WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.299 Welcome to Ontario Community Church, where we are encouraging, equipping, and engaging lives for Christ. 00:00:06.780 --> 00:00:13.339 ! I'm Pastor Patrick Daly, and you're listening to the Sermon Podcast from January 4, 2026. 00:00:13.880 --> 00:00:23.100 Happy New Year! This is the first Sunday of 2026, and what better way to begin than with our theme for the entire year? 00:00:23.640 --> 00:00:25.199 Blessed are the Peacemakers! 00:00:25.199 --> 00:00:35.200 Today, we are looking at Matthew 5, 9, and Hebrews 5, 11-6, 3. 00:00:36.340 --> 00:00:46.340 Last year in 2025, our theme was building bridges, building relationships with friends, family, church, and the community. 00:00:46.859 --> 00:00:53.179 This year in 2026, we're stepping forward to cross those bridges together in faith. 00:00:53.179 --> 00:00:58.460 We are actively carrying out Christ's mission to the world as peacemakers. 00:00:59.500 --> 00:01:09.400 In the Beatitudes, Jesus pronounces a blessing not on those who simply avoid conflict, the peacekeepers, but on those who actively make peace. 00:01:09.920 --> 00:01:11.039 He says in Scripture, 00:01:11.040 --> 00:01:22.340 This isn't about peacekeeping, which is about avoiding tension and staying comfortable. 00:01:22.840 --> 00:01:30.280 This is about peacemaking, something that is active, something that is intentional, and something that is relational. 00:01:30.760 --> 00:01:37.840 It's about entering into broken relationships with wisdom, love, and the transforming power of Christ. 00:01:37.840 --> 00:01:40.840 But how do we grow into this calling? 00:01:41.480 --> 00:01:50.260 Hebrews 5, verse 14 tells us that mature believers have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice. 00:01:50.740 --> 00:01:54.879 The writer of Hebrews lays out six elementary teachings of the faith. 00:01:55.439 --> 00:02:04.320 Repentance from dead works, faith towards God, baptism, the laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 00:02:04.319 --> 00:02:15.340 These are foundational, but we're called to move beyond arguing over elementary things and to seek the higher things of God to grow in maturity. 00:02:16.000 --> 00:02:27.180 As we listen to this message, we'll discover what it means to live as children of God who reflect our Father's character by actively building bridges in a divided world. 00:02:27.180 --> 00:02:33.860 We'll explore how God transforms us from the inside out and bearing fruit as peacemakers. 00:02:34.520 --> 00:02:41.040 Let us step boldly into 2026, growing in maturity, wisdom, and discernment, 00:02:41.420 --> 00:02:47.000 becoming peacemakers who trust Christ to walk with us one step at a time. 00:02:47.719 --> 00:02:50.000 Let's dive into God's Word together. 00:02:50.659 --> 00:02:52.120 Well, good morning, everyone. 00:02:52.920 --> 00:02:54.000 Happy New Year. 00:02:54.000 --> 00:03:00.620 I hope and trust you all are well rested, and hopefully none of you all got sick. 00:03:01.500 --> 00:03:08.219 It seems at the end of the year is a good time to get sick, you know, maybe not on Christmas, but maybe after the fact. 00:03:08.919 --> 00:03:18.060 I'm so glad that we are here in 2026 as we are just entering this new year together. 00:03:18.060 --> 00:03:23.900 And what I'd like to share with you is this year's theme. 00:03:25.080 --> 00:03:27.240 We've entered 2026. 00:03:27.539 --> 00:03:29.719 We have left 2025. 00:03:29.719 --> 00:03:38.599 And I want to just remind each and every one of us that 2025 was a time for us to focus on building bridges. 00:03:39.259 --> 00:03:45.439 Building bridges with our neighbors, with our friends, those in the community, and those in the church. 00:03:45.439 --> 00:03:50.740 It's important for us to establish relationships with other people. 00:03:51.379 --> 00:03:56.419 And not to be focused on the things that divide us, but rather the things that bring us together. 00:03:57.240 --> 00:04:02.479 And we have to think about how that ties in with this year. 00:04:02.479 --> 00:04:19.519 And this year in 2026 took a lot of prayer and reflection on not only what God is doing here in this place, what God has done for the past 80 years, what God was working in 2025. 00:04:19.519 --> 00:04:24.419 But also, what does God have in store for us today? 00:04:25.219 --> 00:04:32.180 And to take time to reflect on what would this year's theme be is a very powerful question nonetheless. 00:04:32.879 --> 00:04:37.339 For us to think that God has provided us peace. 00:04:37.819 --> 00:04:39.299 He provides us salvation. 00:04:39.299 --> 00:04:42.240 And he provides us a path for newness of life. 00:04:42.240 --> 00:04:49.120 And we have to think, how are we to continue building bridges? 00:04:49.860 --> 00:04:53.579 But how are we to move forward into 2026? 00:04:53.780 --> 00:04:58.220 And I'd like to share with you, blessed are the peacemakers. 00:04:58.340 --> 00:05:06.040 And this is going to be the central verse, the theme that we have for this year in 2026. 00:05:06.660 --> 00:05:10.040 It is the call for us to be a peacemaker. 00:05:10.040 --> 00:05:11.360 Can we say that together? 00:05:12.100 --> 00:05:13.879 Blessed are the peacemakers. 00:05:14.000 --> 00:05:15.300 Let's say that one more time. 00:05:15.819 --> 00:05:17.540 Blessed are the peacemakers. 00:05:18.760 --> 00:05:23.060 To be a peacemaker is something that is incredibly powerful. 00:05:23.060 --> 00:05:38.220 We find this from the Gospel of Matthew chapter 5 verse 9 as part of the Beatitudes where Christ is pronouncing a blessing for someone who is a peacemaker and not a peacekeeper. 00:05:38.220 --> 00:05:44.700 How many of you have heard the phrase before, keep the peace, right? 00:05:45.300 --> 00:05:47.920 Don't cause an argument, right? 00:05:49.000 --> 00:05:51.740 Well, peacemaking is something that's entirely different. 00:05:51.740 --> 00:05:57.720 And we have to distinguish the difference between being a peacekeeper and being a peacemaker. 00:05:58.480 --> 00:06:03.420 We have to consider that peacemaking is something that is active. 00:06:03.420 --> 00:06:09.439 It is something that is intentional and it is something that is relational. 00:06:10.600 --> 00:06:20.600 For Jesus Christ gives each and every one of us, again, not only salvation, but this peace that surpasses all understanding that enters within our own hearts. 00:06:21.340 --> 00:06:25.540 A peace that is, well, beyond human reason and human understanding. 00:06:26.000 --> 00:06:31.700 A peace that is so powerful that it radiates in our own minds and in our own hearts. 00:06:31.699 --> 00:06:37.339 I'm sure that for many of us, we have met someone who has the peace of Christ. 