Transforming Hearts: The Practice of True Peace
Summary
In a sermon at Prince of Peace United Methodist Church, Pastor Jonah Bell explores the theme of practicing peace as a transformative heart action rather than a mere performance. He emphasizes that true peace requires a deep commitment to God's will and a shift from self-centeredness to God-centeredness. Drawing from Romans 10:9 and Matthew 7, Pastor Bell underscores the importance of confessing and believing in the heart, as well as doing God's will as the essence of discipleship. He warns against the dangers of self-righteousness and the need for self-reflection, referencing God's message to "check themselves" before they "wreck themselves."
Pastor Bell also discusses the importance of embracing different perspectives within the church community, which leads to a collective understanding of God's desires for us. He uses the imagery of the Refiner's Fire and cleaner soap from the book of Micah to symbolize the ongoing process of transformation in our lives. The goal is to become a people who glorify God in all aspects of life by staying connected to the practice of peace.
The sermon further addresses the innate ability God has given us to practice peace, highlighting the need to overcome obstacles like self-centered thinking. Pastor Bell reassures the congregation that they are in a good starting place, as they understand that faith involves the community and God's presence within them. He encourages rooting oneself in a community of like-minded individuals who practice peace, pray for each other, and live out their faith.
Pastor Bell also speaks about the posture of the heart when praying to God, emphasizing that the practice of peace should reflect God's love, joy, and hope genuinely. He explains that acknowledging our need for God's help brings us grace and leads to restoration and the removal of impurities. He concludes by referencing Paul's letter to the Romans, which recognizes the goodness, knowledge, and ability within each individual to teach and share with others, making the world a better place.
The sermon begins with a "thumb thermometer" check-in with the congregation, followed by a discussion on the Book of Malachi. Pastor Bell explains that the people in Malachi's time were in exile, frustrated with injustice, and had a false sense of security, expecting God to be on their side.
Key Takeaways:
- True peace is not an outward show but a transformation of the heart that aligns with God's will. It requires a shift from self-centeredness to God-centeredness, where we confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts, as emphasized in Romans 10:9. This transformation is a continuous process that involves self-reflection and a commitment to God's teachings. [33:19]
- Embracing diverse perspectives within the church community is crucial for collective spiritual growth. Differences challenge and question our beliefs, leading to a deeper understanding of God's will. The practice of peace is an ongoing commitment that begins with acknowledging our limitations and relying on God's transformative work. [42:17]
- Practicing peace is about rediscovering our true selves and the purpose God created us for. It involves a community effort where individuals support each other through prayer, meditation on God's word, and living out their faith. This collective practice helps cultivate peace in our hearts, church, communities, and the world. [38:45]
- The metaphor of the Refiner's Fire and cleaner soap from the book of Micah represents the purification process in our spiritual lives. God's hope for us is to remove impurities and restore us, so we may belong to the Lord and offer righteous offerings. This purification allows us to glorify God in all that we say, think, and do. [35:51]
- Recognizing the goodness, knowledge, and ability to teach within ourselves, as mentioned in Romans 15, is essential for community growth. When we strip away the negative aspects of our lives, we can bring our inherent qualities into our community and contribute to making the world a better place. [36:35]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 10:9 - "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
2. Matthew 7:1-5 - "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."
3. Malachi 3:2-3 - "But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 10:9, what are the two key actions required for salvation?
2. In Matthew 7:1-5, what metaphor does Jesus use to describe the act of judging others, and what does He instruct us to do first?
