Finding Peace Through Faith in Jesus Christ
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church family. Today, we began our service with a beautiful baptism, celebrating Miss Lily Lewis's decision to receive Jesus as her Savior. This joyous occasion reminds us of the transformative power of faith and the importance of community support in our spiritual journeys.
We then turned our focus to the topic of peace, continuing our sermon series on the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5. In a world filled with anxiety, fear, and worry, the peace of God stands as a beacon of hope and stability. We explored three types of peace mentioned in the Bible: eternal peace with God, external peace with others, and internal peace within ourselves. Eternal peace is foundational, achieved through faith in Jesus Christ. External peace involves living harmoniously with others, as Paul instructs in Romans 12:18. Internal peace, the peace of God, is a deep assurance that comes from obedience to God's commands.
We delved into Philippians 4, where Paul provides a prescription for achieving this internal peace. He emphasizes the importance of focus, faith, and fact. First, peace is a matter of focus. By keeping our eyes on Jesus, we can rejoice in the Lord always, regardless of our circumstances. Second, peace is a matter of faith. We are commanded not to be anxious but to bring everything to God in prayer with thanksgiving. This act of faith transforms our worries into prayers, allowing God's peace to guard our hearts and minds. Finally, peace is a matter of fact. When we fill our hearts with praise and our minds with prayer, God's peace, which surpasses all understanding, will protect us.
We concluded with a powerful story of Horatio Spafford, who, despite immense personal tragedy, found peace in Jesus Christ and penned the hymn "It Is Well with My Soul." This story underscores that true peace is found not in the absence of problems but in the presence of Jesus.
### Key Takeaways
1. Peace is a Matter of Focus: Keeping our focus on Jesus allows us to rejoice in the Lord always. When Peter walked on water, he began to sink only when he took his eyes off Jesus. Similarly, we must keep our focus on Christ, not on the storms around us, to experience His peace. [41:59]
2. Peace is a Matter of Faith: We are commanded not to be anxious but to bring everything to God in prayer with thanksgiving. This act of faith transforms our worries into prayers, allowing God's peace to guard our hearts and minds. Worry is a distrust in God's wisdom, a denial of His word, and a defiance of His will. [48:49]
3. Peace is a Matter of Fact: When we fill our hearts with praise and our minds with prayer, God's peace, which surpasses all understanding, will protect us. This peace is not dependent on our circumstances but on our relationship with Jesus Christ. [55:59]
4. The Three Types of Peace: Eternal peace with God is foundational and achieved through faith in Jesus Christ. External peace involves living harmoniously with others, as instructed in Romans 12:18. Internal peace, the peace of God, is a deep assurance that comes from obedience to God's commands. [38:00]
5. The Story of Horatio Spafford: Despite immense personal tragedy, Horatio Spafford found peace in Jesus Christ and penned the hymn "It Is Well with My Soul." This story underscores that true peace is found not in the absence of problems but in the presence of Jesus. [01:00:58]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[06:47] - Baptism of Miss Lily Lewis
