Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on the themes from the sermon on Sunday, March 15, 2026:
Day 1: Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ
Reading: Romans 6:1-14
Devotional: Paul's question cuts to the heart of grace: should we keep sinning so grace can increase? His answer is emphatic—absolutely not! When you came to Christ, something profound happened. Your old self was crucified with Him. The person enslaved to sin died. Now you're alive to God in Christ Jesus. This isn't just theological theory—it's daily reality. Each morning, consciously declare: "My old self is dead. I'm putting on my new self today." Sin no longer has authority over you because you're under grace, not law. This doesn't mean you'll never struggle, but it means sin is no longer your master.
Application: Before getting out of bed tomorrow, pray: "Lord, I consider myself dead to sin and alive to You. Help me walk in this truth today."
Day 2: The Only Way to the Father
Reading: John 14:1-14
Devotional: In a world offering countless spiritual paths, Jesus makes an exclusive claim: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." This isn't religious arrogance—it's divine reality. Jesus didn't point to a way; He IS the way.
The disciples wanted directions to the Father. Jesus gave them Himself. Every other religious system says, "Do this and find God." Jesus says, "I've done everything—now come to Me." His prayer in Gethsemane reveals there was no other way for humanity's redemption. If good works, sincerity, or religious effort could save us, the cross was unnecessary.
Application: Who in your life needs to hear that Jesus is the only way? Pray for courage to share this truth lovingly but clearly this week.
Day 3: Assurance of Salvation
Reading: 1 John 5:1-13
Devotional: John writes so we might KNOW we have eternal life—not hope, not guess, but know with certainty. Salvation isn't graded on a curve. It's not about being "good enough." It's about having the Son. Many believers struggle with assurance because they're looking at themselves instead of Jesus. They examine their performance rather than His promise. But John says clearly: "He who has the Son has life." Your salvation doesn't rest on your ability to hold onto Jesus—it rests on His ability to hold onto you.
Jesus said, "No one can snatch them out of My hand" (John 10:28). When you truly believe in Christ, you're sealed by the Holy Spirit. Your security is in His faithfulness, not yours.
Application: If you lack assurance, stop examining yourself and start examining Jesus. Read His promises and believe them.
Day 4: Obedience Flows from Love
Reading: John 14:15-24
Devotional: "If you love Me, keep My commandments." Jesus links love and obedience inseparably. But notice—obedience doesn't earn His love; it expresses our love for Him. This transforms duty into devotion.
When we truly grasp how much Jesus loves us—that He endured the shame of the cross, bore our sins, experienced separation from the Father—our hearts respond with grateful obedience. Baptism exemplifies this principle. It doesn't save us, but it demonstrates our love for the One who saved us. Henry Blackaby wisely noted: "If I have an obedience problem, I have a love problem." When obedience feels burdensome, we've forgotten the depth of His love. When we remember Calvary, His commands become opportunities to express our gratitude.
Application: Identify one area where you're resisting obedience. Ask God to help you see it as an opportunity to express your love for Him.
Day 5: Public Declaration of Faith
Reading: Matthew 3:13-17; Acts 2:37-41
Devotional: Jesus didn't need baptism for forgiveness—He had no sin. Yet He insisted on being baptized "to fulfill all righteousness." He modeled obedience and identification with those He came to save. If Jesus chose baptism, how can we consider it optional?
Throughout Acts, the pattern is consistent: believe, then be baptized. Three thousand were baptized on Pentecost. The Ethiopian eunuch asked, "What prevents me from being baptized?" Philip's answer: "If you believe." The Philippian jailer and his household believed and were immediately baptized. Baptism is your public declaration: "I belong to Jesus. My old life is buried. I'm walking in newness of life." It's not about pride or performance—it's about identifying with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. When you emerge from the water, you're proclaiming to the world: "I am His, and He is mine."
Application: If you've believed but haven't been baptized, what's holding you back? Take the step of obedience. If you've been baptized, thank God for the privilege of publicly identifying with Jesus.