00:06:38.259 --> 00:06:39.360 Something about them. 00:06:39.920 --> 00:06:41.079 A sense of calm. 00:06:41.800 --> 00:06:43.879 Something that is different about them. 00:06:43.939 --> 00:06:47.240 That no matter what happens, they have that peace of Christ. 00:06:47.560 --> 00:06:53.659 And that same kind of peace that is within our minds and within our hearts, we are to share to other people. 00:06:53.660 --> 00:07:00.260 Now, what's very important is the question of what is a peacemaker then? 00:07:01.080 --> 00:07:07.440 Well, we only find that in scriptures, there's only one time in scripture that the word peacemaker shows up. 00:07:07.520 --> 00:07:12.700 There are other times and instances where there are similar words that are referencing a peacemaker. 00:07:12.699 --> 00:07:16.839 But the specific word peacemaker only shows up once. 00:07:16.839 --> 00:07:25.240 And it is a person who has received peace and one who brings forth the peace of Christ into the broken world. 00:07:25.699 --> 00:07:28.240 We have to think about the world in which we live in. 00:07:28.339 --> 00:07:34.180 I know that Matt earlier today was talking about praying for things that are happening in our own world. 00:07:34.180 --> 00:07:41.720 And it's important for us to realize we should not be afraid of the world. 00:07:42.319 --> 00:07:49.639 In fact, when any news or event that happens in our own lives, our own community, the nation or the world, 00:07:50.480 --> 00:07:59.740 we stand firm on the word of God, the truth of who he is, the love and that peace that comes from him. 00:07:59.740 --> 00:08:06.720 And so, as we are children of God, we are called to grow in our faith. 00:08:07.259 --> 00:08:07.480 Right? 00:08:07.540 --> 00:08:09.780 We're called to receive salvation. 00:08:10.280 --> 00:08:13.699 Just as that image of the seed that gets planted into the ground. 00:08:14.340 --> 00:08:19.139 Well, when you're planting any sort of seed into the ground, you hopefully want it to grow. 00:08:19.240 --> 00:08:19.400 Amen? 00:08:19.879 --> 00:08:22.620 It's important for us to see plants that grow. 00:08:22.960 --> 00:08:28.120 And in the same way for each and every one of us, we are called to receive the word, 00:08:28.120 --> 00:08:31.699 to receive salvation, and for it to take root. 00:08:32.200 --> 00:08:32.379 Right? 00:08:32.659 --> 00:08:34.440 You want to have deep roots. 00:08:34.620 --> 00:08:39.460 And you want to be able to grow into a magnificent fruit-bearing tree. 00:08:40.279 --> 00:08:46.720 Now, it wasn't that long ago when my wife and I, we went out to pick apricots out in a Weezer here. 00:08:47.220 --> 00:08:50.000 And there was this big giant tree. 00:08:50.000 --> 00:09:00.799 And it had so many apricots that the amount of weight that that tree had, instead of sprouting out like this, what did it do? 00:09:01.659 --> 00:09:02.100 Shh. 00:09:02.860 --> 00:09:04.159 It sagged, right? 00:09:04.700 --> 00:09:11.679 And let me tell you, when my family and I, when we went over to this place, the guy said, take as many as you want. 00:09:11.679 --> 00:09:22.019 And it seemed that no matter how long we were there, no matter how many fruits we had picked, by the time we were done, it looked like we hadn't made a dent at all. 00:09:23.059 --> 00:09:25.839 Now, I don't know about you, that's an amazing kind of tree. 00:09:25.899 --> 00:09:29.859 And that's the kind of tree you want to have that bears the kind of fruit in the real world. 00:09:29.860 --> 00:09:40.460 And we have to think in our own context, as we are growing in the knowledge of God and being transformed from the inside out, we are to bear fruit. 00:09:41.300 --> 00:09:46.300 We are to be peacemakers and not peacekeepers. 00:09:47.000 --> 00:09:56.740 For there is a blessing in sharing in the Word of God, the good news of the Gospel, speaking truth in love, balancing grace and truth. 00:09:56.740 --> 00:10:04.620 Scripture calls for us to grow into faith, to grow in our faith and to seek the higher things. 00:10:05.480 --> 00:10:16.879 Scripture also mentions for us to be trained, for us to be able to have the ability to discern good and evil, truth from lies. 00:10:18.060 --> 00:10:22.740 Scripture calls for us to be transformed and to become more like Christ. 00:10:23.419 --> 00:10:25.120 In other words, being Christ-like. 00:10:25.120 --> 00:10:32.299 That's something that is powerful, remarkable, and people can see it, whether you're a Christian or not. 00:10:32.379 --> 00:10:34.980 You can see God work in a person. 00:10:36.419 --> 00:10:38.179 How many of you have met someone? 00:10:39.039 --> 00:10:45.080 You don't have to raise your hand, but I know I can say I have met someone who, you know, they're walking with the Lord. 00:10:45.320 --> 00:10:47.779 And you know that God is working in and through them. 00:10:47.779 --> 00:10:55.720 That's something that is, it helps us in our own faith journey to see, look at how God is working in this person. 00:10:56.639 --> 00:10:58.839 I want God to continue to work in my life. 00:10:58.879 --> 00:11:02.600 Or if you're not even a believer, I want God to work in my life like that. 00:11:02.759 --> 00:11:07.199 That is the kind of faith, that is the kind of relationship that I want to have with the Lord. 00:11:07.200 --> 00:11:14.240 And so we develop in discernment and wisdom and we allow for Christ to transform us in love. 00:11:14.660 --> 00:11:22.360 And I'd like for us to turn, because we only had these set of verses from Blessed Are the Peacemakers, 00:11:22.460 --> 00:11:26.800 I wanted us to go to a scripture that is found in Hebrews here. 00:11:26.799 --> 00:11:28.779 And there's a reason why. 00:11:30.639 --> 00:11:36.240 Something that's very important as we are growing as a church, as a church body, 00:11:36.659 --> 00:11:48.019 is the simple fact that we are to seek the higher things and to not be divided on, well, things that are divisive. 00:11:49.219 --> 00:11:49.319 Right? 00:11:49.479 --> 00:11:53.459 Things that are, I call them silly, but you can call them other things. 00:11:53.460 --> 00:11:58.600 And I want to show you something that's just absolutely remarkable in here. 00:12:02.980 --> 00:12:10.460 So it's going to be Hebrews chapter 5, verses 11. 00:12:12.360 --> 00:12:17.660 And we're going to go all the way to chapter 6, verse 3 in here. 00:12:18.800 --> 00:12:19.620 Are we all there? 00:12:19.620 --> 00:12:21.660 It's on page 1190. 00:12:23.460 --> 00:12:24.500 Okay. 00:12:26.280 --> 00:12:27.379 Let's read it together. 00:12:27.639 --> 00:12:32.540 You can read out loud or read quietly in your ESVP Bible or Bible of choice. 00:12:33.259 --> 00:12:37.920 So in verse 11, about this, we have much to say. 00:12:38.480 --> 00:12:43.360 And it is hard to explain, since you have become what of hearing? 00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:44.980 Dole of hearing. 