Finding Joy and Unity Through God's Peace

Devotional

Day 1: Joy Rooted in Relationship with God

Our joy should not be dependent on our external circumstances but should be deeply rooted in our relationship with God. This joy is a profound sense of well-being that comes from knowing and trusting in God's love and sovereignty. When we focus on God, we can experience a peace that surpasses all understanding, even amidst conflict and adversity. This peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of God in our lives, guiding us through every situation. [31:33]

"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:17-18, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you allowing circumstances to dictate your joy? How can you shift your focus to find joy in your relationship with God today?

Day 2: Overcoming Disunity by Focusing on God's Purposes

Disunity within the church can distract us from our true purpose. By focusing on God and His purposes, we can overcome personal grievances and experience the unity and peace that God desires for His church. When we allow personal grievances to overshadow our pursuit of God, we lose sight of the peace and joy He offers. The Apostle Paul encourages us to rejoice in the Lord always, emphasizing that our joy should be rooted in our relationship with God, not in our external situations. [33:42]

"Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." (Philippians 2:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: Is there a personal grievance or conflict that is hindering your focus on God's purposes? How can you take a step towards reconciliation and unity today?

Day 3: Community's Role in Conflict Resolution

The story of Euodia and Syntyche illustrates the importance of community in resolving conflicts. Paul calls for a mediator to help them reconcile, highlighting the need for facilitation, empathy, and active listening in our relationships. By focusing on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable, we align our thoughts with God's will, leading to a life filled with His peace. [38:59]

"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." (Galatians 6:1, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your community can you reach out to for support in resolving a conflict? How can you practice active listening and empathy in your relationships today?

Day 4: The Healing Power of Gratitude and Prayer

Continuous communication with God and expressing gratitude can lead to emotional healing and peace. This process requires perseverance and a commitment to focusing on God. By continuously communicating with God and expressing our thankfulness, we open ourselves to His healing and peace. This journey towards peace is not instantaneous but requires perseverance and a commitment to focusing on God. [48:12]

"Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:11-12, ESV)

Reflection: What are three things you are grateful for today? How can you incorporate gratitude and prayer into your daily routine to experience God's peace?

Day 5: Aligning Thoughts with God's Will for Peace

Achieving God's peace is a journey that requires time and dedication. By focusing on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable, we align our thoughts with God's will, leading to a life filled with His peace. This alignment of thoughts is crucial in experiencing the transformative power of God's peace in our lives. [57:24]

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8, ESV)

Reflection: What thoughts or beliefs are currently misaligned with God's will? How can you intentionally focus on what is true, honorable, and commendable today?

Sermon Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the story of Euodia and Syntyche from the book of Philippians, two women in the early church who were at odds with each other. This conflict serves as a reminder of the disunity that can occur within our own communities. We are called to focus on God, who is the source of our joy and peace, rather than on our disagreements or circumstances. The Apostle Paul encourages us to rejoice in the Lord always, emphasizing that our joy should be rooted in our relationship with God, not in our external situations.

We also discussed the importance of unity within the church, highlighting that our focus should be on God and His purposes. When we allow personal grievances to overshadow our pursuit of God, we lose sight of the peace and joy He offers. The passage from Philippians urges us to let our reasonableness be known to everyone and to not be anxious about anything. Instead, we are to present our requests to God with thanksgiving, allowing His peace, which surpasses all understanding, to guard our hearts and minds.

Furthermore, we examined the role of community in resolving conflicts. Paul calls for a mediator to help Euodia and Syntyche reconcile, illustrating the need for facilitation, empathy, and active listening in our relationships. By focusing on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable, we align our thoughts with God's will, leading to a life filled with His peace.

Lastly, we touched on the transformative power of gratitude and prayer. By continuously communicating with God and expressing our thankfulness, we open ourselves to His healing and peace. This journey towards peace is not instantaneous but requires perseverance and a commitment to focusing on God.

