Peoples Church | Fresno, CA

In a culture increasingly shaped by anger, outrage, and division, have we lost something Jesus intended His Church to be known for?Opening Revival Nights 2026, Pastor Ricky Jenkins takes us through Galatians 5 and two fruits of the Spirit that can easily get lost: kindness and gentleness.The Christian life isn't about manufacturing a nicer version of ourselves. The Holy Spirit lives within us and gives us the power to respond differently, even when we're right, even when someone deserves our anger, and even when our flesh wants to fight back.Kindness holds back what someone deserves. Gentleness isn't weakness. It's strength surrendered to the Holy Spirit.Sometimes, there are doors in our lives that only gentleness will open.In this message, you'll discover:Why the battle between the flesh and the Spirit affects our relationshipsHow the Holy Spirit gives us power to respond differentlyWhy being right doesn't always mean we're responding like JesusWhat biblical kindness actually looks likeWhy kindness may look crazy to the worldWhy gentleness should never be confused with weaknessHow God's kindness and gentleness toward us changes how we treat othersWhy some relational doors can only be opened through gentleness📖 Scripture: Galatians 5:16-23, Ephesians 2:7, Romans 3:23, Jeremiah 17:9, 1 Corinthians 4Reflection QuestionsWhere am I more concerned with being right than pursuing oneness?Where is my flesh telling me to react while the Holy Spirit is saying, "Gentle"?Who is God asking me to show unexpected kindness toward?Is there someone whose punishment or retaliation I need to hold back?Is there a door in my life or relationship that only gentleness will open?📍 Peoples Church | Fresno, CA📅 October 4, 2026🌙 Revival Nights - Night 1🎤 Pastor Ricky JenkinsREVIVAL NIGHTS 2026Sunday, October 4 | Ricky JenkinsMonday, October 5 | Dudley RutherfordTuesday, October 6 | Sean Smith7PM | In Person + OnlineWebsite: https://www.peopleschurch.orgOnline: https://www.peopleschurch.org/onlineEvents: https://www.peopleschurch.org/eventsNext Steps: https://www.peopleschurch.org/nextGiving: https://www.peopleschurch.org/give#RevivalNights #TheLostFruit #FruitOfTheSpirit #Kindness #Gentleness #Galatians5 #HolySpirit #RickyJenkins #PeoplesChurch

The most dangerous lies are the ones we tell ourselves, because we don't recognize them as lies.Revival begins with honesty, surrender, and obedience.As we launch Revival Nights at Peoples Church, Pastor Dale Oquist takes us to 1 Samuel 15 and the story of King Saul. Saul claimed he had obeyed God, while the evidence of his disobedience was all around him.Saul knew how to speak the language of obedience, but his life told a different story.This message challenges us to examine not simply where we have fallen short, but how we respond when the Holy Spirit confronts us. Do we defend, rationalize, blame, and practice selective obedience? Or do we allow conviction to lead us toward repentance and life?"To obey is better than sacrifice." - 1 Samuel 15:22In this message, you'll discover:- Why self-deception can be one of the greatest barriers to revival- How Saul turned his ministry to God into a monument to himself- Why our lives must match the faith we profess with our mouths- What happens when we practice selective, partial, conditional, or delayed obedience- Why obedience is the language of love and evidence of a surrendered heart- How outward worship can become empty religion without obedience- Why religion can become an attempt to retain control of our own lives- How obedience and disobedience create ripple effects beyond our own lives- Why unconfessed sin eventually reveals itself- How rationalizing sin can make us numb to the heart of God- Why repentance, not rationalization, leads us back toward lifeThree Truths to Remember1. Disobedience is anything short of 100% obedience.2. If you don't confess your sin, your sin will confess you.3. Self-deception is the enemy of true repentance.This story isn't simply about Saul. It's an invitation to recognize that we are all Saul.When we were nothing, God gave us everything. While we were still rebelling against Him, Jesus gave His life for us. The question is what we will do when His Spirit reveals the places we still haven't surrendered.Reflection Questions- What is still alive in my life that needs to be dealt with?- What sin am I defending or protecting?- Where have I settled for partial or selective obedience?- Am I using good things I do for God to justify an area where I'm refusing to obey Him?- What truth is painful for me to accept, but necessary for me to repent and turn toward Jesus?- When the Holy Spirit confronts me, do I repent or rationalize?📖 Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:1-2, 12-23; Psalm 106:15; Numbers 32:23📍 Peoples Church📅 October 4, 2026🎤 Pastor Dale OquistREVIVAL NIGHTSThis morning is only the beginning. Join us as we continue seeking God together:Sunday, October 4 - 7PMMonday, October 5 - 7PMTuesday, October 6 - 7PMJoin us in person or online as we believe for a powerful move of the Holy Spirit in our lives, our church, Fresno, the Central Valley, and beyond.Peoples Church7172 N Cedar AveFresno, CA 93720LinksWebsite: https://www.peopleschurch.orgOnline: https://www.peopleschurch.org/onlineRevival Nights & Events: https://www.peopleschurch.org/eventsNext Steps: https://www.peopleschurch.org/nextGiving: https://www.peopleschurch.org/give

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 5:9Series: Blessed?People’s Church | Fresno, CaliforniaCONTINUE THE CONVERSATIONUse 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.LinksWebsite: https://www.peopleschurch.orgOnline: https://www.peopleschurch.org/onlineNext Steps: https://www.peopleschurch.org/nextGiving: https://www.peopleschurch.org/give