“Say no to self and yes to Jesus—every time.”
Following Jesus wholeheartedly means recognizing that His mission is worth more than anything we may be asked to surrender. In Acts 21, Paul enters Jerusalem knowing that misunderstanding, opposition, suffering, and imprisonment await him, yet he continues because Christ has called him there. His life is not governed by self-protection, personal preference, or the need to preserve his rights, but by a desire to make Jesus known.
This same surrender is reflected in William Borden’s determination to live with “no reserves, no retreats, no regrets.” Such devotion does not come from recklessness or human strength, but from believing that Jesus is worthy of complete trust. Because Christ gave Himself fully for us, we can place our plans, comfort, reputation, resources, and future into His hands.
The central question is not whether following Jesus will cost us, but whether we believe He is worth the cost. When Christ is truly on the throne of our hearts, we become willing to release what hinders obedience, endure what faithfulness requires, and speak when the gospel must be heard. The call is to say no to self and yes to Jesus—every time.
Outline
All in for the Mission Means:
- The Mission Is Worth More Than My Liberties (Acts 21:17–26)
- Humility (21:17–20a)
- Submission (21:20b–25)
- Service (21:26)
- The Mission Is Worth More Than My Safety (Acts 21:27–36)
- Opposed by His Own Countrymen (21:27)
- Falsely Accused (21:28–29)
- Violently Rejected (21:30–32, 36)
- Unjustly Arrested (21:33–35)
- The Mission Is Worth More Than My Silence (Acts 21:37–22:21)
- Respectful Appeal (21:37–39)
- Humble Identification with Sin (21:40–22:5)
- Clear Declaration That Jesus Is Savior and Lord (22:6–21)
Big Idea
The mission becomes more valuable to Paul than anything it could cost him.