1 00:00:00,028 --> 00:00:01,538 Marcel Hall: Good morning, brothers and sisters. 2 00:00:01,538 --> 00:00:01,738 Good morning. 3 00:00:01,738 --> 00:00:04,808 It is good to be together. 4 00:00:04,838 --> 00:00:08,528 My name is Marcelle Hall, and, uh, I have the honor and privilege to 5 00:00:08,538 --> 00:00:10,608 be a minister here in the church. 6 00:00:10,618 --> 00:00:12,388 Uh, I serve with my wife, Karina. 7 00:00:12,748 --> 00:00:14,988 We've been married almost 21 years. 8 00:00:14,988 --> 00:00:16,478 We have three kids. 9 00:00:16,808 --> 00:00:22,328 And, um, and it's summertime, so it's, uh, an active household for sure. 10 00:00:22,808 --> 00:00:26,788 Uh, definitely grateful to be able to speak God's word this morning. 11 00:00:27,128 --> 00:00:29,348 Um, I, I need your prayers. 12 00:00:29,348 --> 00:00:31,798 Can, can you, can you pray for me silently right now? 13 00:00:32,078 --> 00:00:33,898 Or, uh, we'll pray here in a second. 14 00:00:34,228 --> 00:00:37,398 But, uh, I was getting over a little bit of a cold, uh, this, 15 00:00:37,398 --> 00:00:43,658 uh, this week, and then I watched the championship game yesterday. 16 00:00:45,404 --> 00:00:48,894 Some of y'all, I guess, are not happy with the results. 17 00:00:49,824 --> 00:00:56,064 And, uh, I'm a, I'm a big basketball fan, a huge sports fan, and I get really into 18 00:00:56,064 --> 00:00:57,654 sports, and I get really into the games. 19 00:00:57,654 --> 00:01:03,194 And I didn't really care too much who won, but, uh, there was some plays at the end 20 00:01:03,194 --> 00:01:08,304 of the game, uh, that were just pretty mind-boggling for me, as a basketball fan. 21 00:01:08,704 --> 00:01:13,904 And I, I, I jumped up literally, and I'm standing and I'm yelling at the TV. 22 00:01:14,704 --> 00:01:18,464 And then I, I yelled so much that I felt a little something in my voice, and I 23 00:01:18,464 --> 00:01:20,664 said, "Oh, I should not have done that." 24 00:01:21,283 --> 00:01:24,774 And, uh, those who know, I've had a, uh, history of a, a vocal nodule, which 25 00:01:24,774 --> 00:01:26,724 is a benign tumor on the vocal cords. 26 00:01:26,724 --> 00:01:29,834 I have to be very careful with my voice and not yell, because 27 00:01:29,834 --> 00:01:30,964 then I can aggravate it. 28 00:01:31,164 --> 00:01:33,994 So I feel it in my voice a little bit, so I feel like I'll be a 29 00:01:33,994 --> 00:01:36,904 little more subdued today, okay? 30 00:01:37,434 --> 00:01:37,484 All right. 31 00:01:37,484 --> 00:01:40,704 And so, but we need the Spirit to still speak this morning. 32 00:01:40,704 --> 00:01:40,804 Amen? 33 00:01:40,804 --> 00:01:41,304 Amen. 34 00:01:41,624 --> 00:01:46,174 So we are going to continue a sermon series that we started a couple of 35 00:01:46,174 --> 00:01:47,934 weeks ago, called Life on the Vine. 36 00:01:47,934 --> 00:01:55,244 We're walking through, uh, Galatians 5:22-23, seeing the fruit of the Holy 37 00:01:55,244 --> 00:01:59,514 Spirit's work and presence in our lives. 38 00:01:59,824 --> 00:02:03,884 And so let's go ahead and, uh, give you the topic for today. 39 00:02:03,974 --> 00:02:06,694 Today, we will be hitting on peace. 40 00:02:06,704 --> 00:02:06,744 Amen. 41 00:02:07,464 --> 00:02:08,814 Let's go to God in prayer. 42 00:02:09,044 --> 00:02:13,724 Father in heaven, I thank you so much for your presence. 43 00:02:14,454 --> 00:02:18,384 Father, as we were singing earlier, the Holy Spirit, you are welcome here. 44 00:02:18,904 --> 00:02:21,754 May we be more aware of your presence. 45 00:02:22,044 --> 00:02:26,404 May we experience more of your glory and goodness. 46 00:02:26,414 --> 00:02:26,454 Amen. 47 00:02:26,853 --> 00:02:28,654 And Father, I pray right now for that. 48 00:02:28,654 --> 00:02:32,594 I pray that, uh, you will use me, and that I can just be an instrument, that, uh, you 49 00:02:32,594 --> 00:02:34,594 move me to the side and speak your word. 50 00:02:34,894 --> 00:02:38,154 Father, bless my, my voice for being able to make it, and God, again, 51 00:02:38,184 --> 00:02:41,804 communicate your message for us today. 52 00:02:42,314 --> 00:02:44,144 In the name of Jesus, amen. 53 00:02:45,154 --> 00:02:45,194 Amen. 54 00:02:45,334 --> 00:02:47,014 Again, we are talking about peace. 55 00:02:47,454 --> 00:02:50,094 And you know, what's funny about peace is peace can be 56 00:02:50,094 --> 00:02:51,724 overrated until we don't have it. 57 00:02:51,724 --> 00:02:51,793 Yeah. 58 00:02:53,284 --> 00:02:53,654 Right? 59 00:02:53,654 --> 00:02:55,853 You know, you'll s- you're willing to sacrifice certain things, 60 00:02:55,853 --> 00:02:57,774 and people say, "Hey, well you know, that might affect you." 61 00:02:57,774 --> 00:02:59,134 And you're like, "But that's okay." 62 00:02:59,284 --> 00:03:01,594 But then once you lose peace, you go, "Whoa, you know what? 63 00:03:01,594 --> 00:03:04,224 I really need that peace in my life." 64 00:03:04,774 --> 00:03:07,764 And then when we have a time to reflect and think about it, we 65 00:03:07,774 --> 00:03:11,374 all want and need more peace. 66 00:03:12,636 --> 00:03:14,856 Do you need any less peace in your life? 67 00:03:15,446 --> 00:03:15,466 No. 68 00:03:15,596 --> 00:03:16,276 Of course not. 69 00:03:16,276 --> 00:03:17,426 You're like, "That's a foolish question. 70 00:03:17,476 --> 00:03:19,136 I want more and more peace." 71 00:03:19,966 --> 00:03:24,746 And so we're going to see how God has a big plan and works in our lives 72 00:03:24,746 --> 00:03:30,386 so that we can not only experience peace, but also bring peace. 73 00:03:30,706 --> 00:03:31,856 Let's get into the scriptures. 74 00:03:31,856 --> 00:03:33,566 Brothers, sisters, are you with me this morning? 75 00:03:33,566 --> 00:03:34,676 Yeah. 76 00:03:34,676 --> 00:03:34,696 Yeah. 77 00:03:34,696 --> 00:03:39,716 Galatians 5:22, the Apostle Paul has just talked about what it's like 78 00:03:39,716 --> 00:03:42,305 to have life, freedom in Christ. 79 00:03:42,846 --> 00:03:46,496 And then he talks about how sin, the acts of the flesh, can 80 00:03:46,546 --> 00:03:49,756 actually separate us from God. 81 00:03:50,326 --> 00:03:53,636 He says, "But the fruit of the Spirit," verse 22, "is 82 00:03:53,636 --> 00:03:58,616 love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 83 00:03:58,616 --> 00:04:00,536 gentleness, and self-control. 84 00:04:00,756 --> 00:04:04,556 Against such things there is no law." 85 00:04:05,176 --> 00:04:07,956 Now, what comes to mind when you think of peace? 86 00:04:09,136 --> 00:04:10,186 Let's get a couple answers here. 87 00:04:10,236 --> 00:04:13,586 What comes to mind when you think of peace? 88 00:04:15,066 --> 00:04:15,116 Quiet. 89 00:04:15,116 --> 00:04:16,946 Okay, someone said quiet, right? 