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

EMPOWERED: TRUTH OR DARE

This message from Pastor Jared continues the “Empowered” series, focusing on how grace and truth must coexist in a healthy faith. Using the story of the Rich Young Ruler, we’re challenged to confront entitlement in our spiritual lives and embrace full surrender to Jesus. A faith filled with grace but lacking truth leads to comfort without transformation. Pastor Jared dares us to embrace conviction, invite accountability, and surrender all.

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Weekly Bible Study List

John 1:14 – “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us... full of grace and truth.”
Matthew 19:16-22 – The story of the Rich Young Ruler
2 Timothy 4:3-4 – “They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
Matthew 16:24 – “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
Luke 12:34 – “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

The Sunday Outline & Notes

Pastor Jared opened the sermon by welcoming guests to One City Church and diving into the “Empowered” series. The series is built around John 1:14, which reveals the framework Jesus gives for a healthy life: being full of grace and truth.

The Matrix of Faith: Four Cultures

He revisited the “Grace and Truth Matrix,” which outlines how people live in various combinations of grace and truth. Last week focused on a burnout faith (truth-heavy, grace-lacking), while this week explored entitled faith (grace-heavy, truth-lacking).

The Root of Entitled Faith

Pastor Jared boldly addressed today’s cultural mindset of self-centeredness and how it’s crept into the church. Many believers now seek comfort without conviction, loving the support of Jesus but resisting His authority. This imbalance fosters a faith that lacks transformation.

The Rich Young Ruler: Grace Attracts, Truth Challenges

Drawing from Matthew 19:16-22, Pastor Jared unpacked the Rich Young Ruler’s story. The man eagerly approached Jesus for support but left saddened when confronted with truth — the challenge to surrender his wealth. This demonstrates how many embrace the grace of Jesus but reject His challenge.

Point 1: Truth Confronts what Entitlement Protects

Entitlement is subtle — it begins when our preferences become expectations. Jesus challenged the Rich Young Ruler not to confront his sin, but his security. What are we still holding tighter than Jesus?

Point 2: Entitlements Grows Where Truth Is Absent

Pastor Jared warned that when churches remove truth in favor of grace alone, they breed entitlement. This creates believers who expect the church to serve them, but never grow into discipleship. Without truth, support becomes shallow.

Point 3: Surrender is Still the Standard

The message emphasized that Jesus isn’t looking for partial obedience. He wants full surrender. The Rich Young Ruler didn’t walk away because he didn’t believe — he walked away because he wouldn’t pay the cost. True freedom isn’t in selective obedience; it’s in total surrender.

From Sermon to Action

In the final moments, Pastor Jared challenged the congregation with three practical dares:

Dare to ask God to expose entitlement in your heart.
Dare to embrace conviction as a gift, not a punishment.
Dare to invite accountability — through community, C-groups, and trusted relationships.

Worship Setlist

Goodbye Yesterday
Praise
What a God

Quotes Worth Reposting on Social Media

“Grace without truth will comfort you, but it won’t change you.”
“Entitlement starts when I allow my preference to become my expectation.”
“Jesus doesn’t want part of you. He wants all of you.”
“Conviction is not God rejecting you — it’s God correcting you.”
“We’ve built churches where grace is celebrated, but truth is optional.”
“You can’t treat what you’re unwilling to admit is a problem.”
“Without accountability, you’ll just make excuses.”
“Jesus isn’t looking to support your lifestyle — He’s calling you to surrender it.”
“It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being surrendered.”
“We are creating crowds but losing disciples.”

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