Chapel Recap: The Call to Deny Ourselves

In today’s chapel, Dr. Thomas White preached from Mark 9, calling us to a discipleship marked by self-denial and wholehearted obedience to Christ. Jesus calls us away from self-reliance and self-promotion and toward prayerful dependence, humble service, generous unity, and uncompromising obedience.

Dr. White began with Mark 9:14–29, where Jesus confronts a demon that the disciples were unable to cast out. This moment exposes the danger of self-reliance in one’s spiritual life. Dr. White emphasized that victory over sin and spiritual opposition does not come from human strength but from reliance on God, reminding students that temptation is never neutral. “The temptations that come your way are not for your benefit or flourishing — they are to destroy you.”

Next, in verses 30–37, Dr. White highlighted Jesus’ call to humble service instead of self-promotion. True discipleship is not about platform or recognition, but about seeking to serve others faithfully.

In verses 38–41, Dr. White addressed generous unity instead of spiritual rivalry. The disciples were threatened by others doing ministry in Jesus’ name who were not part of their inner circle. Jesus corrected them, showing that God’s work is bigger than personal influence or control. Kingdom-minded faith celebrates God’s work wherever it is truly happening, even when it doesn’t always match our personal preferences.

Finally, verses 42–50 delivered one of Jesus’ most alarming warnings: Pursue uncompromising obedience instead of casual Christianity. Dr. White stressed that sin is deadly serious. “You are created in the image of the God the devil hates,” he said, “and he wants to destroy everything in that image.” Because of that, believers must take radical steps to fight sin, refusing to tolerate what leads the heart away from Christ.

Dr. White concluded with a few quick but practical applications drawn directly from the passage: cultivate prayerful dependence, pursue humble service, practice generous unity, and commit to uncompromising obedience.