90 00:04:16,946 --> 00:04:19,526 Yes, we usually think quiet when we think of peace. 91 00:04:19,526 --> 00:04:20,176 What are some other things? 92 00:04:20,185 --> 00:04:21,116 You can raise your hand here. 93 00:04:21,116 --> 00:04:21,386 Yes. 94 00:04:24,476 --> 00:04:25,686 The ocean is peace. 95 00:04:25,686 --> 00:04:27,726 You go out there, you see the nice Pacific Ocean. 96 00:04:27,726 --> 00:04:28,096 Okay. 97 00:04:28,096 --> 00:04:28,556 Yeah, all right. 98 00:04:28,566 --> 00:04:29,106 That's good. 99 00:04:29,326 --> 00:04:29,836 Uh, yes? 100 00:04:31,846 --> 00:04:33,096 No anxiety. 101 00:04:33,096 --> 00:04:33,606 No anxiety, right? 102 00:04:33,606 --> 00:04:34,966 The absence of things here. 103 00:04:34,966 --> 00:04:35,286 Yes? 104 00:04:35,836 --> 00:04:35,946 Contentment. 105 00:04:36,626 --> 00:04:37,486 Contentment. 106 00:04:37,516 --> 00:04:40,756 We think, man, when I'm content, therefore I am peaceful. 107 00:04:40,756 --> 00:04:41,506 We'll go one more. 108 00:04:42,336 --> 00:04:42,866 Secure in Christ. 109 00:04:42,866 --> 00:04:44,796 Secure in Christ. 110 00:04:45,116 --> 00:04:49,236 All right, so a number of things come to mind when we think of peace, and 111 00:04:49,246 --> 00:04:51,546 often we can think of situational peace. 112 00:04:51,856 --> 00:04:55,366 No clutter, no qui- you know, no, no noise, and stuff like that. 113 00:04:55,366 --> 00:04:59,056 I know when I come home and the place is clean, that brings some 114 00:04:59,056 --> 00:05:00,836 serious peace to a brother's soul. 115 00:05:02,876 --> 00:05:05,556 'Cause I've noticed when it's not like that, I'm li- I'm disturbed. 116 00:05:05,566 --> 00:05:09,646 Something's not right in me, and peace has evacuated my soul. 117 00:05:10,356 --> 00:05:14,136 But you know, the Spirit of God produces peace that's independent of 118 00:05:14,146 --> 00:05:19,976 situations, and can make us peaceful, and therefore become peacemakers. 119 00:05:20,406 --> 00:05:20,426 Yeah. 120 00:05:22,486 --> 00:05:24,986 Let's look at this word real quickly of peace. 121 00:05:24,986 --> 00:05:29,956 And so then the old, in the, the Hebrew, in the Old Testament, the word is shalom. 122 00:05:30,256 --> 00:05:32,616 In the New Testament, it, it's, uh, eirene. 123 00:05:32,626 --> 00:05:34,526 Forgive me on my pronunciation of my Greek. 124 00:05:34,716 --> 00:05:36,156 I failed that class. 125 00:05:36,536 --> 00:05:37,916 I never took it, but there you go. 126 00:05:39,146 --> 00:05:43,466 But there's this idea here of peace n- not just being the absence 127 00:05:43,476 --> 00:05:46,276 of conflict, but being more. 128 00:05:46,276 --> 00:05:49,786 It means to be whole, this idea of being whole. 129 00:05:49,816 --> 00:05:52,796 When things are together, when things are in order, or your 130 00:05:52,796 --> 00:05:59,386 wellbeing, therefore you have peace or harmony, harmony with others. 131 00:06:00,016 --> 00:06:04,616 And so this idea of peace, biblically speaking, is more than just the 132 00:06:04,686 --> 00:06:09,806 absence of chaos- Yeah … but it's to be spiritually whole. 133 00:06:10,576 --> 00:06:15,256 It's to be also to have a wellbeing in your life, and to 134 00:06:15,256 --> 00:06:18,576 have harmony in your relationships. 135 00:06:19,316 --> 00:06:22,766 And so this applied politically, whether it was the nation of Israel. 136 00:06:22,986 --> 00:06:27,356 This applied to the individual, but it also applied to our relationships 137 00:06:27,356 --> 00:06:31,996 with one another, and most of all, our relationship to God. 138 00:06:32,896 --> 00:06:37,886 And so this is the biblical peace that is mentioned in scripture. 139 00:06:38,326 --> 00:06:42,076 And so it's this peace that is upward, me and God. 140 00:06:43,146 --> 00:06:44,776 It's a peace that's inward. 141 00:06:45,486 --> 00:06:49,096 There's a peace from within, a peace of mind, a tranquility. 142 00:06:49,406 --> 00:06:54,046 And then there's a peace that's outward, that's harmony with others. 143 00:06:54,666 --> 00:06:59,726 And so this is the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 144 00:06:59,926 --> 00:07:02,916 And if you think about it, it makes sense because when you don't have 145 00:07:02,916 --> 00:07:04,606 these things, you don't have peace. 146 00:07:04,686 --> 00:07:08,856 When things are out of order in your life, do you experience peace? 147 00:07:09,646 --> 00:07:10,176 No. 148 00:07:11,296 --> 00:07:16,856 When your wellbeing is not where it could or should be, do you experience peace? 149 00:07:17,716 --> 00:07:18,386 No. 150 00:07:18,706 --> 00:07:23,826 When there's conflict in your life, do you have a sense of peace? 151 00:07:24,556 --> 00:07:24,936 No. 152 00:07:24,936 --> 00:07:26,256 In fact, what does that produce? 153 00:07:26,296 --> 00:07:26,956 Anxiety. 154 00:07:26,976 --> 00:07:29,526 It produces everything but peace. 155 00:07:30,356 --> 00:07:30,376 Yeah. 156 00:07:30,476 --> 00:07:35,816 And so we see here, we have to be reminded that this is the fruit of 157 00:07:35,816 --> 00:07:39,296 the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. 158 00:07:40,066 --> 00:07:43,686 Now, we're gonna break this down some more, but we have to understand something 159 00:07:43,686 --> 00:07:50,016 very fundamental as we understand the Holy Spirit's work of peace in our lives. 160 00:07:50,026 --> 00:07:54,116 And first of all, it is this, that our God is the God of peace. 161 00:07:55,844 --> 00:08:02,994 God is the god of peace, and we see this explicitly stated in a number of passages. 162 00:08:03,144 --> 00:08:08,414 Romans 15:33 talks about, "The God of peace be with you all." 163 00:08:08,574 --> 00:08:14,204 Romans 16:20 says, "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet." 164 00:08:14,204 --> 00:08:19,064 Philippians 4:9 says, "And whatever you have learned or received or heard 165 00:08:19,064 --> 00:08:23,934 from me, and put into practice, and the God of peace will be with you." 166 00:08:24,674 --> 00:08:28,534 1 Thessalonians 5:23, "May God himself, the God of peace, 167 00:08:28,604 --> 00:08:32,224 sanctify you through and through." 168 00:08:32,524 --> 00:08:37,304 And in Hebrews 13:20, "Now may the God of peace who through the blood 169 00:08:37,304 --> 00:08:42,073 of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus." 170 00:08:43,084 --> 00:08:47,324 You see, our God is the God of peace. 171 00:08:47,334 --> 00:08:47,544 Yes. 172 00:08:48,904 --> 00:08:52,974 That's who he is, that's his character, and that's his nature, 173 00:08:53,074 --> 00:08:55,014 and that's also what he produces. 