A Peace that cannot be Explained

Philippians 4:4–7 ESV

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.

The Unexplained Peace of God

Have you ever experienced something and then when you go to describe it to someone else all you can say is, “You would have just had to be there.”

This is the peace that cannot be explained. When we try to explain the Peace of God which surpasses all human understanding it becomes one of those things that unless you have experienced it fails to have the same impact on someones life.

So, we were setting up for the advent prayer walk a couple of weeks ago and I walked outside and saw the most beautiful sunset. I could describe it to you in vivid detail. All the different hues and colors of orange billowing over the clouds in a magnificent display of God’s beauty. I can even now share this picture with you. However, at the end of the day, unless you were actually there and saw the sunset if fails to have the same impact.

However, there were others there that saw the sunset, so, when I talk to them about the sunset they understand what I am talking about because they have experienced it. This is the same thing with the peace of God that Paul is talking about in this text. Now it is more than merely a talking point for Christians. It is something that only takes place when we fully trust God with everything.

Undoubtedly this week that we are about to enter while as the song say’s, “its the most wonderful time of the year.” For some people it is not the most wonderful time of the year. We hear about more suicides, more depression, more loneliness and despair around this time of the year than any other time.

Where is the joy, where is the Peace?

Jesus was born in a very tumultuous time in history. The governor of Syria had called for a census to be held. Everyone had to travel to the city of their origin to be counted. Mary was well into her third trimester and now had to make the difficult journey to Bethlehem. Not only the difficulty of the trip was at hand, but, even though there was an appearance of a supposed Pax Romana the peace of Rome through force, people wondered in darkness, felt despair, felt loneliness, felt the broken peace of the world.

So, while we may not be able to fully explain the Peace we have with God, make no mistake for the believer this peace brings three unmistakable things into our lives that we read about in our text this morning.

1. An Unexplained Peace Brings a Joy filled life.

The Need

The necessity of the command at the beginning of our text today is to “rejoice.” When are we to rejoice? “Always.” Paul obviously thought the Christians in Philippi needed to hear this. Can exemplary Christians struggle to maintain their joy. Yes absolutely, this is why George Mueller said, “The greatest primary business … every day was to have my soul happy in the Lord.”

How many of you wake up every morning with your soul happy ready to sing? When you read scripture you find that some of the greatest heroes of the faith wrestled with dryness, despair, depression, and discouragement.

The Cause

There are many things that can rob us of our joy. One of them is mentioned in verse 6 - anxiety! Others might include doubt, loss of loved ones, work, illness, relational conflicts, finances, and many others too numerous to count can cause Christians to lose the song in their hearts.

The Solution

Notice what Paul says about rejoicing. He does not say, “Rejoice when your circumstances get better and everything is sunshine, rainbows, and fluffy bunnies.” He says “rejoice in the Lord always (emphasis added with again I say rejoice).

Our Joy comes from our relationship with Jesus not our circumstances. This verse can be closely tied to James 1:2 “Count it all joy my brothers when you meet trials of various kinds.” Remember Paul is not writing this letter from a sweet vacation sight in the Bahama’s. He is writing it from prison. Surely some of the Philippians would have remembered when he and Silas got rowdy with some singing in the the Philippian jail, despite being beaten and bruised.

How does the world view joy.

Joy is contingent on everything working out the way you want it to in the end, then you will have reason to rejoice. Your favorite sports team wins the big game, you got that promotion you deserve, your spouse worships the ground you walk on. No, it is not about getting what you want, it is about being grateful for all that you have been given in Jesus Christ.

The Instruction

When Paul tells us always this is not good advice if we feel like it at the time. This is a command to obey.

How often do we give ourselves a pass on things that we assume is not sinful in nature.

We are commanded to rejoice. For sure there are times of grieving and great loss in our lives. 2 Corinthians 6:10

2 Corinthians 6:10 ESV

10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

However, even in those times we can say with Paul that “we are grieving, yet always rejoicing. Paul is not telling us that we should be skipping along all our life oblivious to its difficulties and pitfalls. Paul does tell us that we should drink deeply from the well of God’s joy even with tears streaming down our cheeks.

SO, WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF LIVING A JOY-FILLED LIFE?

What would happen if God’s people lived a life of constant rejoicing?

Think of all the sins we would avoid if we rejoiced always, sins like envy, gossip, arrogance, disconnectedness, and complaining. These sins are wrapped up in the lack of finding joy in the sufficiency of God.

*Rejoicing in the Lord Always Changes How we Serve

… Our attitudes as we serve the Lord matters to Him

Do we serve Him with a joyful heart of service or out of obligation or with bitter heart.

verse 5

• “Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near” (HCSB).

• “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand” (ESV).

“Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near” (NASB).

(scholars tell us that the words that express graciousness; reasonableness; and gentleness; are difficult to translate)

“This means having a gentle forbearance with other people.” (it is the opposite of being contentious and filled with self-seeking.”)

