Embracing Peace and Love in a Divisive World
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone. I am truly impressed by your dedication to be here on this wet, rainy summer day. Your presence and joy are truly appreciated. We live in a world where anger seems to be the norm. People are constantly offended, and it’s almost as if they thrive on it. A recent Washington Times article mentioned that 81% of Americans agree that people are too easily offended these days. Imagine if that 81% just stopped being offended. We walk on pins and needles, afraid of saying the wrong thing. But as Christians, should we play by the same rules?
Jesus, the Prince of Peace, calls us to a different standard. I was reminded of this when I heard about Harrison Butker, the Kansas City Chiefs kicker, who gave a speech at a Christian college graduation. He spoke about his pro-life stance and the joy his wife finds in being a mother. Despite the loving nature of his message, he was heavily criticized, even by the NFL, which distanced itself from his views. In contrast, Travis Kelce, another Chiefs player, chugged a beer on stage at a graduation, and people celebrated it. This shows how society is more comfortable with anger and less so with messages of love and joy.
Jesus came to bring peace and joy to all men. Yet, we Christians often fall into the lie that we should treat each other by the same standards set by society. This morning, I want to challenge you to open your hearts and ears. This message can be transformative, but it depends on your willingness to embrace it.
Paul’s letter to the Philippians offers us a powerful challenge. He loved the church in Philippi because they embraced his teachings. He urged them to let their reasonableness, or gentleness and patience, be known to everyone. Imagine if we were known for our gentleness and patience. We are called to a high standard of how we treat one another, especially within our gathering.
Paul also tells us not to be anxious about anything but to bring everything to God in prayer with thanksgiving. We live in an anxious world, but our gathering should be a place of peace and love. To achieve this, we must let our walls down and trust each other. We must stop giving and receiving dead criticism, which brings death, untrust, and anger. Instead, we should go directly to the person we have an issue with, as Jesus taught.
I challenge you to consistently encourage one another. Imagine if 40% of our gathering committed to praying for or with someone each week and performing acts of encouragement. This could be as simple as writing a note or giving a small gift to someone in ministry. This would transform our gathering into a place of overwhelming love and support.
This is your gathering, and it will be what you make of it. Jesus showed us the way, and Paul’s challenge is still relevant today. Let’s embrace this challenge and make our gathering a place of love, peace, and encouragement.
### Key Takeaways
1. The World Thrives on Anger: We live in a society where anger and offense are rampant. People seem to feed off negativity, and this is evident in how easily offended everyone is. As Christians, we are called to a different standard, one of peace and love, as exemplified by Jesus, the Prince of Peace. We should not conform to the world's standards but instead, rise above them. [25:40]
2. The Power of Love and Joy: Harrison Butker's experience highlights how society is more comfortable with anger than with messages of love and joy. Despite his positive message at a Christian college, he faced severe criticism. This contrasts sharply with the celebration of less wholesome actions. As Christians, we should be bold in sharing messages of love and joy, even if it makes others uncomfortable. [28:05]
3. Paul’s Challenge to the Philippians: Paul urged the church in Philippi to let their gentleness and patience be known to everyone. This is a call for us today as well. We should strive to be known for our gentleness and patience, setting a high standard for how we treat one another within our gathering. This can transform our community and make it a place of peace and love. [33:04]
4. Overcoming Anxiety with Prayer: Paul advises us not to be anxious about anything but to bring everything to God in prayer with thanksgiving. In a world filled with anxiety, our gathering should be a sanctuary of peace. By trusting in God and supporting each other, we can create an environment where anxiety is replaced with peace and love. [36:05]
5. Consistent Encouragement: To build a strong, loving community, we must stop giving and receiving dead criticism and start consistently encouraging one another. This involves direct communication and acts of kindness. Imagine the transformation if 40% of our gathering committed to praying for or with someone each week and performing acts of encouragement. This would create an overwhelming atmosphere of love and support. [50:45]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[25:40] - The World Thrives on Anger
[28:05] - The Power of Love and Joy
[33:04] - Paul’s Challenge to the Philippians
[36:05] - Overcoming Anxiety with Prayer
[50:45] - Consistent Encouragement
