The Master’s Encouraging Peace Plan

Philippians 4:4-13

Date: April 19, 2020

Date: May 3, 2015

Introduction: As we approach this coming week, we can expect to hear more and more cries for ‘peace.’ The calls for peace usually contain the “arrest, suppression, or destruction” of the one, the group, or the nation of those that “disrupt peace”.

It is amazing how “intolerant” the “tolerance” crowd is.

Note – Some are demanding ‘peace’ – Middle East…Some are negotiating for peace – U.N. ,USA, China, Korea, Israel, Iran, Sudan, Ivory Coast, There are people who try to ‘visualize’ world peace…

Note-many of the churches are calling for ‘peace’ and ‘unity’; what they mean is: you drop all the doctrines to the lowest common denominator so we will not feel uncomfortable!!!

1 Thessalonians 5:13 KJV 1900

13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

Note- Real peace can never be determined by my circumstances, real peace can only be known through a DYNAMIC relationship with Jesus Christ.

Note – The problem is: that those calling for peace do not know the Prince of Peace…

Isaiah 9:6–7 KJV 1900

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, Upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, To order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice From henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Note – Man’s mistake is that we believe we can attain peace by arranging all of our external pressures, and attaining external goals.

But – Peace does not result from properly arranged external conditions…Peace is the result of a right relationship with God in your inner man!

I. Recognize the Presence of God in Your Life-vs. 4-7

A. Rejoice in the Lord-vs. 4

Note – When the Apostle Paul wrote ‘Philippians’ – he was imprisoned in Rome – Suffering physically – yet he writes “Rejoice in the Lord alway”

Paul was not in that prison by himself, he was in there with the Lord!!

Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive I. Rejoice in the Presence of the Lord

The joy of the Lord is a thermostat, not a thermometer. A thermometer registers conditions. A thermostat controls them. Happiness is related to the thermometer. If your hap is good, you’re happy. If your hap is bad, you’re unhappy. And your condition of happiness goes up and down with your circumstances. But joy remains constant, because Jesus is constant. You know what most of us need to learn to do? Practice the presence of God—I mean, to understand that He is always there, and in no matter what circumstance we find ourselves, not to become a thermometer, but to set the thermostat.

Notice what the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk wrote at a time of economic depression and hardship for the nation of Israel.

Habakkuk 3:17–18 KJV 1900

17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, Neither shall fruit be in the vines; The labour of the olive shall fail, And the fields shall yield no meat; The flock shall be cut off from the fold, And there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

If you do not have joy/the ability to rejoice it is because Jesus is not real to you.

See verse 5:

“Let your moderation be known unto all men.”

Definition of Moderation = Forbearance, Good will, Friendly disposition…reject vengefulness.

“Moderation,” says Dr. Macknight, “means meekness under provocation, readiness to forgive injuries, equity in the management of business, candour in judging of the characters and actions of others, sweetness of disposition, and the entire government of the passions.”

From my verse notes: The root word that is translated “moderation” in this case is also translated “image” in other verses. The image of Jesus Christ should show through in every area of my life.

Moderation at its core is a man or woman that is Spirit led in their actions.

James 5:8–9 KJV 1900

8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

Note – Paul’s challenge – time is too short to live without peace…Establish your hearts in peace!!!

Note-“At the heart of the matter it is always a matter of the heart”

Note – Be careful for nothing – full of worry…

B. Begin to live with an Awareness of God-vs. 5

Why? – “The Lord is at hand!”

Note- Recognizing the authority in one’s life will create a new sense of awareness to His Person.

Turn to Matthew chapter 6:

Matthew 6:25–33 KJV 1900

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

1 Peter 5:7 KJV 1900

7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

C. Communicate with God through prayer-vs. 6

Quote – George Mueller – “To care is a virtue, but to foster cares is a sin, for each anxiety is to not trust in God – but to trust in one’s self and to promote inner suffering, fear, and worry.”

“Prayer is an assault of our human autonomy”

“Sometimes it takes a great lack of peace to draw us to our knees!”

Psalm 55:17 KJV 1900

17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: And he shall hear my voice.

Matthew 7:7–8 KJV 1900

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Worship

Open your Heart to God in worship…

ii. Pray-ask, communicate

Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Prayer

Often we pray with our minds on hold and our mouths on automatic.

iii. Supplication-a cry for help in a time of need, either for yourself or for others.

Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Prayer

“In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart” (John Bunyan).

iv. Requests-specific petitions, by being specific in your prayer requests it is easier to see when God answers.

“prayer is not about me getting what I want; prayer is about me knowing the mind of Christ and praying for what He wants!”

James 1:5 KJV 1900

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Illustration – Prayer list, use the prayer and prospect book

Create a list and check them off when God answers them

Note – All prayer with Thanksgiving…

II. Develop The Power of Godly Thinking – verse 8

Note – Inner peace is a result of prayer, and right thinking.

Note- we will never change the way that we act until we change the way that we think!!

Proverbs 23:7 KJV 1900

7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; But his heart is not with thee.

A. Things that are True

(Think about things that are corresponding with God’s nature)

B. Things that are Honest

(Reverent, Prompted by Holy Morals)

Note – Honest and Just – Addresses our reading / entertainment- T.V. and Movies

2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV 1900

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

C. Things that are Pure

Will not contaminate

Corrupt music will corrupt your life.

D. Things That are Lovely

Ethically beautiful (as opposed to corruptness)

E. Things that are of a Good Report

Opposite of Filthiness / foolish talking / innuendo / gossip

F. Things that are Virtuous

Note – Think on these things – “Constant thought process.”

Quote – “Sow a thought, reap an action. Sow an action, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny…”

Note – If our minds are filled with filth, etc. – there will be no peace.

III. Seek to Immediately Obey God-vs. 9-10

Note – A disobedient Christian is not at peace…

A. Learn from Verbal Instruction

i. Parents, teacher, leader, Pastor, etc.

B. Received from Written Epistles

i. Read, study (define the words),meditate, and Obey the Word of God.

ii. Seek to apply the Truths of the Bible to your everyday life.

C. Heard from Other’s Testimony

i. Seek other’s advice

ii. Surround yourself with other Overcoming Christians-“water seeks its own level”

1. Who you are around will eventually be who you become!!!

2. Reformer’s Unanimous principle: Those who do not love the Lord will not help you serve the Lord. Or those who love the Lord will help you serve the Lord!!

D. Seen from the Apostles Life

Note – These things we have learned, received, heard, and seen – “DO” (constantly practice – develop a habitual practice of obedience.)

Note- The intake of Truth will never accomplish anything until we experience the Application of Truth!

John 8:30–32 KJV 1900

30 As he spake these words, many believed on him. 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 14:6 KJV 1900

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

1 John 3:18–19 KJV 1900

18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

IV. Determine To Trust God in Every Situation-vs. 11-13

Isaiah 26:3 KJV 1900

3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on thee: Because he trusteth in thee.

Conclusion

Verse 7 and verse 13 – God’s peace will keep our hearts and minds…which Strengtheneth Us

Song: Peace, Peace Wonderful Peace page 229 and It is well with my soul-page 375

Illustration – Physical and mental health / family turmoil – the answer? “Through Christ Jesus.”

Romans 5:1 KJV 1900

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

“Peace is not the absence of trouble, Peace is the Presence of God.”

Do you want peace in the midst of a time of no peace?

Recognition of the Presence of God in our lives

Develop Right Thinking

Seek Immediate Obedience

Learn to trust God in every situation