In a new sermon from The Peak Church, speaker Katie Distefano Culpepper explores the tension between seeking approval and living authentically, using Matthew 21:1-11 as a springboard. The message, part of the church's Lenten series titled "Influencers," challenges listeners to release the need to fit in with societal expectations.
Drawing from the Palm Sunday story of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, Culpepper highlights how Jesus rejected the pressure to conform to popular expectations of a conquering king. Instead, he chose humility and purpose, modeling a way of living that prioritizes inner conviction over external validation.
The sermon encourages viewers to examine where they seek approval—whether from peers, social media, or cultural norms—and to find freedom in letting go of that pursuit. It's a timely reminder during a season of reflection and renewal.