Christ is the Peace-Bringer

This is the 2nd Sunday of Advent and this morning we light the Peace Candle. On night of the Savior’s birth the angels appeared to the shepherds and brought them the Good News. The angels also declared, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace” (Luke 2:14). May we know and experience the peace that only Jesus brings. We thank God for His matchless gift.

We long for peace, but lack of peace surrounds us - two wars, political division, ethnic tensions, pro-life / abortion positions, etc.

Sadly, we often face personal conflict as well: we have relational conflict with co-workers, family members and church members. And, for a growing number of us, we experience inner turmoil as well.

It is in these interpersonal conflicts where believers are most likely to settle for less than what is available for us in Christ. Too many times we believe the lie that the situation will never improve, that’s just the way she is, and that it’s not that important anyway.

Our text in Philippians will help us in understanding more of God’s design for our life and relationships in the area of peace. Let’s read the Text and look as the principles God provides for our peace.

READ the TEXT: Philippians 4:2-9

Understand that relational conflict is to be addressed and not ignored (Phil 4:2-3)

Explanation: In this letter to a church fellowship, Paul mentions two members who are at odds with each other. The nature of their conflict is not described, but the rupture has negatively impacted the life of the Church to the degree that Paul is aware of their troubles even when he is in prison! Paul doesn’t ignore the situation or declare, “well, that’s just Syntyche - y’all know how she is.”

Argument: Paul acknowledges a problem exists and he identifies the source. Paul calls them out as individuals and urges them to reconcile.

Illustrate: We like to use the shotgun approach instead of the rifle. One student is being disruptive but the teacher lectures the entire class; two employees are causing conflict, but the entire department gets the memo on office behavior.

Argument: He is urging them to “be of the same mind.” This is the attitude of avoiding strife and vainglory and looking out for the other person (Phil 2:1-4). Paul then grounds that mindset in the Incarnation when he talks of how Christ left the glories of heaven to become our substitionary sin sacrifice.

Application: We CAN resolve our relationship issues. We start by acknowledging a problem exists and by being willing to accept help. Paul asks his ministry partner (true yokefellow) to intervene in this conflict between the two women. Sometimes we need to admit that we need help. In other situations we are to be willing to get involved. Ministry is messy!

Pray about all matters, including the resolution of conflicts (Phil 4:6-7)

Explanation: Paul commands believers to take all matters to the Lord in prayer. This would include praying about broken relationships. The phrase “be careful for nothing” is not about being slack in your approach. The meaning, rather, is to not be anxious about anything. Instead of worrying we are called to prayer. Prayer recognizes that God is sovereign and He is able to take care of whatever is taking place at the moment.

Illustrate: Stopping to pray at the Catawba ODWG camp during registration. The bus not arriving, the van not starting, and families not answering the phones. I could have had a mini-melt down, but instead I realized that we were experiencing spiritual warfare and needed to stop and pray.

Argument: Prayer is one of our greatest resources, but often one of the most-neglected. Prayer should be our first thought - our go to position instead of using it as a last recourse. How silly to believe we can fix things on our own or figure them out. We are called to be continual in prayer” - a call that should remind us of our great need

Application: Ask God to increase your desire to be in His presence. Cultivate an attitude of prayer, with thanksgiving.

Practice spiritual discipline in your thought life (Phil 4:8)

Explanation: Paul admonishes the Philippian believers to examine their thought life. He directs them to focus their minds on positive qualities. He includes truth, purity, beauty, and goodness. Paul directs them to focus on things in life that have virtue and can bring praise to God.

Illustrate: Continually rehearsing the wrongs done to you is NOT going to produce peace in your life. When we dwell on the negative and impure and when we believe the worst of other’s motives, we get cranky and mean-spirited in response.

Argument: This is a biblical concept of a spiritual discipline. It is NOT the power of positive thinking. This directive to “think on these things” is based on the understanding that one has the “mind of Christ” (Phil 2:5). The indwelling of the Spirit of Christ in the life of a believer empowers him or her to live in peace.

Controlling our thoughts is part of being sanctified. Believers no longer have the excuse of “well, I just can’t help thinking of how I was wronged.” We will remember what happened to us (God does not supernaturally give us a mind-wipe), but we no longer have to allow that to take our peace and joy.

Galatians 5:22–23 KJV 1900

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

The Holy Spirit produces His fruit (singular) in believers. One aspect is peace which corresponds to another aspect, that of temperance (self-control). We are called to continual surrender to the Lordship of Christ in all areas of out lives, including those in which we lack peace.

Conclusion: Paul ends this section of his letter with a simple command. He gives them the Nike slogan and tells them to “just do it.”

Philippians 4:9 KJV 1900

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

When we do as we are directed, the God of peace will be with us.