*Rejoicing in the Lord Always changes how we show Graciousness

I believe that perhaps one of the best qualities of a believer is one of forbearance. Why? Well bearing with others who are contentious, self-seeking, arrogant, and rude is one of the most difficult things we can do to show the world the transformed lives we are living.

The spirit of graciousness was evident in Jesus life 1 Peter 2:23

1 Peter 2:23 ESV

23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

Pastors and Elders are also called to have this kind of attitude. 1 Timothy 3:3

1 Timothy 3:3 ESV

3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

We need to have the graciousness to give up our wants and desires for the good of others. Such graciousness is also important as we engage this world with Biblical Truth.

There is no other more volatile issue or issue that draws more criticism in our culture today then when you start talking about homosexuality and gay marriage.

There is nothing that generates more outrage or criticism than when we contend that historically there has only been one position on marriage, one man and one woman in the covenant of marriage. As we take this stand we need courage, but, such courage must also be mingled with graciousness.

Is your graciousness evident to your friends, family members, co-workers, or church members.

What do you want to be known for - fame, success, beauty?

or

Being someone who is gracious, gentle, dealing with those inside and outside the church.

“Paul then adds: “The Lord is Near.”

Note: Is this “temporal” or “spacial”?

Is this something that will happen when Christ returns, or is this a present reality. Is Paul referring to temporal “the Lords return,” “soon.” or the Lords presence “close,” and spacial.

So, Jesus is returning, what do you want Him to find you doing when He returning.” Do you want him to return finding you harsh and self-promoting.

“But if he is referring to presence as being spacial he is referring to the fact that the Lord is always close to them and ready to assist them in their pursuit of Christlikeness.”

His nearness should definitely motivate us to pray as mentioned in the next text.

The Psalmist makes this point clear in Psalm 34:18

Psalm 34:18 ESV

18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

It would appear that both of these positions are correct and Paul may have been speaking of both.

So, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem he brought peace to a sinfully blind world that was wondering in the darkness of their separation from God through the sin of Adam and Eve in the garden.

God’s first declaration after the sin was that he would send a redeemer who would restore the peace that had been broken. Look what Jesus say’s about the present peace and the future peace that is to come. John 16:33

John 16:33 ESV

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

In a spacial context Jesus reminds His disciples that they will experience a present peace that lives inside of each and every true follower of Christ. However, temporally we know that in this world we will have struggles and problems, but, take heart, because in the end Jesus is returning to restore the peace of God once and for all because he has already overcome sin and death for you and me.

2. An Unexplained Peace Brings an Anxious free Life

*Anxiety in a Man’s Heart Weighs Him Down

Proverbs 12:25 ESV

25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

Anxiety is like carrying a big bag of rocks around, and we continue to add one rock after the other. One huge rock, one mile after another. We can all identify with this and affirm its truth.

Perhaps deep down inside we do not want to acknowledge what we know to be true about anxiety.

*Anxiety can be a Sin.

I think we forget and excuse away anxiety without considering that it can be sinful.

4 Types of Anxiety

1). A God given natural response given for our benefit.

2). A disordered psychological response that is not sinful.

3). A natural consequence of sin.

4). A sinful response to God’s providential care.

Type#1 God given natural response

Anxiety and fear are closely related. Fear is an emotional response to a real and perceived threat, anxiety is an emotional response to a real and perceived future threat. Fear is a psychological and emotional warning system that alerts us to danger right now, while anxiety is a warning of impending danger.

Type #2 Disordered Psychological response

Normally thought of as clinical anxiety. For some people anxiety manifests itself as a psychological malfunction that has become both disordered and debilitating.

Type #3 Natural consequence of sin

Anxiety as a natural response to sinful behavior. For example someone taking illegal drugs might be anxious about its results, or someone cheating on their spouse might feel anxious that their marriage is falling apart.

Type #4 Response to God’s providential care of our lives.

This is the kind of anxiety both Paul speaks about in Philippians 4:6 and Jesus speaks of in Matthew 6:34. This is an anxiety that is a direct result in a lack of trust in God. Luke 12:22-30

Luke 12:22–30 ESV

22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.

We need to search our hearts and examine our emotions to determine whether our own anxiety is something we can’t control, or if it is connected to sinful behavior.

Do not be anxious is a negative command based on the idea that anxiety betrays the fact of God’s complete care and control over his creation.

We all live in a world that is based on pride of its own self-sufficiency. This is why when struggle come up in life we fall back into a default position of doubt and worry instead of a position of trust and dependency.

This is an unconscious blasphemy against God!

What is Anxiety and Worry? We worry when we imagine the future in a terrible way.

The Anxiety Zone

John Piper says, “Anxiety seems to be an intense desire for something, accompanied by a fear of the consequences of not receiving it”

(“Is There Good Anxiety?”).

