Peoples Church | Fresno, CA

Sometimes keeping the peace is easier than making peace. In Episode 8 of Let’s Talk!, Billy sits down with Pastor Dale and Dawson to continue the conversation from Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Jesus doesn't call His followers simply to avoid conflict. He calls us to become peacemakers, and sometimes that requires doing the hard thing. The conversation explores the difference between a peacekeeper and a peacemaker, why insecurity can create conflict, how our culture can profit from keeping us divided, and why real relationships require friction. They also get practical about forgiveness, hospitality, broken trust, and what to do when somebody has genuinely hurt you. Forgiveness does not mean minimizing what happened. The cross itself shows us that God did not minimize sin. Jesus paid its cost. So what does peacemaking look like in your marriage, family, workplace, friendships, and the conflicts you are carrying right now? Sometimes it means having the conversation you've been avoiding. Sometimes it means listening. Sometimes it means forgiving. Sometimes it means welcoming someone to the table. And sometimes it means doing everything that depends on you and trusting God with what doesn't. Scripture: Matthew 5:9 Series: Blessed? People’s Church | Fresno, California CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION Use these questions with your small group, family, friends, or for personal reflection: 1. Is there a relationship where you've been keeping the peace instead of actually making peace? What hard conversation or action might you be avoiding? 2. Pastor Dale talked about insecurity as a peace-breaker. When you feel insecure, are you more likely to blame someone else, prove yourself, or find something to numb what you're feeling? 3. Dawson talked about how character is often formed through friction. Is there a difficult relationship or situation God may be using to form something in you? 4. Jesus brought people with radically different backgrounds and perspectives around the same table. Is there someone you've reduced to their opinions, failures, or what they've done to you instead of seeing them as a person Jesus loves? 5. Forgiveness doesn't minimize the cost of what happened. Is there someone whose debt you're still trying to collect? What would it mean to trust Jesus with justice while taking responsibility for your part? 6. Romans 12:18 tells us, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” What actually depends on you in the conflict you're facing, and what do you need to stop trying to control? Take a moment to pray: Jesus, show me where I've chosen what is easy instead of what makes peace. Reveal any insecurity, resentment, pride, or unforgiveness I'm carrying. Give me courage to do what depends on me, grace to forgive, and trust to leave what I cannot control with You. Links Website: https://www.peopleschurch.org Online: https://www.peopleschurch.org/online Next Steps: https://www.peopleschurch.org/next Giving: https://www.peopleschurch.org/give

What does it actually mean to be a peacemaker? Jesus says, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." But biblical peace is more than avoiding conflict, keeping everyone happy, or maintaining the status quo. In this message from our Blessed? series, Pastor Dale Oquist explores the difference between being a peacekeeper and becoming a peacemaker. A peacekeeper tries to avoid conflict. A peacemaker is willing to step into conflict and bring the righteousness, wisdom, mercy, and forgiveness of Jesus into it. Peace is not simply the absence of conflict. It is the presence of righteousness. And while having peace may be something we desire, making peace is a decision. In this message, you'll discover: - Why our relationship with God affects our relationships with others - What the Bible means when it talks about true peace - Why peace can exist even in the middle of conflict - The difference between a peacekeeper and a peacemaker - Why insecurity, resentment, and bitterness can destroy peace - Why peacemakers must first listen to God - How listening to others communicates value without requiring agreement - What it means to cover others in love and release unrealistic expectations - Why every follower of Jesus has been given a ministry of reconciliation - How forgiveness begins the work of restoration Listen. Cover. Forgive. Peacemaking isn't passive. It requires us to listen when we'd rather speak, extend grace when expectations aren't met, and forgive because we recognize that the sacrifice of Jesus covers not only our sin, but the sins of others. 📖 Scripture: Matthew 5:1-10, Matthew 5:9, James 3:17-18, Isaiah 57:21, Matthew 6:33, 2 Corinthians 5:18, Matthew 18 📍 Peoples Church 📅 September 27, 2026 🎤 Pastor Dale Oquist Reflection Questions - Am I a peacemaker, or do I tend to avoid conflict simply to keep the peace? - Is insecurity, resentment, or bitterness disrupting peace in any of my relationships? - Do the people around me feel heard? - Is there an expectation I need to release and cover with grace? - Is there a conflict I need to take directly to someone instead of talking about it with others? - Is there someone I need to forgive by accepting that Jesus' sacrifice covers their sin too? - As far as it depends on me, what step can I take toward peace this week? Join us on Sundays, online or in person at Peoples Church 8:30AM | 10AM | 11:45AM 7172 N Cedar Ave Fresno, CA 93720 Links Website: https://www.peopleschurch.org Online: https://www.peopleschurch.org/online Next Steps: https://www.peopleschurch.org/next Giving: https://www.peopleschurch.org/give Events: https://www.peopleschurch.org/events Hashtags #Blessed #ThePeacemakers #Beatitudes #SermonOnTheMount #Matthew5 #Peacemakers #Peace #Reconciliation #Forgiveness #ChristianLiving #PeoplesChurch