Day 1: Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ
Reading: Romans 6:1-14
Devotional: Paul's question cuts to the heart of grace: should we keep sinning so grace can increase? His answer is emphatic—absolutely not! When you came to Christ, something profound happened. Your old self was crucified with Him. The person enslaved to sin died. Now you're alive to God in Christ Jesus. This isn't just theological theory—it's daily reality. Each morning, consciously declare: "My old self is dead. I'm putting on my new self today." Sin no longer has authority over you because you're under grace, not law. This doesn't mean you'll never struggle, but it means sin is no longer your master.
Application: Before getting out of bed tomorrow, pray: "Lord, I consider myself dead to sin and alive to You. Help me walk in this truth today."
Day 2: The Only Way to the Father
Reading: John 14:1-14
Devotional: In a world offering countless spiritual paths, Jesus makes an exclusive claim: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." This isn't religious arrogance—it's divine reality. Jesus didn't point to a way; He IS the way.
The disciples wanted directions to the Father. Jesus gave them Himself. Every other religious system says, "Do this and find God." Jesus says, "I've done everything—now come to Me." His prayer in Gethsemane reveals there was no other way for humanity's redemption. If good works, sincerity, or religious effort could save us, the cross was unnecessary.
Application: Who in your life needs to hear that Jesus is the only way? Pray for courage to share this truth lovingly but clearly this week.
Day 3: Assurance of Salvation
Reading: 1 John 5:1-13
Devotional: John writes so we might KNOW we have eternal life—not hope, not guess, but know with certainty. Salvation isn't graded on a curve. It's not about being "good enough." It's about having the Son. Many believers struggle with assurance because they're looking at themselves instead of Jesus. They examine their performance rather than His promise. But John says clearly: "He who has the Son has life." Your salvation doesn't rest on your ability to hold onto Jesus—it rests on His ability to hold onto you.
Jesus said, "No one can snatch them out of My hand" (John 10:28). When you truly believe in Christ, you're sealed by the Holy Spirit. Your security is in His faithfulness, not yours.
Application: If you lack assurance, stop examining yourself and start examining Jesus. Read His promises and believe them.
Day 4: Obedience Flows from Love
Reading: John 14:15-24
Devotional: "If you love Me, keep My commandments." Jesus links love and obedience inseparably. But notice—obedience doesn't earn His love; it expresses our love for Him. This transforms duty into devotion.
When we truly grasp how much Jesus loves us—that He endured the shame of the cross, bore our sins, experienced separation from the Father—our hearts respond with grateful obedience. Baptism exemplifies this principle. It doesn't save us, but it demonstrates our love for the One who saved us. Henry Blackaby wisely noted: "If I have an obedience problem, I have a love problem." When obedience feels burdensome, we've forgotten the depth of His love. When we remember Calvary, His commands become opportunities to express our gratitude.
Application: Identify one area where you're resisting obedience. Ask God to help you see it as an opportunity to express your love for Him.
Day 5: Public Declaration of Faith
Reading: Matthew 3:13-17; Acts 2:37-41
Devotional: Jesus didn't need baptism for forgiveness—He had no sin. Yet He insisted on being baptized "to fulfill all righteousness." He modeled obedience and identification with those He came to save. If Jesus chose baptism, how can we consider it optional?
Throughout Acts, the pattern is consistent: believe, then be baptized. Three thousand were baptized on Pentecost. The Ethiopian eunuch asked, "What prevents me from being baptized?" Philip's answer: "If you believe." The Philippian jailer and his household believed and were immediately baptized. Baptism is your public declaration: "I belong to Jesus. My old life is buried. I'm walking in newness of life." It's not about pride or performance—it's about identifying with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. When you emerge from the water, you're proclaiming to the world: "I am His, and He is mine."
Application: If you've believed but haven't been baptized, what's holding you back? Take the step of obedience. If you've been baptized, thank God for the privilege of publicly identifying with Jesus.
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