By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of Lakepointe Church.

Imagine a church leader standing before a packed sanctuary of 4,500, admitting that he can be a “jerk” to his own wife because he feels overly secure. That raw confession isn’t a confession of defeat; it’s the spark that ignites a fierce call to die to self‑interest and embrace the crucified life.

The Gift of a “Call to Die”

Host Josh Howerton introduces the teaching as a continuation of Lakepointe Church’s “Live Free” podcast series, inviting listeners to explore theological ideas that didn’t fit into the Sunday sermon. The guest, David Nassar, recounts a 40‑day fasting journal project where participants gave up neutral comforts like television and the internet—not sin, but distractions. During that time, Nassar says the Holy Spirit gave him the title “A Call to Die,” describing it as “40 days of dying to self and growing in God.”

He shares the uphill battle of trying to publish his book, noting that publishers in Colorado Springs and Nashville warned him, “no one’s going to want to buy a book from an Iranian called *A Call to Die*.” The resistance, he argues, reflects a broader cultural reluctance to embrace a message that asks believers to surrender, rather than to seek immediate personal gain.

Cultural Christianity vs. the Gospel’s Radical Demand

Nassar draws a stark contrast between what he calls “cultural Christianity” and the biblical call to crucifixion. He observes, “We’ve turned Christianity into a self‑improvement program… a user‑friendly message instead of a message of crucifixion.” The language of upgrades—“go from coach to first class” or “from a seat to a suite”—has, in his view, replaced the stark reality of dying to self.

He warns that this sanitizing of the gospel creates “white‑washed hymns,” a phrase that captures how the church can paint over the rotten interior of a faith that has been domesticated for comfort. The solution, he insists, is to return to the original call that Jesus made 1,996 years ago: a call to die.

Personal Conviction and Corporate Sin

In a moment of vulnerability, Nassar admits that his own marriage suffers from complacency. “I can be such a jerk to my wife because I just have security,” he says, highlighting the short leash of judgment he extends to others while granting himself mercy. This personal confession serves as a mirror for the congregation, urging them to examine their own “short leash” of self‑control.

He expands the scope from individual failings to the collective sin of the church body. Citing the massive Lakepointe network—“97,000 people that come here, just Lakepointe alone”—he asks listeners to consider the cumulative weight of sin across every campus, every fellowship, and even the broader Dallas‑Fort Worth area. “Think about every sin that’s been committed in the United States of America,” he challenges, moving from personal to national reflection.

The Crucified Life: A Practical Path Forward

Turning theory into practice, Nassar offers two concrete points. First, he declares, “The crucified life begins with this reality: It’s done. It is finished.” He emphasizes that the death of Christ is a finished work that becomes the gateway for believers to die to themselves.

Second, he urges listeners to lower their expectations, noting that this teaching is “the kiddie pool” compared to deeper theological discourse. Yet he insists that even this simplified entry point leads to the profound truth that “Christianity at its very core is not about cleaning up, but giving up.” The call is to surrender personal ambition, preference, and tribal identity in favor of the cross.

He concludes with a stark visual: “He who knew no sin became sin so that we could become the righteousness of God.” By internalizing that the Savior bore every individual’s sin, believers are invited to respond with a self‑less, sacrificial love that mirrors Christ’s own death.

Why This Message Matters Today

The teaching resonates beyond Lakepointe’s walls because it confronts a pervasive trend in many churches: the dilution of the gospel into feel‑good positivity. In an era where “best life now” dominates cultural narratives, the insistence on a “call to die” challenges believers to reconsider what true fulfillment looks like.

For a congregation that boasts over 100 campuses and a growing national footprint, embracing this radical message could reshape how the church engages culture, evangelism, and discipleship. Rather than offering a polished, marketable version of faith, the church is called to model the gritty, sacrificial love that the world so desperately needs.

Ultimately, the discussion serves as a reminder that the Christian journey is less about personal upgrades and more about the costly, transformative death that leads to new life.

The full episode of Lakepointe Church is available on OBBM Network TV.