174 00:08:55,194 --> 00:08:56,594 Now, here's what's really cool. 175 00:08:56,724 --> 00:08:57,344 Think about this. 176 00:08:57,494 --> 00:09:02,114 So if God is the God of peace, and we know because we are taught in 177 00:09:02,114 --> 00:09:06,714 scripture that we actually receive the gift of the Holy Spirit in our 178 00:09:06,714 --> 00:09:09,054 lives when we repent and get baptized. 179 00:09:09,344 --> 00:09:15,474 So now the God of peace now dwells within us, and what is the, the Spirit doing? 180 00:09:15,634 --> 00:09:18,524 Producing more peace in our lives. 181 00:09:19,264 --> 00:09:19,404 Yes. 182 00:09:19,424 --> 00:09:23,334 And it makes sense because if the God of peace is within me, then he's going 183 00:09:23,334 --> 00:09:29,424 to bring his peace in my life, and he's gonna work peace through my life. 184 00:09:30,024 --> 00:09:34,884 And so we're reminded again here, Galatians 5:22, is that the 185 00:09:35,074 --> 00:09:41,024 Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, and so on. 186 00:09:41,044 --> 00:09:43,814 It is the fruits of the Holy Spirit. 187 00:09:44,884 --> 00:09:44,904 The… 188 00:09:45,194 --> 00:09:53,054 We cannot physically, we cannot, uh, strategically manufacture the godly 189 00:09:53,104 --> 00:09:56,094 peace in our lives with self-efforts. 190 00:09:56,934 --> 00:09:56,954 Yeah. 191 00:09:56,974 --> 00:10:02,454 It is a product of the Spirit in our lives and the Spirit working in our lives. 192 00:10:02,504 --> 00:10:03,734 Do you hear what I'm saying? 193 00:10:07,548 --> 00:10:14,618 So this peace is a gift, however, we know that we also need to cultivate the 194 00:10:14,628 --> 00:10:19,678 conditions for the Spirit to produce more and more peace in our lives. 195 00:10:20,368 --> 00:10:20,388 Yeah. 196 00:10:20,488 --> 00:10:20,508 Yeah. 197 00:10:21,198 --> 00:10:27,588 There's always this divine relationship with God, that God 198 00:10:27,638 --> 00:10:32,298 works, but then includes us to participate in His good work. 199 00:10:32,898 --> 00:10:32,938 Amen. 200 00:10:32,988 --> 00:10:37,288 We see this with the Holy Spirit, and we can understand this when we 201 00:10:37,288 --> 00:10:38,738 look at a lot of things in life. 202 00:10:39,778 --> 00:10:45,538 Again, we have to cultivate the conditions where the Spirit's peace will grow in us. 203 00:10:46,038 --> 00:10:47,598 I wanna show you something here real quickly. 204 00:10:48,148 --> 00:10:52,728 This is, uh, my son Dominique's, uh, little plant that he just 205 00:10:52,728 --> 00:10:53,858 brought home the other day. 206 00:10:54,028 --> 00:10:54,058 Right. 207 00:10:54,938 --> 00:10:56,468 You see his name on there, Dominique. 208 00:10:57,348 --> 00:11:00,778 And so he ju- they went to a farm for, uh, uh, one of his, 209 00:11:00,778 --> 00:11:02,268 um, we call them field trips. 210 00:11:02,708 --> 00:11:04,238 And he brought back this little plant. 211 00:11:04,838 --> 00:11:08,498 And he's like, "Man, I- I'm putting this up," and he, he starts watering the plant. 212 00:11:08,758 --> 00:11:11,548 And the other day I said, "Hey, so what, what, what kind of, 213 00:11:11,548 --> 00:11:13,488 uh, what kind of plant is this?" 214 00:11:14,008 --> 00:11:14,838 He says, "I don't know." 215 00:11:15,468 --> 00:11:19,268 I say, "You, you don't know the plant that you just got?" 216 00:11:19,588 --> 00:11:20,148 "I don't know." 217 00:11:20,498 --> 00:11:21,508 And he just goes on and keeps playing. 218 00:11:21,538 --> 00:11:25,288 I said, "Okay, well are you, uh, are you still watering that thing?" 219 00:11:26,828 --> 00:11:27,478 "Yeah." 220 00:11:28,258 --> 00:11:28,738 "Every day?" 221 00:11:30,832 --> 00:11:32,292 He didn't really answer the question. 222 00:11:34,032 --> 00:11:36,342 And so we understand how this works, right? 223 00:11:36,342 --> 00:11:38,452 We understand, what does Dominique need to do? 224 00:11:38,502 --> 00:11:40,672 He needs to put that thing in the sun, and it's outside. 225 00:11:40,702 --> 00:11:43,802 And actually, when I told him, he rem- he reminded himself, "Oh, I better go outside 226 00:11:43,802 --> 00:11:45,412 and grab this and put this in the sun." 227 00:11:46,432 --> 00:11:49,782 And so he knows, and we all know, if we're trying to grow a plant, what do we do? 228 00:11:50,032 --> 00:11:52,952 We gotta go ahead and get some soil, we gotta get some water, 229 00:11:53,002 --> 00:11:54,152 we gotta go ahead and what? 230 00:11:54,212 --> 00:11:55,212 We gotta get in the sun. 231 00:11:55,262 --> 00:11:57,512 And we know as time goes by, what will happen? 232 00:11:58,742 --> 00:11:59,402 It will grow. 233 00:11:59,402 --> 00:11:59,862 It will grow. 234 00:11:59,862 --> 00:12:01,032 And so we understand this. 235 00:12:01,042 --> 00:12:02,182 We're like gardening, right? 236 00:12:02,402 --> 00:12:05,892 We put effort, but we aren't the ones who actually make it grow. 237 00:12:05,932 --> 00:12:07,622 But we do need to do our parts. 238 00:12:07,632 --> 00:12:07,652 Yeah. 239 00:12:08,292 --> 00:12:10,032 We do have a responsibility. 240 00:12:10,792 --> 00:12:15,722 And so whether it's preparing the soil, planting, watering, weeding, pruning, 241 00:12:15,982 --> 00:12:20,952 protecting, we do all of that, but the fruit of the Spirit comes from God's work 242 00:12:20,952 --> 00:12:27,582 in our lives, but our responsibility is to cultivate the conditions where the Spirit 243 00:12:27,582 --> 00:12:30,202 grows more and more peace in our lives. 244 00:12:30,242 --> 00:12:30,452 Yes. 245 00:12:31,112 --> 00:12:35,192 So again, we don't manufacture it, but we need to cultivate so that the 246 00:12:35,192 --> 00:12:40,462 conditions can be ready so that God will produce more and more peace in your life. 247 00:12:41,362 --> 00:12:42,862 And we see this in the scripture. 248 00:12:43,332 --> 00:12:44,242 And so we're gonna look here. 249 00:12:44,242 --> 00:12:46,792 We're looking at f- Galatians 5:22-23. 250 00:12:46,942 --> 00:12:52,652 But right before and right afterwards, we see this divine partnership at play here. 251 00:12:52,652 --> 00:12:53,662 Look at these scriptures. 252 00:12:53,892 --> 00:12:58,652 Galatians 5, over in verse 16, it says, "Walk by the Spirit." 253 00:12:58,662 --> 00:12:58,682 Yeah. 254 00:12:59,912 --> 00:13:03,172 He also says, "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are 255 00:13:03,172 --> 00:13:05,362 not under the law," verse 18. 256 00:13:05,392 --> 00:13:11,782 "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." 257 00:13:11,962 --> 00:13:11,992 Right. 258 00:13:12,432 --> 00:13:14,302 And that is sandwiched in between what? 259 00:13:14,502 --> 00:13:16,182 The fruit of the Spirit. 260 00:13:16,552 --> 00:13:16,582 Right. 