Finding Peace and Presence Amidst Chaos

Summary

The past few years have been marked by chaos, uncertainty, and loss—on both a global and personal scale. From the pandemic and its isolating effects, to the social unrest and political upheaval, life has felt unpredictable and overwhelming. Many of us have blocked out the memories just to keep moving forward, but the impact lingers in our souls. In the midst of all this, we long for someone who can both bring order to the chaos of the world and walk with us through our personal struggles. Human leaders, no matter how well-intentioned, can only do so much. Some make decisions from afar, while others offer support up close, but no one can truly do both.

Jesus, in John 14, speaks to this deep need. He promises not to leave us as orphans, but to send the Holy Spirit—the Counselor, the Spirit of Truth—to be with us forever. This is not just a distant hope, but a present reality. Jesus reigns on the throne, making all things new and right, but he also gives us his Spirit to dwell within us, bringing peace in the midst of turmoil. Obedience to Jesus is not about harsh demands, but about a loving relationship—a mutual submission that reflects the love between friends. As we love and follow him, we experience the presence of God in our lives, even when everything else feels uncertain.

The peace Jesus offers is unlike anything the world can give. It is a peace that steadies us when the world is out of control and comforts us when our own hearts are troubled. Even when those we rely on—pastors, therapists, friends—are unable to walk with us, Jesus remains. He is both the sovereign Lord over all creation and the intimate companion who never leaves us. In the chaos of the world and the chaos within, God is bringing heaven to earth, making all things new, and giving us his Spirit as a source of hope, comfort, and peace. May we learn to live into this reality, trusting that God is with us, working in us, and calling us to love and serve our neighbors with the peace we have received.

Key Takeaways

- God’s Presence in Chaos: When the world feels overwhelming and unpredictable, God is not distant or indifferent. Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to be with us forever, offering a presence that is both comforting and empowering. In the midst of global and personal chaos, we are not left alone; God is actively bringing order and hope into our lives. [44:42]

- The Uniqueness of Jesus as Leader: No human leader can both rule over the chaos of the world and walk intimately with each of us through our struggles. Jesus alone fulfills both roles—reigning over all creation while also giving us his Spirit to dwell within us. This dual role means we can trust him with both the big picture and the details of our lives. [54:24]

- Obedience as an Act of Love: Jesus frames obedience not as a burdensome demand, but as a natural outflow of love. Just as healthy relationships require mutual listening and humility, our relationship with Jesus calls for a loving response to his guidance. True obedience is rooted in trust and affection, not fear or compulsion. [43:13]

- Peace Beyond Understanding: The peace Jesus gives is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of God in the midst of it. This peace is different from what the world offers—it is deep, sustaining, and available even when circumstances are dire. The Holy Spirit continually reminds us of Jesus’ words and anchors us in hope, no matter what we face. [47:06]

- Living into the Kingdom of Heaven: God is at work bringing heaven to earth, often in ways that surpass our understanding. Our calling is to participate in this work, trusting that even when things seem upside down, God is making all things new. As we follow Jesus, we are invited to embody his peace, hope, and love in a world that desperately needs it. [01:14:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[07:53] - Opening Reflections on Gratitude
[24:58] - Remembering the Early Pandemic Chaos
[28:27] - The Struggles of Isolation and Loss
[31:09] - Houselessness and Community Challenges
[41:10] - Introducing John 14: Jesus’ Farewell
[43:13] - Love, Obedience, and Relationship
[44:42] - Jesus’ Promise of the Holy Spirit
[45:52] - The Spirit’s Presence and Peace
[47:06] - The Gift of Peace in Troubled Times
[48:32] - Jesus’ Obedience and Mission
[49:17] - COVID Memories and God’s Faithfulness
[50:28] - The Need for a True Helper
[52:26] - The Limits of Human Support
[54:24] - Jesus: The Only Leader Who Stays
[55:45] - God’s Peace for Our Hearts and the World
[56:53] - Closing Blessing and Sending

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

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### Bible Reading

John 14:15-27 (NIV)
> “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. ...
> All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

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### Observation Questions

1. According to John 14, what does Jesus promise to his disciples after he leaves them?
2. How does Jesus describe the Holy Spirit in this passage?
3. What is the difference between the peace Jesus gives and the peace the world offers?
4. In the sermon, what examples were given of chaos and uncertainty in recent years? ([31:09])

