Embracing Risk: The Call Beyond Comfort

Devotional

Day 1: The Danger of Lukewarm Faith

Jesus warns against a half-hearted, lukewarm faith that neither refreshes nor heals, but instead leaves us numb and unaware of our true spiritual condition. Like the church in Laodicea, it is easy to become so comfortable and self-sufficient that we lose sight of our need for Christ, mistaking material prosperity for spiritual health. True faith is vibrant and alive, either bringing refreshment or healing to others, but never settling for complacency. Jesus desires a passionate, engaged relationship with us, not one dulled by the comforts of life. [36:10]

Revelation 3:14-17 (ESV)
“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”

Reflection: In what area of your life have you settled for spiritual comfort or complacency, and how can you invite Jesus to rekindle your passion for Him today?

Day 2: Comfort Numbs Us to Our Need for God

Comfort can quietly insulate us from our true spiritual needs, convincing us that we are fine on our own and dulling our dependence on God. When life is easy and predictable, we may stop praying with urgency, stop growing because we avoid challenge, and stop stepping out in faith because we fear risk. This self-sufficiency masks our spiritual poverty and keeps us from experiencing the fullness of life that comes from relying on God. [39:46]

Psalm 63:1 (ESV)
“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”

Reflection: When was the last time you truly needed God and cried out to Him? What would it look like to depend on Him more deeply this week?

Day 3: Jesus Knocks—Intimacy and Mission Await

Jesus stands at the door and knocks, longing not just for a casual relationship but for deep intimacy and partnership in His mission. Too often, comfort pushes Jesus to the periphery of our lives, leaving Him outside while we manage things on our own. Yet, He patiently calls us to open the door, promising to come in, share fellowship, and lead us into a life of purpose and meaning that we cannot find in comfort alone. [42:02]

Revelation 3:20 (ESV)
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense Jesus knocking, inviting you to deeper intimacy or a new step of obedience? Will you open the door to Him today?

Day 4: Risking Comfort for Kingdom Purpose

The call of Jesus is not to a cozy, predictable life, but to one of risk, surrender, and obedience for the sake of His kingdom. Throughout Scripture, God’s people—like Abraham, Peter, and Paul—left behind comfort and security to follow God’s call, trusting Him with the unknown. The lure of comfort loses its grip when we fix our eyes on Christ and His mission, finding true life and joy in stepping out in faith. [43:47]

Galatians 6:14 (ESV)
“But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

Reflection: What step of faith or obedience have you been avoiding because it feels too risky or uncomfortable? How can you trust God and say yes to Him today?

Day 5: Don’t Waste Your Life—Live for What Matters

The world tempts us to pursue a life of ease, safety, and self-centered success, but Jesus calls us to a life that counts for eternity. The tragedy is not in failing, but in coming to the end of our lives with nothing but comfort and trivial pursuits to show. Instead, we are invited to step out of our comfort zones, embrace God’s purpose, and make our lives count for His kingdom—serving, giving, witnessing, and growing in Christ. [47:19]

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can step out of your comfort zone this week to serve, give, or share Christ with someone, making your life count for what truly matters?

Sermon Summary

Last week, we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus with over a thousand people gathered together—each person representing a unique story that matters deeply to God. It’s a joy to see so many of you inviting friends and family, knowing that every encounter with Christ can change a life. But as we move forward, I want us to reflect on what it means to truly follow Jesus, especially in a culture that prizes comfort, convenience, and control.

I shared a story from my own life—how, as a teenager, I was bold and unashamed to share my faith, even in a hospital room after a serious accident. But over time, I noticed that my zeal had faded, replaced by a desire for comfort and a tendency to avoid discomfort at all costs. This is the subtle danger of what I call the “sins of suburbia”—comfort, convenience, control, complacency, comparison, consumerism, and conceit. These aren’t just cultural influences; they are modern-day idols that compete with Christ for the throne of our hearts.

We looked at Jesus’ words to the church in Laodicea in Revelation 3. This was a wealthy, comfortable church that didn’t realize how spiritually poor and needy they truly were. Jesus rebuked them for being “lukewarm”—neither hot nor cold, but tepid and ineffective. He warned that comfort can numb us to our true spiritual condition, convincing us that we don’t need God and dulling our hunger for Him. When comfort becomes our compass, we stop growing, stop risking, and stop depending on God.