What has your heart? In Episode 7 of Let’s Talk!, Billy sits down with Pastor Brian Krum and Dawson Oquist to continue the conversation from Matthew 5:8: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” When we hear the word purity, it can be easy to think about behavior, rules, or cleaning up the parts of our lives everyone else can see. But Jesus goes deeper. He cares about what is happening underneath the surface: what we desire, what motivates us, what we fear, what we trust, and what we are ultimately living for. Pastor Brian explains that a pure heart is not a perfect heart. It is an undivided heart. The conversation gets practical about approval, control, fear, success, security, money, marriage, our phones, and the countless things competing for pieces of our attention and affection. They also talk about the danger of becoming really good at looking spiritually healthy while something entirely different is happening inside, and why following Jesus is not about maintaining a religious image. It is about knowing Him. Purity is not something we manufacture through enough rules or spiritual disciplines. Jesus is the One who changes our hearts. Practices like prayer, reflection, Scripture, silence, and surrender simply help us slow down, become aware of His presence, and keep turning our attention back toward Him. One of the clearest takeaways from the conversation: A pure heart doesn’t mean a perfect heart. It means an undivided heart. And maybe the question for all of us is simple: What has my heart right now? Scripture: Matthew 5:8 Series: Blessed? People’s Church | Fresno, California Watch the full weekend message, request prayer, or take your next step at People’s Church using the links below. Join us in person or online Sundays at 8:30, 10:00, or 11:45 AM. CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION Use these questions with your small group, family, friends, or for personal reflection: 1. Pastor Brian asked, “What am I wanting? What am I longing for?” What do your current desires reveal about what is happening in your heart? 2. Is there an area where you are spending more energy looking healthy, successful, or spiritually put together than actually allowing Jesus to change what is underneath? 3. A pure heart is not a perfect heart, but an undivided heart. What currently competes most strongly with Jesus for your attention, trust, or affection? 4. Billy and Dawson talked about things like security, success, fear, approval, money, and even our phones. What do your time, habits, spending, and attention reveal about what is first in your life? 5. Brian said Christianity is not ultimately about becoming “nice,” but becoming new. Where might Jesus be inviting you beyond simply changing your behavior and into deeper transformation? 6. What is one practice that could help you slow down this week and become more aware of God’s presence rather than simply reacting to everything around you? Take a moment to pray: “Jesus, search my heart. Show me where I am divided, what I am trying to control, what I am afraid of, and anything I am placing ahead of You. I don’t just want to know about You. I want to know You. Give me an undivided heart.” SPIRITUAL PRACTICES + RESOURCES Looking for practical ways to slow down, examine your heart, and become more aware of God’s presence throughout your day? Here are a few places to start: Lectio 365 - A free daily devotional app built around Scripture, prayer, and the P.R.A.Y. rhythm: Pause, Rejoice/Reflect, Ask, Yield. It includes morning, midday, and evening rhythms. https://lectio365.com/ YouVersion Bible App - Scripture, reading plans, audio Bible, and guided plans that can help build a consistent daily rhythm in God's Word. https://www.bible.com/app BibleProject - Free videos, podcasts, classes, and reading resources designed to help you understand Scripture as a unified story that leads to Jesus. https://bibleproject.com/ Daily Examen - At the end of the day, slow down and ask: Where did I notice God today? What was happening in my heart? Where did I respond well? Where did I miss Him? What do I need to surrender before tomorrow? Links Website: https://www.peopleschurch.org Online: https://www.peopleschurch.org/online Next Steps: https://www.peopleschurch.org/next Giving: https://www.peopleschurch.org/give