, and self-discipline. Timothy is told not to be ashamed to tell others about the Lord.
Devotional
Jesus calls His followers to live unashamed. That does not mean being arrogant, harsh, pushy, or argumentative. It means we do not hide our loyalty to Christ because we fear people’s reactions.
The desire to be accepted is powerful. It can make us stay quiet when we should speak. It can make us soften truth until it no longer sounds like truth. It can make us act like different people depending on who is in the room.
But Jesus suffered openly for us. He calls us to stand openly for Him.
The gospel includes love, grace, forgiveness, repentance, the cross, resurrection, heaven, and judgment. We do not get to edit Jesus to make Him more acceptable to the world.
Illustration:
Imagine a married man who removes his wedding ring every time he goes to work because he does not want people to know he is married. Something would be deeply wrong. Love should not be hidden out of embarrassment.
In the same way, our relationship with Christ is not something to tuck away when it becomes socially inconvenient.
How To Obey
What Do We Learn About The Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit gives believers courage, wisdom, and love. He helps us speak about Jesus without fear and without arrogance.
What Should Be Your Takeaway?
Do not let the desire to be accepted by the world become more important than faithfulness to Christ.
Primary Reading: Mark 8:38, NLT
Jesus warns that if someone is ashamed of Him and His message in this sinful world, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of that person when He returns in His Father’s glory with the holy angels.
Similar Passage: Romans 1:16, NLT
Paul says he is not ashamed of the Good News because it is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes.
Additional Verse: 2 Timothy 1:7–8, NLT
Paul reminds Timothy that God has not given believers a spirit of fear but of power, love, and self-discipline. Timothy is told not to be ashamed to tell others about the Lord.
Devotional
Jesus calls His followers to live unashamed. That does not mean being arrogant, harsh, pushy, or argumentative. It means we do not hide our loyalty to Christ because we fear people’s reactions.
The desire to be accepted is powerful. It can make us stay quiet when we should speak. It can make us soften truth until it no longer sounds like truth. It can make us act like different people depending on who is in the room.
But Jesus suffered openly for us. He calls us to stand openly for Him.
The gospel includes love, grace, forgiveness, repentance, the cross, resurrection, heaven, and judgment. We do not get to edit Jesus to make Him more acceptable to the world.
Illustration:
Imagine a married man who removes his wedding ring every time he goes to work because he does not want people to know he is married. Something would be deeply wrong. Love should not be hidden out of embarrassment.
In the same way, our relationship with Christ is not something to tuck away when it becomes socially inconvenient.
How To Obey
- Think of one person with whom you have avoided talking about Jesus.
- Ask a simple, respectful question: “What do you think about Jesus?”
- Listen well. Do not argue. Trust the Holy Spirit to work.
What Do We Learn About The Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit gives believers courage, wisdom, and love. He helps us speak about Jesus without fear and without arrogance.
What Should Be Your Takeaway?
Do not let the desire to be accepted by the world become more important than faithfulness to Christ.