3. What imagery does Malachi 3:2-3 use to describe the process of purification, and who is being purified?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the act of confessing with our mouths and believing in our hearts, as mentioned in Romans 10:9, relate to the concept of true peace being a transformation of the heart? [32:08]
2. What does Jesus' teaching in Matthew 7:1-5 suggest about the importance of self-reflection before judging others, and how does this relate to Pastor Bell's message about self-righteousness? [29:42]
3. How does the imagery of the Refiner's Fire and cleaner soap in Malachi 3:2-3 help us understand the ongoing process of spiritual transformation and purification? [35:51]
#### Application Questions
1. Pastor Bell emphasized the need to shift from self-centeredness to God-centeredness. Reflect on a recent decision you made. Was it more self-centered or God-centered? How can you make more God-centered decisions in the future? [28:29]
2. In what ways can you practice self-reflection to avoid self-righteousness, as discussed in the sermon? Can you think of a specific instance where you judged someone without first examining your own actions? [29:42]
3. Pastor Bell mentioned the importance of embracing diverse perspectives within the church community. How can you actively seek out and appreciate different viewpoints within your small group or church? [40:05]
4. The sermon highlighted the importance of community in practicing peace. What steps can you take to root yourself more deeply in your church community and support others in their faith journey? [38:45]
5. Reflect on the metaphor of the Refiner's Fire and cleaner soap. What impurities or negative aspects in your life do you feel need to be refined or cleansed? How can you invite God into this process of purification? [35:51]
6. Pastor Bell spoke about the posture of the heart when praying to God. How can you ensure that your prayers reflect genuine love, joy, and hope? Can you think of a specific prayer or practice that might help you achieve this? [34:02]
7. Romans 15:14 mentions the goodness, knowledge, and ability to teach within each individual. How can you use your inherent qualities to contribute to your community and make the world a better place? [36:35]
Devotional
Day 1: Heart Transformation Through Peace
True peace is an inward transformation that aligns with God's will, not just an outward display. It involves a conscious shift from focusing on oneself to centering on God, and it is marked by a genuine confession and belief in the heart. This transformation is a lifelong journey that requires continuous self-reflection and dedication to living according to God's teachings. [33:19]
Micah 6:8 - "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from self-centered actions to God-centered actions in your daily life?
Day 2: Embracing Unity in Diversity
The church thrives when it embraces a variety of perspectives, leading to a richer collective understanding of God's will. Differences within the community should not divide but rather challenge and refine beliefs, fostering spiritual growth. This unity in diversity is essential for the practice of peace, which begins with recognizing our own limitations and depending on God's transformative grace. [42:17]
Ephesians 4:2-3 - "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
Reflection: What steps can you take to better understand and embrace the diverse perspectives within your church community?
Day 3: Cultivating Community Through Peace
Practicing peace is a communal effort that involves supporting one another through prayer, meditation on God's word, and living out faith together. This collective practice not only nurtures peace within individual hearts but also extends to the church and beyond, impacting the wider community and the world. It is a rediscovery of our true purpose and the role we play in God's creation. [38:45]
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
Reflection: How can you contribute to a community of peace and encourage others in their spiritual walk today?
Day 4: Purification as a Path to Peace
The metaphor of the Refiner's Fire and cleaner soap represents the ongoing purification process in our spiritual lives. God's desire is to remove our impurities and restore us to righteousness, enabling us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices that glorify Him. This purification is a necessary part of practicing peace and belonging to the Lord. [35:51]
Zechariah 13:9 - "This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.'"
Reflection: What impurities do you need to ask God to help you remove in order to become a more peaceful and righteous offering to Him?
Day 5: Teaching and Sharing as Acts of Peace
Recognizing and utilizing the goodness, knowledge, and ability to teach within ourselves is crucial for the growth of our community. As we strip away negative aspects of our lives, we can bring our inherent qualities to the forefront, contributing positively to our community and making the world a better place. This act of sharing and teaching is an extension of practicing peace. [36:35]
1 Peter 4:10 - "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."
Reflection: What is one gift you possess that you can use to serve and teach others in your community this week?
Quotes
"The practice of peace is just that, a practice. It's an ongoing process that we must continue to show up for and be faithful to God." [40:47] (Download)
"True peace is not just a mere performance but it's a deep heart transforming practice that begins with the humble recognition that we can't do it on our own." [41:30] (Download)
"God desires to remove our impurities, restoring the essence of who we were created to be, resulting in a beautiful people who belong to the Lord, glorifying God in all aspects of their lives." [42:17] (Download)
"The practice of peace is not performative; we can't just show up week after week and say the right words. It's not just a performance, it's about the posture of our heart." [32:08] (Download)
"God is saying no, it's not only about doing the right things, it's about your heart. Where are those actions coming from? The posture of your heart is never supposed to be towards yourself; it's always towards others." [33:19] (Download)
"We have a me-centered approach versus a God-centered approach, or if you're fancy, I would call this an egocentric approach versus a theocentric approach." [28:29] (Download)
"God has gifted us with the innate ability to practice peace... we have to get rid of this me-centered thinking... instead change perspectives to put God at the center." [37:17] (Download)
"The practice of Peace means rediscovering who we are and who God created us to be... God is at the center and we look to each other, we look to scripture, we look to the created world around us." [38:45] (Download)
"Individually we have a responsibility to put on this goodness that God calls us to... but then communally we have to practice peace together... all of those gifts when they come together are a great expression of God's peace and love in our world." [39:28] (Download)
"God's hope for us is for restoration, to remove all the junk and keep the treasure that's inside of us, so that in all that we say, think, or do, we'll glorify God, not just glorify ourselves." [35:51] (Download)
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