261 00:13:17,212 --> 00:13:22,252 So we see this beautiful, divine combination take place, which we 262 00:13:22,252 --> 00:13:27,712 understand with this metaphor of gardening and life on the vine. 263 00:13:28,512 --> 00:13:32,642 And so the growth of the s- of fruit of the Holy Spirit, we have to make sure 264 00:13:32,642 --> 00:13:35,882 we are obeying the Spirit in our lives. 265 00:13:36,882 --> 00:13:36,952 That's right. 266 00:13:36,952 --> 00:13:37,192 Right. 267 00:13:37,192 --> 00:13:41,972 You know, we have to make decisions to live by the Spirit of God. 268 00:13:42,062 --> 00:13:46,902 Not the flesh, but to live by the Spirit of God, 'cause then God's 269 00:13:46,902 --> 00:13:53,572 going to make the fruit of His Spirit grow more and more in our lives. 270 00:13:53,582 --> 00:13:53,622 Amen. 271 00:13:54,952 --> 00:13:56,372 You know, I wanna bring up my friend Kyle. 272 00:13:56,372 --> 00:13:57,822 Kyle, can you come on stage here? 273 00:13:58,222 --> 00:14:02,402 Kyle's gonna go ahead and, uh, we're, we're, we're gonna try to do, uh, show 274 00:14:02,402 --> 00:14:03,982 what this looks like here, all right? 275 00:14:04,252 --> 00:14:05,522 So Kyle, come on up stage. 276 00:14:05,522 --> 00:14:07,882 Gi- give some love for my main man Kyle right here. 277 00:14:10,766 --> 00:14:11,356 All right. 278 00:14:13,176 --> 00:14:17,086 This kind of look a little bit like Wembanyama and Jalen Brunson, doesn't it? 279 00:14:19,836 --> 00:14:20,306 There you go. 280 00:14:20,306 --> 00:14:22,516 But Jalen Brunson won, so you know it was- all right, anyway, sorry 281 00:14:25,948 --> 00:14:26,808 That wasn't a burn. 282 00:14:26,808 --> 00:14:29,368 I don't know what the "oh" was about, you know what I'm saying? 283 00:14:29,368 --> 00:14:30,628 We just having some fun, y'all. 284 00:14:30,628 --> 00:14:31,018 Okay. 285 00:14:31,418 --> 00:14:31,788 All right. 286 00:14:32,188 --> 00:14:36,468 So here's how it works here, so we can understand how all of this works. 287 00:14:36,468 --> 00:14:41,858 Okay, so Kyle is going to be a representation of the Holy Spirit. 288 00:14:42,778 --> 00:14:44,548 I am representing us. 289 00:14:44,798 --> 00:14:47,808 And so what the scripture tells us to do is to do what? 290 00:14:47,978 --> 00:14:49,628 We need to follow the Holy Spirit. 291 00:14:49,658 --> 00:14:50,818 So come on over here, Kyle. 292 00:14:50,818 --> 00:14:51,488 Let's go ahead. 293 00:14:51,698 --> 00:14:53,828 And these are our lives, this is our lives. 294 00:14:54,018 --> 00:14:56,848 And so as the Holy Spirit leads us, go ahead and walk. 295 00:14:57,078 --> 00:14:58,528 We are called to do what? 296 00:14:58,528 --> 00:14:59,388 Follow. 297 00:14:59,388 --> 00:15:00,128 Follow the Spirit. 298 00:15:00,128 --> 00:15:01,348 Let's go ahead and stop right there. 299 00:15:01,528 --> 00:15:04,238 We get into some trouble, let me just say this right now, when we 300 00:15:04,238 --> 00:15:05,628 try to get ahead of the Spirit. 301 00:15:06,168 --> 00:15:06,368 Yeah. 302 00:15:06,718 --> 00:15:07,508 You ever tried that? 303 00:15:07,958 --> 00:15:07,978 Yeah. 304 00:15:08,568 --> 00:15:11,808 We get in trouble when we do that or when we say, "Hey, you know what, Spirit? 305 00:15:11,838 --> 00:15:13,878 I know you wanna go this way, but can we go this way?" 306 00:15:14,458 --> 00:15:14,478 Yeah. 307 00:15:15,798 --> 00:15:18,688 No, we are called to follow the Holy Spirit. 308 00:15:19,348 --> 00:15:23,648 And so as we walk with the Holy Spirit, go ahead and walk, Kyle, the, He also 309 00:15:23,648 --> 00:15:25,378 gives us the fruit of the Spirit. 310 00:15:25,498 --> 00:15:28,028 So this is the peace of God. 311 00:15:28,498 --> 00:15:30,318 And so as we walk, go ahead, Kyle. 312 00:15:30,368 --> 00:15:31,968 G- I, man, I need some more of that Spirit. 313 00:15:31,968 --> 00:15:32,898 Can you give me some of that? 314 00:15:32,928 --> 00:15:34,688 He gives us the Holy Spirit. 315 00:15:34,828 --> 00:15:34,848 Yeah. 316 00:15:36,208 --> 00:15:37,038 You with me here? 317 00:15:38,108 --> 00:15:38,128 Yeah. 318 00:15:38,138 --> 00:15:39,818 And so let's go ahead, let's go this way, Kyle. 319 00:15:39,968 --> 00:15:43,458 Kyle, you, He's walking and He wants to take me down different places. 320 00:15:43,578 --> 00:15:45,918 Now, life doesn't always have a straight line. 321 00:15:45,918 --> 00:15:47,798 It's a little bit of twisting and turning, right? 322 00:15:47,958 --> 00:15:50,048 So Kyle, can we have some twisting and turning through this? 323 00:15:50,408 --> 00:15:53,648 We gotta make sure that we do go ahead and do this, right? 324 00:15:54,338 --> 00:15:54,358 Yeah. 325 00:15:54,558 --> 00:15:56,288 We have to make sure we do that. 326 00:15:56,438 --> 00:15:57,278 Now, here's the thing. 327 00:15:57,288 --> 00:16:01,498 At these times in our lives when we have twists and turns, we can go ahead and 328 00:16:01,498 --> 00:16:05,548 draw near to God and receive more of His Spirit because He wants to give us. 329 00:16:05,958 --> 00:16:09,808 So it, during this twist and turns, He's giving more and more of the 330 00:16:09,808 --> 00:16:12,188 Spirit, and I'm saying hallelujah. 331 00:16:13,098 --> 00:16:13,178 Hallelujah. 332 00:16:13,698 --> 00:16:15,728 The Spirit wants to make it rain with some, with some, 333 00:16:15,728 --> 00:16:16,788 with some peace in my life. 334 00:16:20,746 --> 00:16:22,826 And so again, as we go in there, there's times where I'm 335 00:16:22,826 --> 00:16:24,676 like, "God, I need your help. 336 00:16:24,716 --> 00:16:26,696 Can you give me some more of that spirit?" 337 00:16:26,926 --> 00:16:28,416 He does and he gives it. 338 00:16:28,566 --> 00:16:29,926 But here's the problem. 339 00:16:30,356 --> 00:16:31,986 Sometimes we do this. 340 00:16:32,226 --> 00:16:33,536 Go ahead, come on back, Holy Spirit. 341 00:16:33,536 --> 00:16:33,946 Here we go. 342 00:16:34,396 --> 00:16:35,886 I don't tell the Spirit to tell me, but you, you- 343 00:16:39,836 --> 00:16:42,296 But sometimes, here's what I can do. 344 00:16:42,816 --> 00:16:43,986 God, I need the Holy Spirit. 345 00:16:45,176 --> 00:16:45,876 I need it bad. 346 00:16:46,846 --> 00:16:48,266 Oh, I wish you would just give it to me. 347 00:16:48,266 --> 00:16:48,966 No, keep your hand down. 348 00:16:49,326 --> 00:16:50,736 Give me some more Holy Spirit. 349 00:16:51,446 --> 00:16:52,886 Oh, if you would just give me more. 350 00:16:52,886 --> 00:16:54,326 I'm struggling, it's hard. 351 00:16:55,436 --> 00:16:58,915 And the whole time he's offering, but I'm not receiving. 352 00:16:59,296 --> 00:17:00,046 Yeah. 353 00:17:00,296 --> 00:17:01,836 Sometimes I get distracted. 354 00:17:02,206 --> 00:17:06,056 Oh, yes, and the Spirit's walking, and he wants to, he's got it available, 355 00:17:06,215 --> 00:17:08,435 but then I'm going, "Oh, man." 356 00:17:10,492 --> 00:17:11,882 But I want this peace. 