Fruit of the Spirit: Peace (Mark 4)

We’re continuing in our Fruit of the Spirit series

When life bumps you, what spills out matters.

Because life is gonna bump you. Hard sometimes.

And when it does, God’s desire isn’t that fear, anger, or panic comes flying out…It’s that love, joy, peace, patience—all that good stuff—would overflow from your life.

You can’t learn fruit, it’s a byproduct of who you already are. It must be in you, and from that it flows out of you.

ILL: Apple Watch - passive aggressive

Anxiety is on the rise (economy, elections, violence)

Two most impacted groups:

Young people

Parents

Lilly learning to drive

Biblical promise: Peace is possible despite the world’s chaos

‭‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭33‬ ‭NIV‬‬ - I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

Defining Biblical Peace

Common misconceptions: Peace is found in absence

Absence of conflict

Absence of disagreement

Absence of anxiety

Biblical truth: Peace is found in presence – the presence of God

Culture pursues peace through escape or distraction — God gives peace through presence.

Peace comes inside out.

Greek and Hebrew terms:

Eirene (Greek): Inner rest, wholeness, completeness

Shalom (Hebrew): Fulfillment, a life without deficiency or lack

T/S: In the book of Mark we have an account of the disciples experience a literal storm in life.

Mark 4|35-41

Jesus Calms the Storm

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.

Jesus knew the storm was coming and chose the boat path anyway — this was a setup to reveal Himself.

37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

Jesus is present in the boat, but anxiety makes us question His care.

These were fishermen who had been in a storm before without Jesus. Because he was with them, did they think they wouldn’t have to go through the storm?

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

Jesus calms the sea like a child — no incantation, just raw authority.

Maybe Jesus spoke to the storm because he knew the disciples wouldn’t listen

chaos r

Storms are not signs of His absence, they are opportunities for His power to be on display.

πεφίμωσο (pephimōso) - “Be silenced and stay that way.”

T/S: The same God who can calm a storm a storm in you

John 14|27

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

T/S: I believe Paul gives us some incredible instructions in Philippians 4 about how to obtain the fruit of peace in our lives and keep it.

In Philippians 4 Paul writes from prison

Chained to a guard on house arrest

His credibility comes from enduring suffering

Philippians 4|4-9

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

“Rejoice in the Lord always” – internal joy expressed outwardly

“Let your gentleness be evident to all” – another fruit of the Spirit

“The Lord is near” – a reminder of God’s closeness. He’s with you in the storm.

6 Do not be anxious about anything,

The Bible doesn’t condemn experiencing stress

Stress is natural, how we respond in the spirit is supernatural

Original meaning: “Do not be troubled by your cares”

God invites us to bring all our concerns to Him

Anxiety is RELYING on me.

Peace is RELYING in Him.

The Peace Practice: Three-Part Rhythm (Philippians 4:6)

This verse outlines a powerful three-fold process for exchanging anxiety for peace.

6b but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Prayer is our pathway to peace.

#1 Pray

Prayer

Prayer is the first response, not the last resort.

Prayer here is less about formula and more about posture.

You don’t need King James language or polished phrasing.

Approach God honestly, like writing a letter:

“Hey God, here’s what’s going on…”

Means “to God face to face”

Prayer realigns our hearts to God's presence and power.

Prayer takes our focus off our problems and points us towards Him

Our first reaction many times is to pick up the phone, go to facebook, or try and fix the situation

Rule of thumb: If it’s not worth praying about it’s not worth worrying about.

ILL: Ryan dropping to his knees to pray

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Prayer is not so much for God’s sake as for ours.

It shows us our total need for God Himself, and not just for certain temporal benefits.

It casts us in dependence on Him, so that we will “seek, love, and serve Him, while we become accustomed in every need to flee to Him as to a sacred anchor.”

It purifies our desires, since we must bring them to God Himself.

It prepares us to receive thankfully what He gives, being reminded that it comes from His hand.

It helps us to meditate on His kindness as we delight in what He has given.

It confirms to us our own weakness and God’s great providence and faithfulness in meeting our needs.

6b but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

#2 Petition

Petition – “God invites us to ask specifically.”

After telling God what's happening, we ask Him to move.

A Petition is an request for a higher power and authority to move on your behalf.

Like signing a petition for a specific change, this step involves being clear about what you desire God to do.