00:12:45.300 --> 00:12:45.980 Uh-oh, right? 00:12:46.019 --> 00:12:46.740 You're not listening. 00:12:46.740 --> 00:12:53.060 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the what? 00:12:53.659 --> 00:12:56.340 The basic principles of the oracles of God. 00:12:56.419 --> 00:12:57.940 You need milk and not solid food. 00:12:57.980 --> 00:12:59.360 What a tragedy to happen, right? 00:13:00.620 --> 00:13:02.019 To go back to the basics. 00:13:02.019 --> 00:13:03.680 And it's also important. 00:13:03.779 --> 00:13:05.500 Sometimes we do need to go back to the basics. 00:13:06.039 --> 00:13:08.200 Sometimes it's good to just go back in that. 00:13:08.200 --> 00:13:11.220 But in this sense, that's not necessarily what's happening. 00:13:11.340 --> 00:13:14.280 Here it's like you need milk and not solid food. 00:13:14.420 --> 00:13:14.900 Verse 13. 00:13:15.240 --> 00:13:20.300 For everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a what? 00:13:20.620 --> 00:13:21.620 A child. 00:13:21.980 --> 00:13:22.160 Right? 00:13:22.780 --> 00:13:23.520 Verse 14. 00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:25.100 But solid food is for who? 00:13:25.780 --> 00:13:26.379 Mature. 00:13:26.920 --> 00:13:30.300 For those who have their powers of what? 00:13:30.820 --> 00:13:31.600 There it is. 00:13:31.680 --> 00:13:32.259 Discernment. 00:13:32.340 --> 00:13:32.480 Right? 00:13:32.520 --> 00:13:34.320 The ability to know right from wrong. 00:13:34.920 --> 00:13:35.180 Right? 00:13:35.179 --> 00:13:37.279 Trained by constant practice. 00:13:37.359 --> 00:13:37.459 Right? 00:13:37.500 --> 00:13:39.159 It explains what discernment is. 00:13:39.219 --> 00:13:39.379 Right? 00:13:39.739 --> 00:13:43.739 It takes practice to distinguish good from evil. 00:13:44.399 --> 00:13:47.799 Now, many of you have heard these verses, but it doesn't stop there. 00:13:47.859 --> 00:13:49.459 And this is where it gets very important. 00:13:50.479 --> 00:13:51.979 Chapter 6, verse 1. 00:13:52.539 --> 00:14:01.379 Therefore, let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of... 00:14:01.379 --> 00:14:03.339 So there's six things that are being listed here. 00:14:03.819 --> 00:14:05.139 Repentance from dead works. 00:14:05.179 --> 00:14:06.759 And faith towards God. 00:14:07.279 --> 00:14:08.879 Instruction about washings. 00:14:08.919 --> 00:14:10.019 It's called baptism. 00:14:10.439 --> 00:14:10.579 Right? 00:14:11.159 --> 00:14:15.779 The laying on of hands and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. 00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:18.939 And we will do if God permits. 00:14:19.239 --> 00:14:22.859 You have six things that are being listed upon here. 00:14:22.959 --> 00:14:27.239 And what's very important for us as we're reading this, I want you to really pay attention here, 00:14:27.240 --> 00:14:34.440 is that the writer of Hebrews is explaining things that are considered basic or elementary to the faith. 00:14:34.440 --> 00:14:44.940 And what's so fascinating, for us to be called to be peacemakers, we cannot be divided on the elementary things. 00:14:44.940 --> 00:14:52.940 Now, I don't know about you, but these six things can be the most divisive things within the church. 00:14:53.640 --> 00:14:53.980 Right? 00:14:54.060 --> 00:14:56.460 The first thing, the repentance of dead works. 00:14:56.620 --> 00:14:56.820 Right? 00:14:57.360 --> 00:15:02.120 That we don't live based off of works. 00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:04.000 We're not a works-based salvation. 00:15:04.200 --> 00:15:04.380 Right? 00:15:04.379 --> 00:15:07.220 The second thing being faith towards God. 00:15:07.320 --> 00:15:10.759 You have to have faith and trust in Jesus Christ. 00:15:10.860 --> 00:15:11.039 Right? 00:15:11.139 --> 00:15:12.159 So that's pretty basic. 00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:12.439 Right? 00:15:12.559 --> 00:15:15.840 It's not about what we do, but it's about what has been done. 00:15:15.939 --> 00:15:18.539 And we have faith in Jesus Christ. 00:15:19.159 --> 00:15:21.480 There's the instructions about washings. 00:15:21.519 --> 00:15:22.519 Now, this is interesting. 00:15:23.799 --> 00:15:26.679 Baptism is considered an elementary thing of the faith. 00:15:27.299 --> 00:15:28.220 That's fascinating. 00:15:28.220 --> 00:15:37.960 And yet, I'm sure for many of us, you've heard or maybe you've experienced a specific debate between someone regarding baptism. 00:15:38.100 --> 00:15:38.759 I know I have. 00:15:39.480 --> 00:15:45.840 But what's important is that it's not that any of these are less important. 00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:49.160 They are very important, but they are considered elementary. 00:15:50.139 --> 00:15:51.080 That's wild. 00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:54.279 Baptism is considered elementary. 00:15:54.560 --> 00:15:54.680 Right? 00:15:54.679 --> 00:15:59.139 Then we have the laying on of hands used for commissioning ministers. 00:15:59.439 --> 00:16:03.359 There's laying on of hands through prayer and through healing. 00:16:03.620 --> 00:16:03.699 Right? 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:05.639 There's the resurrection of the dead. 00:16:05.699 --> 00:16:06.879 Well, that's kind of important. 00:16:07.039 --> 00:16:07.179 Right? 00:16:07.239 --> 00:16:09.279 That's considered an elementary thing. 00:16:09.439 --> 00:16:12.859 Knowing that there will be a final resurrection and final judgment. 00:16:13.319 --> 00:16:19.139 All of these things are, to us, it should be very basic. 00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:25.919 And we should seek things that are higher than that, not be divided on any of these six examples. 00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:28.240 All of these things are important. 00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:32.399 And in your notes, you'll see that there are verses that are concerning these things. 00:16:33.100 --> 00:16:38.980 Our faith is meant to grow, not to argue with one another. 00:16:38.980 --> 00:16:47.820 And if we are to be peacemakers, we cannot, we cannot divide over secondary things or these elementary things. 00:16:48.259 --> 00:16:49.440 They are there in scripture. 00:16:50.139 --> 00:16:55.680 And should you ever run into someone who fights you tooth and nail? 00:16:55.779 --> 00:16:57.500 Well, that's the battle that they want to have. 00:16:57.879 --> 00:17:02.100 We certainly pray for those who may oppose us. 00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:07.740 We pray that God will illuminate their lives, give them truth, let there be healing. 