Week of November 1, 2026

Mortification

Three days from this week's sermon on mortification, examining what gets between us and Jesus, what we are unwilling to give up, and the hope we have in a Savior who calls sinners to Himself.

What Is Getting Between You and Jesus?

Romans 7:18–25

Key Thought: Mortification means killing what obscures Jesus.

When we first come to Christ, we move from knowing about Jesus to knowing and loving Him. Through daily prayer and Scripture reading, we continually refocus our hearts on Him. But even as Christians, we face distractions that pull our attention away from our Savior.

Some distractions are obvious, such as old sins, addictions, or unhealthy desires. Others are more subtle. We can become so focused on improving ourselves that we forget our need for Jesus. We can pursue good desires that gradually take priority over obedience to Him. We can even become distracted by our religious behavior, measuring our faithfulness by how often we attend church, read our Bibles, or serve others. Spiritual experiences can also become a distraction if we use them to excuse sin in our daily lives.

Paul’s words in Romans 7 remind us that we cannot overcome sin simply by believing we are good people or trying harder to improve ourselves. We must continually recognize our need for Jesus.

Mortification is not merely about changing our behavior. It is about removing whatever keeps us from seeing, loving, and following Christ. As we examine our hearts, we must ask what has begun to compete with Jesus for our attention and affection.

The good news is that we do not fight sin alone. Paul concludes this passage by thanking God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Our hope is not in our own goodness, but in the Savior who has changed us and continues to lead us.

Daily Challenge: During your next time of prayer and Bible reading, pay attention to what distracts you. Identify one distraction and take a practical step to address it.

Questions to Consider

Which distraction most often takes your attention away from Jesus: yourself, your desires, your behavior, or your spiritual experiences?
Have you become more focused on being a good Christian than on knowing and loving Christ?
What is one thing you need to remove or change so that you can focus more fully on Jesus?

Prayer Prompt

Thank God for revealing Jesus to you and drawing you into a relationship with Him. Ask God to reveal the distractions that are keeping you from focusing on Christ. Pray for a heart that desires Jesus more than personal success, comfort, or recognition. Ask for help in addressing the sins and habits that obscure your view of Him.

What Are You Unwilling to Give Up?

Luke 9:23–27

Key Thought: We put our old lives to death because we are preparing for life in Jesus’ kingdom.

Jesus calls His followers to deny themselves, take up their crosses daily, and follow Him. For His original audience, a cross was not a decorative symbol. It represented suffering and death. Jesus was calling His disciples to take their commitment seriously, even when following Him meant giving up something they valued.

Yet we often struggle to put sin to death because something else seems more appealing. Sometimes, we simply like our lives the way they are. We enjoy certain habits, relationships, or forms of entertainment, even when they pull us away from Jesus. At other times, we want to profit. We may compromise our convictions for money, career advancement, opportunities, or convenience. We may also be ashamed of Jesus, afraid that friends or coworkers will question our choices when we begin living differently.

These temptations reveal an important question: What matters most to us?

Jesus reminds us that gaining the world is not worth losing ourselves. The temporary pleasures and advantages we protect cannot compare with the life He offers. We are not called to put sin to death merely because we have a duty to do so. We are learning to live under Jesus’ good authority and preparing for the life of His kingdom.

One helpful way to evaluate our choices is to ask, “Would I want this thought, behavior, or desire in Jesus’ kingdom?” This question can help us recognize things we have tolerated simply because they are familiar, profitable, or popular.

Mortification is difficult, and we may be tempted to give up. But Jesus is worth following, even when obedience costs us something. We can release the things that compete with Him because we trust that His kingdom is better than anything this world can offer.

Daily Challenge: Identify one area where you are tempted to compromise your faith. Make one concrete choice today that demonstrates your commitment to following Jesus.

Questions to Consider

Are you most tempted to give up fighting sin because you enjoy your current habits, want personal gain, or fear what others will think?
Is there a decision in your life where convenience or profit is competing with obedience to Jesus?
How would your choices change if you considered them in light of the life Jesus promises in His kingdom?

Prayer Prompt

Ask God to show you where comfort, money, or the approval of others has become too important. Pray for courage to obey Jesus even when others do not understand your choices. Thank God for the promise of His kingdom and the hope of life with Him. Ask for perseverance to keep fighting sin when the struggle becomes difficult.

Jesus Calls Sinners

Mark 2:17

Key Thought: Jesus calls sinners to Himself, saves them, and then leads them on the journey of putting sin to death.

The call to mortification can feel overwhelming. When we honestly examine our hearts, we may see sins, addictions, and habits that seem impossible to overcome. We may wonder whether we are too broken or too far gone to change.

Jesus offers hope to people who feel this way.

In Mark 2:17, Jesus explains that the sick need a physician and that He came to call sinners. He spoke these words while eating with people whom others looked down upon. Jesus did not avoid sinful people because of their condition. He came to call them to Himself.

This is an important reminder: Jesus does not call us because we have already made ourselves righteous. We do not earn salvation by overcoming an addiction, improving our behavior, or becoming better than the people around us. Our hope is in Jesus, not in our ability to fix ourselves.

But Jesus’ invitation is not permission to remain comfortable in sin. He calls sinners to follow Him, and following Him begins a lifelong process of change. We turn from our old ways because we belong to Him, not to earn the salvation He gives.

This is why conversion must come before mortification. We must first see our need for Jesus and trust in Him. Then, from that relationship, we begin putting our old sins and desires to death. The process may be difficult, but we are not left to struggle alone. God provides His Word, prayer, and fellow believers who can encourage us, pray with us, and help us pursue holiness.

If you feel overwhelmed by your sin today, do not respond by hiding from Jesus or convincing yourself that you must become good enough before you approach Him. Come to Him as the sinner who needs a Savior. His grace gives you hope, and His call leads you toward a changed life.

Daily Challenge: Bring one area of spiritual struggle honestly before God. If you need help, reach out to a trusted mature Christian or pastor and ask for prayer and accountability.

Remember: Jesus died to save you. Now, by His grace, you are called to die to sin and self. Mortification is hard, but following Jesus is worth it.

Questions to Consider

Have you ever felt that your sin made you too unworthy to come to Jesus?
Are you relying on your own goodness or progress to feel secure before God?
Is there a struggle you need to bring into the light by asking a trusted Christian or church leader for prayer and accountability?

Prayer Prompt

Thank Jesus for coming to save sinners rather than those who believe they are already righteous. Confess the sins you have been tempted to hide or excuse. Ask God to help you trust in Christ’s grace rather than your own accomplishments. Pray for humility to seek help, encouragement, and accountability from other believers. Ask for strength to continue putting sin to death and growing in obedience to Jesus.

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