Signs of the Spirit
2015
Peace
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at
hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be
made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus.8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is
commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything
worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have
learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these
things, and the God of peace will be with you. 10 I rejoiced in the
Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for
me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no
opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have
learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to
be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every
circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and
hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him
who strengthens me.
I.The Character of Peace
The opposite of peace-anxiety, fear, and debilitating worry
To be torn into pieces - anxiety
Peace
equilibrium, poise, and an inner calm
not just the absence of fear, but the presence of something
an army out there protecting you
ineffective to expel the negative, but the presence of God
with you
expelling the negative tends to denial and lying about the
facts
Christian peace carries you through and overcomes the
reality of any and every circumstance.
Knowing how bad the circumstances are, but knowing you
have something to overcome
Paul says I have found a way to be peaceful and inwardly
calm
What are the disciplines to develop this peace?
Thinking - verse 8 whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever
is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything
worthy of praise, think about these things., think on these
things?
true, noble, right - doctrine, the teaching of the Bible about
everything
Think about what you know about God, life, the world, the end
times, salvation, heaven, and the important things
Christian peace comes from thinking through the truth with all
its implications.
The modern method towards peace always goes immediately
to techniques
The reason is to think through a world without God and no
ultimate destiny and no ultimate truth will not lead to peace, it
will lead to anxiety. It will tear you up.
Thanking - verse 6, thanksgiving is placed counter to anxiety.
Thank as you make the request. Why? You make your request
and you thank him for what he is going to do. God has a plan to
renew this world.
Romans 8:28 Everything for your good, everything for his glory
The cross-his friends would have said I cannot believe this is
happening. Look at all the good he was doing. The greatest
thing God ever did would have been interpreted as the
greatest tragedy.
when a child of mine makes a request, i give them what they
would have asked for if they knew everything that i know.
Verse 8b Loving
Not just to think on these things, but love these things.
power and poise in the midst of every circumstance -contented lives of equilibrium
Philosophers: Don't set your heart on anything that you cannot
control--only your virtue is under your control
Augustine: Set your heart on the immutable; only love of the
immutable can bring tranquility. We don't have peace because
we are loving mutable things. Even the worse circumstances
you get more of it, not less. More presence. God alone is the
place of peace that cannot be disturbed.
God will not withhold his love from you if you do not withhold
your love of him
When you love God supremely, you find all these things in Him.
III. The Secret of Peace.
The peace of God keeps your hearts and minds in
Christ Jesus
To have your heart in Christ Jesus--to find him lovely
Isaiah 57 the wicked are like the tossing sea, which
cannot rest. There is no peace for the wicked.
The natural consequence of not loving God, of not
centering your life on him is restlessness.
Keller says, Jesus lost all his peace so that you would
have eternal peace.
1. When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know,a
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
3. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!