Devotion

Introduction

Whats up inverted?!

Hows summer so far?

*talk about how much i use my phone*

*talk about how much i love to game*

*talk about how much i love watching Brazil in the world cup*

in all of these examples i think we can see a direct correlation of whats going on, does anyone know?

Its that those are things im devoted to

I spend a lot of time in these things because theres a degree of devotion in my heart for these things.

Well David, you ask, what does devotion truly mean?

I’m very glad you asked most inquisitive youth

“the state of having deep, unwavering loyalty, affection, or dedication to something”

so heres the thing, the things i talked about in the beginning are things i definitely like, but i wounldt call myself devoted to them right?

Knowing what the word “Devoted” means really helps in figuring out where im truly at with these things right?

I feel like in the same way some believers believe they are devoted to God but they dont quite fit the definition

Thats an issue especially if we are making a truth claim about where our heart is at

so today i wanted to take you guys through understanding what it means to have devotion towards God and why it’s important for believers to have devotion to Jesus.

There’s so many different aspects that i can talk to you about when it comes to devotion but i only have so much time to go through them

1. Devotion through Obedience

when we think of obedience, sometimes we cringe at that.

we can think negatively about that word and sometimes associate that word to bad people

but one of the first stories that come to mind is the story of Abraham. *go through story points*

God asked from him the impossible through sactrificing his son

Abraham continued to walk in obedience knowing God was going to make a way

God provided just as he promised him.

Here is a truth that we can uncover from this story

but what do you guys think it is?

True devotion sometimes means surrendering what matters most to us

Abraham was really old in this passage, it happened after he settled somewhere when God told him to leave his home for another place

that marked the beginning of his devotion, he had to leave family, friends, and his home

but what we see happening is that God blesses him each step of the way.

God delights in our obedience

and surrendering ourselves to God means to walk in obedience

when we walk in obedience, we walk in freedom

2. Devotion through Persecution

this one can be so scary to us. Persecution is the opposite of comfort which is what we all want

sometimes i had issues with this part of me because i always wanted people to like me, but that wasnt realistic

I had to realize that it doesnt matter if people like me or not, i had to ask myself if i am bringing them life with my words and actions

and most importantly am i giving God glory through the hate and persecution.

The reality is most of us will never suffer the same type of persecution that the Disciples and paul had to go through, but it’s bery possible the people that you thought were friends might not want to be your friend if they find out you live for Jesus.

we have to be okay with that

we have to be okay with people not liking us

we still have to love everyone.

i remember being like “God it’s not fair that people dont like me because of my love for you” but God hit me hard one day with a verse

John 15:18 CSB

“If the world hates you, understand that it hated me before it hated you.

These are Jesus’ own words, and if he can handle it, than i should aswell.

In the book of Daniel we see that king Nebuchadnezzar wrote a law that said he needed to worhsip only the king for a month and no other Gods under the threat of death.

but Instead of obeying the king, Daniel chose to fast, pray, and give thanks to God.

in other words, he changed NOTHING about his worship and devotion to God. he remained devoted to the father

*talk about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego*

heres the truth that we can draw from these stories: does anyone know what it is?

Devotion persists regardless of consequences

Daniel knew the lions' den was a possibility, but he prayed anyway.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew the furnace was waiting for them, but they worshiped anyway.

their devotion wasn't based on whether God made life easy. Their devotion was based on who God is.

I think that's the question every one of us has to be honest about and answer

Are you devoted to Jesus only when it's comfortable?

Or are you devoted to Jesus when it costs you something?

Because here's the reality, you don't have to stand in front of a king tomorrow and you probably won't be thrown into a furnace or a lions' den,

but you might lose friends

you might get made fun of for saying you believe the Bible

you might be the only person in your class who refuses to cheat

you might be the only one who says, "I'm not going to that party."

you might be called weird because you actually follow Jesus

the question isn't, "Will following Jesus cost me something?" the question is, "Is Jesus worth it?"

And if He really is Lord of your life, then our devotion can't disappear the moment following Him becomes difficult.

anyone can follow Jesus when it's easy

devotion is revealed when following Jesus becomes hard..

3. Devotion’s Cost

Paul is a favorite example when it came to this.

Most of you guys know his story when he was called Saul. and he was a scary dude

but Paul has this radical encounter with God and completely become devoted to him.

there was a dramatic shift in him because the more he spent time trying to understand God, the more he fell in love with God and he was edified

Philippians 3:7–14 CSB

But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God based on faith. My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead. Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.

you see, i believe a lot of us find so much value in our possesions and things, but if thats the case than we have our focus on the wrong thing.

Jesus Gave everything he had to us, including a spot in heaven for an eternity, so why cant we give him the years of our lives?

we must take on the same thought process as paul, and learn to value Jesus over everything because there will come a day where you will lose something you love or hold dear and it’ll be for the sake of the kingdom. If you arent ready for that day, you might trade whats eternal for whats temporary and i fear for those who make that decision.

You know what scares me?

I dont believe most people walk away from Jesus because they wake up one morning and decide, "I don't believe anymore." I believe a lot of people slowly trade him away instead

They trade Him for a relationship

popularity

fitting in

for a career

money

comfort

Nobody plans on making that trade, it just happens one compromise at a time, and that's why Paul says everything else is a loss compared to knowing Christ.

when Jesus is your greatest treasure, every other decision becomes easier.

and if Jesus is worth more than popularity, then I don't have to compromise to fit in.

and if Jesus is worth more than a relationship, then I don't have to date someone who's pulling me away from him

Whatever you treasure most will eventually make your decisions for you.

That's why devotion isn't just about saying, "I love Jesus." It's about showing that He has the highest value in your life

Closing

so where do you fall when it comes to being devoted? do you think you’re slipping away or do you feel like youve been diving deeper?

i have a challenge for you guys, I want everyone to give God at least one hour of your time every day. not just listening to worship, iwant you guys to be in your word, i want you guys to be in prayer.

salvation prayer