Gospel Peace: A Consequence of Christian Living
Notes
Transcript
GOSPEL PEACE: A CONSEQUENCE OF CHRISTIAN LIVING; Philippians 4:2-9;
MHAFB, 17 Nov 19
----------------------------------------------------------------------------Series: Philippians / Topics: Gospel; Peace; Peacemaking; A Peacemaker; Reconciliation; Harmony; Spiritual Discipline; Stress; Anxiety;
Joy; Gentleness; Presence of God; Prayer: Petition; Prayer of Thanksgiving; Ponder; Example;
Before Service: Pray with leaders!
Opening Verse: Psalm 4:5-8
Songs for Worship: Let Everything (Praise the Lord); Holy Spirit You’re Welcome Here; Wonderful Peace
----------------------------------------------------------------------------SLIDE-Transition to Sermon, Ps. 119:105
Introduction
1. Attention:
a. How many of you live in organized chaos? (Parents?)
i. Disorganized chaos for anyone?
b. How many of you live under the task-master of busyness?
i. Hardly any time to rest or recover, make it through the days well?
c. I imagine that people in these areas and many others similarly struggle with finding peace.
d. How many of you would like to have more peace in your lives?
i. I know that I fall into that camp!
ii. SLIDE-Title: Today we are hearing a message about Gospel Peace from Philippians
4:2-9
2. Big Picture:
a. So, how do people try to find or make peace in their lives?
i. Others, Material possessions, Making meaning in their life, Religious
rites/actions/obedience, etc. (Gen. 5:28-29; Ecc. 4:6-8; Job 21:7-13; Daniel 4:4; Matthew
19:16-22; Luke 12:16–21)
ii. Often we never find fulfillment when seeking peace in such things!
1. It is like chasing a healthy flying bird or trying to capture the wind...
b. However, the Scriptures teach a greater way…
i. They teach that in a Christ a peace is found that passes understanding
ii. They teach that such peace is found through seeking it alone-1. Rather, you find this peace only through seeking God & living in the way He has
called you to
c. In light of that, today I hope that we will each see how...
i. SLIDE-Thesis: We must choose to live in the holistic peace that God established for us.
ii. Bearing this in mind, I invite you to join me again in Philippians, Ch. 4.
3. Passage:
a. Context: Again we have a change of focus.
i. Chapter 3 looked at the Gospel Goal of “Knowing Jesus”
1. It then dove into how we “Pursue Jesus”
ii. Now in chapter 4 Paul begins to address some natural “Gospel Affects” in our lives-1. The first of these being today’s focus, “Peace”
b. Verses-5 Slides: So, please stand with me as we read...
Philippians 4:2–9 CSB
2
I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I also ask you, true partner,
to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and
the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always.
I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
6
Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally brothers and
sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever
is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is
anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. 9 Do what you have learned and received
and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
4. Transition: Amen, amen—please be seated.
a. As we move forward to consider “Gospel Peace,” let’s take just a moment to consider the
nuances of what peace is biblically…
Main Point 1:
What is Peace?
1. Explain:
a. In our world “Peace” can have several different understandings:
i. Absence of hostility (wars or drama with people)
ii. Psychological state (Emotional tranquility or having no disturbing thoughts)
b. Is that the same biblically? Somewhat.
c. The Bible’s understanding of peace draws from a rich Old Testament heritage.
i. Does anyone know the Hebrew word for peace? Shalom
ii. MP1: Generally this can be thought of as a condition of total well-being
d. Instead of being about what is missing (no hostility, no disturbing thoughts, etc.),
i. MP1: The OT concept of peace is about what is present (wholeness, satisfaction,
relational harmony, good health, security, etc.)
ii. Who wouldn’t want these things to be present in his/her life?
e. MP1: The Old Testament highlights how God established & gives this peace
i. His covenant with ancient Israel was called a “Covenant of Peace” (Num. 25:12; Isa.
54:10; Ezek. 34:25; 37:26; Mal. 2:5)
1. And while this covenant had the perk of God’s promises for protection & prosperity,
a. MP1: The heart of the covenant was friendship with God
b. Instead of hostility with God due to His wrath & displeasure upon our sin; they
could live in joyful communion with God, enjoying the forgiveness of their sins!
ii. David understood that the unique covenant God made with His household would also
bring this peace (1 Kings 2:33)
iii. God established the “Peace (Fellowship) Offering” to celebrate their peace with God!
