Edition 2026, Volume 35

Matthew 16:21–28 NLT

After Peter’s bold confession earlier in this chapter (vv. 13–20) “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” Jesus begins to reveal what His mission truly requires: suffering, rejection, death, and resurrection. This is a sobering shift. The disciples have just seen Jesus clearly, and now they must learn what it means to follow the One they confessed.

Peter reacts emotionally, trying to protect Jesus from the path of suffering. But Jesus corrects him sharply, exposing the deeper issue: Peter is seeing through human perspective rather than God’s perspective. The temptation is not Peter himself, it is the pull away from the cross, away from surrender, away from God’s redemptive plan.

Then Jesus turns to all His disciples and gives three commands that define the battle within every believer, the battle between self and Savior.

1. Deny Yourself/Give Up Your Own Way

This is not self‑hatred, it is surrender. It is the daily conflict between my will and God’s will.

o   My will says, “I want what feels right.”

God’s will says, “Do what is right.”

o   My will says, “I want the easy way.”

God’s will says, “Take the faithful way.”

Discipleship begins when we stop insisting on being in control.

2. Take Up Your Cross

The cross is not random suffering, it is purposeful obedience. It confronts the tension between comfort and calling.

o   Comfort says, “Avoid pain.”

Calling says, “Walk through pain with purpose.”

o   Comfort says, “Protect yourself.”

Calling says, “Offer yourself.”

The cross is where self-dies and real life begins.

3. Follow Me

Following Jesus is not a one‑time decision; it is a daily direction. It means letting Him set the pace, the path, and the priorities.

o   My plan is usually about success.

God’s purpose is always about surrender.

o   My plan is about what I want to build.

God’s purpose is about who He wants me to become.

Your plan may give you the life you want, God’s purpose gives you the life you were made for.

So, the question before us today is simple: Are we holding on, or are we following?

Discipleship is not about what we keep, it is about who we follow.

And when we follow Jesus, we don’t just find life, we find real life, eternal life, and abundant life in Him.

Peace and blessings,

Pastor Eddie

(Based on Sunday’s sermon, August 30, 2026)

Weekly Devotional

“The Battle Between Self and Savior”

Weekly Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me surrender my will, embrace Your calling, and follow You daily. Break the grip of self within me and strengthen the work of the Savior in me. Lead me into the life I was created for—full, eternal, and rooted in You. Amen.

Weekly Prayer Request

Richard Ewert, Matthew Franklin, Scott Harvey, Diana Huckleberry, Rick Mielke, Brian Williams and The family of Bob Wilson.

* If you would like to add someone to the weekly prayer list please reply or send an email to tuxedo.park@sbcglobal.net

Announcements

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