valuable - passion over comfort

Water cooler conversation:  

  • What was your biggest win this week? What was your biggest challenge?

  • What was the best Halloween costume you ever wore?

Unpack the Message:

EXPECTATION CHURCH EXISTS SO THAT PEOPLE FAR FROM GOD WILL EXPERIENCE FAITH IN CHRIST. 

This week we unpack our core value, PASSION OVER COMFORT, because we are WILLING TO SUFFER FOR JESUS.

In contemporary use, the word passion is generally equated with romantic love or physical desire. However, its meaning is much more complex, evolving from the Latin passionem (enduring or suffering) as in "the sufferings of Christ on the Cross; the death of Christ."

At Expectation, one of our core values is placing "PASSION OVER COMFORT." We acknowledge that we will never live out the mission God has given us (Matthew 28:18-20) if we allow comfort to be our goal. Human nature runs toward comfort, but this directly conflicts with our mission to make disciples. 

In Matthew 16, on the pretense that they then would accept His claim as the Messiah, the Pharisees and Sadducees demand Jesus give them a sign as proof. Jesus sees through their deception and refuses. Though they were privileged to witness many of the many miracles Jesus performed, they refused to believe. Their rigidity and refusal to accept that Jesus fulfilled every Messianic prophecy enabled them to stay within their comfort zone rather than step out in faith. 

In Matthew 16:21-28, Jesus reveals the chasm between His call to discipleship and our lives as part-time servants of the gospel. Few of us leave everything behind to start a new life of service for the sake of the mission. Instead, many of us wedge our faith into our schedule in contrast to Jesus' example—making disciples was the heartbeat of His ministry.  

Later in Matthew 16, Jesus tells Peter, "upon this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18), in affirmation of Peter's assertion that Jesus is "the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus then explains what the coming days will bring, including His death and resurrection. Peter is appalled at Jesus' statement, pulls Him aside, and says," 'Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you!'" Jesus turns to Peter and cries, "Get behind me, Satan!" At that moment, Peter plunges from mountain peak to valley in the blink of an eye. Jesus' rebuke of Peter as a "stumbling block" stings - his eyes have shifted from the eternal to the temporal.  

Jesus explains that to be a true disciple, one must take up their cross and follow Him because "For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it" (Matthew 16:25). Crucifixion was a horrific and shameful punishment carried out by the Romans on slaves, disgraced soldiers, Christians, and foreigners and rarely on Roman citizens. For Jesus to equate following Him with carrying one's cross would have been disconcerting. But, Jesus didn't want His words left for interpretation - His followers must be willing to be uncomfortable to accomplish the mission. 

PASSION OVER COMFORT IS ABOUT FOLLOWING JESUS

Jesus constantly placed Himself in uncomfortable situations to fulfill the mission to which God had called Him. There's nothing wrong with enjoying the comforts this world has to offer. The problem arises when the need for comfort supersedes all others—it's then that it becomes an idol. Passion Over Comfort means we follow Jesus into the uncomfortable. 

PASSION OVER COMFORT IS NOT NATURAL; IT IS SUPERNATURAL

Human nature leads us to seek comfort, whereas pursuing the mission leads us to step out in discomfort because we comprehend the mission's imperative. 

PASSION OVER COMFORT IS ABOUT LOSING YOUR LIFE

God may never call you to die for Him physically, but all those who name the name of Jesus as His followers are called to lay down our lives for Him. Why? Because He laid down His life for us (John 3:16; Mark 10:45). 

PASSION OVER COMFORT IS ABOUT LOOKING THROUGH

Instead of focusing on what makes us uncomfortable, we need to remember that there is a promise on the other side of that suffering (Hebrews 12:3). Placing passion over comfort is a willingness to suffer for Jesus because we know it's not the end of the story. 

PASSION OVER COMFORT IS WHERE LIFE IS FOUND

Jesus promised His disciples that "whoever loses their life for me will find it." Therefore, if we want the abundant life He has promised on the other side of suffering, we must be willing to die to ourselves and live for Him (Mark 8:36).  

  • How are we similar to the Pharisees when we continue to persist and ask God for “proof” of His will and leading into discomfort?

  • Do we ever behave like Peter in these verses? Do we doubt God's plan or try to force our way instead of following God's lead?

  • Was Peter wrong for not wanting Jesus to die? Discuss a time when you wanted God to act one way, and He didn't meet your expectations.

  • What do you learn about Peter from verse 22? Does this align with what you know about his character? Future ministry?

  • Do you think Jesus might have used different words in speaking to disciples other than Peter? Why or why not? 

  • Is there anything you're doing for God right now that's pulling you out of your comfort zone? When was the last time? 

  • Sometimes believers say they are willing to die for Christ but don't dare share the gospel with friends or co-workers. Share a time when fear held you back from doing something you knew God wanted you to do. 

Make a Move: 

Identify someone in your life who is far from God. Then, step out in obedience and be intentional in sharing the gospel with them. 

Prayer Prompt:

Father, you know my heart. Give me Your courage when mine fails, help my heart reflect Yours, and may I never let an opportunity share the hope of new life in You when I encounter someone lost and far from Christ. Thank you for the promise of Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Amen

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