1. And when His people lived in this peace, it would produce a wholeness to their being
(Gen. 15:15; 2 Kings 22:20; Ps. 4:8; Isa. 26:3)
a. A satisfaction in daily living, security & good health, even harmony in
relationships
iv. The desire for and focus on God’s peace became so great for these people that it shaped
both their greetings & farewells
1. “Do you have peace?” which was similar to how we say, “How are you?” (although it
reaches much deeper) (c.f. Gen. 29:6; 2 Sam. 18:29; 2 Kings 4:26; Esther 2:11)
2. And “Go in peace,” which was an assurance of friendship and favor at departure (Gen.
26:31; Exod. 4:18; 1 Sam. 20:42; Mark 5:34; Luke 7:50)
f. 132 years before Jesus’ birth the Old Testament was translated into Greek
i. Does anyone know what that version of the OT is called? Septuagint
ii. The word they used for shalom peace was eirene—
1. The same word used by NT authors when you see peace mentioned in the English
today (interestingly the only NT book not to use this word is 1 John)
g. Thus the New Testament continues the OT understanding of peace
i. It still entails safety & security (Acts 9:31), an absence of hostility, strife, & disorder (1
Cor 14:33), and a strong relationship w/God (in which He rules & guards our hearts &
minds; Col 3:15, Phil 4:7)
ii. But it especially focuses it on the work of Jesus (Luke 2:14, 19:38).
1. MP1: Jesus eternally secured peace for His followers (Rom. 5:1; Col 1:20)
2. And He gives this peace as a blessing to them (Luke 24:36; John 14:27, 16:33, 20:1921, 20:26; 2 Thess. 3:16)
3. The Good News of Jesus is described as a “Gospel of Peace” which will bring peace
as a fruit in our lives (Rom 14:17; Gal 5:22; Eph 6:15)
iii. And it especially highlights how this peace should lead to unity & harmony in
relationships between all Christians, Jews or Gentiles (2 Cor 13:11; Eph. 2:14-15, 4:3)
2. Illustrate:
a. MP1: One way to think about biblical peace is to consider the cross
b. Vertically the work of Jesus on the cross connects us to God
i. He has restored our relationship with Him
c. Horizontally the work of Jesus on the cross connects us to one another,
i. “Red & yellow, black, & white”
ii. He has established peace between us so that we may be united as brothers & sisters!
d. And perhaps you can think of the crossing point as your own heart-i. The cross has established “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, [which
will] will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Php. 4:7, CSB)
3. Expand:
a. This is biblical peace.
i. Do you have it: Internally, w/other people, w/God?
ii. Do you live it: Internally, w/other people, w/God?
iii. Do you want this more prominently in your life?
1. I know that I do!
4. Transition: So let’s begin to shift our focus more exclusively to Philippians 4:2-9 and what it
shares about...
Main Point 2:
Receiving Peace
1. Explain:
a. While peace is secured & given by God,
i. Prior to our death, due to temptations of sin,
ii. We do not always experience His peace
b. This is why today’s thesis is that “We must choose to live in the holistic peace that God
established for us. ”
i. MP2: We can’t make it or earn it (by our own abilities),
1. but we can put us in a position to well receive it
ii. MP2: We receive it by godly submission & focused work
1. This enables us to live in God’s peace & experience to its fullest extent
iii. And so what does Paul highlight in these verses—
1. How can we well receive the peace of God? First…
c. MP2: Peace is found through closeness with God
i. Consider this consistent theme throughout this morning’s text:
1. “Rejoicing….In the Lord”
2. “The Lord is… near”
3. We are to consistently make our requests “known to… God” through regular prayer
4. And it is clearly a “peace of God”
5. Close to us, as though a fellow wingman in battle, this peace “Guards” our hearts &
minds in… “Christ Jesus”
6. And finally, this very “God of peace will be… with you”
ii. If you want to have a closeness to God, you must maintain close fellowship with God
1. Pray regularly, read His Word, Listen to His Spirit, Obey His voice.
iii. Now, I want you to also consider that...
d. MP2: Peace is found through living in harmony with others
i. Did you catch that in vv2-3?