357 00:17:12,372 --> 00:17:13,462 God, give me this peace. 358 00:17:13,472 --> 00:17:14,582 Holy Spirit, keep walking. 359 00:17:14,791 --> 00:17:16,061 I want this peace. 360 00:17:17,071 --> 00:17:18,152 I want this peace. 361 00:17:18,172 --> 00:17:19,622 Why are you not giving me peace? 362 00:17:25,819 --> 00:17:27,069 There's a problem, isn't there? 363 00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:27,710 Yes. 364 00:17:28,089 --> 00:17:29,210 Is it the Spirit's fault? 365 00:17:29,360 --> 00:17:29,380 No. 366 00:17:30,140 --> 00:17:32,680 "Man, God, he doesn't give me what I want when I ask him." 367 00:17:34,250 --> 00:17:36,160 Maybe I'm not in step with the Spirit. 368 00:17:37,320 --> 00:17:37,410 Right. 369 00:17:37,870 --> 00:17:40,450 Maybe I decided to walk outside of His will. 370 00:17:41,220 --> 00:17:45,570 Maybe I'm not even realizing that He's available, He's right there, and if 371 00:17:45,570 --> 00:17:49,500 I was close to Him, I could have that peace, but for some reason, I have some 372 00:17:49,500 --> 00:17:51,650 stinky thinking, and I, and I avoid it. 373 00:17:51,750 --> 00:17:52,910 I don't receive it 374 00:17:56,284 --> 00:17:58,634 Sometimes, and this is what I do, "Can you give me spirit? 375 00:17:58,984 --> 00:17:59,664 Thank you, Lord. 376 00:17:59,874 --> 00:18:00,394 But you know what? 377 00:18:00,394 --> 00:18:03,484 I'm still praying, a- a- a- a- and I'm gonna give that back to you." 378 00:18:04,224 --> 00:18:04,264 Amen. 379 00:18:04,494 --> 00:18:05,824 I don't consciously do that. 380 00:18:07,134 --> 00:18:08,184 But subconsciously I do this. 381 00:18:08,294 --> 00:18:11,934 I keep praying, but then all I do is I get more and more anxious as I'm praying. 382 00:18:11,974 --> 00:18:13,014 Has that ever happened to you? 383 00:18:13,024 --> 00:18:13,174 Yes. 384 00:18:14,264 --> 00:18:17,424 I'll be honest with you, that was happening to me about 15 minutes ago. 385 00:18:17,434 --> 00:18:17,484 Come on. 386 00:18:18,714 --> 00:18:20,094 No, I'm dead serious. 387 00:18:20,614 --> 00:18:23,304 I was sitting down, and I'm like, "Man, God, you know what? 388 00:18:23,304 --> 00:18:25,514 I, I thought my voice was gonna be a little better," and I started 389 00:18:25,514 --> 00:18:26,314 feeling more and more anxious. 390 00:18:26,434 --> 00:18:28,354 I'm going, "I'm about to preach about this. 391 00:18:28,514 --> 00:18:30,404 Why am I going through this right now?" 392 00:18:30,404 --> 00:18:33,364 And I said, "Man, I got, I gotta, I gotta draw nearer to you. 393 00:18:34,234 --> 00:18:35,534 I gotta draw nearer to you. 394 00:18:35,824 --> 00:18:39,384 God, you're gonna work this out," but I'm, I'm wrestling- Yeah … right 395 00:18:39,384 --> 00:18:40,794 there in that seat next to Karina. 396 00:18:40,944 --> 00:18:41,984 I'm wrestling with it. 397 00:18:41,984 --> 00:18:46,704 So it was available, it's there, but I gotta draw near- Right … to the Spirit. 398 00:18:46,814 --> 00:18:47,474 Because why? 399 00:18:47,604 --> 00:18:51,774 This is the God of peace, and my peace is gonna grow when 400 00:18:51,774 --> 00:18:53,424 I'm close to the God of peace. 401 00:18:53,864 --> 00:18:53,984 That's right. 402 00:18:54,224 --> 00:18:54,244 Yeah. 403 00:18:54,534 --> 00:18:58,914 But when I'm distant, I may have peace that's temporary, 404 00:18:59,474 --> 00:19:01,564 but it won't be godly peace. 405 00:19:01,994 --> 00:19:02,024 Yeah. 406 00:19:02,644 --> 00:19:06,024 And we also get into trouble as the Spirit wants to lead again, 407 00:19:06,024 --> 00:19:09,274 when we get in the front or we try to direct, or when we have, 408 00:19:11,294 --> 00:19:15,114 again, some stinking thinking and we think we can get peace from other places. 409 00:19:15,804 --> 00:19:16,044 Yeah. 410 00:19:16,634 --> 00:19:16,714 Yeah. 411 00:19:16,874 --> 00:19:18,124 Let me turn to food. 412 00:19:18,714 --> 00:19:18,794 Let me turn. 413 00:19:19,344 --> 00:19:21,264 Let me turn to shopping. 414 00:19:21,274 --> 00:19:21,294 Yeah. 415 00:19:22,734 --> 00:19:24,734 Let me turn to vegging out. 416 00:19:25,504 --> 00:19:27,564 Let me turn to social media. 417 00:19:28,034 --> 00:19:30,344 Let me turn to TV and film. 418 00:19:31,044 --> 00:19:34,414 Let me turn to drugs. 419 00:19:35,154 --> 00:19:39,684 Let me turn to some form of sexual immorality or sexual impurity. 420 00:19:39,704 --> 00:19:45,844 Because then I will feel secure, I will feel peace, but then it is fleeting, and 421 00:19:45,844 --> 00:19:49,754 we realize we didn't have peace at all. 422 00:19:50,934 --> 00:19:51,084 That's right. 423 00:19:51,084 --> 00:19:57,154 We had a temporary fulfillment, but we didn't have the peace we were needing. 424 00:19:58,274 --> 00:19:58,374 That's right. 425 00:19:58,374 --> 00:20:00,824 And so we see here, we need to do what? 426 00:20:01,514 --> 00:20:03,834 We need to draw near to the God of peace. 427 00:20:04,094 --> 00:20:07,544 And as the Spirit walks, we need to make sure we're keeping 428 00:20:07,544 --> 00:20:10,044 in step with the peace of God. 429 00:20:10,214 --> 00:20:10,484 Go ahead. 430 00:20:10,484 --> 00:20:11,144 Thank you, Kyle. 431 00:20:11,154 --> 00:20:11,974 Appreciate that. 432 00:20:12,214 --> 00:20:13,744 There's some peace for your life right there. 433 00:20:21,174 --> 00:20:22,734 And so what should we do in response? 434 00:20:22,734 --> 00:20:23,794 I think it's pretty obvious. 435 00:20:23,814 --> 00:20:27,044 The scrip- the scriptures articulate this very well. 436 00:20:27,044 --> 00:20:28,674 We need to keep in step with the Spirit. 437 00:20:29,094 --> 00:20:29,134 Amen. 438 00:20:29,134 --> 00:20:32,814 When we keep in step with the Spirit, we will therefore cultivate the 439 00:20:32,814 --> 00:20:38,054 conditions where the Spirit of God will produce peace in our lives. 440 00:20:38,284 --> 00:20:39,474 And how can we do this? 441 00:20:39,474 --> 00:20:41,474 Well, through God's presence. 442 00:20:41,744 --> 00:20:42,314 Let's see here. 443 00:20:42,354 --> 00:20:43,674 Through the presence of God. 444 00:20:43,684 --> 00:20:48,224 You know, again, peace grows when we stay close to the God of peace. 445 00:20:49,134 --> 00:20:51,884 We will get reminded that God is present. 446 00:20:51,914 --> 00:20:52,894 He's not distant. 447 00:20:52,914 --> 00:20:53,994 He's not far off. 448 00:20:54,074 --> 00:20:55,284 He's not just above. 449 00:20:55,504 --> 00:20:58,884 God is present in my life. 450 00:20:58,894 --> 00:20:58,964 That's right. 451 00:20:59,274 --> 00:21:00,444 He's right there. 452 00:21:00,954 --> 00:21:03,054 Now, when I'm standing next to Kyle, we're walking down the 453 00:21:03,054 --> 00:21:04,874 street, I feel a lot more secure. 