But Jesus stands at the door and knocks—not to condemn, but to invite us into deeper intimacy and purpose. He calls us to a risky, surrendered life, not a cozy, climate-controlled existence. The world tells us to pursue ease and safety, but Jesus calls us to step out in faith, to risk for the sake of His kingdom, and to make our lives count for what truly matters. Don’t settle for a forgettable, comfortable life. Ask the Lord to show you where comfort has become your driver, and open the door to Him. Say yes to the next step of faith, whatever it may be, and let your life be marked by purpose, risk, and surrender to Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. Every person is a story that matters to God, and our calling is to help others encounter Jesus. When we invite others into our community, we’re not just filling seats—we’re opening doors for transformation and hope. The value of a soul far outweighs any number or statistic, and we must never lose sight of the individual stories God is writing among us. [23:06]
2. The greatest threats to our faith often come disguised as comfort, ease, and a well-managed life. These “suburban sins” are subtle, but they quietly undermine our dependence on God and our passion for His mission. When comfort becomes our goal, we risk missing out on the radical, upside-down way of following Jesus that brings true life. [26:27]
3. Comfort numbs us to our true spiritual condition, convincing us that we are fine without God. Like the church in Laodicea, we can become blind to our need, insulated from challenge, and complacent in our faith. True growth and dependence on God only come when we are willing to be uncomfortable, to be challenged, and to admit our need for Him. [36:10]
4. Jesus stands at the door and knocks—not to condemn, but to invite us into deeper intimacy and purpose. He longs to be at the center of our lives, not on the periphery. When we prioritize comfort over calling, we keep Him outside, but when we open the door, we discover the joy, purpose, and fire that only He can bring. [42:02]
5. The call of Christ is to a risky, surrendered life, not a cozy, forgettable existence. The world urges us to settle for ease and safety, but Jesus calls us to step out in faith, to risk for the sake of His kingdom, and to make our lives count for what truly matters. Don’t waste your life chasing comfort—embrace the adventure of following Jesus wherever He leads. [47:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Celebrating Easter and New Faces
[02:30] - Every Story Matters to God
[04:10] - Inviting and Connecting with New Believers
[06:00] - A Passion for Reaching People
[08:15] - My Story: Boldness in Youth
[11:00] - The Sins of Suburbia
[13:30] - Introducing the Series: Modern Idols
[15:20] - Revelation 3: The Church in Laodicea
[18:00] - Lukewarm Faith Explained
[21:00] - Comfort Numbs Our Need for God
[24:00] - The Deception of Comfort
[27:00] - Jesus Knocks: Invitation to Intimacy
[29:00] - Risk, Surrender, and Kingdom Purpose
[32:00] - Prayer and Closing Challenge

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Revelation 3:14-22 (ESV) — To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.
“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Observation Questions

What does Jesus say is the spiritual condition of the church in Laodicea, and how do they see themselves differently? (Revelation 3:17)
According to the sermon, what are some of the “sins of suburbia” that can quietly take over our hearts? [26:27]
What does Jesus mean when He says He stands at the door and knocks? What is He inviting the church to do? (Revelation 3:20)
In the sermon, what real-life examples did the pastor use to show how comfort can replace boldness and dependence on God? [25:08]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus use the imagery of “lukewarm” water to describe the church in Laodicea? What does it mean to be spiritually lukewarm? (Revelation 3:15-16)
How can comfort, convenience, and control become “modern-day idols” in our lives, according to the sermon? [26:27]
What does it look like for Jesus to be “on the outside” of our lives or our church, rather than at the center? [40:48]
The pastor said that comfort can numb us to our true spiritual condition. How might someone recognize if this is happening in their own life? [36:10]

