The Peace of God from the God of Peace
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· 90 viewsGod promises his peace to us as believers as we seek to display five different attitudes during uncertain days.
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This sure has been an interesting week, hasn’t it? I say “interesting,” because I don’t really know what else to say about it.
There has been a lot to cause worry and concern, yet at the same time, we have seen some great moments of people stepping up and helping during a time of crisis.
Several members of our own church family have had an opportunity to help out a member of the community who was in need.
It is awesome to see how God is using these challenges to create opportunities for us to be salt and light in the world around us.
However, if you are like most, you have likely had trouble at times maintaining a sense of joy this week.
Whether it was fear of the unknown or simply irritation at not being able to go somewhere or do something, you have probably experienced some stress.
I want to start there and build on what we saw last week.
Last week, we saw that we have a God who is with us to help us in any trouble. He is our strong, unchanging refuge to whom we run.
So, then, this morning we are going to build on that and answer the question, “What should my attitude look like?”
To answer that, we are going to turn to the book of Philippians, to chapter 4:4-9.
In these verses, we are going to find 5 quick commands that help us find the peace of God from the God of peace.
If you aren’t familiar with this little book, you should go back and spend some time in it.
Philippians is a book all about joy, which is incredible, given where Paul was when he was writing it.
He was in a Roman prison as he wrote to this church, and the only crime he had committed was telling people about Jesus.
It wasn’t fair, it wasn’t right, and yet from that place, Paul was quick to encourage the church at Philippi to have joy in every circumstance.
That topic of joy has come up for us as a church recently, hasn’t it?
As we went through the Beatitudes, we saw that joy is a deep, unshakeable heart attitude that goes beyond surface-level happiness and addresses the state of our soul.
It is a hallmark of those who are a part of God’s kingdom, and it is rooted in the unchanging character and nature of God. Joy comes from a right understanding of who He is and who we are and what He is doing behind the scenes.
We have seen that joy is more than happiness, because happiness changes based on our circumstances.
We have seen that joy is more than happiness, because happiness changes based on our circumstances.
Joy, however, is rooted in the unchanging character and nature of God. Joy comes from a right understanding of who He is and who we are and what He is doing behind the scenes.
After having talked about various reasons we should have joy, Paul is wrapping up his letter.
This morning, however, we reach the heart of the matter.
As he does, he is going to give us a series of five rapid-fire commands.
Before he does, though, he has one issue at the church to wrap up.
Look with me at 4:1-3
There were two women who had been a great help to Paul in his ministry. These two, Euodia and Syntyche, were at odds with one another and it threatened the unity of the church.
Paul specifically calls them out because they had been such a great help to him and he wanted them to find a way to get along.
I don’t want to stop long on these verses, but I do want to note one thing: Just because you are a faithful servant in the church doesn’t mean you won’t have conflict with someone else in the church, especially another key leader.
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church doesn’t mean you won’t have conflict with someone
else in the church, especially another key leader.
When it happens, we need to find a way to move forward together in unity.
together in unity.
With that said, Paul moves to admonish the whole church body.
body.
With all he has taught and all that has been said, Paul wants to give us five attitudes to cultivate in light of everything. He does this through a rapid-fire series of commands:
For us, these commands will help us understand how we can find the peace of God from the God of peace, even in the middle of uncertain days.
to give us five attitudes to cultivate in light of everything. He
We find these in verses 4-9…
does this through a rapid-fire series of commands:
We find these in verses 4-9…
Dive in with me. The first command he gives us is that we must…
must…
1) Be Joyful.
1) Be Joyful.
Are you getting sick of hearing this yet?
Twice in this verse Paul repeats the admonition to rejoice!
Why twice? Maybe that’s because it is hard to do!
Maybe that’s because it is hard to do!
We get so caught up in what is going on around us that we lose sight of the great God we serve.
lose sight of the great God we serve.
There are a lot of struggles that could make the Philippians lose their joy and start being negative. He just talked about a church fight between some key leaders. Not only that, but chapter 3 tells us that there are false teachers who are trying to invade the church. He is imprisoned, Epaphroditus was sick…all this has a tendency to make us forget what we have to be joyful!
lose their joy and start being negative. He just talked about a
church fight between some key leaders. Not only that, but
chapter 3 tells us that there are false teachers who are trying
to invade the church. He is imprisoned, Epaphroditus was
That’s why his admonition here is important: we rejoice in the Lord.
sick…all this has a tendency to make us forget what we have
to be joyful!
That’s why his admonition here is important: we rejoice in the
Lord.
The source of our joy is God Himself, and He never changes!
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Don’t lose sight of that key truth.
Don’t lose sight of that key truth.
