All In & All His — Granting Full Access to God

All In & All His — Granting Full Access to God Text: Luke 9:23–25 “Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it. For what does it benefit someone if he gains the whole world, and yet loses or forfeits himself?”

The message is for the disciples and the crowd, emphasizing that anyone—not just the twelve apostles—must meet these conditions to follow him.

Jesus had just revealed that he must suffer, be rejected, and die. He then explains that followers must also deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow him.

True discipleship requires daily self-denial and a willingness to lose one's life for Jesus' sake, which ultimately leads to saving it.

Introduction: Full Access or Partial Access?

We live in a world built on access. Passwords. Passcodes. Face ID. Permissions.

We decide what people can see, touch, and enter.

But when it comes to God, the question is not: “Does He have access?”

The real question is: How much access have we actually given Him?

One of the most powerful lessons our students learned at camp is this:

God does not want partial access. He wants full access.

He wants your whole heart. Not some rooms of your life—every room.

This summer at youth camp, God taught our students one clear message:

You can’t be halfway with Jesus.

You are either All In—or you are still in control. And you are either All His—or still holding back.

Following Jesus is not about adding Him to your life. It is about surrendering your life to Him.

1. Distractions Block Your Access to God.

Jesus begins with an invitation:

Luke 9:23 “If anyone wants to follow after me…”

That means everyone is invited—but not everyone follows.

Following Him is a choice. But you cannot move forward if your path is blocked.

At camp we asked: What distracts you?

Phones and social media

Busyness and schedules

Relationships

Money

Comfort and convenience

Fear of what people think

Career and school path

Stress

Not all distractions are bad. Most of them are good things in the wrong place.

A good thing becomes a bad thing when it becomes the main thing.

Hebrews 12:1 “Let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us…”

Not just sin—hindrances. Things that block your focus. Things that crowd our hearts. Things that take God’s place.

Jesus is not fighting for first place against evil things only. He is often fighting against good things that we’ve put in His place.

The question is simple:

If God tried to reach you today, what would He have to get through first?

Matthew 6:21 “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

2. Deny Yourself Means Stepping Off the Throne

Jesus continues in

Luke 9:23 “Let him deny himself…”

This is the hardest part.

Jesus doesn’t say, “Improve yourself.” He says, “Deny yourself.”

That word means: Step aside. Release control. Give up the throne.

Denying yourself is not hating yourself. It is trusting Jesus more than your own desires.

Mark 10:45: “Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…”

If Jesus lived surrendered to the Father, how much more must we?

Surrender says: “God, I trust You more than I trust me.” “God, I choose obedience over comfort.” “God, I release my plans for Yours.”

Everyone has a throne in their life. And whoever sits there makes the decisions.

If you sit there:  - Jesus becomes an advisor.  - Obedience becomes optional.  - Faith becomes selective.

But Jesus does not share the throne.

Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…”

Partial trust is still control. Selective obedience is still self-rule.

You can’t be All In if you’re still in charge.

3. Taking Up Your Cross Daily is Surrender That Lasts

Jesus adds in

Luke9:23 “Take up his cross daily…”

The cross was not decoration. It was death to the old life.

Following Jesus is not a one-time emotional moment. It is a daily decision.

Every day you choose: Comfort or Christ. Feelings or faith. Self or Savior.

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”

That means the old you no longer leads. Jesus does.

This affects real life:

At home. At work. At school. Online. In conflict. In temptation. In decisions no one else sees.

Taking up your cross-means obedience even when it costs you something.

I walk away when it’s easier to stay.

I forgive when I want revenge.

I stay pure when no one is watching.

I speak truth when silence is safer.

Being All His means obedience even when it costs you.

4. Full surrender is How You Save Your Life.

Jesus finishes with a promise

Luke 9: 24 “Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it.”

The world says: “Protect your life.” “Build your life.” “Live for yourself.”

Do what makes you happy

Follow your heart

The world promises life:

Success, popularity, pleasure, control, relationships, money

You can gain money, success, comfort, approval—and still be empty.

But self-centered living always leads to emptiness because we were never designed to be our own savior.

Luke 9:25 “What does it benefit someone to gain the whole world and yet lose himself?”

The world offers moments. - Jesus offers meaning.

The world offers excitement. - Jesus offers purpose.

The world offers control. - Jesus offers life.

John 10:10 “I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.”

Jesus is not trying to take life from you. He is trying to give you real life.

Closing: Full Access - BAND COME UP

At camp we asked students:

Will you be All In? Will you be All His?

And Jesus is asking the same question today.

So the question is not: Does Jesus want your life?

The question is: Will you give Him full access?

Because the life you try to save on your own is the life you will lose.

But the life you place in the hands of Jesus is the life that will finally live.

Jesus is still saying:

“If anyone wants to follow after me…”

Will you go All In? Will you be All His?