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus emphasizes that he will not leave his followers as orphans? What does this say about his relationship with us? ([44:42])
2. The sermon mentions that no human leader can both rule over the chaos of the world and walk closely with us. Why is it significant that Jesus does both? ([54:24])
3. How does the idea of obedience as an act of love challenge or affirm your understanding of following Jesus? ([43:13])
4. The peace Jesus offers is described as being present even in the middle of trouble. How is this different from simply having an easy or comfortable life? ([47:06])

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### Application Questions

1. The past few years have been full of chaos and loss for many people. Are there memories or feelings from this time that you’ve tried to block out? How do you see the lingering impact in your life today? ([31:09])
2. When you think about the leaders you rely on—pastors, therapists, friends—have you ever felt let down or alone? How does knowing Jesus is both sovereign and present with you change how you handle those moments? ([52:26])
3. Jesus says, “If you love me, keep my commands.” In your own life, what does it look like to obey Jesus out of love rather than obligation or fear? ([43:13])
4. The sermon talks about the Holy Spirit as a source of peace and comfort. Can you share a time when you experienced God’s peace in the middle of chaos or uncertainty? ([47:06])
5. The world’s version of peace is often about avoiding trouble or numbing pain. What are some ways you’ve tried to find peace apart from Jesus? How did that compare to the peace he offers? ([47:06])
6. The sermon calls us to “live into the reality” that God is making all things new and to share his peace with our neighbors. What is one practical way you can bring hope or comfort to someone in your life this week? ([01:14:53])
7. Is there an area of your life—personal, relational, or global—where you need to trust that God is present and working, even if you can’t see how? What would it look like to surrender that to him? ([55:45])

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for the Holy Spirit’s peace and presence in the areas of chaos or uncertainty they are facing, and for the courage to love and serve others with the peace they have received.

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Gives Us the Holy Spirit as Our Counselor
In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, Jesus promises that we are never left alone. He assures us that even though He would leave physically, He would send the Holy Spirit to be with us forever—a Counselor, Comforter, and the Spirit of Truth. The Holy Spirit is not just a distant presence but lives within us, guiding, teaching, and reminding us of all that Jesus has said. In seasons when the world feels overwhelming or when we feel abandoned, we can rest in the truth that God Himself is with us, offering comfort and wisdom that the world cannot give. [44:42]

John 14:15-18 (ESV)
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

Reflection: When have you felt most alone or unsupported in recent years? How might you invite the Holy Spirit to be your comfort and guide in those moments today?

Day 2: Obedience as an Expression of Love
Jesus teaches that love for Him is not just a feeling but is shown through obedience to His commands. Just as healthy relationships require mutual listening and humility, our relationship with Jesus calls for a response of trust and action. Obedience is not about domination or fear, but about a loving response to the One who has given everything for us. As we follow His teachings, we experience deeper intimacy with God and allow His love to shape our lives. [43:13]

John 14:21, 23-24 (ESV)
“Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” … Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.”

Reflection: What is one specific teaching of Jesus you find difficult to obey? What would it look like to take a step of obedience out of love for Him this week?

Day 3: The Holy Spirit Brings Peace in Chaos
Jesus promises a peace that is unlike anything the world can offer—a peace that calms troubled hearts even when everything around us is uncertain. The Holy Spirit is the source of this peace, reminding us of Jesus’ words and presence, and giving us comfort when our souls are anxious or afraid. No matter how overwhelming the world’s chaos or our personal struggles may be, God’s peace is available to us through His Spirit, steadying us and giving us hope. [47:06]

John 14:25-27 (ESV)
“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Reflection: Where do you most need God’s peace right now—in your heart, your relationships, or your circumstances? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to bring you that peace today?

Day 4: Jesus Reigns and Makes All Things New
Even when leaders fail or the world feels out of control, Jesus is the one who reigns with authority, making all things right and new. He is not distant from our suffering but is actively working to bring order out of chaos, both globally and personally. While we may lose people we depend on, Jesus remains the faithful leader who both rules over all and walks with us, bringing hope and restoration in every season. [54:24]

Revelation 21:5 (ESV)
“And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’”

Reflection: What is one area of your life or the world that feels especially broken or chaotic? How can you trust Jesus to bring renewal and hope in that place?

