Read Textual Sermon from John Hagee
A Call to Total Commitment
If you brought your Bibles, turn to Matthew 16:24–26. The message of the song “Potter’s Hand” is that we would give all that we have to Christ for His purpose, in His Kingdom, for His glory. Tonight’s message is entitled “Give It All or Give It Up.” While that sounds extreme, you already know this dynamic from life: in marriage, in work, in any serious commitment, the depth of your devotion is measured by what you’re willing to give. If you want to succeed, you must determine to give everything toward the effort. When you reach a point you refuse to surrender, you must either “up the ante” and give it all—or be willing to give it up. There is no in-between.
There is a great difference between Jehovah God—the God of the Bible—and the god many want Him to be. The God of Scripture is a jealous God, an all-consuming fire. He declares, “You shall have no other gods before Me,” and “My glory I will not share.” We often try to receive God on our terms, inviting Him as Savior while resisting Him as Lord. But when Jesus probed Peter’s love, He made it plain: “If you love Me, feed My sheep.” If you love Him, make what matters to Him matter to you. Show the world by being willing to give it all for the Gospel rather than give it up.
God has not changed. His Word is not evolving; it is eternal truth. Our generation may try to redefine sin, marriage, or Sabbath, but the Word stands unchanged. Too many pulpits adopt “evolving positions”; in truth, the only thing dissolving is the backbone to declare what God has already said. As children of God, when we obey His Word, we qualify for blessing; when we refuse it, we forfeit favor. “Thy word is truth”—not was true or will be true—is true now and forever. We cannot afford to play games with God—traditional games, spiritual games, or intellectual games. The Holy Spirit will never contradict the Scriptures He inspired.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.” (2 Timothy 3:16, NKJV)
God is not your adversary; He is for you. He who did not spare His own Son will freely give us all things. The question is not whether God is on our side, but whether we love Him enough to be on His side—to give it all because He gave us everything.
“If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son… how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:31–32, NKJV)
Deny Yourself, Take Up Your Cross, and Follow
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me’” (Matthew 16:24–26). Note the gracious invitation: if anyone. No pedigree, no prerequisites—just desire. But the path is clear and sequential: deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow. You cannot carry a cross if your hands are full of your plans, your priorities, and your pride. Deny yourself—ask Jesus what matters now, and if He says it no longer matters, lay it down. We accept self-denial in marriage, in career, in fitness; why balk when Christ, who loved us and gave Himself for us, calls us to it?
Self-denial reaches into worship, prayer, serving, leading, giving—every arena of discipleship. We worship not because the music suits us, but because He gave us breath. We pray in Jesus’ name with lifted, cleansed hands, washing daily in the water of the Word. We serve where we are led, not merely where we prefer. We lead by being teachable, accountable, and faithful. And we give God our best, not our leftovers. In Malachi, God rebuked priests who brought scraps and said He would rather the doors be shut than endure pretense. In Revelation, Jesus warns the lukewarm church that He will spew the half-hearted from His mouth. God minds indifference.
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse… and try Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts. (Malachi 3:10, NKJV)
“Because you are lukewarm… I will vomit you out of My mouth.” (Revelation 3:16, NKJV)
Whatever you try to clutch, you will lose; whatever you release to Him, you will gain. Nations that try to preserve liberty while pushing out God lose true liberty. Churches that soften the light to appeal to darkness lose their impact. Individuals who “save” time by withholding it from God never find rest. But when you surrender—time, treasure, relationships, ambition—God returns what pleases Him, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow: this is the only road to life.
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me… For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Matthew 16:24, 26, NKJV)
Examine Yourself: Give It All—or Give It Up
“Examine yourselves,” Scripture urges. Not your neighbor—yourself. Are you willing to give God what He asks—your schedule, your reputation, your worship, your obedience, your generosity? Will you be unashamed of the Gospel beyond the sanctuary walls? Will your home become an embassy of the Kingdom? Tonight, let the Holy Spirit disturb what has lain dormant and plant life-giving power. If you are serious about Jesus, He must be everything—or He is nothing. Deny your will, your desire, your plan; yield to His purpose. What He asks, be willing—and by His grace, able—to do. Then watch Him turn loaves and fish into baskets overflowing, sorrows into songs of joy, and surrendered lives into world-changers for His glory.
Selected Bible Quotes (NKJV/KJV, max 5):
- 2 Timothy 3:16 • 2) Romans 8:31–32 • 3) Malachi 3:10 • 4) Revelation 3:16 • 5) Matthew 16:24–26
Questions This Sermon Answers:
- What does it practically mean to “give it all or give it up” in following Christ?
- Why must discipleship begin with denying self before taking up the cross and following?
- How do tradition, “private revelations,” or intellectual pride become games we play with God?
- Why hasn’t God’s standard changed, and how does that affect worship, prayer, serving, and giving?
- What do Malachi 3 and Revelation 3 teach about half-hearted devotion?
- How does surrender lead to true gain, while self-preservation leads to loss?
- What does self-examination look like for a believer who wants to be on God’s side?
