Fight Your Anxiety by Peace

Philippians 4:6-7

GBCCR DATE \@ "M/d/yy" 9/28/24

Introduction

Catch- What comes to mind when you think of being Peaceful?

A comfortable day at the Spa? Sitting on the beach? Reading a good book OR on beautiful Lower Scott’s Flat lake like this?

But does that fit with Pauls’ statement

2 Corinthians 1:8–9- For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead;

A pastel-colored cottage by a stream is not the scene of the third chapter of Lamentations. On the contrary, Jeremiah writes “his mercies are new every morning” over a dark and tragic landscape. Instead of an English cottage, the city of Jerusalem lay in ruins.

Yet, as Jeremiah laments this destruction, he still says, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.” That changes how we read Lamentations 3:22–23.

Lamentations dares to hope while life is hard

And true peace is something far more than a pretty view

Review- We only got through 1 verse last time so a little review

This is Paul’s practical section of Philippians

He laid out the ground work in the example found in his life and the lives of Jesus Christ, our savior

And if you think, that’s way too high of a standard, he gives Timothy and Ephroditus to show you that normal people can seek this joy too

They all were humble men who considered others more important than themselves because they were focused on glory from God, not from man

But do you know who wasn’t doing that? The chapter 3 false teachers whose God was their belly, as they focused on only the things they can get out of everyone else

And sadly chapter 4 tells us that two women in the church also didn’t have this other’s focused attitude

Sometimes, we do not either, so this section gives us the solution

We have the church around us v3, to help us

We help each other by focusing on our joy being in the lord, not ourelves (v4)

And we fight anxious thoughts of what we could lose by trusting Christ instead (v6)

And we talked about how it is a fight to take our worries to God instead of trying to solve them ourselves

V8-9 will tell us that we should focus should be on our thoughts, not our feelings

Fight against worry with God’s promised peace

The God originating Peace

Expla

Paul begins this by focusing not just on the concept of peace, but the person of peace.

God is given the attribute of peace throughout scripture

1 Corinthians 14:33 Paul says, “God is not a God of confusion but of peace.

Romans 16:20 says “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you”

Grudem defines “God’s being and in his actions he is separate from all confusion and disorder, yet he is continually active in innumerable well-ordered, fully controlled, simultaneous actions”

This is Not chaos like little kids bunch soccer game, or the shouting down of a british house of commons meeting

But this is the peace of a well ordered military drill

So our Peace is defined by God’s control over things…

there is nothing that conflicts with his plan or power, not Satan, nor suffering, nor death itself.

Thus the goal fighting against anxiety is not therapeutic, it is not just to feel better

The true meaning of life is the glorify God and enjoy him forever

1 Corinthians 10:31- Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

“We cannot increase God’s glory. But when we our lives image God, others see the presence of God in us.

Our peace become part of that light from God that goes forth over the earth.”

Illustration- The Peace originates in God

God reveals Himself to make give peace to the weak

In 1873, Hudson Taylor, the MISSIONARY TO CHINA, wrote a letter to a fellow-worker going through a difficult trial.

He encouraged him with these words:

The one thing we need is to know God better. Not in ourselves, not in our prospects, not in heaven itself are we to rejoice, but in the Lord. If we know Him, then we rejoice in what He gives not because we like it, if pleasing, not because we think it will work good, if trying, but because it is His gift, His ordering; and the like in what He withholds or takes away. This makes the weak strong, the poor rich, the empty full; this makes suffering happiness, and turns tears into diamonds like the sunshine turns dew into pearls. This makes us fearless, invincible.

Knowing God and His message should make us bold

Application

You know that the greatest threat to your joy is wrong ideas about God.

So, secondly, the greatest threat to your peace is wrong ideas about God.

In Jeremiah’s day, the religious leaders dealt only with the symptoms of the national problems, without addressing the sinful root of the crisis. These false prophets declared everything was well between God and Israel: “Peace, peace,” they said, when there was no real peace (Jeremiah 6:14).

Today, they tell you things like you need to forgive God so that you feel better

Or that we should not rebuke sin because it would be uncomfortable and feeling better is the goal

These are lies of peace fakers, not God’s peace

The most important thing about Church is not if you leave feeling at peace, but that you know the God of peace better because of our time together

Trans: Because the Peace in sourced in the all powerful god, we see that it is

The all surpassing peace

Expla

Surpass means to exceed or be far great then

It is the same word at 2:3- considering others far above yourself.

It means to be better than, to be higher than, to be greater than

comprehension belongs to thoughts or mind

& Mind is used in scripture to describe to describe the way we picture the world around us.

