Finding True Peace in Christ Amid Chaos

Devotional

Day 1: The Universality of Feeling Ill-Equipped

Description: Many people resonate with the feeling of being unprepared for life's challenges, as highlighted by a popular quote from "The Hunger Games." This sentiment is not limited to any age group or demographic; it is a universal human experience. Recognizing this can help us understand that we are not alone in our struggles and that seeking God's peace is a common need. [05:51]

In moments of chaos and uncertainty, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and ill-equipped to handle the challenges that come our way. This feeling is a common human experience, transcending age, background, and circumstance. Acknowledging this shared vulnerability can foster a sense of community and mutual support, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles. It also highlights the importance of seeking a source of peace and strength beyond ourselves.

God's peace, as promised by Jesus, offers a profound sense of wholeness and well-being that the world cannot provide. This peace is not dependent on external circumstances but is rooted in a deep, abiding relationship with God. By turning to Him in times of crisis, we can find the strength and resilience to navigate life's challenges with grace and confidence.

Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt unprepared or overwhelmed. How can you invite God's peace into that specific area of your life today?

Day 2: The Transformative Power of Quiet Time

Description: Intentional quiet time with God can lead to significant personal transformation. Congregants shared how carving out moments of stillness allowed them to experience God's peace more profoundly, making them more sensitive to His words and more loving towards others. This practice is essential for spiritual growth and emotional well-being. [11:55]

Setting aside intentional quiet time with God is a powerful practice that can lead to profound personal transformation. In the stillness, we become more attuned to God's voice and presence, allowing His peace to permeate our hearts and minds. This practice not only enhances our spiritual growth but also positively impacts our emotional well-being and relationships with others.

Several congregants have shared their experiences of how quiet time with God has transformed their lives. By prioritizing moments of stillness, they have become more sensitive to God's guidance and more loving towards those around them. This intentional practice of seeking God's presence can help us navigate life's challenges with greater clarity and peace.

Psalm 46:10 (ESV): "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

Reflection: How can you create a regular practice of quiet time with God in your daily routine? What specific steps will you take to ensure this time is protected and prioritized?

Day 3: God's Peace vs. The World's Peace

Description: Jesus offers a peace that is fundamentally different from what the world provides. While the world focuses on resources and the absence of trouble, God's peace is about relationships and persists even in the midst of chaos. This peace is a gift that we don't have to earn; it is freely given to those who follow Jesus. [15:34]

The peace that Jesus offers is fundamentally different from the peace the world provides. The world's peace is often contingent on external circumstances, such as the absence of conflict or the presence of material resources. In contrast, God's peace is rooted in relationships and persists even in the midst of chaos and turmoil. This divine peace, or "shalom," encompasses wholeness, completeness, and a deep sense of well-being that only God can provide.

Jesus' peace is a gift that we do not have to strive for or earn; it is freely given to those who follow Him. By embracing this gift, we can experience a profound sense of calm and assurance, regardless of the challenges we face. This peace is a testament to the transformative power of a relationship with God, who sustains us through every trial and tribulation.

Colossians 3:15 (ESV): "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you seeking peace through worldly means? How can you shift your focus to embrace the peace that Jesus offers?

Day 4: Choosing to Run Towards Jesus

Description: In times of crisis, we have a choice to either run towards Jesus or away from Him. Those who choose to run towards Jesus often find that their lives are markedly different, even in the midst of chaos. This choice is crucial for experiencing God's peace and growing spiritually. [26:13]

In moments of crisis, we are faced with a critical choice: to run towards Jesus or away from Him. This decision can significantly impact our ability to experience God's peace and grow spiritually. Those who choose to run towards Jesus often find that their lives are transformed, even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. By seeking His presence and guidance, we can navigate difficult times with a sense of hope and assurance.

Running towards Jesus involves actively seeking His presence through prayer, worship, and reading Scripture. It means trusting in His promises and relying on His strength rather than our own. This choice requires intentionality and faith, but the rewards are profound. By drawing near to Jesus, we can experience a peace that surpasses all understanding and a deep sense of connection with our Creator.

James 4:8 (ESV): "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

Reflection: When faced with a crisis, what practical steps can you take to run towards Jesus rather than away from Him? How can you cultivate a habit of seeking His presence in both good times and bad?

Day 5: Making Peace with God

Description: To fully experience the peace of God, we must first make peace with God. This involves submitting to His authority and recognizing Him as the rightful King of our lives. By stepping off the throne of our own lives and allowing God to reign, we open ourselves to the fullness of His peace and the resources of His kingdom. [30:21]

To fully experience the peace of God, it is essential to first make peace with God. This process involves submitting to His authority and recognizing Him as the rightful King of our lives. By stepping off the throne of our own lives and allowing God to reign, we open ourselves to the fullness of His peace and the abundant resources of His kingdom. This act of surrender is a crucial step in our spiritual journey, enabling us to experience the transformative power of God's peace.

