A person who lacks peace is a person who thinks their security is in some way lacking. They feel that they or someone else still need to do something more or be something better in order to make up for the defecit, and they lack confidence that the deficiency will be addressed.

The third fruit of the Spirit is peace. It is perhaps the simplest fruit to explain, especially when we remember what we saw last week – that the fruit of the Spirit arise out of the work of the Spirit of enabling us to grow in our knowledge and understanding of the gospel.

The Eye of the Storm

New Year's Sermon by Rev C Berends

on Psalm 46

Scripture Readings:

Mark 4:35-41; Psalm 46

Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The sea has often been a symbol for chaos. Biblically, the stories of the flood, the drowning of the Egyptians in the Red Sea, the crossing of the Jordan, have all reinforced the idea that the sea is chaotic. It does not always behave in a rational manner. One minute it can be calm and flat, the next minute a pounding wave. It is no wonder that the disciples on the Sea of Galilee, whom we have just read about in Mark 4, are frightened when the storm appears on the lake and their little boat is tossed to and fro.