1. Before talking about dealing w/internal anxieties Paul urged two strong Christian
women [Euodia (yū ōʹ dĭ ȧs) & Synyche (Sĭnʹ tĭ khē)] to “agree in the Lord.”
2. He even went so far as to publicly ask the church to help them toward this end!
ii. It seems that interpersonal peace is everyone’s business at the church.
1. As Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”
(Matthew 5:9, CSB)
2. And as Paul earlier said, "So then, let us pursue what promotes peace and what builds
up one another.” (Romans 14:19, CSB)
iii. Interestingly this also highlights the importance of asking a fellow Christian for help to
help bring peace between you and another…
iv. But moving on, what else does Paul highlight about receiving peace?
e. MP2: Peace is found through disciplined Christian Living
1. Which I thought was a good way of summarizing the list Paul gives from vv4-9
i. MP2: Rejoice: v4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
1. Foot-stomped again; this is a very common theme in Philippians!
2. In every situation, we must choose to rejoice, it is an act of your will, not merely an
emotional response
3. This does not mean that every situation produces joy, but because of our God we can
always find joy, no matter the situation!
ii. MP2: Choose Gentleness: v5a, “Let your graciousness be known to everyone.”
1. The word for “Gentleness” means to not insist on every right or custom to be given to
you
a. It implies a kindness, courtesy, patience & restraint (forbearance) to those you
encounter
2. And we are to let this be known to all: The church, your family, your friends, coworkers, supervisors, subordinates, enemies, immigrants, non-Christians, & more!
3. Furthermore, Paul shares that to enter into such peace we need to be
iii. MP2: Remember God’s Presence: v5b, “The Lord is near.”
1. He is close to us, consistently remind yourself of this!
2. And as a result, draw near to Him! (James 4:8)
iv. MP2: Reject Worry: v6a, “Don’t worry about anything.”
1. Another act of the will—we need to chose this
a. We need to actively work to let go of anxiety.
2. Jesus teaches very directly on this in Matthew 6:25–34, reminding us that each day
has enough worry for itself (c.f. Luke 12:22–34)
a. We don’t need to borrow worry from future possibilities.
b. I encourage you all to sit with that passage this week.
3. In essence Paul is exhorting us to direct our thoughts away from anxiety-a. Doing the other things mentioned here will help us accomplish this!
v. MP2: Pray Thoroughly: v6b, “but in everything, through prayer & petition with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (c.f. Eph 6:18; 1 Thess. 5:16-18)
1. I love the settle note here on what we should pray about…
a. Did you catch it? Everything!
b. Whether in wrong humility assuming God doesn’t care,
i. Or in boastful pride, thinking we should handle this on our own-ii. We are told that “in everything… present your requests to God”
2. And then Paul highlights two key elements of through prayer: We should share
a. Petitions: Urgent requests to God to meet a need—the requests he mentions just a
moment later
b. Thanksgiving: Expressions of gratitude to God for who He is & what He does
i. Much like rejoicing, no matter what situation you are going through, there are
always reasons to rejoice—
ii. Will you stop to think about them & talk to God about them?
3. If you’re looking to grow in this area, consider reading through the Psalms
a. Specifically look for those that are addressed as a prayer to God
vi. MP2: Dwell on Excellent Things: v8, “Finally brothers & sisters, whatever is true,
whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is
commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—
dwell on these things.”
1. Paul gives an excellent general summary on what we should focus our thoughts on
a. How we should ‘ponder rightly’
b. What our reflections & meditations should center on
2. This lines up quite nicely with Paul’s direction to rejoice, be thankful, & reject
worry—
a. If we let them, stressful times will control our thoughts
b. They will direct us toward all sorts of damaging ends
c. How can we effectively not think about (dwell on) our anxieties?
i. By filling our mind with other thoughts—gratitude, joyful things, and other
things that line up with what Paul mentions here
3. I could spend quite a bit of time looking at each word Paul uses to describe the types
of things we should let fill our minds—
a. But I think the plain English explains the point well enough.
4. I encourage you to consider,
a. What occupies your mind in the evening as you prepare or try to sleep?
b. What fills your daydreams or musings?
c. What anxieties grip your heart as the morning dawns?