It is an act of faith to say: “God, in Jesus’ name, I’m asking you to move in this situation.”

Jesus gave us authority to ask in His name.

ILL: Fasting for contracts

When I don’t know how to do anything? I rely on a friend….

I know someone who knows more about this than I do

Marraige adopt roles based on strengths and weakness

What’s the last things you asked God for?

#3 Praise

Thanksgiving – “We thank God before we see the result.”

It reminds us of what he has done in the past. “God I remember when you provided, when you healed, when you restored.”

Posture of graeftfulness

This posture says, “I trust you, God. I know you're working, even if I don’t see it yet.”

Thanksgiving activates trust and breaks the power of anxiety.

“I’m not a victim of anxiety. I’m an overcomer. The Spirit of God lives in me, and I’m thankful even before I see the solution.”

Submission to God’s sovereignty in the present.

To thank God in the midst of a crisis or trial is to say, “Lord, I don’t understand, but I submit to Your sovereign purpose in this situation. I trust that You know what You’re doing and will work it together for good.”

We are not just to thank God when we feel like it, but also when we don’t feel like it.

When’s the last time you’ve thanks God?

T/S: This three-part rhythm is not a one-time event but a daily habit.

When practiced consistently, it positions us under God's Lordship and invites His peace to guard our hearts and minds.

The Result: Supernatural Peace (Phil. 4:7)

7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus

When prayer replaces worry, the peace of God, which transcends all understanding comes in

Peace of God transcends understanding – (Greek) it outranks emotion and logic

On all human accounts, your response should not look like this

Paul is talking about is the peace that comes from the God who is never subject to anxiety because He is the sovereign, omnipotent Creator and Lord of the universe.

Nothing takes Him by surprise or makes Him bite His nails, wondering how it will turn out. This is the peace that Jesus promised, “not as the world gives.”

It is humanly not explainable.

It is real, and every child of God has known it and has known that it comes from God alone, not from psychological insights.

Peace will guard hearts (Emotions) and minds (Thoughts)

Anxiety often recycles old guilt and regret — not something we consciously summon.

It protects from outside attack and secures what’s inside

We are in intimate, permanent union with Him, and to get to us, anxiety must go through Christ Jesus!

So what God promises isn’t just a quick fix, where prayer is a technique that will bring you calm until you get through the crisis.

Paul is talking about an ongoing, deepening, intimate relationship with the God of peace, where you seek to please Him with all your thoughts, words, and deeds.

That’s where the peace lies

Anxiety is RELYING on me.

Peace is RELYING in Him.

Sustaining Peace: Right Thinking (Philippians 4:8–9)

Prayer is the pathway peace

Right thinking preserves peace.

Philippians 4:8-9:

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

This is Paul’s “peace maintenance plan.” Sustaining peace requires intentional thought management.

You’ll see the fruit you’ve been cultivating as a response.

Renewed Thinking Preserves Peace

Isaiah 26:3: You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

Romans 12:2: “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

The world feeds anxiety. Scripture re-centers us.

Before we scroll or leave the house, we must align our minds with God’s truth.

God desires us to live in shalom: complete, unshakable peace

Anxiety is RELYING on me.

Peace is RELYINGin Him.

He’s in the boat with you

Mark 4:40-41

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

In the Hebrew Scriptures, only God commands the sea

Psalm 107:23–30 – This is especially striking. It tells the story of sailors caught in a violent storm at sea, crying out to Yahweh, who calms the storm and brings them to safety.

“He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.” (v.29)

For a Jewish audience, Jesus’ act in calming the sea would echo this Psalm — essentially placing Him in the role of Yahweh.

The fear post-miracle is greater than fear during the storm.

“The rescue scared them more than the storm.”

ILL: Lilly’s confedence in learning to drive didn’t start this year. It started years ago when she jumped in my arms from the side of the pool.

Her confidence comes from my confidence.

You can have peace in the middle of any storm, not because of you, but because your father is with you in it.

Where you are relying on self?

Prayers:

Getting fired

Emma’s birth

Losing our home

Out of control but in the experts hands moments:

Dr. Marcus - Emma’s birth

Teaching Lilly to drive

Driving in India

_______

Who God Is in Relation to Peace

God of Peace – Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Prince of Peace – Isaiah 9:6: Jesus purchased peace on the cross - And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Lord of Peace – 2 Thessalonians 3:16: He gives peace in every circumstance - Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.