June 21, 2026

In this homily, Pastor Lesley admits she wrestled with this week’s challenging Gospel text, choosing to take a practical approach to examine the true "job description" and "benefits package" of following Jesus.

Breaking down the difficult instructions of Matthew 10, she outlines what it costs to be a disciple: striving to be Christ-like, facing opposition, speaking the truth in love (because Jesus wasn’t just "nice"), and putting allegiance to Christ above all else. Pastor Lesley shares a deeply personal story of the social cost she paid when leaving the secular business world for seminary, illustrating that taking up our cross often requires genuine sacrifice.

However, the "compensation package" makes it all worth it. Despite the demands and the loss, followers of Jesus are promised deep fellowship with Christ, true life through surrender, and the assurance that God knows and loves us down to the very hairs on our heads.