Restored

Rev. Dr. Abe Smith

August 2, 2026 Sanctuary

Click here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide.

Have you ever failed, really failed? It’s an awful feeling. Failure can leave us embarrassed, disappointed in ourselves, feeling like an imposter, and wondering whether we have let down the people we love most. It can even make us question whether God could still love us or use us.

In this sermon, we will look at the story of Peter, one of Jesus’ closest disciples. Peter wanted to follow Jesus with everything in him, yet when the moment came to stand faithfully beside him, Peter denied three times that he even knew Jesus.

Peter’s failure was painful, caused him to weep, and was impossible to undo. Yet, it was not the end of his story. After the Resurrection, Jesus met Peter on the shore, shared a meal with him, and offered him reconciliation and restoration. Jesus did not discard Peter; he restored him for renewed life, renewed purpose, and renewed service.

Failure is not the end of any story. Failure can be renewed in Jesus. Just like Peter, all of our failures can be restored through Jesus.