[32:50] - Opening Scripture: Galatians 5 and Philippians 4
[33:31] - The Burden of Worry and Anxiety
[35:02] - Statistics on Anxiety
[35:50] - Technological and Social Changes
[36:35] - The Antidote to Anxiety: God's Peace
[37:18] - The Fruit of the Spirit: Love, Joy, and Peace
[38:00] - Three Types of Peace in the Bible
[38:58] - Paul's Prescription for Peace
[39:50] - Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:4-7
[41:14] - Peace is a Matter of Focus
[48:49] - Peace is a Matter of Faith
[55:59] - Peace is a Matter of Fact
[57:16] - The Depth of God's Peace
[01:00:58] - The Story of Horatio Spafford
[01:08:45] - Deacon Ordination Ceremony
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
2. Philippians 4:4-7: "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."
3. Romans 12:18: "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."
### Observation Questions
1. What are the three types of peace mentioned in the sermon, and how are they defined? [38:00]
2. According to Philippians 4:4-7, what are the steps Paul outlines for achieving internal peace? [39:50]
3. How does the story of Peter walking on water illustrate the importance of focus in maintaining peace? [41:59]
4. What was Horatio Spafford's response to his personal tragedy, and what hymn did he write as a result? [01:00:58]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does keeping our focus on Jesus help us to rejoice in the Lord always, as mentioned in Philippians 4:4? [41:14]
2. Why is worry described as a distrust in God's wisdom and a denial of His word? How does this understanding change our approach to anxiety? [50:10]
3. What does it mean for God's peace to "guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus," and how can this be experienced in daily life? [55:59]
4. How does the story of Horatio Spafford demonstrate that true peace is found in the presence of Jesus rather than the absence of problems? [01:00:58]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt anxious or worried. How could you have applied the steps from Philippians 4:4-7 to find peace in that moment? [39:50]
2. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle to maintain focus on Jesus. What practical steps can you take this week to keep your eyes on Him, especially during challenging times? [41:59]
3. Think of a relationship in your life where there is conflict or tension. How can you work towards external peace, as instructed in Romans 12:18? [38:00]
4. When you face personal tragedies or hardships, how can the story of Horatio Spafford inspire you to find peace in Jesus? What specific actions can you take to cultivate this peace? [01:00:58]
5. How can you transform your worries into prayers, as suggested in Philippians 4:6? Share a specific worry you have and how you plan to turn it into a prayer this week. [48:49]
6. Reflect on the concept that peace is not the absence of problems but the presence of Jesus. How can this perspective change the way you handle daily stress and challenges? [43:09]
7. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.) to focus on this month. What specific action can you take to cultivate it in your interactions with others? [38:00]
Devotional
Day 1: Focus on Jesus for True Peace
In a world filled with distractions and challenges, maintaining our focus on Jesus is essential for experiencing His peace. When Peter walked on water, he began to sink only when he took his eyes off Jesus. Similarly, we must keep our focus on Christ, not on the storms around us, to experience His peace. By keeping our eyes on Jesus, we can rejoice in the Lord always, regardless of our circumstances. This focus allows us to see beyond our immediate troubles and trust in God's greater plan for our lives. [41:59]
Isaiah 26:3 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."
Reflection: Think about a current challenge or distraction in your life. How can you intentionally shift your focus to Jesus in this situation today?
Day 2: Transform Worry into Prayer
We are commanded not to be anxious but to bring everything to God in prayer with thanksgiving. This act of faith transforms our worries into prayers, allowing God's peace to guard our hearts and minds. Worry is a distrust in God's wisdom, a denial of His word, and a defiance of His will. By turning our anxieties into prayers, we demonstrate our trust in God's sovereignty and His ability to handle our concerns. This practice not only alleviates our worries but also deepens our relationship with God. [48:49]
1 Peter 5:7 (ESV): "Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
Reflection: Identify a specific worry you have today. How can you turn this worry into a prayer and trust God with the outcome?
Day 3: Praise and Prayer Bring Peace
When we fill our hearts with praise and our minds with prayer, God's peace, which surpasses all understanding, will protect us. This peace is not dependent on our circumstances but on our relationship with Jesus Christ. By focusing on praise and prayer, we align our hearts with God's will and open ourselves to His peace. This practice helps us to remain steadfast and calm, even in the midst of life's storms, knowing that God's peace is guarding us. [55:59]
Colossians 3:15-16 (ESV): "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Reflection: How can you incorporate more praise and prayer into your daily routine to experience God's peace more fully?
Day 4: Living in Harmony with Others
Eternal peace with God is foundational and achieved through faith in Jesus Christ. External peace involves living harmoniously with others, as instructed in Romans 12:18. Internal peace, the peace of God, is a deep assurance that comes from obedience to God's commands. By striving for peace in our relationships, we reflect God's love and create a more harmonious community. This external peace is a testament to our faith and a witness to others of the transformative power of God's peace. [38:00]
Hebrews 12:14 (ESV): "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord."
Reflection: Is there someone in your life with whom you need to make peace? What steps can you take today to begin the process of reconciliation?
Day 5: Finding Peace in the Presence of Jesus
Despite immense personal tragedy, Horatio Spafford found peace in Jesus Christ and penned the hymn "It Is Well with My Soul." This story underscores that true peace is found not in the absence of problems but in the presence of Jesus. By seeking Jesus in our trials, we can experience a peace that transcends our understanding and circumstances. This peace is a powerful testimony of God's presence and faithfulness in our lives, even in the darkest times. [01:00:58]
John 16:33 (ESV): "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
Reflection: Reflect on a difficult time in your life. How did you experience God's peace during that period? How can you seek His presence in your current challenges?