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Philippians 4:5-7 (ESV) - "Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean by "reasonableness" in Philippians 4:5, and how does it relate to gentleness and patience? [33:04]
2. According to the sermon, how did society react differently to Harrison Butker's and Travis Kelce's actions at their respective graduations? [28:05]
3. What does Paul advise us to do instead of being anxious, as mentioned in Philippians 4:6-7? [36:05]
4. How does the pastor suggest we should handle criticism within the church community? [40:28]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize letting our "reasonableness" be known to everyone? How does this align with the call to be gentle and patient? [33:04]
2. How does the contrasting societal reactions to Butker and Kelce illustrate the world's comfort with anger over messages of love and joy? [28:05]
3. What role does prayer and thanksgiving play in overcoming anxiety according to Philippians 4:6-7? How can this be practically applied in our lives? [36:05]
4. Why is it important to address issues directly with the person involved, as Jesus taught, rather than engaging in gossip or dead criticism? [40:28]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt offended or angry. How could you have responded with gentleness and patience instead? [33:04]
2. Have you ever faced criticism for sharing a message of love and joy? How did you handle it, and what can you learn from Butker's experience? [28:05]
3. What are some practical steps you can take to bring your anxieties to God in prayer and thanksgiving this week? [36:05]
4. Think of a time when you received or gave dead criticism. How did it affect your relationship with the person involved? What steps can you take to address issues directly in the future? [40:28]
5. Identify one person in your church community whom you can encourage this week. What specific action will you take to show them support and love? [50:45]
6. How can you contribute to making your church gathering a place of overwhelming love and support? What specific actions can you commit to this week? [54:40]
7. Reflect on the pastor's challenge to consistently encourage one another. What is one practical way you can start doing this in your daily interactions? [50:45]
Devotional
Day 1: Rising Above Anger
In today's world, anger and offense seem to be the norm. People are quick to take offense and thrive on negativity. As Christians, we are called to a different standard, one of peace and love, as exemplified by Jesus, the Prince of Peace. We should not conform to the world's standards but instead, rise above them. This means not allowing ourselves to be easily offended and choosing to respond with grace and understanding. Imagine the impact if we all chose to stop being offended and instead, spread peace and love in our interactions.
[25:40]
Romans 12:18-19 (ESV): "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'"
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt offended or angry. How can you choose to respond with peace and love instead of anger?
Day 2: Boldly Sharing Love and Joy
Harrison Butker's experience highlights how society is more comfortable with anger than with messages of love and joy. Despite his positive message at a Christian college, he faced severe criticism. This contrasts sharply with the celebration of less wholesome actions. As Christians, we should be bold in sharing messages of love and joy, even if it makes others uncomfortable. Our world needs more love and joy, and we have the opportunity to be the bearers of these messages.
[28:05]
1 John 4:18 (ESV): "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."
Reflection: Think of a way you can share a message of love and joy with someone today, even if it might be uncomfortable. How can you be bold in spreading positivity?
Day 3: Embracing Gentleness and Patience
Paul urged the church in Philippi to let their gentleness and patience be known to everyone. This is a call for us today as well. We should strive to be known for our gentleness and patience, setting a high standard for how we treat one another within our gathering. This can transform our community and make it a place of peace and love. Imagine if our interactions were marked by gentleness and patience, how much more harmonious our relationships would be.
[33:04]
Colossians 3:12-13 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."
Reflection: Reflect on your recent interactions. How can you show more gentleness and patience in your relationships, especially within your church community?
Day 4: Replacing Anxiety with Peace
Paul advises us not to be anxious about anything but to bring everything to God in prayer with thanksgiving. In a world filled with anxiety, our gathering should be a sanctuary of peace. By trusting in God and supporting each other, we can create an environment where anxiety is replaced with peace and love. This involves being open and vulnerable with one another, sharing our burdens, and lifting each other up in prayer.
[36:05]
1 Peter 5:7 (ESV): "Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
Reflection: What is one anxiety or worry you are currently facing? How can you bring it to God in prayer and trust Him to bring you peace?
