Finding True Peace in Troubling Times

Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone. Today, we continued our series "Level Up" by focusing on the fruit of the Spirit, specifically peace. We began by reading from Galatians 5:22-23 and Psalm 4, where King David, despite his troubling circumstances, finds peace in God. Our world is filled with anxiety-inducing news and social media, but Jesus offers us a peace that surpasses understanding. This peace is not dependent on external circumstances but is rooted in our relationship with God.

We discussed how peace can become the operating system of our lives, replacing anxiety. Just as our phones have operating systems that run everything in the background, peace can be the underlying force that guides our actions and reactions. David's life, filled with turmoil, teaches us that peace is possible even in the worst situations. He shows us that peace grows when prayer is our first response, not our last resort. Instead of reacting with stress, we should turn to God immediately, seeking His wisdom and guidance.

Moreover, peace grows when our faith is bigger than our feelings. Emotions are natural but should not dictate our actions. Instead, we should reflect on God's truths and promises. David reminds us that God has set apart the faithful for Himself and will hear us when we call. This reflection helps us avoid counterfeit peace, which the world offers through temporary fixes like alcohol or distractions.

Finally, peace grows when we serve God no matter what. David encourages us to continue our acts of devotion and worship, even when it seems pointless. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's will and experience His peace. Jesus offers us His peace, a peace that is not of this world and is available to all who make peace with God.

### Key Takeaways

1. Peace as an Operating System: Just as our phones have operating systems that run everything in the background, peace can be the underlying force that guides our actions and reactions. If we don't grow in peace, anxiety will dominate our lives. Peace from God allows us to navigate life's challenges with a sense of calm and assurance. [36:21]

2. Prayer as a First Response: Peace grows when prayer is our first response and not our last resort. When faced with stress, turning to God immediately for wisdom and guidance helps us handle situations better. This approach transforms our stress into an opportunity to experience God's peace. [40:41]

3. Faith Over Feelings: Emotions are natural but should not dictate our actions. Peace grows when our faith is bigger than our feelings. By reflecting on God's truths and promises, we can navigate our emotions and make wise decisions. This helps us avoid the pitfalls of reacting based on how we feel. [48:26]

4. Avoiding Counterfeit Peace: The world offers temporary fixes like alcohol or distractions, but these are counterfeit forms of peace. True peace comes from Jesus, who offers a peace that surpasses understanding. This peace is rooted in our relationship with God and is not dependent on external circumstances. [52:50]

5. Serving God No Matter What: Peace grows when we continue to serve God, even when it seems pointless. Acts of devotion and worship align us with God's will and bring us closer to His peace. By staying committed to God's ways, we experience a deeper sense of peace and purpose. [55:55]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[29:02] - Introduction to the Series "Level Up"
[30:38] - Reading from Galatians 5 and Psalm 4
[32:12] - The Anxiety-Inducing World
[33:27] - Social Media and Mental Health
[34:56] - The Illusion of Peace in the World
[36:21] - Peace as an Operating System
[37:49] - King David's Example of Peace
[39:17] - Peace Amidst Family Turmoil
[40:41] - Prayer as a First Response
[42:12] - The Cycle of Stress and Peace
[45:13] - Wisdom from God
[48:26] - Faith Over Feelings
[49:57] - Reflection Instead of Reaction
[52:50] - Avoiding Counterfeit Peace
[55:55] - Serving God No Matter What
[58:51] - Personal Story: Car Accident
[01:00:39] - Joy and Peace in All Circumstances
[01:02:08] - Invitation to Make Peace with God
[01:03:52] - Prayer for Perfect Peace
[01:07:02] - Invitation to Receive Christ
[01:15:06] - Closing Prayer and Giving

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
- Galatians 5:22-23
- Psalm 4

### Observation Questions
1. According to Galatians 5:22-23, what are the fruits of the Spirit listed by Paul?
2. In Psalm 4, how does King David describe his state of mind despite his troubling circumstances?
3. What does the sermon suggest is the "operating system" of our lives if we don't grow in peace? [36:21]
4. How does the sermon describe the world's version of peace compared to the peace Jesus offers? [52:50]

### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean for peace to be the "operating system" of our lives, and how can this concept change our daily actions and reactions? [36:21]
2. How does making prayer our first response, rather than our last resort, impact our ability to experience peace in stressful situations? [40:41]
3. Why is it important for our faith to be bigger than our feelings when seeking peace, according to the sermon? [48:26]
4. What are some examples of "counterfeit peace" mentioned in the sermon, and why are they considered inadequate? [52:50]

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt anxious. How might making prayer your first response have changed the outcome? [40:41]
2. Identify a specific area in your life where your feelings often dictate your actions. How can you remind yourself of God's truths and promises in those moments? [48:26]
3. Have you ever sought "counterfeit peace" through temporary fixes like distractions or substances? What steps can you take to seek true peace from Jesus instead? [52:50]
4. Think of a time when you continued to serve God despite feeling it was pointless. How did that experience impact your sense of peace and purpose? [55:55]
5. How can you incorporate the practice of reflecting on God's presence and promises into your nightly routine to combat anxiety and stress? [49:57]
6. Is there a specific person or situation in your life that consistently disrupts your peace? What practical steps can you take to address this while maintaining a Christ-like attitude? [49:57]
7. How can you support someone in your small group or community who is struggling to find peace in their current circumstances? What specific actions can you take this week to offer them encouragement and support? [57:21]

Devotional

Day 1: Peace as the Foundation of Our Lives
Peace can be the underlying force that guides our actions and reactions, much like an operating system runs everything in the background of our phones. If we don't grow in peace, anxiety will dominate our lives. The peace that comes from God allows us to navigate life's challenges with a sense of calm and assurance. This peace is not dependent on external circumstances but is rooted in our relationship with God. By making peace our foundation, we can handle life's ups and downs with grace and confidence. [36:21]

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: What are some areas in your life where anxiety tends to dominate? How can you invite God's peace to be the foundation in those specific areas today?