This desire normally involves something we really value, like money or relationships.

Worry involves imagining the future in a worst-case scenario and then freaking out about it. We can freak out about how we think our kids will turn out, how we will pay the rent next year, who we will marry, and so on.

When do we give ourselves a free pass to worry and anxiety? When do we say, well I just come from a long line of worriers, that’s who I am. Is this any different than making excuses for other pet sins in our lives.

When is the last time you repented of your anxiety and lack of trusting God. When is the last time you called it what it really is, a sin against the Holy God who holds all of our futures in His hand.

What does anxiety and worry do to you?

I believe that Anxiety and worry is one of the best tools that Satan uses against us.

Anxiety is a joy killer.

Anxiety will also make you self-absorbed. (When you become so consumed with your own worries, you will be less likely to serve others wholeheartedly)

Worry distracts you and keeps you from your mission.

Worry robs you of peace with God.

What Should we do about Anxiety and Worry?

Paul says that we should pray with Thanksgiving and intercession. Paul is not suggesting that in the future we will not have hard times; instead he understands that in those hard times we can offer up the sacrifice of thanksgiving.

What is our first instinct when anxiety and worry come on our lives. Most people either unload it on other people, or hold it inside and deal with it on their own. Neither express what the bible says we should do.

1 Peter 5:7 ESV

7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

What Peter says here is also an echo of Psalm 55:22

Psalm 55:22 ESV

22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

Bowling Ritual

Have you ever watched serious bowlers. Once they let the ball go they twist their body in all sorts of weird ways hoping to guide the ball down the lane. Hoping that somehow the side lead will influence the ball in the right direction. Some even talk to the ball. Others tip toe, leap, or slide to the side hoping the ball will go the right direction.

The fact is once you have let the ball go it is out of your hands. This is what we should do with our burdens, when we release them to God.

3. An Unexplained Peace Brings a Guarded Heart and Mind.

Paul is not telling his audience that once they release their prayers to God they will never have anymore struggles. However, now, he uses a military term for “Guard” the word in Greek means garrisoned.

So, when we give our burdens to God he garrisons or protects our hearts and mind with His peace.

Here is the good news, Paul is telling us that the kind of peace we have from God transcends our thoughts and fears that arise. One of the reasons God’s peace is so extraordinary is that you can have it when it does not make sense to you.

Why should you have peace when you are in a Roman prison Paul? It does not make sense unless God’s peace really does flood your soul through prayer. And it does. This peace transcends our understanding.

After the earthquake broke the cell door wide open for Paul and Silas they should have high tailed it out of there and run for their freedom. However, their peace in God was so sure, and so strong that they hung around to use it as an opportunity to witness to their jailer.

When do we allow our struggles with anxiety to be turned around and use it for God’s glory, for the good of the kingdom of God. When do we allow the onlooking world and let our reasonableness be known for all to see.

God has garrisoned your heart and mind with the unexplainable peace of God.

I grew up in New Mexico.

Now, when you grow up in New Mexico, you have to live with the one thing that people think of when they think of New Mexico. The city of Roswell, where supposedly the aliens have now landed.

So you have this cult like group that tries to explain the unexplained by creating this whole phenomena around little green men visiting earth.

Now as outlandish and crazy as that may sound, the peace of God that we experience which guards our hearts and minds seems just as ridiculous to the world today. You can imagine when the shepherds returned praising God and tried to explain to people what they had just experienced I’m sure people thought they were just talking crazy talk.

CONCLUSION

So, while medicine, a message, sweat lodges, meditation, may try to bring peace and tranquility to your life. They will never give you this type of peace because this peace only comes from God.

How do you get it? You have to know the Prince of Peace. It is only through a relationship with Jesus that you can know what Paul is talking about.

But, if you are a Christian you fight your anxiety with the promises of God that garrison your heart and mind with the promises of this unexplainable peace. He promises to give you unexplainable peace when you pray.

So Believe the Promise.

There are other encouraging truths, promises, and applications we can make in Philippians 4.

The Lord is near. (v.5 we fight our anxiety by believing that He is with you and will return for you)

We pray with thanksgiving. (how do we live thankful all the time? One cause of thanksgiving is the fact that God keeps His promises) we read in verse 19 “that God will supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

We grow anxious when we fail to remember God’s Promises.

We forget that God is near all the time, we forget that He is the one who supplies all of our needs according to His riches and glory, we forget that he garrisons our hearts and minds with an unexplainable peace.

So, How do you fight against anxiety and worry?

Believe that He gives peace to those who seek His presence.

Believe that He will provide for His children.

We fight fear with God’s promises.

Remember that God’s promises are not material possessions and earthly treasures, but something much deeper, much more important and significant. It is God’s peace, God’s presence, and God’s provisions to do kingdom work. See first His kingdom and trust Him and He will supply all your needs according to His riches and glory.