What Now What Now What Now

Stage 3 Stage 3 Stage 3

Episode 5: ALL IN

We started this journey together with Peter on the seashore when Jesus calls out to Him, “Come Follow Me.” InMatthew 16, we find Jesus asking Peter the most important question he ever asked Him. Jesus started out by asking the disciples, “Who do people say I am?” Basically, Jesus was asking the disciples who did the culture say that He was. They gave Him the answers, but then Jesus got personal. “Who do YOU say I am?” Silence filled the room until Peter stood up and said, “You are the Messiah, the Son of God.” 


Peter and the other disciples had left everything to follow Jesus. Job, family, friends, EVERYTHING. Now a couple years into their journey with Jesus, He asks them who do they really think He is. He didn’t care about what culture said about Him, He wanted to know what the men that sacrificed everything to follow Him thought.


After Peter tells Jesus that He is the Son of God, Jesus tells the disciples what the true cost of following Him would be.

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it."

Have you ever considered what following Jesus might cost you? Have you ever considered what following Jesus might cost you? Have you ever considered what following Jesus might cost you?

Friends, family, status, control, and/or money? Are you willing to go "ALL IN," truly surrendering every aspect of your life to Him? 


The boldest move that you can make when playing Texas Hold’em is pushing all your chips to the middle of the table and saying, “I am ALL IN.” You are basically telling your opponent that you believe in your hand so much that you are willing to risk everything.


In a culture that stresses self-fulfillment and individuality, the message of Jesus stands in stark contrast.

While society tells us to "be ourselves," Jesus calls us to lay down our lives and pick up our cross. While society tells us to "be ourselves," Jesus calls us to lay down our lives and pick up our cross. While society tells us to "be ourselves," Jesus calls us to lay down our lives and pick up our cross.

Let's not customize Jesus into a comfortable image but embrace the radical truth of His teachings.


You must prioritize your relationship with God above all distractions. The battles you will face in life require a foundation of intimacy with Jesus. No matter what the culture is saying, are you willing to stand up and say, “Jesus is the Son of God, and I am willing to go to ALL IN with Him.” Because that is what Jesus wants.


Our walk with Jesus is not meant to be easy or passive but a call to go ALL IN.

Just as Peter, are you willing to step out of the boat follow Him, admit that He is the Son of God, and go all in with Jesus? Just as Peter, are you willing to step out of the boat follow Him, admit that He is the Son of God, and go all in with Jesus? Just as Peter, are you willing to step out of the boat follow Him, admit that He is the Son of God, and go all in with Jesus?

If you are willing to push all your chips into the middle of the table and go “ALL IN” you are ready for Stage 4.


Scripture References: Matthew 16, Philippians 2:9-11

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