Truth on the Trail with Dr. Pete Pawelek

Using Matthew 16:24–27 as the backdrop, Pastor Pete unpacks the greatest exchange in human history. This exchange took place not in a palace, but on a hill called Calvary. It was there that God gave His sinless Son in place of every sinner. This divine transaction brought: - Life in place of death - Light in place of darkness - Freedom in place of bondage - Spiritual riches in place of rags - Heav...

In this concluding part of "Who Are You Seeking?" Pastor Pete builds on the premise that one can seek the right thing and still be wrong, identifying three more errors in seeking: seeking with the wrong purpose (the crowd sought to crucify, not crown), seeking with the wrong power (they came with worldly weapons, only to be knocked to the ground by Jesus's divine declaration, "I AM"), and seeking...

In this sermon, "Who Are You Seeking?" Pastor Pete uses Jesus's question to His captors in John 18 as a launchpad for a deeply introspective message, arguing that it is entirely possible to be a "Jesus seeker" and still be wrong, just as Judas and the soldiers were. The central problem identified in this first part is seeking the right person in the wrong place. While the soldiers correctly sought...

In this concluding part of "What Makes a Godly Neighbor?" Pastor Pete moves from the internal attitude of mindfulness to the external actions of mercy and ministry, defining mercy as "mindfulness in action" and emphasizing that while the priest and Levite both saw the man in need (using the same Greek word meaning "to perceive"), only the Samaritan acted, demonstrating that seeing is not enough. T...

This sermon, "What Makes a Godly Neighbor?" from Pastor Pete's "The Questions Jesus Asked" series, uses the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) to explore what it means to fulfill Jesus's command to "go and do the same" as a neighbor to others. Pastor Pete emphasizes that we don't just have neighbors but are neighbors ourselves, and identifies two key attitudes of a godly neighbor: mindf...

This second part of Pastor Pete's "Why Do You Call Me Lord?" sermon powerfully focuses on the consequences of hearing Jesus's words without acting on them, using the parable of the wise and foolish builders from Luke 6:47-49 to illustrate that the only difference between a life that stands firm and one that faces total destruction is action. Pastor Pete emphasizes that while the struggle to obey i...

This sermon, "Why Do You Call Me Lord?" from Pastor Pete's "The Questions Jesus Asked" series, centers on Luke 6:46-49 where Jesus asks believers the challenging question, "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and don't do the things I say?" Pastor Pete frames the message around the simple truth that "saying it and doing it are two different things," using a humorous personal story about his toddler bit...

This second part of Pastor Pete's "Why Do You Worry?" sermon focuses on Matthew 6:32-34 and centers on God's provision and kingdom priorities, emphasizing that we should trust in God's care rather than our own capacity. The sermon highlights two great truths about God: His great riches (He is not poor, weak, or anxious but rich, strong, and sovereign) and His great record (a flawless track record...

This sermon, "Why Do You Worry?" by Pastor Pete centers on Matthew 6:25-34, where Jesus addresses humanity's universal struggle with worry. Pastor Pete establishes that worry has existed since Genesis 3:8 when Adam and Eve first experienced fear after sinning, and argues that all worry ultimately finds its roots in sin, though not all worry is necessarily sinful. The sermon's central message is th...

Have you ever felt unseen, overlooked, or forgotten? In Genesis 16, Hagar’s life is turned upside down by choices she didn’t make. She was dragged into someone else’s mess, mistreated, and left feeling invisible. However, in the middle of her flight, fear, and failure, God showed up. In this message, Pastor Pete shares how Hagar’s story reminds us of this powerful truth: you may feel invisible to...

In Luke 6, Jesus calls His followers to a radical kind of love: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” This isn’t easy, but it’s the kind of mercy that reflects the heart of God. In this week's message, Pastor Pete reminds us that mercy is magnetic. It draws people in, it softens hearts, and it brings glory to God. As believers, we’re called to: - Long for others to enter God’s Kingdo...

In Luke 6, Jesus calls His followers to a radical kind of love: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” This isn’t easy, but it’s the kind of mercy that reflects the heart of God. In this week's message, Pastor Pete reminds us that mercy is magnetic. It draws people in, it softens hearts, and it brings glory to God. As believers, we’re called to: - Long for others to enter God’s Kingdo...