Day 5: Living Into the Kingdom of Heaven
God is bringing heaven to earth, inviting us to participate in His work of hope, peace, and love. Sometimes His ways are beyond our understanding, but as we follow Jesus and live by the Spirit, we become part of His story of redemption. Even when the world’s systems fail or our own plans go awry, we are called to trust in God’s greater purpose and to live as people of His kingdom—sowing seeds of faith, love, and service wherever we go. [01:14:53]

Matthew 13:31-32 (ESV)
He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

Reflection: What small act of faith or love can you do today to participate in God’s kingdom work, trusting that He can use it to bring hope and life to others?

Quotes

And would we all had to stay inside and so houseless people had to get together because when you're living outside or when you're living in your car you need support you need help you need resources and they couldn't get it unless they were together but then when you come together and live together near each other intense or whatever then you're in danger of getting the virus so there's the fear of not being able to live because you're not getting anything there's a fear of dying because you're together and you can get things but then you might also get something else that's going to kill you and so they had to be worried about their safety and divvying out resources and of course you you group together when you live outside because you can't always keep yourself safe but three of you are safer there's safety in numbers right so some people were worried about camps and crime other people were worried about the well -being of the people in the camps so no matter what it was everyone was worried there was chaos there in may george floyd is murdered and then suddenly there are black lives matter protests and then if you remember kind of shortly after portland of all places became a target of national conversation federal agents are arresting people throwing them in trucks and and so there's conversation about like what do you say if you're arrested under the dead of night again no matter how you felt at the time it was another source of chaos the whole year was a source of chaos that we couldn't even i don't know if you were like this i couldn't even wrap my [00:31:15]

But Jesus says here, he explains it. If you love me, you will obey what I command. So there is an action to loving. And we kind of understand that not on the same level.But, like, if you get in a relationship with someone, there has to be a back and forth. And there has to be some sort of obedience. And there has to be some sort of humility. And ideally, that would go back and forth like a mutual submission. [00:42:38]

And so Jesus says, if you love me, you will obey what I command out of your love for Jesus.And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another counselor to be with you forever. Forever, the spirit of truth.The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him, but you know him. For he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you. [00:44:20]

He rules as God incarnate. God above all things. The God who is bringing heaven to earth. The God who is making all things new, all things right. He's on the throne. He's gone.But he says, I'm not leaving you alone. He could because he's making all things good, all things right, all things new. If he disappeared, he's doing it for the best of humanity.But he says, I'm also going to continue to be with you. You don't just have to have your memories of me.I'm going to continue to be with you. I'm going to give you my Holy Spirit, and my Holy Spirit will be with you forever. [00:45:19]

That word, anyone.It means, yeah, you showed yourself to us.I showed myself to you, but I'm also here for anyone, everyone who accepts me, everyone who obeys my teaching. I will be in them and with them. [00:47:01]

All this, Jesus says, verse 25, I had spoken while still with you, but the counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and will remind you of everything I said to you. Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid. The Holy Spirit who's coming, the Holy Spirit who's going to be with you, the Holy Spirit gives you peace, gives you comfort, when the world seems completely out of control, and when your soul seems completely out of control, God will give you peace in that. [00:47:24]

Jesus is going to reign with authority.Jesus is going to rule over all things.There's chaos in the world.There's chaos in the world. This is, when you run any race, like 5K up, they give you a medal nowadays. I don't know why, but they do.This is one from during COVID. It's called the Corona Busters race. It looks like the Ghostbusters logo. [00:49:04]

On the end of it, it has toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Boy, that was a time, huh?I was given, Janelle's not here, one of the most beautiful and awful gifts I've ever been given. This is a commemorative coin for getting through 2020. A 2020 finisher. United, we stood six feet apart. Champions of literally the crappiest year of the century.It's on the ground now.As is appropriate, COVID's behind us. It deserves not to be here.COVID was just an absolute onslaught of chaos, and in that chaos, God is bringing heaven to earth. In the chaos of the world, God is bringing heaven to earth. God is seated on the throne. Jesus is seated on the throne. He's making all things new. He's making all things right. And if that's all he did, that was right and good and true. Jesus defeated sin. Jesus defeated death. Jesus is making all things right and all things good. [00:49:41]