00:17:08.339 --> 00:17:15.880 I cannot tell you in my own experience and maybe in your own experience how many times people have fought over silly things. 00:17:17.099 --> 00:17:17.279 Right? 00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:19.599 Silly, secondary things. 00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:24.319 Our core is putting our faith and trust in the living God. 00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:26.480 There is the importance of baptism. 00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:32.299 There is the importance of knowing about the final judgment and the resurrection of the dead. 00:17:32.880 --> 00:17:36.700 And even when it talks about the laying on of hands, that's also something that's important. 00:17:37.039 --> 00:17:43.180 So when the verse then is talking about we are to seek the higher things, as it mentions in Colossians, 00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:48.000 or we're to go on into growth and maturity, we're talking about transformation. 00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:51.599 For God to continue to work in and through our lives. 00:17:52.200 --> 00:17:54.940 To not just be focused, right? 00:17:54.940 --> 00:17:55.799 Think about that. 00:17:55.799 --> 00:17:57.480 That is milk. 00:17:58.599 --> 00:18:02.059 I want to grow in discernment if that's considered maturity. 00:18:02.619 --> 00:18:05.720 Knowing the difference between right and wrong, good and evil. 00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:08.700 I want to seek God and to be transformed. 00:18:09.559 --> 00:18:12.079 And to spread the good news of the gospel. 00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:19.899 So when we are talking about being a peacemaker then, we have got to understand the elementary things. 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:21.559 They are important, don't get me wrong. 00:18:21.779 --> 00:18:23.740 But we cannot just stay there. 00:18:23.740 --> 00:18:29.200 We continue to grow in Christ and to allow for him to transform us. 00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:32.480 As I mentioned Colossians, we're not going to turn there. 00:18:32.559 --> 00:18:34.940 But we're even called to put on the new self. 00:18:35.299 --> 00:18:42.259 To put on this new identity in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience. 00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:47.480 In other words, the peace of Christ is to rule our hearts. 00:18:47.480 --> 00:18:54.220 And from that transformation, we are able to go out into the world and to make a difference in the name of Christ. 00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:56.079 Think about it. 00:18:56.079 --> 00:19:01.240 With God being on our side, we are able to be present with other people. 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:04.059 We are able to share in the good news of the gospel. 00:19:04.240 --> 00:19:08.980 We are able to share in our testimony and how God has worked in our lives. 00:19:08.980 --> 00:19:12.799 And even share about how God has worked in other people. 00:19:13.599 --> 00:19:15.960 That God continues to transform us. 00:19:16.400 --> 00:19:24.079 Let us be encouraged and not discouraged in this year that God is doing a new thing here in this church, in this place. 00:19:24.079 --> 00:19:27.940 Much like how God is doing a new thing for each and every one of us. 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:32.299 Let us be ready to be transformed and to be molded by him. 00:19:32.299 --> 00:19:40.180 No matter what the circumstance or season of life, some of us are wrestling with going from one season to the next. 00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:43.119 Or from going from one time period to the next, right? 00:19:44.139 --> 00:19:47.839 Thinking about going from a child to becoming a teenager. 00:19:47.960 --> 00:19:52.460 From a teenager to an adult to going into college or working. 00:19:52.659 --> 00:19:54.559 And then you have retirement. 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:57.559 You have all of these different seasons that happened in life. 00:19:58.099 --> 00:20:02.099 And we trust in God in every season because he's there with us. 00:20:02.299 --> 00:20:04.659 And that's something that is powerful. 00:20:05.799 --> 00:20:09.559 So what do we then, what can we learn from this then? 00:20:09.619 --> 00:20:11.180 Let's go to that next slide here. 00:20:14.599 --> 00:20:20.480 Peacemaking then, it flows from identity and not avoidance. 00:20:20.539 --> 00:20:27.159 And what I mean by that is that when we go back to blessed are the peacemaker for they shall be called children of God. 00:20:27.160 --> 00:20:32.480 Jesus blesses the participation in peacemaking. 00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:35.600 Not merely peacekeeping. 00:20:35.860 --> 00:20:37.340 Do you understand the difference, church? 00:20:37.800 --> 00:20:39.560 It's a pretty significant difference here. 00:20:40.360 --> 00:20:44.519 That we are to share in the word of God. 00:20:44.660 --> 00:20:46.680 We are to share in the good news of the gospel. 00:20:47.680 --> 00:20:52.560 And peacekeeping then is keeping the peace, right? 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:56.279 I mentioned keep the peace. 00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:58.000 There's other variations of that. 00:20:58.079 --> 00:20:58.919 Don't rock the boat. 00:20:58.980 --> 00:21:00.980 That's one my mom used to say all the time, right? 00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:03.159 Don't rock the boat too much. 00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:11.839 But in that, to be called children of God then means that we reflect on who God is. 00:21:11.980 --> 00:21:13.200 And God leads us. 00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:14.659 He transforms us. 00:21:14.919 --> 00:21:17.079 He guides us through every season of life. 00:21:17.079 --> 00:21:21.539 We fully rely on him as he is the source. 00:21:22.399 --> 00:21:29.240 And I want you to ask yourself the question then, do I avoid having difficult conversations? 00:21:30.199 --> 00:21:35.359 Do I avoid, am I more of a peacekeeper or am I more of a peacemaker? 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:40.240 That's something to reflect on not only this Sunday, but as we go through this year. 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:43.099 It's my heart. 00:21:43.240 --> 00:21:49.460 It's my goal for us to keep Christ as the main thing. 00:21:50.220 --> 00:21:54.579 And not to be divided over so many things that divide us. 00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:59.480 You know, there's so many, so much division in the world. 