Peace of God vs God of Peace

Review

What

True - relativism of the world vs. concrete truths of the Bible. We do not own our own personal truth - Jesus is the only truth - It’s one of the great I AM’s of Jesus. I am the way the truth and the life

honorable - What, in the middle of our “stuff”, deserves honor?

just - or right - pure, lovely, commendable

We have really learned that with all of these words, the world confuses them by introducing ambiguity - or grey areas.

lovely

Yesterday I went to this little gathering of Christians. In our group of 14 people 5 churches were represented and I was the pastor in the room. Truth be told, I was attempting to not be “pastor” but God’s calling and gifts always come out. After we prayed for some time the questions started coming out. Abortion, homosexuality etc. One kind person talked about grey areas, and another talked about this situation and that… I eventually answer, the Bible is the word of God. There simply is no argument. He is the Creator and we are the created. The world might try to make things complicated but the worlds creator calls it simple.

commendable

excellence

In all things His pure goal is to bring us to a place where we can rejoice always, have no anxiety, trust Him enough to present all things to Him and be thankful knowing that He gives us the best answer and his best intentions for us. His goal is that we have peace...

any excellence - in everything there is a specific thing working out something excellent in our lives - of course that thing is the person of Jesus Christ

anything worthy of praise - in all things there is one who is worthy of all praise and in the middle of our praise God acts to bring us peace.

Why:

There is a goal that God has for our life as expressed by this passage

Philippians 4:4–7 ESV

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Phil 4:4

Our world is nasty

As sure as sparks fly upward.

2 Timothy 3:12 ESV

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

John 16:33 ESV

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.”

Philippians 4:11–13 ESV

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 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. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

We need protection or our hearts and minds are in trouble

This passage

Phil 4:

Philippians 4:7 ESV

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The promise of protection is given

Phil

Philippians 4:8 ESV

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.

The practical path to get the peace of God is given.

Take every thought captive

Which Brings us to verse 9 - the last in our series.

Philippians 4:9 ESV

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

the most practical thing to do

find an example of someone who is doing it right

Some one who seems to have licked the issues

The have peace in the storm (peace and how to get it is the main theme of the passage.)

They need to be attainable.

Learn from them

Receive from them

hear them

practice the good habits that they have.

Yeah but

I don’t trust any man I only trust God....

God has placed people in your life to be an example to you.

I can’t find anyone — well duh.

Jesus of course if the only one worthy of perfect trust… but do you think He is only working on you?

Don’t you think He works with other people?

Obviously He does. As such don’t you think they may have learned something that they might be able to impart to you.

People are all very imperfect. Very flawed. Commit countless infractions…but so do you. That does not negate the fact that His goal is to build us into a body that relies on each other.

The hand cannot say — I don’t need you.

There is something about the camaraderie that we should have that is essential to our protection.

Peace of God ..... God of Peace

If there was a thing i wanted you to get out of all of these messages it’s