As one commentator put it, this verse is essentially saying
“…Keep on rejoicing in the Lord at all times, regardless of
“…Keep on rejoicing in the Lord at all times, regardless of what may come upon you.”[1]
what may come upon you.”1
There is an interesting parallel here to something Jesus said.
There is an interesting parallel here to something Jesus said.
When Paul tells us to rejoice, it may be because of what he just mentioned in verse 3.
just mentioned in verse 3
As he calls the church to help two different women who were having a disagreement, Paul said that Euodia, Syntyche, Clement, and the others had their “names in the book of life”.
Paul said that Euodia, Syntyche, Clement, and the others had
their “names in the book of life”.
If you are familiar with the Gospels, that may trigger a memory for you.
memory for you.
Remember when Jesus sent out his disciples, and they came back super excited because they had been able to cast out demons?
back super excited because they had been able to cast out
demons?
Jesus affirmed that God has the power over demons, and then He said…
then He said…
However, don’t rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
“Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are
subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in
The source of our joy is God, who has graciously written our names down in heaven!
heaven.” (, NASB95)
The source of our joy is God, who has graciously written our
names down in heaven!
That may not sound like a big deal, but those names indicate that we are saved and will spend forever with Him!
that we are saved and will spend forever with Him!
What greater cause for joy?
Yes, life is hard, and I don’t want to downplay that at all.
Still, rejoice that your name is written down in the book of life!
life!
Even if this life kills you, your name is written on the pages of the book of life in heaven!
the book of life in heaven!
So rejoice in the Lord who saves you and sanctifies you!
When you do, that leads you to live out the second command:
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When you do, that leads you to live out the second
command:
2) Be Gentle.
2) Be Gentle.
Verse 5 doesn’t connect with what happens before; it stands as its own command.
as its own command.
However, if we are rejoicing, it will impact the way we treat others and act towards people.
others and act towards people.
Our translation this morning translates it as, “graciousness”, which gets at the heart of it.
That is the focus of the concept of “gentleness”, which we looked at a couple months ago when we talked about meekness.
Again, though, let’s make sure we have the correct picture of this word, because it isn’t what many people think.
isn’t what many people think.
Some people think gentleness is soft, warm, and fuzzy. Picture a fabric softener commercial…light, airy, pastels, fuzzy lambs…all that is what we think of as gentle.
Picture a fabric softener commercial…light, airy, pastels, fuzzy
lambs…all that is what we think of as gentle.
Whether we acknowledge it or not, we may see gentleness as a sign of weakness.
a sign of weakness.
Gentle people get stepped on and overlooked because they won’t stand up for themselves.
won’t stand up for themselves.
That isn’t what we are talking about at all, though.
Gentleness is similar to the idea of meekness, which was best displayed by Christ on the cross.
displayed by Christ on the cross.
Gentleness is power under control.
It isn’t reacting to a person the way you want to because of their words or actions.
china cup.
It isn’t lashing out because someone lashed out at you.
He is not weak, but he is keeping his power under control.
Instead, it is showing kindness and being gracious in your response, even when others don’t deserve it.
That’s the gentleness that we should demonstrate.
It’s what Jesus showed when He was accused of all kinds of crimes, yet never defended Himself.
crimes, yet never defended Himself.
It’s what He showed as He hung on a cross. He was, in that moment, still God in the flesh, yet He showed gentleness as He took my sin upon Himself.
moment, still God in the flesh, yet He showed gentleness as
He took my sin upon Himself.
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One commentator defined it as,
steadfastness, which is able to submit to injustice, disgrace,
and maltreatment without hatred or malice, trusting God in
“a humble, patient steadfastness, which is able to submit to injustice, disgrace, and maltreatment without hatred or malice, trusting God in spite of it all.”[2]
spite of it all.”2
That is not weakness it all; rather, it is strength under control.
How can we do that? How can we keep that attitude?
Well, one, because we have a deep, abiding joy in everything.
Part of that joy is because of what Paul says in this verse: “The Lord is near”
Lord is near”
Commentators are a little divided by this because the Greek word translated “near” could have a couple of different senses to it, just like our word “near” does.
Greek word translated “near” could have a couple of
different senses to it, just like our word “near” does.
For example, you could say, “lunch is near,” and mean two things: my lunch is close to where I am sitting, or that lunchtime is almost here.
o For example, you could say, “lunch is near,” and mean
two things: my lunch is close to where I am sitting, or
that lunchtime is almost here.
In the same way, the phrase, “The Lord is near” could mean at least two things:
o In the same way, the phrase, “The Lord is near” could mean at least two things:
mean at least two things:
He is close to help or correct.
He is close to help.
He is returning soon.