Making peace with God requires humility and a willingness to relinquish control. It means acknowledging our need for His guidance and trusting in His perfect plan for our lives. As we submit to His authority, we can experience a profound sense of freedom and peace, knowing that we are in the hands of a loving and sovereign God. This surrender allows us to tap into the limitless resources of His kingdom, empowering us to live with purpose and confidence.

Romans 5:1 (ESV): "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Reflection: What areas of your life are you holding back from surrendering to God? How can you take a step today to submit to His authority and experience the fullness of His peace?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

In today's sermon, we explored the profound concept of peace, particularly the peace that Jesus offers, which is distinct from the peace the world provides. We began by discussing the common experience of feeling ill-equipped to handle life's unexpected challenges, as illustrated by a popular quote from "The Hunger Games." This sentiment resonates with many, as we all face moments of chaos and uncertainty. I shared personal stories to highlight how both good and bad events can disrupt our lives, creating a sense of chaos that we often struggle to manage.

We revisited the importance of finding a quiet place, as discussed in previous weeks, and how this practice can lead to a deeper relationship with God. Several congregants shared their experiences of finding peace through intentional quiet time, emphasizing the transformative power of these moments. We then turned to John 14:27, where Jesus promises to leave us with a gift of peace that the world cannot give. This peace, or "shalom," encompasses wholeness, completeness, and a sense of well-being that only God can provide.

We contrasted God's peace with the world's peace, noting that while the world focuses on resources and the absence of trouble, God's peace is rooted in relationships and persists even in the midst of turmoil. Jesus' peace is a gift that doesn't require us to strive or earn it; it's freely given to those who follow Him. We discussed the importance of choosing to run towards Jesus in times of crisis rather than away from Him, as this choice significantly impacts our ability to experience His peace.

Finally, we addressed the necessity of making peace with God to fully experience the peace of God. This involves submitting to God's authority and recognizing Him as the rightful King of our lives. By stepping off the throne of our own lives and allowing God to reign, we open ourselves to the fullness of His peace and the resources of His kingdom.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Equipped**: Many people resonate with the feeling of being unprepared for life's challenges, as highlighted by a popular quote from "The Hunger Games." This sentiment is not limited to any age group or demographic; it is a universal human experience. Recognizing this can help us understand that we are not alone in our struggles and that seeking God's peace is a common need. [05:51]
2. The Transformative Power of Quiet Time: Intentional quiet time with God can lead to significant personal transformation. Congregants shared how carving out moments of stillness allowed them to experience God's peace more profoundly, making them more sensitive to His words and more loving towards others. This practice is essential for spiritual growth and emotional well-being.

3. God's Peace vs. The World's Peace: Jesus offers a peace that is fundamentally different from what the world provides. While the world focuses on resources and the absence of trouble, God's peace is about relationships and persists even in the midst of chaos. This peace is a gift that we don't have to earn; it is freely given to those who follow Jesus.

4. Choosing to Run Towards Jesus: In times of crisis, we have a choice to either run towards Jesus or away from Him. Those who choose to run towards Jesus often find that their lives are markedly different, even in the midst of chaos. This choice is crucial for experiencing God's peace and growing spiritually.

5. Making Peace with God: To fully experience the peace of God, we must first make peace with God. This involves submitting to His authority and recognizing Him as the rightful King of our lives. By stepping off the throne of our own lives and allowing God to reign, we open ourselves to the fullness of His peace and the resources of His kingdom.

### [05:51]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:28] - Dismissing Kids to Ministry
[04:34] - The Hunger Games Highlight
[05:51] - Feeling Ill-Equipped
[07:04] - Personal Story: Libby
[08:15] - Chaos in Life
[09:30] - Friend's Medical Emergency
[10:47] - Series Recap: Quiet Place
[11:55] - Congregants' Quiet Time Experiences
[12:57] - Theme of Peace
[14:11] - John 14:27
[15:34] - God's Peace vs. The World's Peace
[18:19] - Workplace and Home Peace
[20:53] - The Gift of Peace
[22:15] - Walking Through Chaos
[23:41] - Running Towards Jesus
[26:13] - Crucible Moments
[27:14] - Legend of the King and Peace
[29:41] - Real Peace in the Storm
[30:21] - Making Peace with God
[33:51] - Who's the King?
[35:22] - Prayer for Submission
[36:43] - Closing Story: R.A. Dickey
[38:45] - The Peace of God
[40:03] - Final Song

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Jesus promise to leave with His followers in John 14:27?
How does the peace that Jesus offers differ from the peace that the world provides? [15:34]
What are some examples given in the sermon of people experiencing chaos in their lives? [08:15]
How did congregants describe their experiences of finding peace through intentional quiet time? [11:55]

