August 30, 2026

In this homily, Pastor Lesley reflects on Peter’s very human struggle to follow Jesus faithfully. One moment Peter boldly confesses that Jesus is the Messiah, and the next he tries to stop Jesus from going to Jerusalem. Through Peter’s hesitation, fear, and love for his teacher, we see our own tendency to resist God’s call when it leads us toward change, surrender, or uncertainty.

This message reminds us that following Jesus is not about controlling God or managing the mission. It is about stepping aside, surrendering ourselves, and trusting Christ to lead. Pastor Lesley names how difficult that can be for individuals and churches alike, especially when fear, exhaustion, or attachment to what is familiar keeps us stuck.

But the good news is that God does not give up on us. Just as Jesus did not cast Peter away, God continues to call us back, inviting us again and again to move from fear into faith, from self-protection into discipleship, and from resistance into deeper trust. This is a sermon about patience, transformation, and learning once more to follow where Jesus leads.