There’s a new series we’re starting called Unpopular Opinion, and the reason is simple: some of the most important things Jesus said were also some of the least popular things to hear. My dad used to say, “What is right is not always popular. And what is popular is not always right.” Jesus lived that. He modeled it. And if we’re going to follow Him, we have to be okay with truth that stretches us.

Here’s something important to name right up front: being uncomfortable doesn’t mean something is wrong. Sometimes it’s proof that God is doing something right.

• Condemnation says, “You’re wrong and there’s no way out.”

• Conviction says, “That’s not best, but if you follow Me, I’ll show you a better way.”

God doesn’t crush you. He calls you up. And today’s message is one of those truths that can feel uncomfortable at first, but it’s meant to transform us:

Your Influence Isn’t for You

We live in a culture that says, “Be an influencer.” Build the platform. Build the brand. Make yourself the main character. But Jesus invites us into something better. Your life is not about you being the star while everyone else plays a supporting role. The Kingdom of God doesn’t trend, it transforms. And the transforming truth is this:

Your influence is meant to be laid down at the cross.
And when you give it to Jesus, He gives it back to you with purpose.

A Working Definition of Influence

Influence is the capacity to shape the direction, faith, character, or future of another person. And whether you feel like you have a “platform” or not, you do have influence. Everyone does. The question isn’t if you have it. The question is how you’re going to steward it.

Why This Matters Right Now

We’re living in a world where people are more connected digitally, yet more isolated emotionally. Loneliness is everywhere. Relationships are fragile. Workplaces are tense. Families are tired. And often, what people need isn’t someone to fix them. They need someone to lift them.

Culture says influence looks like:

• Benefit me.

• Protect me.

• Control others.

But the Bible hasn't called us to "the safe country". The Bible has called us to "the thickets".

Pause & Reflect: Where has God given you influence right now and how are you currently using it? Are you tempted to protect yourself, control outcomes, and stay comfortable? What might it look like to step into the “thickets” instead?

Peter: A Case Study in Influence

If you’ve ever felt like you love Jesus but still get in your own way, Peter’s your guy. Peter had passion. He just didn’t always have maturity to match it.

Passion Without Maturity

In Matthew 16, Jesus begins telling His disciples He must suffer, be killed, and rise again. Peter pulls Him aside and rebukes Him. He’s trying to protect Jesus, control the moment, and keep everything comfortable.

Jesus responds with strong words: “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Here’s the warning and the invitation: You can get Jesus’ identity right and still resist His mission in your life.

Peter loved Jesus, but he loved a version of Jesus that served his preferences. And if we’re honest, we’re tempted to do the same.

Pressure Reveals What We Trust

Peter walked on water. It’s a miracle. But when he felt the pressure, he shifted focus. He stopped looking at Jesus and started looking at the waves. He didn't have fake faith...he had distracted faith.

But Jesus didn't cancel Peter. He started a conversation: “Why did you doubt me?” Not to shame him, but to grow him. Pressure has a way of exposing what we really trust, and where our confidence actually lives.

Pause & Reflect: When pressure shows up, what does it reveal about what you trust most? Think about a recent moment of fear, frustration, or withdrawal. How might Jesus be inviting you to trust deeper rather than retreat?

Ease Over Engagement

In the Garden of Gethsemane, when Jesus was carrying unimaginable weight, Peter fell asleep. And if we’re honest, this is where a lot of us live. Not cruelty. Not hatred. Just unavailability.

The deepest relational wounds often aren’t caused by something harsh someone did. They’re caused by someone who wasn’t there when it mattered. Influence doesn’t always look like big moments. Often it looks like choosing engagement when you’d rather choose ease.

Failure Isn’t Your Final Chapter

Peter denied Jesus three times. Publicly, clearly, and painfully. And then Peter did what so many of us do after we fail: he went back to the old life. Back to fishing. Back to what he was before Jesus called him.

In John 21, Jesus came to the shore of Peter’s life, not to expose him, but to restore him. If you hear anything today, hear this: Your worst moment is not your last moment. Jesus didn’t base Peter’s future on Peter’s performance. He based it on Peter’s purpose.

What This Looks Like in Real Life

So what do we do with this?

1. See People as People

Not projects to fix. Not problems to solve. Not people to manage. The church isn’t here to use people to build a church. But will unapologetically use the church to build people!

2. Lead With Grace, Not Criticism

Criticism can change behavior, but only grace can shape a heart. Some of us can spot what’s wrong before we ever celebrate what’s right. And we think it’s being helpful, but it’s costing us influence. Grace sees what’s possible.

3. Call Out Potential Early and Often

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is see something in someone before they see it in themselves. Jesus did that with Peter. And we’re called to do that in our homes, our friendships, our city groups, our workplaces, and our church.

4. Honor Calling Over Performance

Calling is what God deposits. Performance is what people see. You can’t microwave calling. God is patient. He cultivates. He grows things low and slow. You can’t force fruit, but you can cultivate it.

Pause & Reflect: Who is God asking you to help succeed this season? How can you intentionally see people as people (not projects), lead with grace, and call out potential early and often?

The Scripture That Anchors It All

Philippians says it clearly: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. In humility, value others above yourselves. Look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

That’s influence. That’s Jesus. And it’s unpopular because it doesn’t make you the center.

But it’s right.

A Closing Invitation

Maybe you’ve been using your influence to protect yourself. Maybe you’ve been hurt, disappointed, tired, or withdrawn. Maybe you’ve even gone back to an “old life” because you feel like you blew it.

Jesus is still on the shore, not here to shame you but to restore you. Because in the Kingdom, influence isn’t about platforms. It’s about people. And you and I? We’re not the star. We’re here to make others the big deal. We're here to lift them, love them and point them to Jesus.

That kind of influence changes marriages, friendships, homes, and cities.

In Jesus’ name.