It is the snapshot images that summarizes your beliefs about what is going on around you.

God’s peace is much more than we can comprehend or hold onto in our heads

It also God’s peace rules over our mind.

Heart is an important word because Paul uses it to talk about his affections towards them in

Philippians 1:7- For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart,

This refers to the inside self

And it was the part of Paul that thought about them, this was the part of Paul that worried about them

But Paul knew he didn’t need to be worried, like they didn’t

God’s peace and order should be in authority over your plans, strategies, concerns, and yes, even your questions.

Illus- God’s peace is greater than anything you can think, hope, or fear

I read about During World War II, an armed German freighter picked up a missionary whose ship had been torpedoed. He was put into the hold. For a while he was too terrified to even close his eyes.

he tells us how he got through the night: “I began communing with the Lord. He reminded me of His word in the 121st Psalm: ‘My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold He... shall neither slumber nor sleep’ (vv. 2–4, KJV).... So I said, ‘Lord there isn’t really any use for both of us to stay awake tonight. If You are going to keep watch, I’ll thank Thee for some sleep!’

He replaced his fear with thankful prayer and that prayed reminded Him that God was powerful enough to handle things

God’s peace is surpassing everything

App

So the biggest question in your worry is not what do I need to do next, but do I trust in the God is in control, do I trust His ways?

We’ve already seen that this peace is about the person, not just the feeling

B/c guys, the greatest from of idolatry is trying to be God yourself

& what is more useless?

Yet, We have the opportunity to worship and Glorify God in the midst of hard times

As John Calvin wrote, “for nothing is more foreign to the human mind, than in the depth of despair to exercise, nevertheless, a feeling of hope”

Do you believe that what God offers you is greater

You can believe it

Trans: And if you do, he promises not only for it is to be a great peace, but an strong defensive peace

The defensive peace

Defense against the worries of the world.

Expla

Guard is a military term meaning to protect with a strong army.

In Philippi stood an impressive fortress defending the eastern side of the Meditarrean sea.

Illus- Like visiting a war ship from WWII. If you go to one of those it seems huge…getting tired walking up and down…big guns..awesome.

Then you place that next to a modern day aircraft carrier… tiny

But notice that the word is also future, we will be guarded at an upcoming point.

Notice that this is the promise.

Paul commanded us to make petitions and requests, but he doesn’t say we will not get those

but God’s controlling peace will protect your thinking and life.

*Notice he doesn’t say protect you from any harm?

Illus- God’s peace is a defensive peace

We need to Remember true things about God in the midst concerns and temptations

Peanuts Cartons by Charles Schulz are so insightful

One day, Linus and Lucy are sitting by the windowsill while it's raining heavily outside.

Lucy says to Linus, "You know, if this keeps up we're going to get flooded and swept away."

Linus replies, "Lucy, don't be silly. Genesis 9 in the Bible says that God promised that there would be no more floods and that the rainbow in the sky is a reminder that He will keep that promise."

Lucy says, "You know what, Linus? You're right, and you know what? I feel a lot better now that you've said that."

Linus replies, "Sound doctrine has a way of doing that."

Linus was wiser than many of us realize. Meditating on biblical truth calms our hearts and steadies our minds

God’s peace defends us

App

Sometimes applications can be too focused on doing something, but here it is believing that God will defend

So how does God protect us?

From evil one

2 Thessalonians 3:3- But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.

From falling to temptation

1 Corinthians 10:13- No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

From stumbling

Jude 24- Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,

From being lost

John 10:27–29- My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

Trans: We’ve seen how this peace is originated in God, how it is far greater, how it defends, but this isn’t just a peace from a generic God to a generic people, but it is a found in Jesus Christ Jesus

The Christ glorifying Peace

Expla

Peace is sourced in Jesus Christ, bringing together people who would have conflict

The church division between jew and gentile is brought to peace

Ephesians 2:14–15- For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,

Jesus had both a tax collector and a Jewish zealot who would kill tax collectors among his 12 apostles as they worshipped him, setting aisde their former differences

Jesus peace is different from what the cultures naturally conceive

Modern culture says that peace comes from accepting me as I am without asking me to change anything

Thus the call for peace among those who still call for the death of their enemies

But Jesus said

John 14:27- “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

So Jesus’ peace is different

Why do they need peace?

They’re sinners under the right judgment of God and thus are at conflict

Isaiah 48:22- “There is no peace for the wicked,” says the Lord.

