The fruit of Peace

John 16:33 ~
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.


Good morning everyone, in keeping with the Fruits of the Holy Spirit, today we speak on peace, which also represents the second candle of advent, which will be lit this coming Sunday.
When Jesus explains peace here, it is when He told His disciples that He would be leaving them, that He would endure the cross for them, you, me, and all who live. This must have put the disciples in panic mode, once it sunk in. Here their leader was telling them that He would be going away.
But Jesus let them know that He would return, first in person and then later on once that He would assend to heaven, that the Holy Spirit would come so that He could continue to be with them as His Spirit would live in them, us, and all who believe, while we are here on earth and that He will meet us as we enter eternity.
Jesus also let them know that they would be facing trials. This must have added to the panic! But Jesus did reassure them, as He does us in this verse, that not to worry because He has overcome the world, which means the trials we will face as well.
His victory is our victory and if we walk in that victory, we can have peace in knowing that if we keep our eyes on Jesus, in every situation, we can have peace in knowing that we, too have victory over the trials that we will face.
But without focusing on Jesus, this is impossible. On our own we cannot overcome our trials. We can actually make things worse. But if we focus on the One who goes before us, the path will become cleared and we will step out of our trials as Victors in Christ Jesus, and we will know peace, Amen.
Have a blessed Monday
Pastor John Oakley