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to see where comfort has become our “driver.” What is one area of your life where you tend to choose comfort over faith or obedience? What would it look like to open that door to Jesus this week? [47:19]
The “sins of suburbia” include things like complacency, comparison, and consumerism. Which of these do you struggle with most, and how does it affect your relationship with God? [26:27]
The pastor shared about being bold in sharing his faith as a teenager, but losing that boldness over time. Have you noticed a similar change in your own life? What might be causing it? [25:08]
Jesus invites us into deeper intimacy and purpose, not to condemn but to call us higher. What is one step of faith or risk you sense God might be asking you to take right now? [42:02]
The sermon mentioned that when comfort becomes our compass, we stop growing and risking for God. Can you think of a time when you avoided a challenge or risk because it was uncomfortable? What was the result? [39:46]
The pastor quoted John Piper about not wasting your life on “collecting shells.” What does it mean for you to make your life count for what truly matters? [45:15]
Who is one person in your life whose story matters to God, and how can you help them encounter Jesus this week? [23:06]

Sermon Clips

What if, hear me out here, what if the greatest threats to your faith didn't appear evil, but came disguised as comfort, ease, and a well -managed life? You know, most of us will not see comfort as a sin. [00:27:15] (24 seconds) Edit Clip

Suburban life comfort convenience control complacency comparison consumerism and conceit these aren't just cultural influences their modern -day idols they compete with Christ for the throne of our heart each week in the series we will confront one of these suburban sins I want to unmask their impact in our lives and I want us to rediscover the radical upside down way of following Jesus will you choose the way of suburbia or the way of the Savior [00:28:26] (52 seconds) Edit Clip

Comfort convinces us you're fine without any dependence on God. We insulate our lives from need, from pain. We insulate ourselves from even being challenged. We stop praying because there's no emergency. We stop growing because we don't want to be challenged. We stop taking risks because we think we have so much to lose. The Laodiceans thought they were just fine, but their comfort masked their need. They weren't in crisis, but they were in danger. [00:36:59] (44 seconds) Edit Clip

It whispers that we're okay when we're not. It convinces us that dependence is weakness and that needing God is really only for emergencies. In our suburban life, where we can control the thermostat, we plan our retirement, we can even order groceries online and have them delivered to our front door in one hour. It's easy to insulate ourselves from the very things that will bring us spiritual hunger. Lord, I need you. When was the last time you were taken to your knees crying out to God, I need you, Lord? Lord, here's the danger. Comfort dulls our dependence. [00:38:49] (56 seconds) Edit Clip

If comfort has removed the sense of need in your life, it's probable. It's also removed a fire in your belly for him and the lost. Jesus calls us to a risky, not cozy life. Let's be honest. Comfort is easier. It's predictable. It's padded. It's a path of least resistance. But Jesus did not hang on a cross so that we could have a climate -controlled Christian life. [00:40:31] (39 seconds) Edit Clip

He calls us into something far greater, a risky life of obedience and on mission. We just read in Revelation 3 .20, Jesus says, here I am. I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in. Now, that verse is not about a casual relationship with Jesus. No. It's about intimacy, being known. And it's about mission. But I want us to notice, where's Jesus? On the outside. He's on the periphery. He's not in the center. This is what happened to the Laodicean church. They were so comfortable. They had everything except the presence of Christ. He was outside knocking. Hey, you want to open the door and let me in? [00:40:59] (63 seconds) Edit Clip

Jesus doesn't knock to condemn you. He knocks to call us to something greater. He's not trying to rip away your comfort to punish you. He's calling you into a deeper life that you're actually longing for. The joy, the purpose, the fire in your soul. Comfort's robbed that from you. It's robbed me. [00:42:04] (31 seconds) Edit Clip

The apostle Paul said this in Galatians, But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me. And I to the world. What does he mean? You see, the lure of a cozy, comfortable life is dead to him. It has no appeal at all. As a matter of fact, Paul was willing to be crucified for the sake of those to get away from cozy comfort life and embrace Jesus. He would have risked his life and did. [00:43:31] (39 seconds) Edit Clip

Don't show up to the end of your life with nothing but seashells in your hand and a compass that's simply pointing right back to you. Step out of comfort. Say yes to a kingdom purpose. A life that you were really made for. Ask the Lord right now to help you identify one area of your life where comfort has been your driver. Then intentionally open the door and let Jesus in. [00:46:41] (37 seconds) Edit Clip

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