In the chaos of the world, God is bringing heaven to earth. God is seated on the throne. Jesus is seated on the throne. He's making all things new. He's making all things right. And if that's all he did, that was right and good and true. Jesus defeated sin. Jesus defeated death. Jesus is making all things right and all things good. And if he left, it was for our good.But Jesus is also here bringing us peace.As we need it now. [00:50:36]

But Jesus is also here bringing us peace.As we need it now. I got really annoyed in 2021.And I don't, I shouldn't be annoyed. I, because I understand entirely, completely, 100%. I understand what was going on here. A bunch of, most of the pastors in the, in North Portland quit. During 2020, 2021. Most of them quit. I understand it. It was awful. It was overwhelming, overbearing.And we, none of us knew what we were doing. And trying to weather what 2020 was ourselves and also help an entire group of people through it was too much. I understand why they left. Also, when you're alone for long enough, you kind of start to rethink, what is my life going to be, right? And so, like, it makes sense that they left. [00:51:02]

Because when you're going through it, you need somebody.And that somebody, for a lot of people, because I knew the folks in the churches where the pastors left, they went through hell. Because they lost their person.You almost, a lot of you lost your person because I was on the edge of quitting all the time. I'm sure Derek was, too. I'm sure Josh was, too. I'm sure Matt was, too. It destroyed us. We were all on a knife's edge of leaving. Because we were, like, it was suffering through it.And had we done it, you would have been a little bit more on your own. And it would have been understandable. I'm not knocking anyone. I get all of this.But we need a person.We need a person to fix the chaos. And we need a person to help us and bring us peace through it. And the only leader who can do it is the God who reigns on the throne, who's making all things new, who's bringing order to the chaos of the world, and gave us the Holy Spirit to continue giving us peace. He did not need to do that, but he did. He is the God who loves us enough to make right what is wrong. And he is the God that gives us peace through it all. [00:53:35]

We need a person to fix the chaos. And we need a person to help us and bring us peace through it. And the only leader who can do it is the God who reigns on the throne, who's making all things new, who's bringing order to the chaos of the world, and gave us the Holy Spirit to continue giving us peace. He did not need to do that, but he did. He is the God who loves us enough to make right what is wrong. And he is the God that gives us peace through it all. [00:54:27]

We can lose our therapist. Our therapist isn't the one making decisions that impact the whole country or the whole world.And we can lose a leader who's making decisions that impact the whole world, but they are not walking with us. Jesus is the one who continues to walk with us and continues to make right what's wrong.And so whether you're worried about the chaos of the world or you're worried about your own situation in life, maybe you lost your job.Maybe you lost someone close to you.Jesus is there giving us peace through the Holy Spirit. [00:55:04]

Jesus is the one who continues to walk with us and continues to make right what's wrong.And so whether you're worried about the chaos of the world or you're worried about your own situation in life, maybe you lost your job.Maybe you lost someone close to you.Jesus is there giving us peace through the Holy Spirit. [00:55:19]

And whether you're worried about everything that's happening in the world, and I've had to make my homepage not the news anymore.I've always done that, but I just, like, I keep up with the news, but I can't have it multiple times a day. I've also accepted my phone addiction, and so my wife, I have to ask her to unblock things on my phone now. It's great. It's wonderful. I love it. I don't feel like a child at all.But I don't see the news as much just once or twice a day because I can't handle the chaos of the world as much.But we have a God who can and does and is working to make all things new.And we have a God who's here with us, making all things new in our souls, in our hearts. [00:55:49]

But we have a God who can and does and is working to make all things new.And we have a God who's here with us, making all things new in our souls, in our hearts. [00:56:38]

So whether you're here and you're worried about all the situations happening in the world, God is with you. And whether you're worried about what's happening in your soul, God is with you. May you have peace through it all. [00:56:53]

The reason I read them is because Jesus is working to bring hope and peace and joy and love and life to the world and order out of the chaos of the world. We humans often think we know what's best for the world and sometimes what Jesus is doing to work in the world is above our own thoughts and above our own minds and ways. And as we follow him, we live into what he's doing in the world. [01:14:59]

And now, may you go in peace, the peace of the Holy Spirit who lives in us, who Jesus gave to us as he left. May you live into the peace of the Holy Spirit to love and serve your neighbor. [01:15:43]

Chatbot

What does obedience reveal about love for Jesus?

How does the Holy Spirit bring peace amid chaos?

In what ways does God's kingdom contrast worldly order?