00:22:00.200 --> 00:22:05.420 Between politics, between generations, between mindsets and all sorts of things. 00:22:05.420 --> 00:22:12.660 But when it comes to Christianity, we seek Christ. 00:22:13.100 --> 00:22:14.940 And we go towards Christ. 00:22:15.840 --> 00:22:17.820 We let him transform us. 00:22:18.400 --> 00:22:22.640 Because are we all on, we should all be journeying towards Christ. 00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:25.840 But where you are at in your own spiritual walk, 00:22:26.640 --> 00:22:28.920 is certainly going to be different than the person next to you. 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:34.680 How God is forming you, how God will form you, is different. 00:22:35.420 --> 00:22:39.539 But there's still that transformation process that happens to each and every one of us. 00:22:40.220 --> 00:22:41.440 Let us not resist that. 00:22:42.019 --> 00:22:44.200 Let us allow for God to do this. 00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:49.900 The second thing then is that peacemaking requires what, church? 00:22:51.100 --> 00:22:54.279 Spiritual obedience, growth, and maturity, right? 00:22:54.320 --> 00:22:57.200 That we are to follow in the footsteps of Christ. 00:22:57.200 --> 00:23:01.840 And Hebrews reminds us then that immaturity, right? 00:23:01.880 --> 00:23:06.299 It showed us this idea that you needed milk and not solid food. 00:23:06.759 --> 00:23:11.900 And again, like I mentioned, sometimes it's important for us to go over the basic things again. 00:23:12.660 --> 00:23:16.900 But what a tragedy it would be to have to go all the way back 00:23:16.900 --> 00:23:20.759 and to be essentially forced to go back to the basic things of God. 00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:27.400 And it also goes to show that there's an importance of spiritual maturity 00:23:27.400 --> 00:23:31.579 and there's an importance of discernment, right? 00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:35.640 The ability to know right from wrong through the eyes of God. 00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:43.279 How many of you had the Spirit talk to you 00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:46.079 and say, don't talk to this person? 00:23:46.079 --> 00:23:50.939 Or how many of you had the Spirit lead and guide you to talk to someone? 00:23:52.519 --> 00:23:55.139 This is part of maturity. 00:23:55.859 --> 00:23:58.899 Allowing for the Holy Spirit to guide your very life. 00:23:59.619 --> 00:24:04.519 There have been times where my wife has a much better gift of discernment 00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:08.879 and there have been times I've met people and I really get to know them 00:24:08.879 --> 00:24:11.659 and they're really good and my wife's like, yeah, there's something off about them. 00:24:11.939 --> 00:24:14.419 And then we find out later there really was something off. 00:24:14.420 --> 00:24:15.680 And I'm like, really? 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:19.140 Like, why couldn't I have known that from the get-go kind of thing? 00:24:19.539 --> 00:24:20.740 But that's just one example. 00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:24.180 There can be your own experience that might have happened before. 00:24:24.640 --> 00:24:29.019 But it's important for us to know that discernment is learned through practice. 00:24:29.259 --> 00:24:30.560 It is learned through training. 00:24:31.120 --> 00:24:35.120 Much like how Scripture says that we are to train our children, right? 00:24:35.120 --> 00:24:39.940 Our physical children to know the ways of God and know the ways of the Lord. 00:24:40.320 --> 00:24:43.160 Well, think about when we are spiritual children, right? 00:24:43.160 --> 00:24:45.480 In the same way we are to be trained. 00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:48.360 We are to be trained in discernment. 00:24:49.040 --> 00:24:52.440 That's a very powerful thing when you really think about it. 00:24:52.460 --> 00:24:55.759 Knowing right from wrong, good from evil, these kind of things. 00:24:56.580 --> 00:25:03.920 And it's also important that we cannot remain fighting in the elementary things. 00:25:03.920 --> 00:25:12.320 Now, I always thought it was so, it's fascinating because it's almost as though the things of the world and the things of God are kind of flipped. 00:25:12.420 --> 00:25:12.940 Here's what I mean. 00:25:13.940 --> 00:25:16.120 In the world, you learn your ABCs. 00:25:16.120 --> 00:25:17.740 And there's not much dispute on that, right? 00:25:18.660 --> 00:25:19.779 Or at least I hope not. 00:25:20.600 --> 00:25:22.000 You learn your ABCs. 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.900 You got your little blocks. 00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:25.320 You learn your one, two, threes, right? 00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:28.259 You learn how to sound out certain phrases. 00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:32.980 I guess there's debate on pronunciations, but I guess that's neither here nor there. 00:25:33.059 --> 00:25:34.759 You have these basic things. 00:25:34.900 --> 00:25:36.700 You crawl before you walk, right? 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:39.000 You take your first steps and you move on. 00:25:39.579 --> 00:25:41.599 Well, there's not much debate on that. 00:25:41.599 --> 00:25:53.679 And yet, when you go further into more academics and more PhDs, masters, there's a lot more debate on theory, right? 00:25:53.679 --> 00:25:59.599 And a lot more debate on, well, one person argues this and the other person argues that and there's new information. 00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:00.779 Things are always changing. 00:26:01.219 --> 00:26:02.259 That's kind of interesting. 00:26:02.359 --> 00:26:07.579 But when it comes to the things of God, the elementary things are the things that are fought over. 00:26:08.699 --> 00:26:10.480 That's interesting. 00:26:11.599 --> 00:26:15.839 Most debates I've ever ran into have been over elementary things. 00:26:16.359 --> 00:26:19.699 How many people argue over discernment, right? 00:26:20.179 --> 00:26:24.199 How many people argue over putting on the new self in Christ? 00:26:24.959 --> 00:26:30.179 How many people argue about God transforming your life, but yet those are the higher things? 00:26:30.219 --> 00:26:31.759 So it's almost as though it's flipped. 00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:34.439 I think that's just kind of a very interesting thing. 00:26:34.439 --> 00:26:38.659 And I don't know why that is, but it is a wonderful observation nonetheless. 