Day 2: Prayer as Our Immediate Response
Peace grows when prayer is our first response and not our last resort. When faced with stress, turning to God immediately for wisdom and guidance helps us handle situations better. This approach transforms our stress into an opportunity to experience God's peace. King David's life, filled with turmoil, teaches us that peace is possible even in the worst situations. By making prayer our immediate response, we align ourselves with God's will and open ourselves to His peace. [40:41]

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Reflection: Think of a recent stressful situation. How could you have responded differently if prayer had been your first response? How can you make prayer your immediate reaction in future stressful moments?

Day 3: Faith Over Feelings
Emotions are natural but should not dictate our actions. Peace grows when our faith is bigger than our feelings. By reflecting on God's truths and promises, we can navigate our emotions and make wise decisions. This helps us avoid the pitfalls of reacting based on how we feel. David reminds us that God has set apart the faithful for Himself and will hear us when we call. This reflection helps us avoid counterfeit peace, which the world offers through temporary fixes like alcohol or distractions. [48:26]

Psalm 56:3-4 (ESV): "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?"

Reflection: Identify a recent time when your emotions dictated your actions. How can you practice putting your faith in God's promises instead of reacting based on your feelings?

Day 4: Avoiding Counterfeit Peace
The world offers temporary fixes like alcohol or distractions, but these are counterfeit forms of peace. True peace comes from Jesus, who offers a peace that surpasses understanding. This peace is rooted in our relationship with God and is not dependent on external circumstances. By seeking God's peace, we can avoid the temporary and often harmful solutions the world offers. This peace is enduring and transformative, providing a solid foundation for our lives. [52:50]

John 14:27 (ESV): "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: What are some counterfeit forms of peace you have turned to in the past? How can you seek the true peace that Jesus offers in your daily life?

Day 5: Serving God No Matter What
Peace grows when we continue to serve God, even when it seems pointless. Acts of devotion and worship align us with God's will and bring us closer to His peace. By staying committed to God's ways, we experience a deeper sense of peace and purpose. David encourages us to continue our acts of devotion and worship, even in difficult times. This commitment to serving God no matter what helps us experience His peace in all circumstances. [55:55]

Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when serving God felt pointless or difficult. How did you persevere, and what was the outcome? How can you commit to serving God wholeheartedly in your current circumstances?

Quotes

1. "Have you figured out that there is a whole lot about our culture that is wired to get an anxious response? Do we realize that? Like if you're a newsy person, you try to pay attention to what is going on in the world, you trying to be an informed citizen works against your peace. Because whenever it comes to reading headlines, the saying is, if it bleeds, it leads. Which means the worse it is, the more attention it's going to get from us as an audience." [32:12] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Our world will give you a million reasons to feel anxious, but today we're going to talk about peace. And peace in the sense that Jesus says he wants to give it to us, and peace in the sense that the Bible describes it, is it doesn't mean that everything around you is going well, but it means that it can be well within you, in your soul, that your level of trust, of wholeness, is bigger than your circumstances." [34:56] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "If we don't grow in peace, the operating system of our life will be anxiety. If we don't grow in peace, anxiety will be the operating system of, our life. Now, everybody in this room that has a phone carries an operating system with them all day. And the operating system is the background program that mediates and runs everything else." [36:21] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Peace is not something we find when someone waves the right magic wand or we pray the perfect prayer all of life gets where it needs to be and we're peaceful. Peace, scripture says, is a fruit of the spirit. It's something that can grow and increase in our life. So that today you may still be anxious, but do you realize that tomorrow can be a less anxious future than today?" [40:41] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Peace grows in our life when prayer is a first response and not our last resort. Prayer is a first response and not our last resort. Because have any of you ever said or heard this saying, I guess all that there is left to do is pray. That's all we can do now. And it's always the right time to turn to God in prayer. It's always the right time." [42:12] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "When the peace of God rules your heart, guess what's still going to happen? You're still going to have some messes. And not only are you still going to have some messes, you're still going to feel a stress response. But whenever the peace of God rules your heart, you know what to do with stress. And so yes, I'm stressed, I'm aching, I'm kind of freaking out. But what do you do with it? Well, I'm going to turn, I'm going to turn to God." [45:13] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Peace grows whenever faith is bigger than our feelings. I just, man, I'm feeling this with you. I'm just wanting to walk around and do this, but it's distracting and loud. So David says this, as toxic as it can be, that's our, that's our word, right? As toxic as it can be or unhelpful as it can be to suppress and deny emotions altogether. It's equally as toxic as it can be to suppress and deny emotions altogether." [46:45] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "You will never find peace at the bottom of a bottle of bourbon. You will never find peace through 14 beers, let alone four. That is not going to get you there. It's counterfeit. And what Jesus would like to give you instead is this, John 14, my peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you, I do not give as the world gives. Jesus is saying, I don't give counterfeit peace." [52:50] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "You can't have peace from God if you don't have peace with God. God's peace is available to all of his children. But being a child of God is not our default position. You must make peace with him. You must seek his forgiveness. You must seek his purpose. And whenever you come to him, he loves you. He is willing to forgive you." [54:19] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Life doesn't need to be good to know that God is good. And whenever David says it's not going well for me, but still I will lie down and I will sleep in peace because the peace God gives doesn't require that the rest of the world cooperates. It's just remembering that God is with you in the circumstances you're actually in. You don't have to deny how you're feeling." [01:00:39] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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