How can we have peace in a hard world? In John 16:25-33, on the night before His death, Jesus promises His followers peace — even as He warns them trouble is coming. Dr. Toby Holt shows where lasting peace is found. Jesus tells the disciples plainly they will soon scatter and abandon Him, yet He does not leave them in despair: "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." The victory was already secured. Holt recalls Horatio Spafford, who lost his children at sea yet wrote, "It is well with my soul."

Questions this study answers:

1. How can Christians have peace in a troubled world? Not by escaping trouble, but by trusting the One who has already won. Jesus promises peace in Him in the middle of hardship.

2. Did Jesus hide the cost from His followers? No. He told them honestly they would face trouble and scatter, preparing them for hard days rather than promising an easy life.

3. What does "I have overcome the world" mean? The outcome is already settled. Christ's victory is sure, so His people can take heart no matter what they face. "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace… be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." — John 16:33 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.