Quotes
1. "Too many folks worry about stuff, amen? Worry, fear, and anxiety absolutely grips people's lives. Somebody one time said that the math of worry is this. Worry divides the mind. It multiplies miseries. It subtracts from happiness, and it adds stress. And there are so many people living in this country alone that are stressed. Somebody say amen if you're stressed. Amen. Just want to make sure you're awake." [34:17] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I read a great definition of anxiety this week. It said, it's a lethal combination of worry and fear that dominates your mind, saturates your heart, and devastates your soul. Too many folks, particularly Christians, are abiding in fear and worry and anxiety. But the good news is, I'm here to give you the good news. Amen. The Bible gives us the antidote to fear and worry and anxiety. It's called God's peace. And I'm convinced that everyone is looking for peace. We want peace in our homes. We want peace in our hearts." [35:50] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Peace is an assurance of God's control that results from obedience to God's command. The Lord said to the nation of Israel in Isaiah 48, verse 18, O that you had heeded my commandments, then your peace would have been like a river. Amen. That's what I want. I want peace like a river. And even if you're saved, you still need peace because even the upright can get uptight. Listen, you can have perfect, overflowing, unbelievable, everlasting peace, even in a sea of sorrow and suffering." [38:00] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You cannot rejoice in the Lord unless your focus is on the Lord. And I love the fact that this verse starts with, with rejoice in the Lord always. And again, I say rejoice. We talked about rejoicing last week. You see, the fruit of the Spirit, it all goes together. I said week one that the fruit of the Spirit is not like an apple on a stem. It's like a group of, a cluster of grapes together. It's all together. It's all combined. It all works together." [41:14] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Peace is not the absence of problems. Peace is the presence of Jesus in the midst of your problems. Another boat story, Mark chapter 4. The disciples once again are on the boat. Remember, these are experienced fishermen. All right? A big storm comes up. And where is Jesus? He's in the front of the boat. He's sleeping. Mark tells us that he pulled up a cushion, and he went to sleep. Amazing. Here Jesus is sleeping during a storm." [43:09] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We can't always rejoice in our losses, but we can always rejoice in the Lord. Now we want to notice the reason for our rejoicing. We're told to rejoice in the Lord. We look at this letter and we say, who wrote this? Was it a preacher in a pulpit? No, it was a prophet in a prison. Paul was in a Roman jail and he didn't know, just like Peter didn't know, if he was going to survive another day. Chained up in a Roman dungeon, facing a Roman death. The key to his joy was his focus." [45:53] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Peace is a matter of faith. Verse 6, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And so just as focus deals. With praise, faith deals with prayer. First, we want to look at the attitude of this prayer. Do not be anxious about anything. Some of you are saying, huh? Don't be anxious, but Lord, you don't. Yes, the Lord does. But Lord, do you know what? Yes, the Lord does. And he says, do not. And that's a commandment. Don't be anxious about anything." [48:49] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Worry is a distrust in the wisdom of God. Because every time you worry, here's what you're telling God. God, I don't think you can handle this. I really don't. I think I'm going to have to bear this burden all by myself. I don't believe you can be trusted in this matter. Furthermore, worry is a denial of the word of God. Because when you worry, you're really denying the promises that God has made to us. Romans 8, 28. That God works out all things out together for good to those who love him and are called according to his purpose." [50:10] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We are to pray for everything. Everything we are to pray for. We notice the latitude of this prayer, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Our prayer should encompass everything and leave out nothing. Some Christians pray for nothing. Some Christians pray for some certain things. But the Bible tells us that Christians ought to pray, pray for everything." [53:39] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "The peace which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 18 books of the New Testament begin with a greeting of peace. Now this greeting of peace is not simply from the human authors. This is the peace that comes from God. These authors were inspired by the Holy Spirit, and it's always, always grace and peace. Peace always follows grace because you are not going to have peace from God until you experience the grace of God." [55:59] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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