Interpretation Questions

Why might Jesus emphasize that His peace is different from the world's peace? What implications does this have for believers? [15:34]
How can the practice of intentional quiet time with God lead to personal transformation and a deeper sense of peace? [11:55]
What does it mean to make peace with God, and how does this relate to experiencing the peace of God? [30:21]
In what ways does running towards Jesus during times of crisis impact one's experience of peace? [26:13]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt ill-equipped to handle a life challenge. How did you respond, and what role did your faith play in that situation? [05:51]
Have you established a regular quiet time with God? If so, how has it impacted your sense of peace? If not, what steps can you take to start this practice? [11:55]
Think about a current situation in your life that feels chaotic. How can you actively choose to run towards Jesus rather than away from Him? [26:13]
What are some practical ways you can submit to God's authority in your daily life to experience His peace more fully? [30:21]
How can you differentiate between the peace the world offers and the peace that comes from God in your everyday decisions and relationships? [15:34]
Identify one area of your life where you need to make peace with God. What steps will you take this week to submit that area to His authority? [30:21]
How can you support others in your small group or community who are going through chaotic times to help them experience God's peace? [23:41]

Sermon Clips

1. "Because at some point you've had an experience. I've had an experience where it felt like a tornado blew through and it got a hold of your life. And it messed everything up. And you try to figure out what do I do now? How do I handle? What's my next step? I don't know where to go from here. And it created chaos in our lives. It created experiences that made us feel uncomfortable." [05:51] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Three weeks ago, we started this series of Quiet Place and we started talking in Psalm 46, 10, where God says, be still and know that I'm God. And we said, Hey, we've got to stop running at a hundred miles an hour. Most of us in this room are go, go, go, go, go. And God tells us that we need to stop and we need to be still and we need to know that he's God." [10:47] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "I found that I love people better when they take time in the quiet. Things that would irritate me, I have grace towards. I'm more sensitive to his words throughout the day. They come to mind more often. I mean, we could just stop there, pass an offering plate and go home. Like if we could get that in our lives every day, we would be the better." [11:55] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Jesus said, I'm leaving you with a gift, peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. What I want you to see as we kind of talk about peace this morning, we tie it to the quiet place. What I want you to see is this truth. God's peace is better than the world's peace." [14:11] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The peace of the world is focused on resources. Like, I got to have it. I got to have it. I got to have it. I got to have it. If I have, if I get my bank account to here, my 401k to there, or if I have this house or this car, then I'll have peace. The worldly peace is about resources. Godly peace is about relationships. It's about, it's about you and Jesus and the relationship that you have with him and how that transforms your life." [20:53] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "When the tornado comes in your life, when chaos comes, whether it's bad, whether it's good, whatever, just know that the peace of God is available to you and it takes away fear. It takes away trouble and you can, you can walk through that valley. You can go through the difficult times and know that God's got you. That's what Jesus is saying. It's theirs. You don't have to earn it. It's just a gift." [22:15] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Walking through the chaos with people who are walking with Jesus. I'm not talking about church attenders. I'm not talking about, I prayed a prayer at vacation Bible school when I was seven. People who are walking with Jesus when tragedy comes, when the chaos comes, when the tornado blows through, their life often, I say often, I would say every time, but I'm sure that's, that can't be right. Every time that I can remember, their life looks markedly different than the person who isn't walking with Jesus." [23:41] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "You can't experience the peace of God until you experience peace with God. Catch that? Can't experience the peace of God until you experience peace with God. And here's what I mean by that. Let me just give you a picture. Some of you go, that's not me. Some of you are at war with God. I'm not at war with God. But listen, if you are the king of your own life, got it? Like if, yeah. If you're the boss, if you're calling the shots, if you're sitting on the throne of your life and you go, hey, I know how I want to live my life and I see what God would want me to do, but God expects this or God wants me to do this and I'm not really in for that because that seems inconvenient." [30:21] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "The king of the universe, like he wants to encompass your kingdom because he owns it anyway and he wants to bring the peace of his kingdom into your kingdom. He wants to leverage all the resources of his kingdom and leverage them for your kingdom. Does that make sense? For some reason, we're like, no, no, no, I'm not giving up the rights. I'm not giving up the throne. And God's looking and going, listen, everything that you're after, I already have. And not only do I already have, what you have is rightfully mine as well." [32:02] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "The peace of God is way better than war. Lord, as we sing one final song this morning, I just pray that our hearts and our voice would echo these words, that they would be true of us. Lord, as we get ready to transition next Sunday to something different, and we leave a quiet place behind, Lord, I just pray that these four weeks would have created some disciplines. Lord, we'd just stop running so hard and so fast after the wind. We'd carve out time regularly just to be still and know that you're God." [40:03] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?