Key Takeaways

1. Focus on God for Joy and Peace: Our joy should be rooted in our relationship with God, not in our circumstances. By focusing on God, we can experience His peace, which surpasses all understanding, even amidst conflict and adversity. [31:33]
2. Unity in the Church: Disunity can distract us from our purpose. By focusing on God and His purposes, we can overcome personal grievances and experience the unity and peace that God desires for His church. [33:42]
3. The Role of Community in Conflict Resolution: Paul’s call for a mediator between Euodia and Syntyche highlights the importance of community in resolving conflicts. Facilitation, empathy, and active listening are essential in fostering reconciliation and unity. [38:59]
4. The Transformative Power of Gratitude and Prayer: Continuous communication with God and expressing gratitude can lead to emotional healing and peace. This process requires perseverance and a commitment to focusing on God. [48:12]
5. The Journey Towards Peace: Achieving God's peace is a journey that requires time and dedication. By focusing on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable, we align our thoughts with God's will, leading to a life filled with His peace. [57:24]
** [57:24]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[31:33] - Introduction to Euodia and Syntyche
[33:42] - The Source of Joy and Peace
[36:31] - Rejoice in the Lord Always
[38:59] - Understanding Biblical Context
[44:59] - The Role of Mediation
[48:12] - Personal Story of Transformation
[54:38] - Recognizing and Managing Triggers
[57:24] - Overcoming Anxiety
[60:22] - The Power of Gratitude
[63:56] - Spiritual Growth and Stages of Faith
[66:31] - Maturing in Faith
[69:25] - Conclusion and Prayer

Sermon Clips

And it says, I plead with you, and it just talks to a brother, to get Yodia and Syntyche to agree with each other. Now, I don't know how distracting it was for you in church to be singing those songs and to be singing them in Spanish, which is a little bit of a plunge for some of us, and to have these two women sat on either side, not talking to each other. [00:30:34] (27 seconds)

But that is what goes on in some churches at some time. Yes, they won't be at the front, but they'll be at the side down here, or they'll be in the middle over there, or they'll be, and they, huh, you have no idea what that person said to me. You have no idea what's going on. How dare they? How dare they have said that? I am going to go to church, but I am not going to be happy. [00:31:06] (23 seconds)

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say rejoice. 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. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [00:39:33] (24 seconds)

because god wants to give you that peace you have that peace in jesus christ are you experiencing that peace we have yodia you can see this picture of her i i like to think of yodia as the woman at the front she's chatting with her friends but where's she looking looking over her shoulder what's she thinking about oh she's thinking about worship and she's focused on god no she isn't what she's focused on is the woman on the other side of the hall and what is that woman focused on her these two women have each other in their minds and they're focused on each other and it's blocking out being able to pursue god [00:41:04] (45 seconds)

But if you actually talk to the person in between, you listen to each other, you often work it through. And what Paul is asking for here is he's saying, can you step in, whoever you are, and can you talk to these women because they love the Lord and I want them to agree? How does he ask them to agree? It's up here. [00:45:32] (23 seconds)

And this is what you have to kind of get rid of to be able to rejoice. You can't go, rejoice in the Lord always. It doesn't work. You have to let go of it. You have to move on. And one thing that might bring you towards that is if you remember that the Lord is near. Jesus Christ is close. [00:55:01] (24 seconds)

Your anxiety is not bringing you a benefit. God has this. Be close to Jesus. God has this. Walk with Jesus. Ask Jesus what to do, and give him all your anxiety. Now, this is where some of it went wrong for me, because I would give Jesus my anxiety, and then I'd walk away, and I'd still feel anxious. [00:57:24] (21 seconds)

And God will bring about a good healing in you if you focus on God. Benefits associated with gratitude, including better sleep, more exercise, reduced symptoms of physical pain, lower levels of inflammation, lower blood pressure, and a host of other things we associated with better health, said Glenn Fox, an expert in the science of gratitude at USC Marshall School of Business. [01:01:04] (24 seconds)

And then you get into a life of discipleship, and you listen, and you're watching your pastor, and your pastor is speaking truth, and you're getting really into the truth, and it's really setting you on fire, and this is great. And then you say, well, I am at a place now where I will volunteer. [01:05:57] (18 seconds)

And God does do that to a certain extent in the world. But when you mature, you start to realize that your life is meant to be about God. And your life is meant to serve God. You know there are martyrs in the world? Martyrs do what for God? Die. Are you ready to die for God? [01:07:41] (22 seconds)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?