Sermon – December 7th, 2025

Peace

Peace is a word we use often in our worship and liturgy, and it is one of the most significant themes in the Bible, appearing more than 400 times. The world constantly speaks about peace—inner peace, interpersonal peace, national peace, and global peace—yet it continues to struggle to achieve it. The world’s understanding of peace is often conditional: peace will come if something changes, if enemies are removed, or if certain goals are achieved. Peace is seen either as something that must come from outside us or something we must create through our own efforts.

The Bible, however, presents a very different vision of peace. Peace is not something we can earn or manufacture. As the pastor-poet George Herbert observed, God may allow us to possess riches, wisdom, honour, and pleasure apart from him, but peace cannot be found apart from God. Jesus himself declares, “My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.” He does not merely teach about peace—he is the Prince of Peace. Peace, therefore, is not an idea or a concept, but a person. When we come to Christ, we receive true peace.

John the Baptist points us to the pathway of peace with his call: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Repentance is the only way back to God. It means turning around, leaving the path that leads away from God, and returning to him. As we turn from our old ways and come to God in repentance, we discover the peace our hearts truly long for. May God help us not to run away, but to repent, come to Jesus, and receive his peace. God bless.