He is returning soon.
o Either of these would be valid ways to look at this
Either of these would be valid ways to look at this verse.
verse. Because Jesus is near, He is right there to help
Because Jesus is near, He is right there to help us be gentle. Also, because Jesus’ return could come at any moment, I should have a greater desire to obey.
us be gentle. Also, because Jesus’ return could come
at any moment, I should have a greater desire to
Okay, so I know that I am supposed to have joy and be gracious, but what am I supposed to do with this situation that really has me freaking out?
obey.
These two concepts motivate us to obey the next command:
command:
3) Be Prayerful.
3) Be Prayerful.
Look with me at verses 6-7…
Here are some really direct commands: don’t worry about ANYTHING and pray about EVERYTHING.
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Here are some really direct commands: be anxious for
Let’s talk about it.
NOTHING and pray about EVERYTHING.
Let’s talk about it.
Care and concern have a place.
the same word he uses here for “worry” was used back in chapter 3:20 to talk about Timothy’s concern for the Philippian church.
chapter 3:20 to talk about Timothy’s concern for the
Philippian church.
So why is he telling us not to be anxious?
Because healthy concern can turn into unhealthy worry when it makes us doubt God.
it makes us doubt God.
You should be concerned about your kids. You should pay attention to your finances. You should pray for your church.
attention to your finances. You should pray for your church.
You probably know the difference. It becomes worry when you find yourself with a knot in your throat because you don’t think your kids are going to be okay. It becomes worry when you stress out and it doubt whether God can handle it.
you find yourself with a knot in your throat because you don’t
think your kids are going to be okay. It becomes worry when
you stress out and it doubt whether God can handle it.
Do you know the difference in your life?
How do you avoid that?
Paul tells us clearly. Look at verse 6…
As one commentator noted,
“The way to be anxious about nothing is to be prayerful about everything.”[3]
about everything.”3
Instead of being a worrier, be a pray-er!
How? By humbly bringing your requests to God, acknowledging your need, yet with gratitude for what God has already done.
acknowledging your need, yet with gratitude for what God
has already done.
Do you see the promise that comes with this command?
Look at verse 7…
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Look at verse 7…
He promises that as you give your requests over to God, laying them at His feet, He will guard both your emotions and your thoughts.
laying them at His feet, He will guard both your emotions and
How do I know that? Because of what God has already done for us.
You see, the Bible says we had sinned and fallen short of his glory. Because of our sin, we were at war with God and had no hope of being reconciled.
your thoughts.
Yet God loved us so much that he would come and die in our place, taking our sin and offering us peace with him.
That’s what this comes down to: I am not trusting that I can be joyful enough or gracious enough or even prayerful enough to earn peace with God.
Rather, I can come to him and lay these things at his feet and rest in the fact that I already have peace with God.
I don’t know how long until the kids go back to school, and I don’t know what the economy is going to do, and I don’t know when toilet paper is going to be back in stock.
Here’s what I do know, though: I have peace with the God of the universe through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection in my place.
That then enables me to come to him and lay everything at his feet, humbly asking him to intervene.
Then, as I look at the feet where I laid my worries and fears, I notice that they are the feet that were nailed to a cross to purchase my forgiveness.
Looking at the nail-scarred hands and feet of my Savior can then enable me to have peace, because if he would do that for me, then what could possibly happen that would require more than what he has already given?
Are you willing to do that? Are you willing to give up your anxiety, your worry, your fear, and lay it at his feet? Stop worrying, and let God have it!
Here’s the problem, though. Many of us want to pick it back up. That’s why Paul also tells us to…
back up. That’s why Paul also tells us to…
4) Be Mindful.
4) Be Mindful.
Prayerfulness is only the first part of the solution.
As you trade your anxiety for prayer, you will still find yourself tempted to slip back into worry.
tempted to slip back into worry.
How do you overcome that?
By being mindful!
You cannot expect your habit of worry or any other negative, sinful habits to go away with concerted effort, starting with the way you think.
sinful habits to go away with concerted effort, starting with
the way you think.
Imagine if you took a small child and taught him, from birth, that a cat was actually a dog.
that a cat was actually a dog.
You gave him specially altered books that had a picture of a cat with the word “dog” under it. You taught him that dogs say “meow” and like to play with balls of yarn.
cat with the word “dog” under it. You taught him that dogs
say “meow” and like to play with balls of yarn.
Imagine that he lived 18, 20, 25 years without ever knowing the difference.
the difference.
Having always believed something, do you think he would immediately be able to drop his old way of thinking when he learned he was wrong?
immediately be able to drop his old way of thinking when he
learned he was wrong?
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It would be a process, because he would hear a cat and his mind would immediately register “dog” until he had trained his brain to think differently.
