JOY EXPRESSED: PEACE OF MIND

Philippians 4:4–7 NKJV

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.

Main Idea: God desires to give us peace.

Key Question: Do you live with a deep sense of peace?

1. Be joyful in every moment. (v. 4)

Philippians 4:4 NKJV

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

George Mueller “The first great and primary business… every day was to have my soul happy in the Lord.”

Proverbs 15:15 NKJV

All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

Proverbs 17:22 NKJV

A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.

Christians even in the midst of brokenness can rejoice.

2 Corinthians 6:10 NKJV

as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

2. Be kind to every person. (v. 5)

Philippians 4:5 NKJV

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

Philippians 4:5 CSB

Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.

Philippians 4:5 ESV

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;

Philippians 4:5 NLT

Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

Philippians 4:5 NASB95

Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.

“gentle forbearance with others” Fee OR “graciousness

Titus 3:2 NKJV

to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

Psalm 86:5 NKJV

For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.

3. Be prayerful with every opportunity. (v. 6-7)

Philippians 4:6–7 NKJV

Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.

Proverbs 12:25 CSB

Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up.

Someone has said that 90% of what people worry about never occurs. Worry can be caused by a lack of faith. Sometimes there is a fine line between worry and concern. Concern can move us to action especially in ministry to others. Worry paralyzes with no kingdom benefit. Concern motivates us. Worry stifles us. Concern leads to service resulting in joy and peace. Worry leads into darkness and depression.

Matthew 6:25–34 NKJV

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.