00:26:38.660 --> 00:26:48.940 And so in all of this, we learn the elementary things, but we seek the higher things so that we can do greater things in the name of Christ. 00:26:49.580 --> 00:26:55.400 How many of you know that verse where Christ is saying to his disciples, you're going to do greater things than I? 00:26:55.820 --> 00:26:56.300 Show of hands. 00:26:56.299 --> 00:26:58.839 Isn't that a hard passage? 00:26:59.980 --> 00:27:03.639 How are we going to do something greater than Christ? 00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:05.879 Christ did the greatest thing in history. 00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:07.500 What in the world are you talking about? 00:27:07.819 --> 00:27:19.000 When we're talking about ministry and sharing in the gospel, there's going to be opportunities for each and every one of us to share in his love, to share in his grace, to share in his truth. 00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:25.200 And we have to think, wow, God, you're going to call us to do these greater things. 00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:27.180 I struggle with that. 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:30.559 But it's a powerful thing nonetheless. 00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:40.599 For us to go out into the world, proclaim the gospel, be present, be that ambassador, and to be a peacemaker then. 00:27:41.339 --> 00:27:46.220 And ask yourself the question, is God asking you to grow in your faith? 00:27:47.079 --> 00:27:47.460 Maybe. 00:27:47.460 --> 00:27:47.500 Maybe. 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:48.700 I hope so. 00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:50.620 And if so, how? 00:27:51.660 --> 00:27:56.460 Where is Christ calling you to grow beyond being a spiritual infant? 00:27:58.100 --> 00:28:07.720 And then finally, the last thing, if we can go back on that interpretation, is that peacemaking is the fruit of Christ at work within us. 00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:13.200 That Christ works in and through us, and we bear fruit in that sense. 00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:16.779 That peace must be received from Christ. 00:28:16.779 --> 00:28:17.940 It is divine. 00:28:18.139 --> 00:28:19.559 It is not man-made. 00:28:19.660 --> 00:28:21.279 It is not man-constructed. 00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:28.480 Now I know in the world we can make a lot of really great things, but making peace, that's a little bit different. 00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:30.940 Something that is coming from the Lord. 00:28:31.059 --> 00:28:32.259 Something that is higher. 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:36.420 And Christ will transform us inwardly, right? 00:28:36.420 --> 00:28:41.360 Transforming us from, I love that phrase, from the inside out, right? 00:28:41.359 --> 00:28:46.019 Just like how scripture says, create in me a new heart, oh God, right? 00:28:46.099 --> 00:28:47.839 And renew a right, what? 00:28:48.240 --> 00:28:49.759 Spirit within me, right? 00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:51.359 That God's going to transform. 00:28:51.699 --> 00:28:54.159 I mean, that's a prayer right there from Psalms. 00:28:54.160 --> 00:29:07.940 But that's essentially what happens, is that God transforms us from the inside in how we think of God and how we think of people, how we see the world, and even how we interact with the world as well. 00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:13.900 How we interact with people, that's something that is important for us. 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:16.660 So the peace then moves outwardly. 00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:21.160 Peacemaking then becomes witness towards other people. 00:29:22.460 --> 00:29:26.580 It's not just about behavior modification and changing your habits. 00:29:26.860 --> 00:29:29.539 It's something that is much more than that. 00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:33.660 That people can see who we are by what we do. 00:29:33.660 --> 00:29:39.860 And it's important, I always got to reemphasize this, that we're not saved by what we do. 00:29:40.400 --> 00:29:45.300 But we are saved so that we can do incredible things in the name of Christ. 00:29:46.100 --> 00:29:48.980 And so, ask yourself that question. 00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:52.320 Is the peace of Christ, is that ruling within your heart? 00:29:52.779 --> 00:29:57.220 If not, ask for that peace to rule within your heart. 00:29:58.460 --> 00:30:00.880 Let us go on to the application then. 00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:03.340 How should we live? 00:30:03.339 --> 00:30:04.859 What do we do about this? 00:30:05.379 --> 00:30:09.579 Well, the first thing is to make peace with Christ by what, church? 00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:14.439 We have got to, first and foremost, you've got to know Christ. 00:30:15.319 --> 00:30:17.720 Believe in the death, burial, and resurrection, right? 00:30:17.819 --> 00:30:21.899 Begin to learn the elementary things and then continue to grow. 00:30:23.119 --> 00:30:25.099 Begin by receiving salvation. 00:30:25.339 --> 00:30:28.279 Receive the peace that surpasses all understanding. 00:30:28.279 --> 00:30:33.579 And true peace comes from the simple fact that we are reconciled to God. 00:30:34.200 --> 00:30:36.099 This is where the work begins. 00:30:37.660 --> 00:30:43.139 Maybe it's important for you to ask God to renew that peace within your heart. 00:30:43.140 --> 00:30:46.300 I understand that the world can be very overbearing. 00:30:46.360 --> 00:30:46.540 Amen? 00:30:47.140 --> 00:30:48.480 We all understand that. 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:53.040 But that's why we seek God, to continue to grant us peace. 00:30:54.000 --> 00:31:00.020 And so, ask yourself if you're not a Christian, or have I received salvation? 00:31:00.880 --> 00:31:04.020 Or you can even ask yourself, have I received the peace of Christ? 00:31:04.019 --> 00:31:07.359 If not, let this be a call for you to do so. 00:31:07.700 --> 00:31:10.119 The second thing then is to what, church? 00:31:10.180 --> 00:31:10.859 Let's read it together. 00:31:11.420 --> 00:31:14.480 To grow into spiritual maturity, right? 00:31:14.859 --> 00:31:17.559 To not just be children, right? 00:31:18.019 --> 00:31:22.099 We see that in the physical world, and we should see that also in the spiritual. 00:31:22.240 --> 00:31:24.440 We should experience that in the spiritual world. 00:31:24.440 --> 00:31:31.279 To go from being a child, being a cute little baby, but to continue to grow in Christ. 