Living in Peace, Joy, Faith, and Love
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound concepts of peace, joy, hope, faith, and love as foundational elements of a life lived in alignment with God's will. We began by acknowledging the prevalent lack of peace in the world and the challenge of maintaining peace with others, especially those closest to us. This peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a deep rest in the goodness of God, as described in Hebrews 4. The Sabbath serves as a reminder to cease from our own deeds and trust in God's provision, which is a significant step towards experiencing true peace.
Joy, closely linked with peace, is described as a pervasive and firmly established sense of well-being. It is not a fleeting feeling but a condition of the soul that coexists with peace. Joy is consistent with pain and suffering, unlike pleasure, which is merely a feeling. This joy is a gift from Jesus, who promised that our joy might be full, even in the face of trials.
Faith is the readiness to act as if the goodness presupposed in hope is real and reliable. It is not opposed to knowledge but leads to and rests on it. Faith involves acting on the goodness of God, which we come to know through experience. This readiness to act is crucial for spiritual growth and transformation.
Love, the engagement of the will for what is good, encompasses and supports all other elements. It is the ultimate expression of faith in action, seeking the good of others. Love is comprehensive, as described in 1 Corinthians 13, and is essential for a life that reflects the character of Christ.
Finally, we discussed the importance of discipleship and spiritual disciplines in cultivating these virtues. Discipleship involves learning to live as Jesus would live our lives, embodying his teachings and character. Spiritual disciplines are the practices that help us grow in these areas, enabling us to bear the kingdom of God in our daily lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. Peace as Rest in God's Goodness: True peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a deep rest in the goodness of God. It requires trusting in God's provision and ceasing from our own efforts, as symbolized by the Sabbath. This peace is foundational for experiencing joy and hope. [09:26]
2. Joy as a Condition, Not a Feeling: Joy is a pervasive sense of well-being that is consistent with pain and suffering. It is not a fleeting feeling but a condition of the soul that is deeply rooted in the presence of God. Joy and peace are interconnected, and cultivating one often leads to the other. [12:32]
3. Faith as Readiness to Act: Faith involves a readiness to act as if the goodness presupposed in hope is real and reliable. It is not opposed to knowledge but leads to and rests on it. Faith grows as we act on the goodness of God, which we come to know through experience. [19:06]
4. Love as Engagement of the Will: Love is the engagement of the will for what is good, encompassing and supporting all other virtues. It is the ultimate expression of faith in action, seeking the good of others and reflecting the character of Christ. [23:09]
5. Discipleship and Spiritual Disciplines: Discipleship involves learning to live as Jesus would live our lives, embodying his teachings and character. Spiritual disciplines are the practices that help us grow in peace, joy, hope, faith, and love, enabling us to bear the kingdom of God in our daily lives. [39:28]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[08:35] - Pursuing Peace with Others
[09:26] - Entering God's Rest
[10:23] - Trusting in God's Provision
[11:50] - The Interconnection of Peace and Joy
[12:32] - Joy as a Condition of Well-being
[15:49] - Joy Amidst Suffering
[18:50] - Understanding Faith
[19:30] - Acting on Faith
[23:09] - Love as the Will for Good
[24:30] - The Fruit of the Spirit
[29:08] - Living in Peace, Joy, and Hope
[32:58] - Discipleship and Spiritual Transformation
[39:28] - The Role of Spiritual Disciplines
[42:41] - Learning to Live Like Jesus
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 4:9-11
2. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
3. Galatians 5:22-23
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Hebrews 4, what is the significance of entering God's rest, and how is it connected to the concept of the Sabbath? [09:26]
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between peace and joy? What are the implications of this relationship for a believer's life? [11:50]
3. In the sermon, how is faith defined, and what role does it play in the life of a believer? [19:06]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the comprehensive nature of love as described in 1 Corinthians 13? [22:32]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of resting in God's goodness challenge the way individuals typically approach their daily struggles and responsibilities? [10:23]
2. In what ways can joy coexist with pain and suffering, and how does this understanding affect a believer's perspective on trials? [15:49]
3. What does it mean for faith to be a readiness to act, and how does this readiness impact a believer's spiritual growth and transformation? [19:06]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the idea that love is the engagement of the will for what is good, and how does this understanding shape a believer's interactions with others? [23:09]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a current situation in your life where you struggle to find peace. How can you begin to trust in God's provision and rest in His goodness this week? [10:23]
2. Think of a recent challenge or trial you faced. How did you experience joy in the midst of it, and what can you do to cultivate a deeper sense of joy in future trials? [15:49]
3. Identify an area in your life where you feel called to act in faith. What practical steps can you take this week to demonstrate your readiness to act on the goodness of God? [19:06]
4. Consider a relationship in your life where love is difficult to express. What specific actions can you take to engage your will for the good of that person, reflecting the love described in 1 Corinthians 13? [23:09]
5. How can you incorporate spiritual disciplines into your daily routine to grow in peace, joy, hope, faith, and love? Identify one discipline to focus on this week and plan how you will practice it. [39:28]
6. Reflect on the concept of discipleship as learning to live as Jesus would live your life. What is one area of your life where you can begin to embody His teachings more fully? [42:41]
7. How can you support others in your community to grow in these virtues? Identify one person you can encourage or mentor in their spiritual journey this week. [50:16]
Devotional
Day 1: Peace as Rest in God's Goodness
True peace is not simply the absence of conflict but a profound rest in the goodness of God. This peace requires a deep trust in God's provision and a willingness to cease from our own efforts, as symbolized by the Sabbath. In a world where peace is often elusive, this divine peace serves as a foundation for experiencing joy and hope. It invites us to step back from our striving and rest in the assurance that God is in control. By embracing this peace, we align ourselves with God's will and open our hearts to the transformative power of His presence. [09:26]
Hebrews 4:9-10 (ESV): "So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his."
