Unfinished: Encountering Jesus, Becoming Disciples - Discernment and Prayer

Unfinished: Encountering Jesus, Becoming Disciples – Discernment and Prayer (Matthew 17) - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarboror watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard

Summary:

Pastor Donnell Wyche continues the journey through Peter’s discipleship, focusing this week on Matthew 17 and the Transfiguration. He sets the scene by reminding us of last week’s dramatic exchange between Peter and Jesus, where Peter resisted the idea of a suffering Messiah. Now, just six days later, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a mountain, where they witness something extraordinary—Jesus, radiant in divine glory, standing alongside Moses and Elijah. Overwhelmed, Peter responds the only way he knows how: by offering to build shelters for them. His reaction reveals both his reverence and his impulse to control sacred moments. Before Peter can finish speaking, God’s voice interrupts, affirming Jesus as His beloved Son and commanding the disciples to listen. The experience is overwhelming, leaving the disciples in fear, but Jesus reassures them: Do not be afraid.

 

Pastor Donnell explores the significance of this moment, not just for Peter but for all of us. The Transfiguration reveals the true nature of Jesus, yet Peter—despite witnessing miracles—still struggles to fully grasp it. He wants a Messiah who acts on his expectations, but Jesus is revealing something greater: God’s unfolding plan. The sermon challenges us to reflect on how we, like Peter, sometimes miss God’s voice because we’re too busy speaking, planning, or clinging to our own expectations. Pastor Donnell humorously acknowledges Peter’s talkative nature and how it mirrors our own tendency to process out loud, often missing the deeper invitation to listen. He reminds us that even though God’s audible voice is rare in Scripture, God is still speaking in our lives—if we are willing to hear.

 

The sermon closes with a practical reflection: How do we learn to recognize God’s voice? Pastor Donnell shares personal struggles with hearing from God and emphasizes that it is not reserved for the spiritually elite. Instead, God speaks through relationships, conversations, and unexpected moments. Just as Peter learned through experience, so do we. The invitation is to cultivate discernment through openness, humility, and trust. Whether through Scripture, prayer, or the wisdom of others, we are called to be attentive. Above all, Pastor Donnell reminds us that God’s voice isn’t about mystical revelations—it’s about relationship. By learning to listen, we open ourselves to the transformative work of Christ in our lives.