00:31:32.100 --> 00:31:36.120 For God wants us to be transformed, and for us to grow into maturity then. 00:31:36.660 --> 00:31:44.220 And we need to commit to following in the footsteps of Christ, reading scripture, developing prayer 00:31:44.220 --> 00:31:47.960 habits, but also, may you be trained in discernment. 00:31:48.840 --> 00:31:51.799 That's something that we can all practice. 00:31:51.799 --> 00:31:56.500 Practice, train, and live every day with God on your side. 00:31:57.440 --> 00:32:00.980 When we talk about transformation, we've got to act upon that transformation. 00:32:01.379 --> 00:32:04.019 And that's so important for all of us. 00:32:06.039 --> 00:32:09.480 May we not remain stagnant in our faith. 00:32:10.079 --> 00:32:11.519 May we continue to grow in it. 00:32:12.339 --> 00:32:14.019 Grow in him, and don't stop. 00:32:14.859 --> 00:32:20.779 Think of God as the great potter, molding us and shaping us. 00:32:21.799 --> 00:32:23.579 How many of you guys have done pottery before? 00:32:26.099 --> 00:32:28.579 Now, you've got to pay a lot of attention, right? 00:32:28.980 --> 00:32:29.519 Into that. 00:32:29.700 --> 00:32:32.740 And if you're not careful, what happens? 00:32:33.980 --> 00:32:35.680 Well, you're going to make a big mess, right? 00:32:36.539 --> 00:32:42.960 And so, to think of the amount of intentionality and the amount of work that God does in molding 00:32:42.960 --> 00:32:47.100 us is really a remarkable image, if you really think about that. 00:32:48.039 --> 00:32:53.140 All of the, I don't know if they're crevices, but the amount of pressure, right? 00:32:53.259 --> 00:32:58.460 Molding into certain types of shapes in the, when things are spinning round and round. 00:32:58.880 --> 00:33:00.100 We can think about that. 00:33:00.099 --> 00:33:06.639 But you should allow for God to mold you and to form you over time so that you can be a 00:33:06.639 --> 00:33:10.119 witness, so that you can be a peacemaker then. 00:33:11.279 --> 00:33:17.619 And ask yourself, is God, is the Lord asking you or inviting you to grow in a certain area? 00:33:18.240 --> 00:33:20.279 Maybe that's something for you to reflect on. 00:33:20.279 --> 00:33:22.559 How can you grow this year? 00:33:22.899 --> 00:33:24.180 How can you be molded? 00:33:24.420 --> 00:33:26.700 Or how can you be a better peacemaker? 00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:30.599 And then thirdly, church, let's read that one together. 00:33:31.399 --> 00:33:34.180 Step forward as a peacemaker, right? 00:33:35.039 --> 00:33:40.579 I want you to choose one relationship that you can share the peace of Christ with. 00:33:41.359 --> 00:33:43.680 Find that this week or find that this year. 00:33:44.319 --> 00:33:46.460 Let that be your New Year's resolution, right? 00:33:46.460 --> 00:33:49.039 To share the peace of Christ with someone else. 00:33:49.039 --> 00:33:53.559 A friend, a family member, a co-worker, a fellow student. 00:33:54.259 --> 00:33:56.980 There's many different relationships that you can work on. 00:33:57.619 --> 00:33:58.899 Who can you speak to? 00:33:59.220 --> 00:34:01.000 Who can you share truth with? 00:34:01.220 --> 00:34:02.779 Who can you witness to? 00:34:03.399 --> 00:34:07.940 We have to remember that our faith is to be active and not inactive. 00:34:10.279 --> 00:34:14.059 Consider that and take one intentional step towards peace. 00:34:14.159 --> 00:34:19.000 We can think of, for example, just having a simple conversation, right? 00:34:19.039 --> 00:34:20.880 Or simply being present. 00:34:21.259 --> 00:34:23.860 Sometimes it is having difficult conversations. 00:34:24.519 --> 00:34:31.119 But we need to trust God in our spiritual walk one step at a time. 00:34:31.759 --> 00:34:33.259 Don't let this overwhelm you. 00:34:34.279 --> 00:34:37.039 Sometimes it's just having a simple phone call or a text. 00:34:37.139 --> 00:34:38.039 Hey, I'm praying for you. 00:34:38.400 --> 00:34:39.300 Thought about you today. 00:34:39.300 --> 00:34:41.800 Sometimes it's visiting someone. 00:34:42.680 --> 00:34:45.700 How you answer that is unique to you. 00:34:46.640 --> 00:34:53.140 And so I want you to think as we get closer to closing here, where can I live? 00:34:54.019 --> 00:34:57.500 And how can I live as a peacemaker this year? 00:34:58.320 --> 00:35:02.639 And so I have this image here of to be a peacemaker. 00:35:03.139 --> 00:35:04.360 And I have this image. 00:35:04.440 --> 00:35:06.199 You've probably seen images like this, right? 00:35:06.260 --> 00:35:09.199 Where the water droplet goes and it creates a ripple effect. 00:35:09.460 --> 00:35:13.320 And we have to think of how Christ is like the greatest drop, right? 00:35:13.320 --> 00:35:15.660 And it creates this ripple effect into the world. 00:35:15.660 --> 00:35:21.539 And how in the same way that as we receive the peace of Christ, we are to share in Christ's peace with others. 00:35:21.840 --> 00:35:25.680 Creating little ripple effects in other people's lives. 00:35:26.260 --> 00:35:27.920 In church and in culture. 00:35:28.580 --> 00:35:32.019 That's how we make a difference in the name of Christ. 00:35:32.019 --> 00:35:35.380 And so I want you to think about this image. 00:35:35.519 --> 00:35:44.119 And this last year, as we closed today, we focused on building bridges with friends, family, with the community. 00:35:44.539 --> 00:35:47.739 And this year, we are crossing that bridge. 00:35:48.119 --> 00:35:50.780 We are being ambassadors of Christ, right? 00:35:50.820 --> 00:35:55.259 We are being peacemakers, crossing the bridge together in unity. 00:35:56.340 --> 00:35:59.719 Carrying out the mission of Christ to the community. 00:35:59.719 --> 00:36:06.219 Imagine the profound impact that we can have together by sharing in the love of Christ. 00:36:06.379 --> 00:36:08.279 By sharing in the peace of Christ. 00:36:08.399 --> 00:36:10.439 By sharing in the gospel message. 00:36:10.939 --> 00:36:14.379 This does not mean that we forget to build relationships. 00:36:14.919 --> 00:36:17.319 We are building upon last year's theme. 00:36:17.779 --> 00:36:22.159 The importance of cultivating relationships and to speaking the truth in love. 00:36:22.159 --> 00:36:29.199 We step out boldly in faith to live out what God has called for each and every one of us individually. 00:36:29.199 --> 00:36:32.319 But also for each and every one of us as a church. 00:36:32.739 --> 00:36:34.619 Let us be peacemakers. 00:36:34.799 --> 00:36:38.259 Let us journey in faith to become more mature in it. 00:36:39.039 --> 00:36:41.019 Let us think about all these things. 00:36:41.719 --> 00:36:49.819 May God supply us strength, wisdom, and train us to be more discerning in our walk with him. 00:36:49.820 --> 00:36:52.460 Let us not compromise who we are. 00:36:52.460 --> 00:36:55.980 But let us show the love of Christ with other people. 