454 00:21:06,124 --> 00:21:07,884 'Cause I'm like, "They're not gonna mess with me when I got 455 00:21:07,884 --> 00:21:09,104 this tall dude right here." 456 00:21:09,114 --> 00:21:09,134 Yeah. 457 00:21:10,914 --> 00:21:12,004 I know I feel better. 458 00:21:12,004 --> 00:21:15,984 When we stand and we're close, and I'm not talking about knowledge close, 459 00:21:16,104 --> 00:21:18,324 I'm talking about intimacy close. 460 00:21:18,414 --> 00:21:18,444 Right. 461 00:21:18,454 --> 00:21:18,474 Yeah. 462 00:21:19,834 --> 00:21:25,014 I'm not talking about just proximity close, I'm talking about intimacy close. 463 00:21:25,894 --> 00:21:28,074 I'm talking about relationally close. 464 00:21:28,314 --> 00:21:32,124 When we have that presence of God, what does it produce in your life? 465 00:21:32,134 --> 00:21:32,694 Think about it. 466 00:21:32,734 --> 00:21:35,334 When you feel close to God, what do you experience? 467 00:21:35,334 --> 00:21:35,584 Peace. 468 00:21:36,214 --> 00:21:37,014 Peace. 469 00:21:37,024 --> 00:21:37,044 Yeah. 470 00:21:38,324 --> 00:21:43,124 When you don't have a close relationship with God, how do you feel? 471 00:21:43,134 --> 00:21:43,174 Amen. 472 00:21:43,724 --> 00:21:46,124 You don't feel that peace of God that he provides. 473 00:21:46,124 --> 00:21:46,244 That's right. 474 00:21:47,144 --> 00:21:51,574 And so, and again, we need to make sure we draw near to the God of peace. 475 00:21:51,574 --> 00:21:52,454 He's present. 476 00:21:53,044 --> 00:21:58,444 And then we can be confident in who he is, his character, his plans, and his deeds. 477 00:21:59,294 --> 00:22:01,344 And so again, what does this come back to? 478 00:22:01,504 --> 00:22:02,224 We need to pray. 479 00:22:02,224 --> 00:22:03,374 We need to be praying a lot. 480 00:22:03,774 --> 00:22:05,244 We need to have devotional time. 481 00:22:05,374 --> 00:22:06,574 We need to be in God's word. 482 00:22:06,674 --> 00:22:09,664 We need to meet up with God's people, 'cause I see the, the, the 483 00:22:09,664 --> 00:22:12,934 elements and components of God in different ways, and I get a chance 484 00:22:12,934 --> 00:22:16,184 to experience God in a different way than when it's just me and God. 485 00:22:17,354 --> 00:22:20,664 We need to go ahead and draw closer to him, being vulnerable. 486 00:22:22,684 --> 00:22:23,814 Being vulnerable with god. 487 00:22:23,854 --> 00:22:26,644 God, here's who I am, here's what I'm feeling, here's what I'm thinking. 488 00:22:26,784 --> 00:22:31,414 We're vulnerable, and that produces more confidence in our relationship with God 489 00:22:35,396 --> 00:22:38,756 We also do this through truth of god. 490 00:22:39,376 --> 00:22:44,456 You know, when God's truth is understood and trusted, it brings peace. 491 00:22:45,076 --> 00:22:48,656 Again, we can have some stinking thinking in our situations and in our 492 00:22:48,656 --> 00:22:53,676 relationships, and we start to believe a narrative that is actually false. 493 00:22:54,496 --> 00:22:59,696 And when we believe a false narrative, we no longer can enjoy and experience the 494 00:22:59,736 --> 00:23:02,466 peace of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 495 00:23:02,906 --> 00:23:07,136 So we have to get centered and reminded of the truth of God. 496 00:23:08,346 --> 00:23:11,426 You know, there's times, and there's been min- number of times in my 497 00:23:11,426 --> 00:23:14,906 relationship with Karina, we've been married, I said almost 21 years, where 498 00:23:14,906 --> 00:23:18,886 I'm like, man, there, there, some, some insecurity, some doubt comes 499 00:23:18,886 --> 00:23:21,576 into my mind in the relationship. 500 00:23:22,076 --> 00:23:26,236 And then I get smacked in the face spiritually, emotionally, or somehow, 501 00:23:26,416 --> 00:23:27,746 I'm like, "This woman loves me." 502 00:23:29,236 --> 00:23:29,256 Yeah. 503 00:23:29,266 --> 00:23:30,356 You tripping, Marcel. 504 00:23:30,976 --> 00:23:33,446 You think she would've put up with you all these years and all this 505 00:23:33,466 --> 00:23:34,696 nonsense if she didn't love you? 506 00:23:35,156 --> 00:23:35,886 You right. 507 00:23:37,846 --> 00:23:38,516 You right. 508 00:23:39,586 --> 00:23:39,636 For real. 509 00:23:39,636 --> 00:23:42,026 I'm over here doubting that this woman is loving me right now. 510 00:23:42,616 --> 00:23:45,246 Now we might have something we need to work through, but did 511 00:23:45,256 --> 00:23:46,976 she ever really stop loving me? 512 00:23:46,996 --> 00:23:47,256 No. 513 00:23:47,256 --> 00:23:49,496 She might be mad at me, but she didn't stop loving me. 514 00:23:50,166 --> 00:23:50,236 That's right. 515 00:23:50,236 --> 00:23:50,866 Come on. 516 00:23:50,866 --> 00:23:51,946 You guys get what I'm saying? 517 00:23:51,956 --> 00:23:51,986 Yes. 518 00:23:52,726 --> 00:23:53,546 I need to be centered. 519 00:23:53,546 --> 00:23:55,336 And the same thing spiritually with God. 520 00:23:55,486 --> 00:23:56,856 We got some stinking thinking. 521 00:23:56,986 --> 00:23:58,106 God, I don't know if you're there. 522 00:23:58,106 --> 00:23:58,816 I don't know if this. 523 00:23:58,856 --> 00:24:00,416 What is the truth about God? 524 00:24:01,386 --> 00:24:02,156 He's there. 525 00:24:02,746 --> 00:24:03,556 He's good. 526 00:24:03,756 --> 00:24:06,186 He's true, and he's faithful. 527 00:24:06,186 --> 00:24:07,756 Yes. 528 00:24:07,756 --> 00:24:07,786 Yes. 529 00:24:07,786 --> 00:24:07,836 Come on. 530 00:24:07,836 --> 00:24:09,876 So do I need to be anxious about this? 531 00:24:10,846 --> 00:24:12,876 Do I need to fear about this? 532 00:24:13,416 --> 00:24:15,826 No, things are actually in place. 533 00:24:16,246 --> 00:24:19,406 I actually am whole spiritually. 534 00:24:20,516 --> 00:24:20,566 Amen. 535 00:24:20,566 --> 00:24:21,716 And again, what happens? 536 00:24:22,476 --> 00:24:25,516 Peace grows in our lives. 537 00:24:26,796 --> 00:24:32,146 When you are close to God, when you know God's truth, what have you experienced? 538 00:24:33,006 --> 00:24:33,646 Peace. 539 00:24:34,666 --> 00:24:39,296 Appreciate Christian and his reminder earlier, even in communion, we have what? 540 00:24:39,466 --> 00:24:42,866 Yes, we might have weaknesses, but God is gracious. 541 00:24:42,876 --> 00:24:42,896 Yeah. 542 00:24:43,486 --> 00:24:44,406 That was a truth. 543 00:24:45,276 --> 00:24:46,896 We come to communion, what? 544 00:24:46,956 --> 00:24:49,476 Reminding ourselves and centering ourselves on what? 545 00:24:49,756 --> 00:24:50,236 Truth. 546 00:24:51,226 --> 00:24:52,016 God is good. 547 00:24:52,016 --> 00:24:52,606 God loves me. 548 00:24:52,606 --> 00:24:53,346 God is faithful. 