Ephesians 2 reminds us of a powerful truth: “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses.” Pastor Pete emphasizes that mercy is simple, unconditional, and world-changing. It’s not complicated. It’s not earned. And it’s not weak. Mercy is one of the most powerful forces we can offer and receive. In thi...

Ephesians 2 reminds us of a powerful truth: “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses.” Pastor Pete emphasizes that mercy is simple, unconditional, and world-changing. It’s not complicated. It’s not earned. And it’s not weak. Mercy is one of the most powerful forces we can offer and receive. In thi...

As Jesus leaves Jericho, two blind men sitting by the roadside cry out to Him, desperate for healing. Though the crowd tries to silence them, they persist. Jesus stops, listens, and responds with compassion, restoring their sight. Pastor Pete challenges us to reflect: Are you in the crowd following Jesus, or on the roadside crying out for Him? Whether life feels full of momentum or you're at rock...

Have you ever wrestled with God? In Genesis 32, Jacob spends an entire night struggling with the Lord, and he walks away forever changed. In this powerful message, Pastor Pete shows how God sometimes has to break us in order to bless us. From Jacob’s conflict, clinging, confession, change, and even his limp, we see the mercy of a God who meets us in our mess and transforms our lives by His grace....

As Jesus leaves Jericho, two blind men sitting by the roadside cry out to Him, desperate for healing. Though the crowd tries to silence them, they persist. Jesus stops, listens, and responds with compassion, restoring their sight. Pastor Pete challenges us to reflect: Are you in the crowd following Jesus, or on the roadside crying out for Him? Whether life feels full of momentum or you're at rock...

In John 13, Jesus speaks to His disciples just before His crucifixion. He gives them a new command: “Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another.” This love isn’t a suggestion. It’s a defining mark of what it means to follow Christ. Pastor Pete reminds us: Love is messy. People can be hard to love, but love is not optional. If you’re a follower of Jesus, love isn’t j...

In John 13, Jesus speaks to His disciples just before His crucifixion. He gives them a new command: “Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another.” This love isn’t a suggestion. It’s a defining mark of what it means to follow Christ. Pastor Pete reminds us: Love is messy. People can be hard to love, but love is not optional. If you’re a follower of Jesus, love isn’t j...

In John 8, religious leaders bring a woman caught in adultery before Jesus, hoping to trap Him into endorsing her execution. Instead, Jesus responds with grace. He says, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.” One by one, the accusers leave. Jesus, the only one without sin, chooses not to condemn her. He tells her, “Go now and leave your life of sin.” Pastor Pete rem...

In John 8, religious leaders bring a woman caught in adultery before Jesus, hoping to trap Him into endorsing her execution. Instead, Jesus responds with grace. He says, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.” One by one, the accusers leave. Jesus, the only one without sin, chooses not to condemn her. He tells her, “Go now and leave your life of sin.” Pastor Pete rem...

The story of Lot from Scripture teaches us that small compromises create big consequences.

In Acts 9, Saul, once a fierce persecutor of Christians, tries to join the disciples in Jerusalem. Understandably, they’re afraid, but Barnabas steps in, vouching for Saul’s transformation and helping others see what God is doing in his life. Pastor Pete reminds us that loving people well means embracing three powerful truths: - Don’t overlook someone’s past, but don’t let it define them. Everyone...

In Acts 9, Saul, once a fierce persecutor of Christians, tries to join the disciples in Jerusalem. Understandably, they’re afraid, but Barnabas steps in, vouching for Saul’s transformation and helping others see what God is doing in his life. Pastor Pete reminds us that loving people well means embracing three powerful truths: - Don’t overlook someone’s past, but don’t let it define them. Everyone...

In Luke 25, Jesus responds to a lawyer’s question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus turns the question back to him, asking what the Law says. The lawyer answers correctly: “Love the Lord your God… and love your neighbor as yourself.” But seeking to justify himself, he asks, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus replies to the lawyer's neighbor question not with an answer but with the parable...