Jan. 04, 2026

Background:

• Turmoil (public and personal) is a reality that marks this world and can be seen at the national level
• People want peace in their personal lives and relief from the pressures and problems that each day brings
• People seek peace
• Believers want more peace than last year

Key Sermon Points:

1. What is peace?

• Peace is resting in God's sovereignty
• Peace is trusting that God is in complete control
• The disciples were in chaos and trouble, but Jesus was in peace while they were in torment (Matthew 8:23-27)
• How are we going to drown when Jesus is on board?
• As long as we are in the hands of Jesus we won't drown and will have peace (Acts 12:5-7)
• There is peace in the midst of our storms
• If there is no peace with God, there cannot be peace of God
• From birth every man or woman oppose God either by heritage or by choice (Romans 3:23; Romans 5:18-19; Romans 3:10)
• The enemy of God can be reconciled if they give their life to Jesus Christ

2. The source of peace

• God is the one true source of peace
• It is the same peace that kept Jesus from betrayers, haters and others
• Christ provides believers that peace away from worry, anxiety, sadness, etc.
• Don't worry about what we can't change; give it to him

3. The contrast to peace

• The world's peace does not last, God's peace is everlasting

4. The pursuit of peace

• We are responsible for appropriating God's promises
• We have to be filled with spirit (Ephesians 5:18)
• When we trust in God's goodness, God fills us with peace (Romans 15:13) Why should we be in anguish over the past?
• Move stones and let God do the supernatural
• God is able to give us what we need
• Take God's peace with us
• Stop worrying about what we can't control and remember that God is in control