It would be a process, because he would hear a cat and his
mind would immediately register “dog” until he had trained
his brain to think differently.
A similar thing could be said of us and worry and sinful attitudes. If your whole life, you have been taught and lived like you were in it for yourself, or that you were the source of every problem that happens, or that everything around you is out of control and has no purpose, or anything like that, you can’t immediately get rid of those thoughts.
A similar thing could be said of us and worry and sinful
attitudes. If your whole life, you have been taught and lived
like you were in it for yourself, or that you were the source of
every problem that happens, or that everything around you is
out of control and has no purpose, or anything like that, you
can’t immediately get rid of those thoughts.
Worry doesn’t stop overnight, false self-image doesn’t go away immediately.
away immediately.
How do you overcome it?
How do you overcome it?
Paul says elsewhere that you do it forcefully!
Paul says elsewhere that you do it forcefully!
and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.
2 cor 10:25
up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every
thought captive to the obedience of Christ,” (2 Corinthians
Did you notice the violent language here? We have to deal ruthlessly with our thoughts.
10:5, NASB95)
Did you notice the violent language here? We have to deal
ruthlessly with our thoughts.
This isn't for the faint of heart.
He gives us more detail here in verse 8..
Paul gives us a list of six characteristics of what we should think about…(true, honorable, just, pure, commendable).
think about…(true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, good
repute).
He summarizes those six into two main ideas: if it is morally excellent or something praise worthy.
excellent or something praise worthy.
As you start worrying unnecessarily about a situation, you need to stop and assess your thought life: Is what I am thinking true, noble, right, pure, lovely, or admirable? Are my thoughts excellent or praiseworthy?
need to stop and assess your thought life: Is what I am
thinking true, noble, right, pure, lovely, or admirable? Are my
thoughts excellent or praiseworthy?
Is the way I am thinking about my kids or my spouse or my work or my body or my health or my finances in line with the character and nature of God?
Is the way I am thinking about my kids or my spouse or my
work or my body or my health or my finances in line with the
character and nature of God?
Is this a thought God would think?
If not, ask God to help you take that thought captive and force it to submit!
force it to submit!
As we said last week, our growth is a long and difficult process.
process.
However, having our way of thinking transformed is the only way to lasting growth:
way to lasting growth:
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what
the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and
perfect.” (, NASB95)
Pay attention to what you think, and bring it all into line with who God is.
Pay attention to what you think, and bring it all into line with
who God is.
As you do, you will better be able to live out the final command:
command:
5) Be Active
5) Be Active
Read verse 9 with me.
The Philippians spent a great amount of time with Paul. They heard him teach and preach, they received his letter.
heard him teach and preach, they received his letter.
We have even more available to us because we have all of Paul’s accounts and letters that God wanted to make available to us.
Paul’s accounts and letters that God wanted to make
available to us.
This is similar to what he said to the Corinthian church:
Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.
In his final command in this section, Paul uses his example to remind us that life isn’t just about what goes on in our head.
Corinthians 11:1, NASB95)
In his final command in this section, Paul uses his example to
remind us that life isn’t just about what goes on in our head.
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As we have a joyful attitude, we will react with meekness to the situations around us. Instead of worry, we will pray and discover the peace of God. As He guards our thoughts and our emotions, we will continue to take every thought captive, only focusing on things that are morally excellent and praiseworthy.
the situations around us. Instead of worry, we will pray and
discover the peace of God. As He guards our thoughts and
our emotions, we will continue to take every thought captive,
only focusing on things that are morally excellent and
praiseworthy.
All that will lead us to lives of obedience, actively imitating Paul and all the others who have walked with Christ before us.
Paul and all the others who have walked with Christ before us.
us.
There is a neat play on words here at the end of verse 9. In verse 7, we are promised the peace of God. Now, Paul promises that God won’t give us just His peace, but also His presence.
verse 7, we are promised the peace of God. Now, Paul promises that God won’t give us just His peace, but also His presence.
promises that God won’t give us just His peace, but also His
presence.
See how it all comes together? We whose names are written in the book of life rejoice, because the God of peace is near to us to help and to give us the peace that only He can give.
in the book of life rejoice, because the God of peace is near to
Listen: I know there are lot of questions about the days, weeks, and months ahead.
us to help and to give us the peace that only He can give.
I don’t really have answers for them, truthfully.
However, I do know this much: There is a God in heaven, who we talked about at length last week.
His love for you is greater than you and I could ever imagine, and it is so great that it even led him to die on the cross in our place so we could have life.
If that God, who would do that for me,
Endnotes:
[1] O’Brien, Philippians. 467.
[2] R. Leivestad, quoted in O’Brien, p. 487.
[3] 3 R. Rainy, quoted in O’Brien, p. 492.