Message Title: Peace in a Polarized World
Date: October 18, 2020

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Big Idea: We need more people passing the peace to bridge the gap of polarity.

Question 1:
How are you seeing conflict causing division and destruction around you?

Question 2:
How is conflict described in this passage? And what are the stated solutions?

Internal Conflict = Flesh vs. Spirit

5:13 But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh (self-centered ways)

5:17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit (God-centered ways), and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

External Conflict = Us vs. Others

5:15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
5:19 The acts of the flesh are obvious...hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy.

Are you a Peacemaker?

Conflict-intentional | PEACEMAKER | Conflict-avoidant

SHALOM = relational well-being, wholeness, harmony between God and others

Passing the Peace
--extend your hand and release your agenda
--hold on to understand and honor them
--let go and give them to God

Question 3:
This week, to whom is God calling you to be a peacemaker in your home, work, or community? Will you let the Spirit help you pass the peace? (extend your hand, hold on to understanding/honor, and let go/give them to God?

Peacemaker Blessing by St. Francis of Assisi
Lord, make us an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

PCC BENEDICTION
May you jump into the arms of Jesus and may He push out into the world. May you be healed as you participate in the healing of others. Not because you must, but because you may. This is why we were born!

BEYOND SUNDAY
The Essentials 9-week series will focus on what it means to reflect the character of Jesus. Each week, we will wrestle with one of the essential characteristics of Jesus with the hope of it bearing fruit in our lives as we become more dependent on the Spirit to lead us. This week our focus is on the third fruit of the Spirit - Peace.

1. Two Sundays ago (10-11-20), we learned the difference between experiencing joy and happiness. In the end, happiness ebbs and flows with our circumstances and joy is more consistent for it is based on God’s foundational truths and promises. How have you experienced happiness and joy recently?

2. This past Sunday (10-18-20), we were challenged to usher in the fruit of the Spirit of peace into our polarized world? If you could bring peace into one conflict in the world, including your own life, and be guaranteed that peace would happen, where would it be and why?

3. Read and reflect on Galatians 5:13-26. Then finish this statement. “There is conflict in the world because… .” Which divisive words in the passage stand out to you the most and why? How are you seeing them play out in your home, community or nation? How does this make you feel?

4. Paul, the author of Galatians and many other books of the Bible, was one who went from being a persecutor (known prior as Saul - see Acts 8:1-3) of people to a gracious and deliberate peacemaker (see Romans 14:19, 2 Corinthians 13:11, Ephesians 4:3), who yearned to bring shalom (relational well-being, harmony with God and others) to the world. What were the keys to his transformation that made this possible (see Galatians 1:11-24)?

5. Review Galatians 5:16, 22, 25. If the solution to conflict is walking in the Spirit and intentionally being a peacemaker, when it comes to conflict are you more conflict avoidant (passive) or conflict intentional (aggressive)? How did Jesus handle conflict in His attempt to bring shalom to our broken world? What would you have to sacrifice for you to become more of a courageous or gracious peacemaker?

6. Jesus promised us that there is a blessing for the peacemakers (Matthew 5:9), yet it takes deliberate healthy actions and help from the Spirit. Our speaker Brian Rhen, Pastor to Adults, encouraged us to be peacemakers by figuratively using the handshaking metaphor of “passing the peace” with one another when in a potentially divisive situation.
---Extend your hand and release your agenda (to hold it is to make a fist = fight)
---Hold on to grasp their understanding to honor them
---Let go and give them to God whether you agree or disagree

This week, to whom is God calling you to be a peacemaker in your home, work, or community? Will you let the Spirit help you pass the peace?

Series Daily Prayer:
“Heavenly Father, I pray that this day I may live in your presence and please you more and more.
Lord Jesus, I pray that this day I may take up my cross and follow you.
Holy Spirit, I pray that this day you will fill me with yourself and cause your fruit to ripen in my life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self- control.”
---John Stott (1921-2011), evangelist and scholar

Actions & Resources
--Make space for God this week. Declare the prayer daily.
--Memorize The Fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23
--Read Chapter 4 (Patience) in Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit by Christopher J.H.Wright
--Join a 9-week Group: Cultivating The Essentials (Men, Women, Coed) - see below
--Join a House Church -- see below

For PCC's Fiscal Year:
June 1, 2020 through May 31, 2021:

Giving Update
Goal: $4,072,337
Giving to Date: $1,064,775
Still Needed: $3,007,602