Day 5: Consistent Encouragement
To build a strong, loving community, we must stop giving and receiving dead criticism and start consistently encouraging one another. This involves direct communication and acts of kindness. Imagine the transformation if 40% of our gathering committed to praying for or with someone each week and performing acts of encouragement. This would create an overwhelming atmosphere of love and support. Simple acts like writing a note or giving a small gift can make a significant difference.
[50:45]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Think of someone in your church community who could use encouragement. What is one specific act of kindness you can do for them this week?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We live in a world where people are just angry, people are offended so everybody's offended. I saw this in the Washington Times: eighty-one percent of Americans agree that people are too easily offended these days. Eighty-one percent agree that means that they're part of the ones who are offended, right? So, I mean, it's like if eighty-one percent then what if eighty-one percent just quit being offended?" [25:40]
2. "People feel more comfortable with anger but if you start talking about love and joy, these things, then people get very uncomfortable. And I'm wondering why, you know, it shouldn't be. Especially here's the thing is that sometimes we think even here, right? I mean, Jesus was the Prince of Peace. He came, He did this amazing thing and He did this amazing thing and He did this amazing thing." [28:05]
3. "Could you imagine the passion and joy that would be here if just 40% of our gathering said, 'You know what, every week I'm either going to pray with someone or I'm going to pray for someone all week.' One, I'm going to do or both. Could you imagine what it would be like? I mean, if someone says, 'Man, I've been praying all week for you,' and they open that heart to receive and you know this is what God's called us to do." [52:10]
4. "Could you imagine what this place would be like if we did those two things? If just 40% of us did those two things, it would be overwhelming. You would be like, 'Wow, this is amazing.' It would change everything. It would change the face of our church." [54:40]
5. "Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request come to God. Do not be anxious about anything. Wow, we live in an anxious world, don't we? I mean, people are just anxious, they're on pins and needles, they're just ready to pop any moment." [36:05]
### Quotes for Members
1. "The question is, is that well, you know, what about us? And here's the thing is I think that Christians have bought into the lie that we walk by the same guidelines, that we treat each other by the same standards that are set in our society and in our world. We have fallen into that lie really. I mean, what does it say? The lie is that Christians treat each other the same as the rest of society. That's way off base. That's not even true." [29:34]
2. "Stop giving or receiving dead criticism. What is that? Criticism that is because sometimes you can give someone criticism that can help them. Actually, I sit in a room every Monday with a group of people who actually show me what I could have done better, how this should have been done, how did that come across. Every Monday I do that because those are things that help me. Dead criticism is when you are going to someone outside of the realm that can help. You're going outside to people who are, and so what you're doing is criticizing someone without going to that person and that brings death. It brings untrust, it brings anger, it brings complete as it is a tool of the enemy himself." [39:00]
3. "If a brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. That means you know everybody else about you just go to him say, 'Hey, this is something I've experienced.' If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. In other words, you have gotten closer. When that person, when you go to that person, y'all work it out, that person's going to trust you. That person's going to say, 'Hey, I believe you know what, I trust you because if there's a situation you're going to come to me, you're not going to go to everybody else.'" [40:28]
4. "Could you imagine if that is what we all felt right when you walked in? Listen, we'd have to set up a restaurant and set up showers because nobody would go home. I mean, could you imagine just you drove in the parking lot and you just felt this peace like, 'Yes, I've made it,' right? Because you're thinking, 'Well, the world has beat me down this week with all their anger and just rage and everything that's going on, but here I've come to get built up.' That's what it's supposed to be." [34:35]
5. "We have to realize in order to be this place when you walk in you just feel that, you know, there's that well of love and you feel that wave and you're able to just share that love and you're able to just share your heart. You know, we got to let our walls down. We got to let our, I mean, and that's hard. We don't want to let our walls down, right? We don't want to share with someone what's going on in my life. I don't want to share. I want to come and I want to just go to church. I want to do the thing and I want to go home. We don't want to do that. Let our walls down because that's hard." [37:39]
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