Sermon Reflections from Peace and Patience | Alex Hardt | November 16, 2025
Our key verse for this series is Galatians 5:22-23 which tells us that God’s Holy Spirit has fruit for our lives that will change them FOR THE GOOD! Both peace and patience are fruits of the Holy Spirit and have a profound effect on the way we live for Jesus.
Peace is something we crave as believers. Asking for peace from others is not always assured, but asking God for peace is a sure thing. James 4:2b tells us, “You do not have because you do not ask.” Is that true of you? Do you ask God for peace or do you ask for peaceful situations? Jesus did not promise us that we would always be in peaceful situations but he did promise us His peace. John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” I take that to mean-He will be our peace when things are difficult and His peace is greater than worldly troubles!
How does one get this peace? Seeking God first is a good first step. Psalm 34:14 “Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” Turing away from evil points us to Jesus the source of all good. Knowing Jesus gives you the power to repent and turn to a new way. Jesus’ way is towards peace and hope. Another step towards peace is to look into God’s Word.
Our key verse for this series is Galatians 5:22-23 which tells us that God’s Holy Spirit has fruit for our lives that will change them FOR THE GOOD! Both peace and patience are fruits of the Holy Spirit and have a profound effect on the way we live for Jesus.
Peace is something we crave as believers. Asking for peace from others is not always assured, but asking God for peace is a sure thing. James 4:2b tells us, “You do not have because you do not ask.” Is that true of you? Do you ask God for peace or do you ask for peaceful situations? Jesus did not promise us that we would always be in peaceful situations but he did promise us His peace. John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” I take that to mean-He will be our peace when things are difficult and His peace is greater than worldly troubles!
How does one get this peace? Seeking God first is a good first step. Psalm 34:14 “Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” Turing away from evil points us to Jesus the source of all good. Knowing Jesus gives you the power to repent and turn to a new way. Jesus’ way is towards peace and hope. Another step towards peace is to look into God’s Word.
Reading and studying God’s Word brings peace.
Isaiah 26:3 says,”You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Does the reading of God’s Word bring you peace or a calmness to your mind and body? Need another step? Bring your anxieties and things that are causing you to be unsettled or discontent within yourself to God.
Philippians 4:6-7 lays it out plainly, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
The beauty of these verses are that they are a promise from God that you can claim. Lay them before God in faith and He will bring you His peace! Once you have sought God for His peace it will permeate your entire life- all you thoughts, relationships, hopes and dream. It helps us recognize His place as sovereign Lord and aligns us with Him in a new way!
What about patience? What is it? By definition patience means being able to bear or endure pain or trouble without complaining or losing self-control and also the ability to wait calmly for something desired. I don’t know about you, but enduring pain and waiting are not on my list of fun things!
What about patience? What is it? By definition patience means being able to bear or endure pain or trouble without complaining or losing self-control and also the ability to wait calmly for something desired. I don’t know about you, but enduring pain and waiting are not on my list of fun things!
God call us in Psalm 37:7 “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” God assures us in scripture that patience always has a purpose.
Psalm 40:1-2 David recalls “I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. 2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.” David saw that when he waited upon God for the answers to problems in his life- God got him out of the problems and set him upon firm ground. David waited 14 years to be king while he was pursued by Saul who wanted him dead. God heard his cry and rescued him in His time. As Pastor Alex reminded us we need to be patient like the farmer,
James 5:7-8 “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” God’s timing is not our timing so we need to be patient like the farmer and David.
God has good reasons for wanting us to develop patience in our character. We will need it to show the world who Jesus is and to endure with patience as we wait for Jesus’ return. God sees patience s as necessary attribute needed to live a life pleasing to Jesus in the midst of the turmoil which we find at time in the circumstances of our lives. God knows that developing patience and patient endurance will bring great joy to our lives and a calmness as we trust in Him. Claim Romans 12:12 in your life this week “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
Linda
God has good reasons for wanting us to develop patience in our character. We will need it to show the world who Jesus is and to endure with patience as we wait for Jesus’ return. God sees patience s as necessary attribute needed to live a life pleasing to Jesus in the midst of the turmoil which we find at time in the circumstances of our lives. God knows that developing patience and patient endurance will bring great joy to our lives and a calmness as we trust in Him. Claim Romans 12:12 in your life this week “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
Linda
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