5. Consider how God may be directing you now to reject those thought patterns and
instead fill it with these things.
a. If you just try to ‘stop thinking negatively,’ it will never work.
b. You have to actively dwell on excellent things
c. Recognize even how Jesus teaches that we must “Seek first the kingdom of God
and His righteousness” to “not worry” (Matthew 6:33)
6. Finally, Paul teaches that we must…
vii. P2: Model Godly People: v9, “Do what you have learned and received and heard
from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.”
1. Hopefully we are intentional about learning from godly people
a. There are many things we can receive as they teach us with their words and
actions.
2. And we will not be perfect at this right away—we must practice it!
a. Keep learning, keep failing forward as a Christian!
b. And rest in the amazing love, forgiveness, mercy, & grace of our God as you do
2. Emphasis: These seven things are key ways that we live a disciplined Christian life that leads
to receiving God’s peace
a. For as we just read, as we do these things, “the God of peace will be with” us (v9)
b. And as Paul shared in v7, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard
your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
3. Transition: Now, let’s close this off…
Conclusion-1:
Conclusion
1. Reiterate: We must choose to live in the holistic peace that God established for us.
a. Through the cross Jesus has secured a permanent peace for us to enjoy with God
i. A peace that leads to total well-being: (Wholeness, satisfaction, relational harmony,
good health, & security)
ii. But we do not receive this peace while living the ‘normal human life’
b. But through godly submission & focused work we can receive this shalom, this total peace
2. Con-: Apply: So, how should we respond?
a. To help answer this & to find greater peace in your life, I encourage you to ask yourself
these three questions:
i. How can I get nearer to God?
ii. Do I live in harmony with others?
iii. Am I living the Christian life that we just talked about?
b. Con-: Draw nearer to God! (c.f. James 4:4–10)
i. Prioritize finding peace through your relationship with God
1. Not through external things like people, wealth, accomplishments, personal
psychological disciplines, etc.)
ii. What habits & disciplines do you need to institute to draw nearer to Him?
1. Do you need to daily meditation on Scripture before you sleep & spend more
scheduled times of prayer? Make it so!
2. What areas do you need to better trust & obey Him? Make it so!
c. Con-: Be a Peacemaker!
i. Take a personal assessment—Is there someone you need to forgive?
1. The situation with Euodia (yū ōʹ dĭ ȧs) & Synyche (Sĭnʹ tĭ khē) demonstrates that it's
not uncommon for good Christians to have conflicts...
a. From miscommunications to personality conflicts—it happens!
b. But that is no excuse to let it remain or to not pursue peace!
2. Make sure to pursue healing & harmony in these relationships (c.f. Matthew 5:21–26,
18:15–20; Romans 12:18, 14:19; Hebrews 12:14)
ii. Furthermore, is there another way God wants you to be a peacemaker within your social
groups? How can you help others find peace?
1. May God want you to play the role of a peacemaker (Matthew 5:9) as Paul asked the
church to do here (Philippians 4:2-3)
iii. As a slight caution in this area—
1. Remember that we are not to pursue peace at the expense of obedience to God’s will
or at the expense of actually believing and lovingly affirming God’s truth.
2. There are certain elements of the Gospel that are rather offensive to the world
a. Consequently there will be sometimes we cannot ‘make peace’
b. Even Jesus had a mob rise up against Him—multiple times!
c. And He taught us that His message will bring ‘a sword’ & ‘division’ (Matthew
10:32–39; Luke 12:49-53)
d. Con-: Live a disciplined Christian life!
i. Rejoice, Choose Gentleness, Remember God's Presence, Reject Worry, Pray Thoroughly,
Dwell on Excellent Things, & Model Godly People: Practice it!
ii. Through the seven things we just looked at you can find greater internal & interpersonal
peace.
iii. Pick a few of these & urgently work to apply them this week!
iv. And in so doing you will begin to see the peace of Christ more greatly rule in your heart
(Phil 4:7, Col 3:15a)
3. Appeal: To close, I offer you this poem (by Elizabeth Cheney):
a. Said the robin to the sparrow, “I should really like to know,
i. Why these anxious human beings Rush about and worry so.”
b. Said the sparrow to the robin, “Friend I think that it must be,
i. That they have no Heavenly Father, Such as cares for you and me.”
4. Conclude: May we each come to know our caring Heavenly Father more this week & walk in
the Gospel Peace He has offered us—Pray with me...