SERMONS
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We can only imagine the fear Peter must have felt. He had just been with Jesus and the other disciples when hundreds of soldiers and the temple police came with lanterns and torches and weapons to arrest Jesus in the dark of night. So it’s not surprising that now, waiting in the courtyard of the high priest with the police all around, Peter gives fear the upper hand and denies (three times) being one of Jesus’ disciples. But as the story will bear out, even when we are not faithful, Jesus remains faithful to the God he calls Father and to the world he came to save. Pilate asks Jesus, “Do you not know that I have the power to release you, and power to crucify you?” Indeed, power has the capacity to bring about immense good but also immense suffering. Scripture reminds us that God’s justice does not operate by the sword of empire but by God’s deep and abiding love for all creation. Governments are accountable to God’s standards of justice and mercy, and when leaders abuse their power they are not serving God’s purposes but resisting them. As we continue in John’s gospel during our Lenten journey, we’ll see that Jesus calls out injustices, refuses to let Peter fight with the sword, and willingly bears the violence of the world in his own body. His kingdom does not advance by coercion or force but by the power of his self-giving love for all - including those who will nail him to the cross. Ruth Sorenson-Prokosch Matthew 7:24-29, Matthew 7:1-14 Corina Forcey Matthew 13:24-43Steve Sylvester - March 8, 2026
Fear has the Upper Hand
From Series: "You're Invited to See the Power Struggle"
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SERMON ARCHIVES
We can only imagine the fear Peter must have felt. He had just been with Jesus and the other disciples when hundreds of soldiers and the temple police came with lanterns and torches and weapons to arrest Jesus in the dark of night. So it’s not surprising that now, waiting in the courtyard of the high priest with the police all around, Peter gives fear the upper hand and denies (three times) being one of Jesus’ disciples. But as the story will bear out, even when we are not faithful, Jesus remains faithful to the God he calls Father and to the world he came to save. Pilate asks Jesus, “Do you not know that I have the power to release you, and power to crucify you?” Indeed, power has the capacity to bring about immense good but also immense suffering. Scripture reminds us that God’s justice does not operate by the sword of empire but by God’s deep and abiding love for all creation. Governments are accountable to God’s standards of justice and mercy, and when leaders abuse their power they are not serving God’s purposes but resisting them. As we continue in John’s gospel during our Lenten journey, we’ll see that Jesus calls out injustices, refuses to let Peter fight with the sword, and willingly bears the violence of the world in his own body. His kingdom does not advance by coercion or force but by the power of his self-giving love for all - including those who will nail him to the cross. Steve Sylvester - March 8, 2026
Fear has the Upper Hand
From Series: "You're Invited to See the Power Struggle"
More Messages
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