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you striving instead of resting in God's provision? How can you intentionally practice Sabbath rest this week to experience His peace?
Day 2: Joy as a Condition, Not a Feeling
Joy is described as a pervasive sense of well-being that remains consistent even amidst pain and suffering. Unlike fleeting feelings of pleasure, joy is a condition of the soul deeply rooted in the presence of God. This joy is interconnected with peace, and cultivating one often leads to the other. It is a gift from Jesus, who promised that our joy might be full, even in the face of trials. By embracing this joy, we can navigate life's challenges with a steadfast heart, knowing that our well-being is anchored in God's unchanging love. [12:32]
James 1:2-3 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a sense of joy that transcends your current circumstances? What practices can you incorporate into your daily life to remain rooted in God's presence?
Day 3: Faith as Readiness to Act
Faith involves a readiness to act as if the goodness presupposed in hope is real and reliable. It is not opposed to knowledge but leads to and rests on it. This faith grows as we act on the goodness of God, which we come to know through experience. It is a dynamic force that propels us forward in our spiritual journey, enabling us to trust in God's promises and step out in obedience. By embracing this readiness to act, we open ourselves to spiritual growth and transformation, allowing our faith to become a living testimony of God's faithfulness. [19:06]
Hebrews 11:1 (ESV): "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith? How can you take a tangible step towards acting on that faith today?
Day 4: Love as Engagement of the Will
Love is the engagement of the will for what is good, encompassing and supporting all other virtues. It is the ultimate expression of faith in action, seeking the good of others and reflecting the character of Christ. This love is comprehensive, as described in 1 Corinthians 13, and is essential for a life that mirrors the heart of God. By choosing to love intentionally, we align our will with God's purposes and become conduits of His grace and compassion in the world. Love is not merely an emotion but a deliberate choice to pursue the well-being of others. [23:09]
1 John 3:18 (ESV): "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience the love of Christ through your actions today? What specific steps can you take to demonstrate this love in a tangible way?
Day 5: Discipleship and Spiritual Disciplines
Discipleship involves learning to live as Jesus would live our lives, embodying His teachings and character. Spiritual disciplines are the practices that help us grow in peace, joy, hope, faith, and love, enabling us to bear the kingdom of God in our daily lives. These disciplines, such as prayer, meditation, and service, cultivate a deeper relationship with God and transform us into His likeness. By committing to these practices, we become more attuned to the Holy Spirit's guidance and more effective in our witness to the world. [39:28]
Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "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: What spiritual discipline can you commit to this week to deepen your relationship with God? How can this practice help you embody the teachings and character of Jesus in your daily life?
Quotes
"Hebrews 4 talks about the rest of God. We enter into a rest. We may not, as Hebrew 4 indicates, it's something we have to make sure that we enter into the rest of God, the rest that God has provided. It talks about Sabbath in connection with rest, and that's essentially the point of the Sabbath is to cease from your own deeds." [00:09:22]
"Sabbath really means that you rest in the goodness of God, you trust him and you know, perhaps that there are many Sabbaths discussed in the scriptures. There is a Sabbath year, and the whole point of the Sabbath year was to trust God, to let his provision be there, to provide for you." [00:10:23]
"Joy is a pervasive and firmly established sense of well-being. It's a pervasive sense of well-being. Peace is rest in goodness. It has to do fundamentally with that posture of the will. Joy is not so much a posture of the will; it is a condition of the person with a certain feeling tone." [00:12:32]
"Joy is consistent with pain. Joy is consistent with suffering. Pleasure isn't. Pleasure is a feeling; joy is a condition. There are some feelings associated with it, as with peace, but again these are conditions of the self, not feelings. Peace, joy, hope—what am I saying? This is what we aim at." [00:15:49]
"Faith is readiness to act as if the goodness presupposed in hope is real. Faith is readiness to act as if the goodness presupposed in hope is real and reliable. And here there's a lot of scripture we could work with, but you begin with faith by hearing a good word." [00:19:06]
"Faith is not opposed to knowledge; it is something that leads to knowledge on the one hand and something that rests on knowledge on the other. But it does presuppose the readiness to act as if the goodness that you're hoping in is true, and that's a matter of degree." [00:20:32]
"Love is actually, I think, a kind of comprehensive thing that includes much of the others. I think First Corinthians 13 tells you that story. I mean, Paul in First Corinthians 13 just talks about love, but then when you get to looking at it, you find almost everything else there." [00:23:09]
"Love is engagement of the will for what is good. It goes beyond faith, but faith works by love. How does faith work by love? Well, faith is readiness to act as if the goodness presupposed in hope is real. Now then, when we get to love, we're not just ready; we're acting." [00:23:30]
"Discipleship involves learning to be like him and so they watched him, and he taught, and then one day he said, 'Now you do it.' Right, that's what he said, wasn't it? And now you're doing it. He sent them out, and he told them to preach. What did they preach, by the way?" [00:42:41]
"Discipleship is learning how to do what Jesus did in the way he did it by being with him. See what else we've got here. So, three main aspects of discipleship. The most important one in terms of progress is learning to do as he did and what he taught." [00:49:33]
"We learned to do the things that Jesus did and taught. Of course, some of the things he did, we can't do. That's okay. Most of them we can. We can take on his character and begin to exercise power of the kingdom of God in ways that won't hurt us or hurt other people." [00:50:40]
"Plan disciplines to put on new bowels, guts. This is gut stuff where your actions come from. And I give you here the references to II Peter where we're going to come back to that now because that's such an important passage. Then Colossians really, 12 through 17, put on bowels of mercies." [00:39:28]
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