549 00:24:55,942 --> 00:24:59,702 We also cultivate this through remembrance of god. 550 00:25:00,452 --> 00:25:05,472 Recalling past experience with God and God's provision produces peace. 551 00:25:05,802 --> 00:25:06,572 We can say, "You know what? 552 00:25:06,632 --> 00:25:10,372 I've been here before, and he will get me out again." 553 00:25:12,292 --> 00:25:14,262 Same thing in my relationship with Karina. 554 00:25:14,422 --> 00:25:18,252 There's times when we have conflict, and I'm able to be reminded by God's 555 00:25:18,262 --> 00:25:23,092 grace and mercy, "You know, we've had conflict before, and we got through it." 556 00:25:23,192 --> 00:25:23,232 Amen. 557 00:25:24,892 --> 00:25:27,562 We're gonna be able to get through this conflict. 558 00:25:27,842 --> 00:25:27,882 Right. 559 00:25:29,282 --> 00:25:33,622 And so I have to recall experiences, and the same with God. 560 00:25:33,632 --> 00:25:38,252 We need to recall when God's faithfulness has been proven 561 00:25:38,252 --> 00:25:39,892 and experienced in our lives. 562 00:25:39,902 --> 00:25:39,942 Amen. 563 00:25:40,522 --> 00:25:44,982 Again, all these things are interlinked because now we get reminded of this truth, 564 00:25:44,982 --> 00:25:46,942 but then we also can recall experiences. 565 00:25:46,952 --> 00:25:48,272 God, you've been good. 566 00:25:48,902 --> 00:25:49,192 Yeah. 567 00:25:49,932 --> 00:25:51,792 You are good this moment. 568 00:25:51,802 --> 00:25:51,822 Yeah. 569 00:25:52,972 --> 00:25:54,912 And we are going to be okay. 570 00:25:55,122 --> 00:25:56,552 I am going to be whole. 571 00:25:56,642 --> 00:26:00,812 I'm gonna have wellbeing, and there's gonna be harmony, whether it's with me 572 00:26:00,832 --> 00:26:04,882 and you, within myself, or with others. 573 00:26:06,592 --> 00:26:08,572 Remember past times of victory. 574 00:26:09,042 --> 00:26:12,332 When you think of your victory and the times you had, what 575 00:26:12,332 --> 00:26:13,362 does that produce for you? 576 00:26:14,152 --> 00:26:14,802 Peace. 577 00:26:15,382 --> 00:26:17,482 The shoulders are no longer as what? 578 00:26:17,722 --> 00:26:19,232 Clenched up and tense. 579 00:26:19,572 --> 00:26:20,252 You do this 580 00:26:23,868 --> 00:26:24,988 And you start to have what? 581 00:26:25,428 --> 00:26:25,978 Confidence. 582 00:26:27,108 --> 00:26:29,338 Security in Christ. 583 00:26:30,248 --> 00:26:33,888 Look at this in Philippians 4, I believe it articulate, articulates it very well. 584 00:26:34,048 --> 00:26:35,768 "Do not be anxious about anything." 585 00:26:36,378 --> 00:26:37,328 What does that imply? 586 00:26:37,438 --> 00:26:39,508 You and I are going to be anxious. 587 00:26:40,708 --> 00:26:42,338 Some of us can read this like, "Well, that's impossible." 588 00:26:42,368 --> 00:26:46,338 No, it's saying, when you are anxious, here's what you need to do. 589 00:26:46,928 --> 00:26:51,758 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer 590 00:26:51,758 --> 00:26:55,268 and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 591 00:26:55,538 --> 00:27:01,098 And the God of peace, which transcends all understanding, will guard your 592 00:27:01,098 --> 00:27:03,888 hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." 593 00:27:04,428 --> 00:27:04,468 Amen. 594 00:27:04,918 --> 00:27:06,058 He says, "Bring your requests. 595 00:27:06,628 --> 00:27:11,338 Remember God's faithfulness, and experience God's peace." 596 00:27:11,348 --> 00:27:11,368 Yeah. 597 00:27:12,788 --> 00:27:18,928 You know, I believe that God has a bigger aim and has more possibility with this 598 00:27:18,978 --> 00:27:21,428 idea of peace than you and I realize. 599 00:27:22,588 --> 00:27:26,878 'Cause we can think, "Yes, I want to have peace in my life. 600 00:27:27,148 --> 00:27:29,438 I need peace in my life right now. 601 00:27:29,638 --> 00:27:32,418 There are some things going on that it's really hard." 602 00:27:32,598 --> 00:27:36,058 And I believe that the Spirit wants to minister and provide peace in 603 00:27:36,058 --> 00:27:39,428 those situations, but I believe it's a lot bigger than that. 604 00:27:40,948 --> 00:27:46,048 Here's what I think is clear from our knowledge of God and also through the 605 00:27:46,048 --> 00:27:51,048 scriptures, is that this idea of peace is not just for us, but it's for us to 606 00:27:51,048 --> 00:27:55,278 also become peaceful disciples of Jesus. 607 00:27:55,288 --> 00:27:55,308 Wow. 608 00:27:56,578 --> 00:28:01,948 When we receive this peace on a consistent basis, what does that 609 00:28:01,948 --> 00:28:04,188 produce in our character and our nature? 610 00:28:04,218 --> 00:28:06,048 We become peaceful. 611 00:28:07,418 --> 00:28:09,718 That becomes our character, our nature. 612 00:28:09,728 --> 00:28:09,998 Why? 613 00:28:10,128 --> 00:28:14,708 'Cause He's the God of peace, and God is making and forming you and me 614 00:28:14,778 --> 00:28:19,338 more into His image, so therefore, we will be people of peace. 615 00:28:19,348 --> 00:28:19,388 Amen. 616 00:28:20,258 --> 00:28:21,388 But then check this out. 617 00:28:21,388 --> 00:28:24,018 This isn't, this scripture and all the scriptures, it's 618 00:28:24,028 --> 00:28:25,698 not just for the individual. 619 00:28:26,618 --> 00:28:29,198 It's for the whole community. 620 00:28:29,758 --> 00:28:32,968 It's a communal command and directive. 621 00:28:33,608 --> 00:28:33,628 Yeah. 622 00:28:33,638 --> 00:28:38,888 It's for us to have peace within each other, within the church family. 623 00:28:38,948 --> 00:28:39,138 Yeah. 624 00:28:39,538 --> 00:28:41,738 It is for us to be peaceful people. 625 00:28:42,048 --> 00:28:45,548 And when you get peaceful people coming together, what does that produce? 626 00:28:45,608 --> 00:28:46,928 More peace. 627 00:28:47,328 --> 00:28:47,488 Yeah. 628 00:28:48,018 --> 00:28:52,698 And so you don't have a group that gets together and is fighting and str- and… 629 00:28:52,708 --> 00:28:55,888 No, you have a group that is bonding, gelling, getting closer together. 630 00:28:58,364 --> 00:29:01,234 So this leads to communal peace within the church. 631 00:29:01,504 --> 00:29:04,594 And then as peaceful disciples of Jesus, what, what happens? 632 00:29:04,594 --> 00:29:05,274 We become what? 633 00:29:05,604 --> 00:29:06,604 Peacemakers. 634 00:29:06,614 --> 00:29:06,654 Amen. 635 00:29:07,494 --> 00:29:11,604 We bring peace, not just individually, but collectively. 636 00:29:12,964 --> 00:29:17,924 If all of us here collectively went out these four walls, and we brought the 637 00:29:17,954 --> 00:29:23,404 peace that we are receiving from God to our work, to our school, to our families, 638 00:29:23,464 --> 00:29:25,274 to our neighborhoods, what would happen? 