Embracing Christ's Unshakeable Peace in Troubling Times

In John 14:27, Jesus offers a gift unlike any other: His peace. This peace is not the fragile, fleeting calm the world offers, which disappears at the first sign of trouble. Instead, it is a supernatural, unshakable peace that Jesus Himself embodied—a peace that is both a presence and a practice. It is a gift to be received, cherished, and actively employed in our daily lives. We are called not only to possess this peace but to let it rule in our hearts, refusing to grant trouble or fear any permission to disturb us.

The world constantly provokes us to surrender our peace—through insults, betrayals, and disappointments. Yet, as children of God, we are not to be mastered by our emotions or circumstances. Instead, we are to live as those who come from another place, letting the peace of Christ be the ruler and the measuring stick for every situation. Even in the face of death, the peace God gives remains undisturbed, testifying to its divine origin and power.

True strength is not found in the absence of problems but in mastering our responses. When we allow external circumstances or the opinions of others to dictate our reactions, we become puppets, easily manipulated and controlled. But when we anchor ourselves in God’s presence and promises, we become immune to the chaos around us. The peace of God is not diminished by use; rather, it grows stronger the more we practice it. It is both a promise to receive and a discipline to cultivate.

Living in this peace requires intentionality. We must train our minds to focus on God, to pause before reacting, and to measure every agitation against the surpassing value of Christ’s peace. This is not about being cold or indifferent, but about being controlled and composed—choosing calm over chaos, purpose over pettiness. When we do this, we become a mystery to the world, a testimony to the reality of God’s kingdom. Our peace becomes a weapon, our silence a sign of strength, and our lives a beacon of hope and influence. In every season, every storm, and every confrontation, we can walk in the confidence that nothing and no one can disturb the peace that Christ has given us—unless we choose to give it away.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The peace Jesus gives is fundamentally different from the world’s peace; it is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of Christ Himself. This peace remains unshaken regardless of circumstances, because it is rooted in the unchanging nature of God, not in the ever-shifting environment around us. To live in this peace is to live above the storms, anchored in the eternal rather than the temporal. [00:24]
• 2. We have the authority and responsibility to “let” or “not let” our hearts be troubled. Jesus repeats this command, emphasizing that we must refuse to grant agitation, anxiety, or fear any right to rule our inner life. This is a daily, conscious choice to guard our hearts and to allow the peace of Christ to reign supreme, even when provoked or insulted. [07:14]
• 3. When we surrender our peace in response to others’ actions or words, we become controlled by them, forfeiting our spiritual authority and identity. True Christlikeness is seen in our ability to remain unprovoked, to respond rather than react, and to measure every offense against the surpassing greatness of God’s peace. This is how we avoid becoming puppets of circumstance and instead live as sons and daughters of God. [10:24]
• 4. The peace of God is both a promise to receive and a practice to cultivate. Spiritual realities grow stronger with use; the more we walk in peace, the more resilient and unshakable it becomes in our lives. This requires training our minds, mastering our emotions, and choosing to be led by the Spirit rather than by our flesh or feelings. [19:53]
• 5. Real peace is not passivity or weakness, but strength under control. It is the composure to pause before reacting, to prioritize what truly matters, and to refuse to be drawn into every battle or argument. This kind of peace makes us powerful, influential, and mysterious to the world, as we become initiators rather than reactionaries, living as ambassadors of heaven in every situation. [34:20]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:24] - Two Kinds of Peace: Worldly vs. Heavenly
• [01:30] - Peace as Presence and Practice
• [03:02] - The Gift of Peace: Cherishing God’s Gifts
• [04:44] - Emotional vs. Spiritual Living
• [05:41] - The Trap of People’s Approval
• [06:32] - Peace Means Space to Breathe
• [07:14] - “Let” Not Your Heart Be Troubled
• [08:16] - Called to Peace: Colossians 3:15
• [09:29] - Peace in the Midst of Trouble
• [10:24] - Don’t Be a Puppet: Mastering Your Response
• [12:51] - Measuring Life by the Peace of God
• [14:38] - Mastering Reaction: A Personal Story
• [19:53] - Peace: Promise and Practice
• [25:23] - Perfect Peace for a Steadfast Mind
• [28:02] - Training for Peace: Becoming the Architect
• [29:42] - Influence Through Calmness
• [32:15] - Drama-Free Living and Kingdom Maturity
• [34:20] - Peace as a Weapon: Initiators, Not Reactionaries
• [36:54] - Putting on the New Man: Living in Peace
• [39:50] - Hearing God’s Voice in Peace
• [40:30] - Closing and Prayer Invitation

Bible Reading

John 14:27 (NASB) —
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”

- Colossians 3:15 (NASB)

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

- Isaiah 26:3 (NASB)

“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You.”

Observation Questions

1. In John 14:27, what is the difference between the peace Jesus gives and the peace the world offers? How does Jesus describe the peace He gives? [00:24]
2. According to Colossians 3:15, what are believers called to let rule in their hearts, and what does that imply about our responsibility? [08:16]
3. In Isaiah 26:3, what is the condition for experiencing “perfect peace”? What does it mean to have a “steadfast mind”? [25:23]
4. The sermon mentions that Jesus repeats the command “do not let your heart be troubled.” Why do you think Jesus emphasizes this so strongly? [07:14]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that the peace Jesus gives is “a presence and a practice.” What does it mean for peace to be both something we receive and something we actively use? [01:30]
2. How does letting the peace of Christ “rule” in our hearts change the way we respond to insults, disappointments, or stressful situations? [09:29]
3. The pastor shared a story about not reacting when provoked ([15:19]). What does this teach about the difference between reacting and responding, and why is this distinction important for Christians?
4. According to the sermon, what happens when we allow circumstances or other people to control our emotions? How does this affect our spiritual authority and identity? [10:24]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says, “We have the authority and responsibility to ‘let’ or ‘not let’ our hearts be troubled.” Think about a recent situation where you felt agitated or anxious. Did you “let” your heart be troubled, or did you guard your peace? What could you do differently next time? [07:14]
2. The pastor shared a story about someone yelling in his face and choosing not to react ([15:19]). Is there a person or situation in your life right now where you are tempted to react instead of respond? What would it look like to “hold your peace” in that moment?
3. The sermon says, “When we surrender our peace in response to others’ actions or words, we become controlled by them, forfeiting our spiritual authority and identity.” Can you identify a time when you allowed someone else’s words or actions to steal your peace? How did it affect you, and what would you do differently now? [10:24]
4. The peace of God is described as both a promise to receive and a discipline to cultivate. What are some practical ways you can “train your mind to focus on God” and practice peace this week? [19:53]
5. The pastor said, “Real peace is not passivity or weakness, but strength under control.” Are there areas in your life where you confuse being peaceful with being passive? How can you show strength and composure without being cold or indifferent? [34:20]
6. The sermon challenges us to “measure every agitation against the surpassing value of Christ’s peace.” What are some common triggers that disturb your peace? How can you remind yourself of the value of Christ’s peace in those moments? [12:51]
7. The pastor mentioned that when he is agitated, he can’t hear God’s voice ([39:50]). Have you noticed a connection between your inner peace and your ability to sense God’s guidance? What steps can you take to quiet your heart and listen for God this week?