in week two of our Hunger Pangs series, “Perfect Choice,” confronts the deeply rooted belief that our messiness, past rejection, or perceived lack of value disqualifies us from being chosen by God. Pastor David opens with humor and warmth before guiding us into a message centered on identity, worth, and discipleship. Using the relatable analogy of middle-school gym class—being picked last or overlooked—he establishes the central truth of the message: “Our messiness makes us perfect for being chosen by Jesus.” This teaching reframes how we interpret failure, rejection, and insecurity in light of Christ’s calling.
Anchored in Matthew 14:22–33, the message walks verse by verse through the story of Jesus walking on water and Peter stepping out of the boat. Pastor David highlights that Jesus Himself sent all twelve disciples into resistance and that Peter’s sinking was not caused by a lack of faith in Jesus’ power, but by doubting Jesus’ choice of him. As stated directly in the message: “Not being like Jesus is more rooted in doubting His choice than His power.” Peter’s cry—“Lord, save me”—reveals unwavering trust in Jesus’ authority even while wrestling with his own worthiness.
Pastor David then brings powerful historical and cultural context by explaining the Jewish rabbinical system—how young boys memorized Scripture, faced evaluation, and were often rejected by age ten or fifteen. Every disciple on the boat had already been told, “You didn’t make the cut.” Against that backdrop, Jesus’ invitation—“Come and follow Me” (Matthew 11:28–30)—becomes radically countercultural. To follow a rabbi meant walking so closely behind him that you were covered in his dust. From this imagery, Pastor David shares several core truths verbatim from the message: “Following closely behind Jesus will make who you’ve been unrecognizable,” “We become disciples of what we spend our lives attached to,” and “Seeing ourselves as too messy or too perfect keeps us from following Jesus.”
The message closes with a Spirit-led invitation to surrender—whether burdened by brokenness or blinded by self-sufficiency. Pastor David prays over those struggling to believe they are lovable, chosen, and worthy of discipleship, quoting Scripture such as 2 Corinthians 12:9 (“My strength is made perfect in weakness”) and Luke 7:47 (“He who has been forgiven much loves much”). Many respond by saying yes to Jesus for the first time, celebrating new life and the call to walk closely, stay in step, and be “dusted by the Rabbi.”
Scripture referenced:
Matthew 14:22–33
Matthew 13:13–21
Matthew 11:28–30
Luke 7:47
2 Corinthians 12:9
Matthew 4
Isaiah 53
Job 7