00:36:56.360 --> 00:36:58.900 In our words and in our actions. 00:36:59.820 --> 00:37:03.820 And Christ calls us to move beyond the elementary things. 00:37:04.080 --> 00:37:07.640 Let us not be divided over these silly things. 00:37:08.000 --> 00:37:09.460 There's an importance of baptism. 00:37:09.660 --> 00:37:11.400 There's an importance of the laying on of hands. 00:37:11.480 --> 00:37:12.900 These are the elementary things. 00:37:13.039 --> 00:37:14.559 The foundational things. 00:37:14.559 --> 00:37:16.759 We are to move beyond that. 00:37:16.759 --> 00:37:20.980 And to allow for God to transform us every single day. 00:37:21.360 --> 00:37:25.159 Let us move beyond fear to faith. 00:37:25.820 --> 00:37:28.440 May we move beyond the things that divide us. 00:37:28.679 --> 00:37:31.860 And focus on the things that unite us together. 00:37:32.719 --> 00:37:38.299 May we move on from all of this hatred and anger that we see in culture. 00:37:38.300 --> 00:37:44.720 And instead let us focus on love and compassion and peace. 00:37:45.380 --> 00:37:48.440 And let us know Christ by believing in him. 00:37:48.920 --> 00:37:50.660 Let us grow in our faith. 00:37:50.780 --> 00:37:54.640 Let us put on the new self and live as peacemakers. 00:37:55.200 --> 00:38:00.160 Children of God who bring light into a divided world. 00:38:00.519 --> 00:38:01.580 Let us pray together. 00:38:01.579 --> 00:38:07.119 Father God we thank you for this time and this opportunity for us to gather today. 00:38:07.119 --> 00:38:10.880 As we are kicking off this new year, 2026. 00:38:11.279 --> 00:38:12.319 And what a year. 00:38:12.940 --> 00:38:14.159 It's already seemed to begin. 00:38:15.559 --> 00:38:17.659 There's already a lot of things that are going on. 00:38:17.739 --> 00:38:19.199 So we're off to a good start. 00:38:20.319 --> 00:38:23.699 Well Father, whatever start is happening in this year. 00:38:23.819 --> 00:38:25.159 May we fully trust in you. 00:38:25.920 --> 00:38:27.559 We ask for your peace. 00:38:27.559 --> 00:38:31.619 To be in our hearts and to rule our hearts as Colossians say. 00:38:32.519 --> 00:38:36.980 May we be called to be peacemakers and not peacekeepers. 00:38:37.579 --> 00:38:41.500 May we step out boldly in faith to live and to love like you. 00:38:41.900 --> 00:38:46.559 To share in your word and our testimony to other people. 00:38:47.779 --> 00:38:50.619 Father, you are doing a new thing in this area. 00:38:50.980 --> 00:38:52.799 You're doing a new thing in this church. 00:38:52.800 --> 00:38:56.720 I pray for everyone who is here in person. 00:38:57.140 --> 00:38:58.920 Everyone who is here online. 00:38:59.539 --> 00:39:00.760 And everyone who will listen. 00:39:01.160 --> 00:39:04.539 Whether that's watching the video or listening to the audio recording. 00:39:05.760 --> 00:39:08.560 I pray that you will have your way. 00:39:08.860 --> 00:39:11.280 That you will transform each and every one of us. 00:39:11.360 --> 00:39:13.680 Not to be divided but to be united in you. 00:39:14.539 --> 00:39:17.480 May we focus on your son Jesus Christ. 00:39:17.560 --> 00:39:19.180 Who is the way, the truth and the life. 00:39:19.179 --> 00:39:23.119 May we keep Christ as the main thing. 00:39:23.599 --> 00:39:25.299 As our main goal and objective. 00:39:25.719 --> 00:39:27.500 To live and love like him. 00:39:28.219 --> 00:39:31.199 Father, we are grateful for your word. 00:39:31.799 --> 00:39:33.159 We're grateful for this church. 00:39:33.699 --> 00:39:39.559 And we're grateful for just everyone who is a part of this church. 00:39:39.919 --> 00:39:45.279 We're grateful for this technology that's able to broadcast and to record far and wide. 00:39:45.280 --> 00:39:50.800 Father, we're encouraged to know about the thousands of podcast downloads. 00:39:50.940 --> 00:39:52.840 And the amount of people who are being influenced. 00:39:53.240 --> 00:39:54.260 Not by me. 00:39:54.580 --> 00:39:55.200 But by you. 00:39:56.580 --> 00:39:57.720 And we're just grateful. 00:39:58.040 --> 00:39:58.740 Have your way. 00:39:59.300 --> 00:40:01.420 Let your spirit move in this place. 00:40:02.519 --> 00:40:05.840 And may we humbly continue to walk in faith. 00:40:06.060 --> 00:40:06.980 And journey with you. 00:40:07.460 --> 00:40:08.460 Every single day. 00:40:09.300 --> 00:40:11.920 It is in the name of Jesus that we pray. 00:40:12.000 --> 00:40:13.500 And we all say together, Amen church. 00:40:13.740 --> 00:40:14.140 Amen. 00:40:14.139 --> 00:40:18.879 Thank you for joining us for this message from Ontario Community Church. 00:40:19.319 --> 00:40:21.259 I want you to think about this image. 00:40:21.699 --> 00:40:25.400 When you drop something into water, it creates a ripple effect. 00:40:26.059 --> 00:40:27.799 Christ is the greatest drop. 00:40:28.199 --> 00:40:29.839 Creating peace in the world. 00:40:30.460 --> 00:40:33.339 As we receive his peace, we share it with others. 00:40:33.799 --> 00:40:35.779 Creating ripples in people's lives. 00:40:36.219 --> 00:40:36.940 In our church. 00:40:37.379 --> 00:40:38.139 In our community. 00:40:38.559 --> 00:40:39.500 And in our culture. 00:40:39.500 --> 00:40:42.780 Last year, we focused on building bridges. 00:40:43.420 --> 00:40:47.619 And this year, we're crossing the bridge together as peacemakers. 00:40:48.119 --> 00:40:50.039 Carrying out Christ's mission. 00:40:50.780 --> 00:40:53.519 Let us move beyond the elementary things that divide us. 00:40:53.880 --> 00:40:56.539 Let us move beyond fear to faith. 00:40:57.119 --> 00:40:58.500 Division to unity. 00:40:59.159 --> 00:41:00.340 Hatred to love. 00:41:00.340 --> 00:41:02.140 Let us know Christ. 00:41:02.740 --> 00:41:04.000 Let us grow in our faith. 00:41:04.519 --> 00:41:06.240 And let us live as peacemakers. 00:41:06.840 --> 00:41:09.559 Children of God who bring light into the world. 00:41:10.400 --> 00:41:14.660 You can find all of today's resources at OntarioCommunityChurch.org. 00:41:15.120 --> 00:41:20.440 There, you will find slides, sermon notes, Bible studies, and the interactive reading. 00:41:20.440 --> 00:41:27.000 We're also on YouTube, Rumble, Facebook, TikTok, or wherever you get your podcasts. 00:41:27.820 --> 00:41:29.800 May the Lord bless you and keep you. 00:41:30.400 --> 00:41:33.800 May he make his face shine upon you and give you peace. 00:41:34.440 --> 00:41:38.480 May God shape you to be a peacemaker in 2026. 00:41:39.139 --> 00:41:40.659 God bless and thank you. 00:41:50.440 --> 00:42:20.420 God bless you and thank you. 00:42:20.440 --> 00:42:50.420 God bless you and thank you. 00:42:50.440 --> 00:43:20.420 God bless you and thank you. 00:43:20.440 --> 00:43:50.420 God bless you and thank you. 00:43:50.440 --> 00:43:51.800 God bless you and thank you.