Not every Israelite will enjoy the Lord’s salvation, but only the faithful remnant who have turned from their wicked ways

Romans 5:7–8- For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Peace doesn’t come automatically to those who engaged in battle against someone else

Jesus was punished for our sins that we may have peace.

Isaiah 53:5- But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.

Jesus said why God have you forsaken me so that we may never know a time where He is not with us

Illus

True peace must glorify Christ

Because True peace requires the sacrifice of Jesus Christ

peace is lost between people because we want something and do not get it

Our own peace is lost when we do not get what we want

The original lost of peace came between Adam and Eve as they stood before God, realzing their little coverings did nothing to cover their sin and their first response was to blame someone else

Adam to eve

Eve to the serpent

Their sin initiated the war of the sexes. Disunity rather than unity came to characterize the human race. Life in the world became life in a battlefield.

The only solution to the conflicts external and internal is a savior who deals with our biggest problem… our rebellion against God

App

The peace of God is for those “in Christ.”

It is only available to those who are at peace with the God of peace.

In the OT god makes promises to his people and the NT promises are in jesus christ.

Isaiah 54:10- For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

If you are still his enemy, spitting in his face by trying to rule your own life rather than following him, you are God’s enemy.

You will not begin to experience the peace of God in your daily struggles unless you have the clam assurance of your eternally secure relationship with God.

It would be like trying to setup your lawn chair on the deck and being unable to get into the right position because the ship is sinking.

Trans: We’ve seen what this verse says about Peace, but I must bring out something else scripture says because you may not always feel peace, which the rest of the bible describes

The lacking peace

Expla-

But also, Peace is not always a great feeling. Not butterflies and harps

Remember, 2:27- Paul spoke about having sorrow if Epaphroditus died.

Scripture is full of comments about pain and sadnesseven 1

even 1 Thess 4 which offers great hope for those who die says“that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope”

“that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope”

Paul assumes you will still grieve.

Scripture shows a different way.

That is why we have 1/3 of the Psalms written as Laments

Lament Psalms are written in an amazing way

Psalm 42 is an amazing example

Psalm 42:1–4 speaks about how great things were, but not he’s said

Then Psalm 42:5- Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence.

Sounds great, he reminds himself that everything will be ok

But then he repeats it two more times in this Psalm and Psalm 43

IN the great book, Dark Clouds Deep Mercies, the author states, “It’s not as if you brave one lament prayer, and you never need to lament again. Life isn't that simple. Grief is not that tame.

Instead, we must enter into lament over and over so that it can keep leading us to trust.”

Rejoice always exists right along with Paul’s worry of grief.

Illustration point-

Sometimes we do not have peace, yet we continue in faith

David Powilsion well said,

How on earth can heartache coexist with love, joy, peace, and an indestructible sense of life purpose? In the inner logic of faith, this makes perfect sense. In fact, because you have hope, you may feel the sufferings of this life more keenly: grief upon grief. In contrast, the grieving that has no hope often chooses denial or escape or busyness because it can’t face reality without becoming distraught. In Christ, you know what’s at stake, and so you keenly feel the wrong of this fallen world. You don’t take pain and death for granted. You love what is good, and hate what is evil. After all, you follow in the image of “a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief” (Isa. 53:3).

Peace is not always the absence of any discomfort, it is trust in midst of it, knowing the end goal and that it will be worth it all.

Application

So, when you’re discouraged and feeling at war, event with God himself

Remember, the lament psalms teach us that we should speak to ourselves and speak to god

the three A’s of lament say

Acknowledge honestly your feelings before God.

Analyze biblically those feelings and answer them back with God’s truths

Act obediently despite how you think or feel

It takes big faith to continue praying while we wait for this future promise of peace

Paul never says how long, but that it will happen

Therefore

Since we have seen (Cohesion)- We’ve seen God’s peace is different

It comes from God

It is more powerful than anything

It defends us

It glorifies Christ

And we are to keep going to God in prayer even when it dones’t come

We know we must (Resolution)-

Charles Spurgeon is a man who struggled with horrible depression and wrote a lot about how God used it… depression is very common.

And there was one night that Liz and I were horrible discouraged(I can’t even remember over what)

(I can’t even remember over what)

I had no idea what to do, I couldn’t get us out of our despair

So we read Spurgeon’s chapter on spiritual depression with these words

"Blessed are they that mourn," said the Man of Sorrows, and let none account them otherwise when their tears are salted with grace. We have the treasure of the gospel in earthen vessels, and if there be a flaw in the vessel here and there, let none wonder.

Then we prayed.

The problems didn’t go away, but we attempted to glorify God in the midst of it and we felt his blessing in the midst of sadness.