639 00:29:27,134 --> 00:29:30,424 We'd be bringing peace in those areas, in those situations. 640 00:29:30,424 --> 00:29:30,454 Right. 641 00:29:31,734 --> 00:29:33,694 It would have a domino effect. 642 00:29:33,734 --> 00:29:38,964 It would have a ripple effect upon those around us, and they get a 643 00:29:38,964 --> 00:29:44,934 chance to see and witness, and even experience and taste the glory of 644 00:29:44,934 --> 00:29:48,014 the Spirit of God in your life. 645 00:29:49,614 --> 00:29:49,654 Amen. 646 00:29:49,654 --> 00:29:52,984 And so we can see this again, peacemakers. 647 00:29:53,244 --> 00:29:58,074 In our families, we can be instruments to break generational cycles of 648 00:29:58,144 --> 00:30:03,284 anger, bitterness, and dysfunction by helping with reconciliation. 649 00:30:03,334 --> 00:30:03,374 Amen. 650 00:30:04,184 --> 00:30:10,124 Our jobs and our schools, we can refuse to engage in gossip, slander, 651 00:30:10,124 --> 00:30:16,104 bullying, by being calm, fair, and being a unifying presence. 652 00:30:16,654 --> 00:30:17,664 I'm not here to divide. 653 00:30:17,664 --> 00:30:19,814 Let's figure out how we can be unified. 654 00:30:19,934 --> 00:30:20,174 Right. 655 00:30:21,434 --> 00:30:26,274 In our neighborhoods, in our communities, us collectively and individually serving 656 00:30:26,374 --> 00:30:29,114 and bridging cultural and social divides. 657 00:30:29,274 --> 00:30:31,354 Does our country need that at this moment? 658 00:30:34,172 --> 00:30:37,312 You see, again, this peace isn't just for you to walk out and go, "Woo! 659 00:30:37,702 --> 00:30:39,582 I, I, I'm able to deal with the drama in my life" 660 00:30:45,408 --> 00:30:45,558 No, the peace is to transform you- That's right … more into the 661 00:30:45,558 --> 00:30:48,678 character and nature of God Almighty. 662 00:30:49,148 --> 00:30:54,428 It's for us to collectively reflect and experience the peace of God together, 663 00:30:54,788 --> 00:30:59,588 and then together to bring that peace to those that we live and work with. 664 00:31:00,308 --> 00:31:00,348 Amen. 665 00:31:01,048 --> 00:31:04,178 God has a bigger aim, and there's a greater possibility 666 00:31:04,238 --> 00:31:06,898 than just individual peace. 667 00:31:07,668 --> 00:31:11,518 We get a chance to join in that participation or in that, in that 668 00:31:11,518 --> 00:31:13,728 partnership with God Almighty. 669 00:31:14,038 --> 00:31:14,168 Wow. 670 00:31:14,718 --> 00:31:15,828 So let's get real practical. 671 00:31:15,828 --> 00:31:16,428 You know me. 672 00:31:16,538 --> 00:31:18,788 I gotta have some action steps for the week here, okay? 673 00:31:18,938 --> 00:31:22,268 So pull out your phones, your notebooks, whatever it is that you do here, and 674 00:31:22,268 --> 00:31:25,898 let's go ahead and let's talk about some action steps for the week here. 675 00:31:25,958 --> 00:31:29,098 First up, find a peace verse of the week. 676 00:31:30,018 --> 00:31:30,778 Find a verse. 677 00:31:30,888 --> 00:31:32,398 Maybe it's a verse that we already looked at. 678 00:31:32,398 --> 00:31:33,418 Maybe it's another verse. 679 00:31:33,548 --> 00:31:36,358 Whatever it is, but find a verse this week. 680 00:31:36,408 --> 00:31:37,468 Go ahead and Google it. 681 00:31:37,468 --> 00:31:40,468 Put it in ChatGPT, Claude, whatever it is, your flavor. 682 00:31:40,778 --> 00:31:45,538 Go ahead and find a verse, and go ahead, read that verse every day this week. 683 00:31:45,548 --> 00:31:45,578 Yes. 684 00:31:47,048 --> 00:31:49,288 Remember that verse when you're going through something. 685 00:31:49,478 --> 00:31:51,918 Try to go ahead and memorize the verse. 686 00:31:51,958 --> 00:31:55,258 Philippians 4:6 and 7, those have been my verses of late. 687 00:31:57,038 --> 00:31:59,308 'Cause again, I've shared where, where my failure's in this, 688 00:31:59,308 --> 00:32:02,078 and I have to constantly go back, and God is constantly… 689 00:32:02,078 --> 00:32:05,358 He's been working on me, and I'm so grateful for the Spirit's work in my 690 00:32:05,358 --> 00:32:08,428 life, but it's been rough, but I'm so grateful for the scriptures that 691 00:32:08,428 --> 00:32:14,128 are centering me, reminding me of His faithfulness, His goodness, and His truth. 692 00:32:14,688 --> 00:32:16,518 And so I would encourage you, find a verse. 693 00:32:17,058 --> 00:32:17,538 Read it. 694 00:32:17,538 --> 00:32:18,168 Recite it. 695 00:32:18,208 --> 00:32:20,178 Memorize it, and share it with others. 696 00:32:20,178 --> 00:32:21,968 "Hey, here's my peace verse for the week." 697 00:32:23,408 --> 00:32:25,078 And second, let's pray. 698 00:32:25,638 --> 00:32:30,488 Let's pray for the church, for all of us, to cultivate, experience, 699 00:32:30,578 --> 00:32:32,088 and bring peace this week. 700 00:32:33,048 --> 00:32:33,088 Amen. 701 00:32:33,098 --> 00:32:34,578 God, may you bless us. 702 00:32:35,048 --> 00:32:40,248 May we do our part in cultivating the Spirit's work in our lives. 703 00:32:41,008 --> 00:32:46,128 May we all experience peace today, and God, may you use us to 704 00:32:46,128 --> 00:32:48,888 bring peace to those around us. 705 00:32:49,628 --> 00:32:52,518 Again, not individually, but collectively. 706 00:32:53,068 --> 00:32:56,288 I believe, brothers and sisters, when we do this, we will see and testify 707 00:32:56,588 --> 00:32:59,158 to the Spirit's work in our lives. 708 00:32:59,768 --> 00:33:04,808 As we close, we're reminded our God is the God of peace. 709 00:33:04,808 --> 00:33:05,278 Amen. 710 00:33:05,278 --> 00:33:09,318 The Holy Spirit of God produces the fruit of peace in our lives, 711 00:33:09,368 --> 00:33:14,108 and this peace grows when we stay close to the God of peace. 712 00:33:14,628 --> 00:33:20,388 And so we keep in step with the Spirit through His presence, through His truth, 713 00:33:20,768 --> 00:33:22,238 and through remembering His faithfulness. 714 00:33:23,278 --> 00:33:28,418 That's peace upward, that's peace inward, and that's peace outward. 715 00:33:29,418 --> 00:33:29,458 Amen. 716 00:33:29,458 --> 00:33:31,978 Galatians 5:22, we close out here. 717 00:33:32,698 --> 00:33:37,948 It says, "But the fruit of the Spirit- is love, joy, peace, forbearance, 718 00:33:37,968 --> 00:33:40,978 kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 719 00:33:41,378 --> 00:33:43,268 Against such things there is no law. 720 00:33:43,698 --> 00:33:46,888 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh 721 00:33:47,278 --> 00:33:49,028 with his passions and desires. 722 00:33:49,308 --> 00:33:54,068 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 723 00:33:54,618 --> 00:33:59,738 Brothers and sisters, may we have peace from living a life on the vine. 724 00:33:59,798 --> 00:33:59,988 Amen