Here is a recap of our message from this weekend...

CROWNED: THE CROWN OF COMFORT

First and foremost, we're celebrating 92 baptisms this Sunday! Praising God for everyone who took that next step. 92 people who put their comfort aside and chose Jesus over everything.

In Week 4 of the “Crowned” series, Pastor Jared brings a powerful close with The Crown of Comfort. In a world that idolizes convenience and ease, Jesus calls us to something higher: purpose, obedience, and surrender. Drawing from Matthew 16, this message challenges believers to stop crowning comfort and start embracing the call of Christ—no matter the cost.

Weekly Bible Study List

1. Matthew 16:24–26 (NIV) - “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me... What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
2. James 4:17 (NIV) - “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”

The Sunday Outline & Notes

Pastor Jared opens with a relatable illustration—a new, cozy couch that’s so comfortable, it makes you never want to get up. While comfort can feel like a gift, it can also become a spiritual trap. He explains how comfort, when idolized, slowly lulls us out of obedience and into spiritual stagnation.

Jesus tells His disciples they must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. This shocking instruction comes just after a spiritual high point—Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah. But Jesus makes it clear: following Him means letting go of comfort.

Point 1: Comfort Sedates Us

Comfort isn’t bad, but it’s addictive. It promises relief, but it numbs our hunger for growth. Just like pain medication hides symptoms without healing the source, comfort can hide our spiritual wounds instead of leading us toward healing. When comfort rules our decisions, we begin resisting the very faith that was meant to change us.

Point 2: Comfort Competes with Your Calling

Comfort doesn’t just slow us down—it starts fighting for the place that belongs to our calling. God says, “Step out,” while comfort says, “Stay safe.” It often masquerades as wisdom, but it’s disobedience in disguise. Like hitting the snooze button, comfort gives short-term relief but long-term chaos. Spiritually, many of us have been snoozing on the things God has clearly asked us to do.

Point 3: Comfort Will Cost You

Pastor Jared warns that comfort always comes with a hidden cost. Like a free trial we forget to cancel, it feels harmless in the moment, but collects payment in the form of regret, missed assignments, and lost purpose. As James 4:17 says, knowing what is right and choosing not to act is sin.

Application

If we want to crown Jesus instead of comfort, we must make three key decisions this week:

1. Stop Attaching Obedience to Comfort - Obedience should never be determined by convenience. It’s not about ease—it’s about God’s will.
2. Take One Step That Costs You Something - Whether it’s baptism, forgiving someone, or stepping into ministry—true growth always costs something.
3. Say Yes Without a Backup Plan - Comfort loves contingency plans. But faith says, “I’m all in.” There’s no halfway when it comes to surrender.

Worship Setlist

1. Goodbye Yesterday
2. The Anthem
3. Worthy
4. Who Else
5. Worthy of It All

Quotes Worth Reposting on Social Media

1. “Comfort feels good—but it never produces greatness.”
2. “Jesus never promised comfort—but He did promise purpose.”
3. “If you want to follow Jesus, comfort can’t come with you.”
4. “Comfort sedates us. Calling stretches us.”
5. “Comfort doesn’t sound sinful—it often sounds like wisdom.”
6. “Finding comfort doesn’t heal what’s hurting—it hides what’s missing.”
7. “Every time God calls you forward, comfort calls you back.”
8. “Delayed obedience isn’t hesitation—it’s disobedience.”
9. “Comfort will keep you dry, but surrender will move you forward.”
10. “Faith begins where comfort ends—and freedom begins where obedience starts.”

WATCH SERMON

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