In this sermon, Rev. Spencer Shaw reflects on the tension between the comfort and discomfort of the gospel, drawing from Luke 4, where Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah in His hometown synagogue. At first, the crowd admires Jesus, but their attitude shifts dramatically when He challenges their understanding of God’s love and grace. Shaw emphasizes that while the gospel offers hope and reconciliation, it also confronts our assumptions, calling us to change and love beyond our comfort zones. He reminds the congregation that following Jesus isn’t always easy, but it’s always good, as it leads to transformation, growth, and deeper discipleship.

Introduction:

• Jesus reads from Isaiah in the synagogue, declaring that the prophecy is fulfilled in Him.
• The crowd’s initial admiration turns to anger when Jesus challenges their expectations.

I. The Comfort and Discomfort of the Gospel

1. The Comfort of the Gospel:
   • Jesus proclaims good news: freedom for the oppressed, healing for the broken, and reconciliation with God.
   • The gospel offers hope, forgiveness, and the promise of eternal life.
2. The Discomfort of the Gospel:
   • The gospel challenges deeply held assumptions, calling for personal transformation and change.
   • Jesus’ message of inclusion—highlighting the stories of the widow in Zarephath and Naaman the Syrian—offended His hometown audience because it expanded God’s grace beyond their expectations.

II. The Challenge of Change

1. God’s Love and Transformation:
   • "God loves you just as you are, and He loves you too much to leave you that way."
   • The process of sanctification, being made holy, is often uncomfortable but necessary for growth.
2. Living the Gospel in Difficult Moments:
   • Following Jesus means embracing both the joy and the weight of the gospel.
   • Discipleship requires loving others without questioning their worthiness, reflecting God’s unconditional love.

III. Holding Comfort and Discomfort Together

1. Avoiding Cheap Grace:
   • Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s concept of “cheap grace” warns against a gospel that offers comfort without the cost of transformation.
   • True grace calls for both acceptance and growth, comfort and challenge.
2. Jesus as the Ultimate Example:
   • Jesus faced rejection, suffering, and even death for living out the gospel fully.
   • His call to “follow me” includes both the promise of rest and the reality of hardship.

Conclusion:

• The gospel’s comfort sustains believers through its discomfort.
• Christ invites us to follow Him, even when it’s hard, with the assurance of His presence and the hope of eternal life.