PEACE THAT PASSETH ALL UNDERSTANDING

INTRODUCTION

A. On Paul’s second journey to bring the gospel to the Gentile world, the apostle Paul helped start at church in the city of Phiippi a colony of retired roman soldiers. (Acs 16:11-40)

A. Summary

B..On Paul’s second journey to bring the gospel to the Gentile world, the apostle Paul helped sgart a church in the city

A. History:

B. Paul had been in prison for 2 years changed to a solider everyday of the two years.

B..On Paul’s second journey to bring the gospel to the Gentile world, the apostle Paul helped sgart a church in the city

B..On Paul’s second journey to bring the gospel to the Gentile world, the apostle Paul helped sgart a church in the city

1. On Paul’s second journey to bring the gospel to the Gentile world, the apostle Paul helped sgart a church in the city

C. The introduction of the book of Philippians is different than any of the other 13 Epistles written by Paul.

c

D. Book break down:

1. Chapter 1 Thanksgiving and Prayer

2. Chapter 2 Imitating Christ’s Humility

3. Chapter 3 No confidence in the flesh

4. Chapter 4 Steadfastness and Unity

E. The word PEACE appears in 296 verses OT and 104 verses NT totalling 400.

II.

1. vrs 4-5

2. Paul sets before the Philippians two great qualities of the Christian life.

1) The first is the quality of joy. ‘Rejoice

… I will say it again—rejoice!’ It is as if, having said ‘Rejoice!’, a picture of all that was to come flashed into his mind. He himself was lying in prison with almost certain death awaiting him; the Philippians were setting out on the Christian way, and dark days, dangers and persecutions inevitably lay ahead. So Paul says: ‘I know what I’m saying. I’ve thought of everything that can possibly happen. And still I say it—Rejoice!’ Christian joy is independent of all things on earth because it has its source in the continual presence of Christ.

(1) The first is the quality of joy. ‘Rejoice … I will say it again—rejoice!’ It is as if, having said ‘Rejoice!’, a picture of all that was to come flashed into his mind. He himself was lying in prison with almost certain death awaiting him; the Philippians were setting out on the Christian way, and dark days, dangers and persecutions inevitably lay ahead. So Paul says: ‘I know what I’m saying. I’ve thought of everything that can possibly happen. And still I say it—Rejoice!’ Christian joy is independent of all things on earth because it has its source in the continual presence of Christ.

2.) Paul goes on, as the Authorized Version has it: ‘Let your moderation be known to all men.’ The word (epieikeia) translated as moderation is one of the most untranslatable of all Greek words.

Barclay, W. (2003). The Letters to Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians (3rd ed. fully rev. and updated, p. 88). Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press.

a. Wyclif -patience, Tyndale, softness; Cranmer, softness; the Geneva Bible, the patient mind, the Rheims Bible, modesty; etc…

Paul goes on, as the Authorized Version has it: ‘Let your moderation be known to all men.’ The word (epieikeia) translated as moderation is one of the most untranslatable of all Greek words.

III. THE PEACE OF BELIEVING PRAYER

A. (NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

B. Three great aspects of peace that relate to God.

1. Peace from God

a. Paul continually used this as an introduction to his letters; it reminds us that our peace comes to us as a gift from God.

2. Peace with God:

a. This describes a relationship that we enter into with God through the finished work of Jesus Christ.

3. The peace of God

a. It is beyond “all mind”; that is, beyond our power of thinking

C. Guard your hearts and minds

1. The word guard speaks of a military action. This is something that the peace of God does for us; it is a peae that is on guard over our heart and mind.

IV. THE PROMISE OF THE LORD

A. God promised PEACE to His people

1. The Lord will give strength unto His people; the Lord will bless his people with PEACE.

a. 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.

2. This peace is only found in Christ

a. 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.

B. We are to go after peace

1. Depart from evil and do good; seek PEACE, and pursue it.

2. But the meek shalL inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of PEACE

C. Why are we to go after PEACE?

1. Peace will deliver you.

2. He hath delivereed my soul in PEACE from the battle [that was] against me: for there were many with me.

3. Thou wilt keep [him ] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee.

D. Peace is ordained for us

1. Lord, thou wil ordain peace for us; for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.

V. DOING IT GOD’S WAY RESULTS IN INCREASED PEACE

1. Great PEACE have they which love they law: and nothing shalt offend them.

a. Grace and PEACE be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.

2. For length of days, and long life, and PEACE, shall they add to thee.

a. The Word, laws, commands

3. Speaking of the signs of the end time church.

a. The glory of the latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts and in this place will I give PEACE, saith the LOrd of hosts.