The Peace Of God (2)

Philippians 4:5-7

Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.

This refers to contentment with and generosity towards others

It also has an idea of showing mercy or leniency towards the faults and failures of others.

The gentleness should characterize the church......that all men see these traits.

The Lord is at hand or near......This is sobering, if God is known truly and sincerely, it will hush the crowds.....

The Lord is the judge of all

In a more sobering way, is that the Lord is near in that He encompasses all believers!

Gentleness is a characteristic of God’s people.......2 Corinthians 10:1 “Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ...................”

1 Peter 2:21–23 “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:”

Anxiety.......This seems to be something that consumes us humans but we as believers......fret and worry indicate a lack of trust in God’s wisdom, sovereignty, or power.

Delighting/rejoicing in the Lord and meditating on God’s Word are a great antidote to anxiety.

All difficulties are with in God’s purposes.......the devil takes those things and attempts to tempt us to respond away from our faith in God!

As satan told God.......let me have at him and he will curse You.

God dictated how and with what measure satan could tempt Job.

Prayer and Supplication............Pleading and begging God..........we are always in need of God and His way of life......there is only one way for the TRUE BELIEVER.......

No, we are not perfect, but the believer’s desire is to be “Christ-like”

In that we need supernatural and spiritual help......remember.......Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

We need spiritual help in spiritual warfare!

This is where our prayer/urgent pleading.......

Luke 21:36 “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”

Romans 12:12 “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”

Ephesians 6:18–19 “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,”

Pleading/Urging......(begging) must be with Thanksgiving......not a rehearsed thanksgiving but with a thankful heart

Ephesians 5:20 “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”

The answer to anxiety is the peace of God........John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Paul made three statements about this peace.

First, it is divine peace. He did not envision a situation where circumstances changed or external needs were met. This peace was a characteristic of God which invaded the Christian.

Second, it “transcends all understanding.” “Transcends” translates the word hyperechousa (“excellent”), which is found in 2:3; 3:8, and here in a compound form. Paul contrasted knowledge and peace at one point: Peace excels over knowledge. No doubt he had in mind situations where knowledge is insufficient. Sometimes it cannot explain, and sometimes explanations do not help. Peace, however, is always appropriate and meets the need of the heart.

Finally, this peace will “guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” “Guard” is a military term, implying that peace stands on duty to keep out anything that brings care and anxiety. For these reasons, prayerful people are peaceful people.

I like the reality of the peace of God which passes understanding!!!! That is comforting!

All of God is a surpassing of human understanding!!! Ephesians 3:14-21........

When all of these conditions are met, God’s power working in and through believers is unlimited and far beyond their comprehension!